Last week, I shared my informal “inventory” of projects-in-progress that I want to finish up (or make significant progress on, in the case of “finishing” my Waffle Pullover) before Fall officially begins (September 22 this year). Based on the comments I received, many of you think it’s quite a “lofty” goal. And maybe it is. But I like “lofty” goals now and again. Besides . . . I know that most of these projects just need a little push of attention from me before – POOF! – they’re finished.
Because . . . most of the projects I laid out across my sewing table last week are near the finish line anyway. Each of them just . . . got stuck . . . for some reason along my way to finishing. I am notorious for putting up roadblocks or barriers – for myself – when it comes to finishing certain things. And once I remove my barriers (which are often really simple things), whoosh! I’m free to finish.
So the first project I tackled . . . was the little needlepoint owl for Erin (Project 2 from my inventory post last week). The stitching of the owl was finished. I had purchased a frame specially designed FOR the needlepoint owl, and I had it at the ready.
So what were my barriers to completion? I didn’t know how to block my needlepoint piece and I was intimidated to frame it on my own. (It’s my first needlepoint project, by the way.)
So. I took a deep breath and did some Googling to find out how to block needlepoint pieces. And then . . . I just did it. Success. (CHECK!)
As for the framing, the needlepoint owl and the frame came from Poppy Monk Needlepoint Kits and it turns out . . . they have some excellent tutorials right on their website. So I followed their guidance, et voilà! In 15 minutes I had the owl framed and ready to ship off to Erin. (The blocking took longer, but it was simple, too.) (CHECK!)
So. Barriers removed. New skills unlocked. Project complete!
(One down.)
Next up . . . the unfinished Sashiko stitched project bag (Project 1 from my inventory post last week). The stitching part of this project was completely finished, and yet . . . there it was, languishing on my sewing table.
What were my barriers this time? Well, the first one is the same barrier for any of the sewing-adjacent projects in my inventory. While I had downsized and reorganized my entire “craft room” (which isn’t actually a room, but a space in my basement) last year after we had the basement painted, I had not put my sewing stuff back in order. . . yet. So anything that needed machine sewing . . . just sat.
But this project had a two more barriers. The little bag was a kit project from Sue Spargo, but when I got the kit, I was really unhappy with the included fabric for the interior lining of the bag. (It was a fall leaf pattern and really didn’t “go” with the stitching at all. In fact, it sucked all the “fun” out of a charming design.) And the instructions for the cute little tulips at the ends of the drawstring ties were . . . not clear at all.
So. Step 1 ensued: deal with the sewing stuff. (CHECK!) Step 2: Find some suitable fabric from my own stash. (CHECK!) Step 3: Do something else for the ends of the drawstrings and move on. (CHECK!) (Note: Kat managed to figure out the “tulips” for her MDK project bag by finding a tutorial. She sent me a link, but I’d already finished my bag . . . so next time. And thanks, Kat.)
After the sewing stuff was cleared and reorganized (which did take a while, but will help all sewing related projects move forward in the future, so a worthy time investment) (that I should have made a year ago. . . ), the sewing-up of the bag took . . . one hour.
So. Barriers removed. Sewing machine uncovered and ready for whatever comes next, sewing-wise. Project complete!
(Two down.)
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How about you? Do you create your own barriers to finishing projects? Or is it just me?
Congratulations! My barriers are usually due to lack of organization in my crafting space. I have had problems with that my entire life. I get everything put away and organized, then I make a mess while working on something that I don’t immediately clean up. I am better than I used to be at this, but I have decided that my brain just doesn’t focus on putting things away. Why? I have no idea.
It is okay to put off for a time the last bit of finishing on a project. Often there is something that is needed for the last little bit (lining for instance) or maybe a technique worth discovering, or even, no time, no desire. It is ALL just fine. Plus, it is even more fun to suddenly have 4-5 things checked off the to do list! Ah, the freedom! That alone is worth all the procrastination, which is a very human trait, we need to push to overcome. Procrastination is FUN! lol
Just read your Filed Notes on the bag and you did a great job “rescuing” this project. I love the lining you chose. I made a bag with those little Tulips. Took me a bit to figure out the stitching but I have now added them to a few more drawstrings, I like your work around too. Thanks for the Field Notes.
Two down pretty quickly! I don’t know about other people, but I certainly put my own roadblocks in place on the way to completing a project. I just finished hemming a pair of pants for Justin after procrastinating for a few weeks. It wasn’t difficult, but required me to measure (several times as I didn’t want to rely on John’s purple Sharpie mark, cut, pin, iron, find matching thread, and figure out how to sew through multiple thicknesses with my 1940s machine. But it’s done. I love your needlepoint owl and I really love the project bag. I think when kits are put together in a less-than-ideal way with subpar instructions, that would create roadblocks for almost anyone. Congratulations on a lovely finished bag!
They both look like fun projects!
Totally love your Sashiko bag, Kym, despite all the drawbacks you encountered. Quite a shame re the muslin thinness considering the price tag. But at least your stitching and your lining was perfection. I have a project that i dreamed up a better finishing feature for while it was in time-out. Only thing is now I can’t find that last ball of yarn to complete it and, you guessed it, the yarn was discontinued.
My point was that allowing a project to languish awhile can have the advantage of giving you a new perspective with a better idea to finish. Even though in my case I lost track of that left over ball (yarn management lesson!)
I’m sorry the kit was such a disappointment, but your finished bag is beautiful Kym. Glad you could find a way around your frustrations with the supplies included. The framed owl is so cute – Erin will love it! Congratulations on two down already!! My primary road block is that I frequently become bored with a project.
I love every bit of this post Kym! The owl needlepoint is absolutely adorable! And that bag… so so sweet! And go you for putting your “sewing room” back together! That is a task in itself! Last night I noted my yarn ball is almost to the point of bind off! Yep, maybe today if I can get a few rows in!
I don’t know why those last steps are always so hard to do, even (or especially) when they wind up being no big deal. I think it’s some mental block we put in place. In any case, I’m glad you overcame them because these are two great finishes! And somehow I missed your earlier post about these, so now I’m going back to get the details.
I def have a sewing barrier because when I turned my sewing/craft room into a studio and added a desk, I sacrificed having my sewing machine set up and at the ready at any time. Hauling it out to sew some little thing feels like So Much Effort that I have been letting those projects pile up. I think identifying barriers like this is a smart way to get things done.
Go you! The bag turned out really cute, and the needlepoint is adorable. And congrats on getting your sewing area put back together!
My barriers? Oh, let me count the ways…