2010 Sewing Goals

For posterity, I thought I’d record some of my quilting-related goals for this year. I won’t call them resolutions, but these are things that I’d like to get done this year.

First, a handful of specific projects I’d like to accomplish:

• Quilts or duvet covers for both kids – This is the year that my kids will move from cribs to big-kid beds, and I thought it only appropriate that they get a quilt upgrade (the first ones I made for them, while sentimental, are kind of crappy).  In my head, this is shaping up to be a many-faceted project, but I’ve got some time.
• Duvet cover for us – Ack! How on earth do you commit to a quilt for your own bed?! But it’s high time, if I really want to call myself a quilter, that I sleep under my own work.  Except, well, we like to sleep with a down comforter, so duvet cover it is.  We’ll see.
• Matching pillows – That’s right. Pillow shams. Decorative pillows. My husband is just shaking his head at the thought.
• Minimum 2 Project Linus donations – I would really like to make some quilts for Project Linus. My kids were the recipient of a PL blanket (knitted) when they were in the NICU, and my daughter still sleeps with hers. Seems only right to pay it back.
• A bag – There are so many cute bag patterns out there, I am dying to leave my comfort zone and make one.
• Clothing – I’m not sure whether it’ll be a skirt for me, a dress for my daughter, or what.  But again with the comfort zone, I want to try to make a piece of clothing.  Redeem myself for the disaster that was the formal dress my mom and I made when I was in high school.

Second, some more general, overarching goals:

• Name quilts – I’m sick of referring to my quilts in generic terms. They need names. Except, I kind of suck at creative names.  But, you know, I’ll try.  I might just give them people names, we’ll see.
• Say “no” more often – I’ve said “yes” a few too many times to people who want me to make a quilt for them.  I mean, I’m torn. I enjoy doing it for my friends, and hey, I like that they pay me for it.  But I find I’m spending so much time on those, that I don’t get to the other things on my list.
• Use scraps/stash more – Trying to use what I have and put things together in more interesting ways, instead of always buying new fabric for a new project.  Plus, scraps are cool!  If I learned anything from my retreat, it’s that you can do SO much with even the littlest pieces.
• Use all fabrics from one line less – Related to that last goal, I want to get away from using only a single line of fabric in a quilt.  I mean, sure, it looks great together. It’s supposed to.  But I want to do it a little less.
• Bigger quilts - I know, size doesn’t necessarily matter.  But I want to make more quilts for use on actual beds this year.  I will not fear quilting them.  I will not fear quilting them.

So, what are your sewing goals this year?  Similar to mine?  Totally different?  Any suggestions for me?