Monthly Roundup - December '09 and 2010 goals

December is always such a busy month!  I made time to get some serious winter sewing done.  My kiddos all needed winter gear, so there was a ton of "get it done" sewing.  Not always my favorite, but it was needed.

In December I completed:
1) An outfit for Myra from Ottobre 04/2004-3 and Simplicity 2526
2) Another set of scrubs for Mitch.  This one is perfect, so I have a TNT for him!!
3) A pink fleece jacket from Simplicity 2808 for me.  This baby has been getting a ton of wear!
4) Some tee shirts from Ottobre 04/2004-35 for Logan and Ottobre 03/2004-9 for Myra.
5) Layering leggings and tee for Myra from Ottobre 04/2004-2 and 03/2004-8
6) Flannel PJ pants from Logan from his TNT Butterick 4222
7) Jalie 2908 stretch jeans for me!
8) Ottobre 03/2004-7 pinafore for Myra to go with one of her tees.
9) burda style 12/2009-119 wrapover jacket for me.

There were only one thing from my monthly goals that I didn't get to. I was the trench skirt from 08/2009.  I love it, but I may put it on the back burner.  There are a few other projects I want/need to get done first.

1) Mitch is so supportive of my sewing addiction and makes so few requests that I try to give them priority when he does.  He needs another set of scrubs, so that will get done soonish, but he also asked me to make him a couple of spandex shorts for running.  He wears them under his regular running shorts to minimize chafing on long runs.  The shorts he has now have seams in inconvenient places...  I found this Kwik Sew pattern with a single panel that runs from inner leg to inner leg, so there are no crotch seams.  I've just gotten a couple of different weights of spandex from Spandex World, so these are first up for the New Year!
2) After sewing all those tees for my kids I realized that my own wardrobe has a sad lack in the knit top department, which is crazy, since I have tons of great knit fabrics and pattern just waiting to be combined.  Here are a few I want to make --

New Look 6816 view C in this cool Pucci-esque sweater print from FabricMart

Simplicity 2733 with the short puffed and pleated sleeves (pink on the pattern envelope), but without the kangaroo pocket.  This Anna Sui ITY from FabricMart would be sweet, particularly if I cut it out so that the dominant stripe follows the wrap top.

Jalie 2787 - the Criss Cross top.   I'm still on the fence about which fabric, although I'm leaning toward this pinkish purple nylon Tactel from Buttons 'n' Bolts.

This freebie pattern from SewingPatterns.com out of dark red poly jersey from JoAnn with a heavy bright silver chain.
These will all look great with jeans, slacks and several will coordinate well with skirts already in my wardrobe.
3) For Myra, I've been dying to make the Mini Mod dress again, but in denim with red bandanna accents and blue jean style topstitching.
4) I also have some black denim for jeans for Logan.  I'm trying to decide between Burda 9671, which are nice and basic, but which I would have to grade down to fit him, and Ottobre 03/2004-17, which are complicated and detailed (but cute!), but which would fit him without alterations.

I've also been thinking about my goals for the coming year.  I have a few things that I'd like to do and learn.  2009 has been a really good sewing year for me.  I've learned a lot, and developed some good skills.  I'd like to continue that pattern for 2010!  Here are some of the things I'd like to do:
1) Sew from burda style - at least one garment per month.
2) Make a tailored jacket using classical tailoring techniques.  This is probably going to be a year long project, since step one is LEARN classical tailoring techniques!
3) Learn or practice a new technique in a sewn garment every month.  Some of this will likely refer back to 2.
4) Sew outfits rather than orphan pieces, including for the kids.
5) Sew more than half of my projects each month from stash fabric and patterns.
6) Participate in a contest at PR.  There are some really fun ones planned for 2010!
7) Keep better track of the garments that I create throughout to year.
8) Make an LBD.
9) Knit an actual garment(ie, not a scarf) that requires shaping.

I'm really grateful for the wonderful community that I have found here in blogland.  I started this blog just a few months ago, but even in that short time I have made new friends and improved my sewing immensely.  I really think that blogging about my sewing has given me a bit more motivation to sew well and to stretch myself a little, and sometimes a lot!  Thanks to all of you who read, comment and help me to learn and grow  Here's to an amazing 2010, y'all!