The Year in Sewing . . . and What's Next

Okay, folks. I obviously have a problem. Well, perhaps more than one. First of all, as you can see from my year-end sewing collage, I have a certain prejudice against colors that aren't in the blue-green family.

Whoa.

I need to branch out. Truth be told, there are two skirts and one shirt that aren't pictured, that are not blue or green, and which I've yet to blog about because they are part of outfits that haven't been completed (largely because the missing items have lots of pieces and require some measurement adjustment I haven't quite gotten my mind around yet). But clearly I need to make a conscientious effort to sew non-blue, non-green items.

My second problem? My stash is completely out of control. I don't have an exact count, but I think I could probably sew one item every two weeks for a year and only have to buy notions to do it. So, I've decided that the only way to work through the stash is to forbid myself from buying any fabric in 2012. But what if it's a deal you just can't pass up? No. But what if it's the fabric of your dreams? No. But what if it was with a Jo-Ann's gift card and wasn't technically spending money? No.

I will take Jo-Ann gift cards as gifts, all you wonderful family members looking for Christmas and birthday ideas, but I will use them to buy notions to finish off my projects. The goal is to spend as close to zero dollars as possible on sewing for the entirety of 2012. So gift cards would be most welcome. I will also gladly accept free fabric should any decide to come my way. But I will not purchase any. No trip to the Fabric Gallery this January (Val, we'll have to find some other special place to go for my birthday). I will do my best to avoid the fabric section in Jo-Ann's by taking the long way around to the notions, which happen to be guarded on the fabric side by polar fleece (which I have absolutely no interest in).

I believe that if I can live up to this personal challenge I will not only clean up my sewing room, but I will save enough money by the end of the year that I might be able to treat myself with something special, like, say, a serger. Or some things I don't typically make, like shoes and unmentionables.

Thus, I hereby declare that in 2012 I will not spend one cent on fabric for sewing personal apparel. I will allow for possible purchases of fabric to make home projects (like my long-planned but never executed Roman shades for the dining room) or a smoking jacket for my husband or something as a gift. But none for clothes for myself. And I'm also going to try to get through the stash using existing patterns as well (along with some I borrow).

That's my goal for 2012. Has anyone tried something like this before? How did it work out?