Hello and happy Friday! If you’re here in the United States it’s the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend which signifies the beginning of summer here. We’ve had the most amazing cooler temperatures this May, but I know our signature heat is on the way. With the beginning of summer, I always set personal goals and summer sewing goals and thought these topics would be perfect for this week’s Sew Your Stash series (I’ll share more about International Quilt Market in Kansas City next week).
Summer Sewing and Personal Goals
While things have been going at lightning speed for me over the past little while with the release of Harper’s Garden, quilt market preparation, and secret sewing…they will be slowing down just a little very soon. I’m finishing up a big project with an early June deadline, and then I should have a few weeks to work on some of my works in progress and maybe even start some new projects!
Setting Sewing Goals
I like to set goals for my summer sewing much as I do at the beginning of a new year. (You might find this post from the first week of January helpful on this topic). Since I don’t teach at our local community college in the summer, I have some bonus free time in the summer for sewing. And this year I have some definite things I want to accomplish.
Step One: Clean up the Sewing Area
Doing a little cleaning up is always my step one when setting new goals or starting new projects. I actually spent an hour or so just straightening things up in my sewing room last evening. It really helps me to remember things I might want to work on and to focus on what needs to be finished first. I brought home some new ideas from quilt market, and getting them organized was a “must-do.”
Step Two: Review your Works in Progress
I’ve actually finished four of my original twelve works in progress from this list (scroll down to see my January list). And some of the ones remaining are really quick finishes. So I’m confident I’ll be able to quickly finish some of those projects and start some new things this summer. Here are some things I plan to finish in June/July:
- My Fat Quarter Shop Barn Block Quilt (so excited to get this one finished and quilted)
- My Three Quilting Life BOM projects from 2018
- Two small projects with Soft & Stable that I started but haven’t finished (not on my January list).
- I’d also like to work on my On the Plus Side quilt and my Village quilt…but I’m enjoying them both so much that it’s okay they are works in slow progress!
Step Three: Make a List of New Projects to Begin.
This is where it really gets fun! I have so many things in mind…but I narrowed it down to three so I’ll hopefully be more successful:
- A Sampler Quilt I’ll be sharing with you soon.
- New Soft & Stable project(s).
- Village House Blocks in Christmas fabrics for Christmas pillows
Personal Goals
During the summer I also like to focus on personal goals. Here are the things I’m working on this summer:
- Read…I have a stack of books I’ve been wanting to get to and just haven’t been able to. So I plan to minimize my television watching (unless I’m binding or doing handwork) and do some reading in the evenings.
- Declutter…This is ongoing for me. I do have some cupboards, closets, and drawers I haven’t worked on that need to be organized.
- Eat healthy. Summer salads are my favorite, and my plan is to make a rotation of my favorites that I can use throughout the summer.
- Spend fun time with my family! I’m trying to plan a family get together for later in the summer and also want to be open for impromptu get-togethers!
What are your summer sewing goals and other goals for this summer? Are there any new projects that you’re going to try this summer? I’m always up for hearing about projects!
Remember you can find the previous Sew Your Stash posts here. Happy quilting, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Sharon B. says
Looking forward to seeing the Barn Block quilt finished! The blocks are awesome!
I’m at the end of a week off from work…and have already done the “clean out and organize” of my sewing stash/area. Now to get stitching!
I plan to purchase the “Sunday Best Quilts” book….and looks like the Driftwood Drive quilt will be my first! 🙂
Lori says
Hi Sherri, What is sitting on your ironing board in your sewing room photo? Thanks and I love your posts and so look forward to them. They are so inspiring!
Brenda says
I love your endless summer quilt pattern. All those points make me nervous…but I just may have to tackle it cause I really really like it. Thx for sharing!
Barbara says
I love your sewing room. Can you tell me where I can get your sewing machine table.
sherri McConnell says
I got the table from my Janome dealer…it’s made by Janome to fit their machines. It’s really a great size and height.
Sherri
T Hozler says
Great post, Sherri. I’d love to see both the books you’re reading and the salads that you are making! It’s Friday!!
Janice L says
My goals for the year have been to sew my stash and work through my UFOs. So far, I have been sticking with both of them. My UFO pile has shrank considerably (some finished, some I’ve let go), and I have (mostly) refrained from buying fabric. I’m down to three quilts waiting to be quilted. I had hoped to get one more done before summer, but with hot weather moving in, I’m not sure I’ll get it finished. I’m not a fan of quilting a quilt when it is 90° outside.
For summer, my goal would be to slow down and enjoy. I would like to spend more time working on projects other than quilting (though I will always have a WIP). Reading and relaxing nore are on my to-do list also. Enjoy your summer!
Vicki says
One of my summer projects is to piece and quilt your Endless Summer mini quilt! I have the pattern and am going to use fabrics from my stash. I would also like to get the backs pieced for two finished quilt tops and get them quilted. Another goal for me unrelated to sewing is to get one of my 1980’s bathrooms updated!
Cheryl says
Ahhh summer plans……I tend to garden more in the summer than sew. My plan for the summer is to stop procrastinating and finish working on my home. I have been retired 3 years July 8th and it’s time I got the home decluttered and organized. I have been doing a good job of sewing from my stash this year. I am trying very hard to not start anything until I finish my UFOs. The exception is my Midnight Sky in shades of blue and gray. It is for my son-in-law (my last of 3) who is a police officer. The back will be a thin blue line flag. The other exception is I am making my 3 daughters Christmas quilts this year. I have the pattern and fabric, will start them once I have finished the quilt for SIL.
Our summer starts tomorrow with a barbecue with my youngest daughter, #1 son-in-law and my two granddaughters 10 & 4. I weeded under our 60+ year old Japanese maple tree where we will set up our annual fairy garden. I live in rainy Humboldt County, California so I pick it up every year once the rain begins. I add to my collection and this year for Easter I put miniatures into the plastic eggs for the girls, Ally and Pyper, to make one at home too!
Alycia says
Can’t wait to see your Village quilt. I made one and love it. I had a target of making 12 houses at a time. That helped me make a dent each time I sewed. I chain pieced and leap frog alot.
Gwyn says
Working this summer for the first time in 27 years. 🙁 My kids are older and I am now the director of my preschool, which means summer work. 🙁 Don’t ask. But a good career move. I have a small quilt to bind, a baby quilt to hand quilt and bind by the end of September. Two baby quilts to piece and send to a quilter and bind them in July. I’ve made all those baby quilts part of my list to try new patchwork patterns. When I rains, it pours. 4 baby quilts in one year! The last time a made a baby quilt was three years ago, so I’m enjoying matching quilting goals with an appreiciated gift!