Exploring the Basics: Choosing A Project

Welcome to the new series, Exploring the Basics.  Kate and I will be exploring...well..the basics of stitching and quilting in this ongoing series.

This week, we are starting at the beginning.  Not quite as "chicken and egg" as you may think.  Or at least that is what Kate and I think!  

Where do you begin?  With your fabric?  Or your tools?  I would argue that you need to back it up even more - to the project.  The project will determine WHAT fabric you need, as well as WHAT tools you'll need.

So let's talk project.  What are you thinking of making?  Are you looking for something quick and easy, because you JUST.WANT.TO.SEW?  Are you itching to try a new technique?  Or is there a special event coming up - perhaps a wedding, birthday, or new baby in the future?  Is there a quilt that is on your bucket list and you FINALLY have some time to tackle it?

Ah....time....that one is going to come back again and again.  How much time do you HAVE to work on the project and how much time do you WANT to spend on the project?  Just think about it.

These are all questions to answer when selecting your next project.  And spoiler alert - these questions will pop up again when we get even MORE specific next week.  That's right - when we go to select a pattern, we'll be asking ourselves some of these same questions.

Here's the rub: there is NO perfect answer.  There is no ONE answer for everyone.  This is a very individual, project to project decision.  Food for thought: experience has taught me that I have a better outcome when I take time to consider all factors and weigh my options before jumping in.  Which is exactly what I'll be doing with you, dear reader, over the next few posts.  Considering, discussing, thinking....for our best possible project!

Think about it.  Have you made an impulse purchase - fabric, patterns, books, notions - only to have them languish on the shelf or in a box or bag, hidden from view.  Have you started an involved, complicated project and not had a free moment in months to tackle it (or worst yet, fallen "out of love" with it)?  Yup, we ALL have at some point.  So let's try slowing down just a bit and thinking - start to finish - about the project, recipient, expense, time and effort so we can have fun and success in our stitching efforts.

Your homework:

• Make a list of any PROJECTS you are considering.  Yes, I mean it!
• Why do you want to make those projects (list events, recipients, techniques, etc)?
• For your top three, estimate the time you THINK it will take you to complete those projects.

We will come back to this list in two weeks when we explore Choosing a Pattern - and in future weeks when we look more closely at other aspects of your project.

Head over to Kate's blog for her insights and gorgeous pictures (she really does provide the most luscious eye candy!).

Thanks so much for checking out the blog this week.  I look forward to seeing you in two weeks when Kate and I explore Choosing a Pattern!  Yes, I know it sounds SIMILAR, but we are going to do a deep dive into patterns. 

I'd love to hear from you in the meantime.  What makes you choose a project? Please post in the comments section your inspiration, motivation, or impulse to start a new project!  And if you have burning questions you'd love to see covered in future posts, list those as well!  We LOVE hearing from you and want to make this series a go-to resource for you!

See you next week.  Until then, Happy Stitching!

 

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!