Anyone heard of "NaNoWriMo?" I'm declaring NaCoSewMo!

[gem]

I've decided I need a sewing version!

"NaNoWriMo" stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it's an annual event encouraging people to get over their fears and insecurities about writing by writing a complete novel in 30 days. (My new book actually began life as a NaNo project).  The goal is to stop fussing and just produce, and the mantra is "quantity over quality."

Well, I am hearby declaring September NaCoSewMo!  National Costume Sewing Month! LOL

I've spent all summer futzing with getting the bodice of Promenade absolutely perfect.  I'm still not there yet.  I don't regret it at all, because I want it to be perfect, but do you know what I've gotten sewn this summer as a result of all that futzing?

Absolutely. Nothing.

You know what I got sewn *last* summer, because of futzing with Promenade?  Yeah.  You guessed it.

So about a week and a half ago, I spontaneously decided to switch gears, and make something totally different instead.  Something in which I had not invested two years of research, planning, and shopping for the perfect material.  I just dove in, decided to follow the directions as written (instead of endlessly tweaking the patterns), and hit the ground running.

Wow--it's FANTASTIC!  This weekend I've made a partlet and half a corset!  I feel so liberated, and I'm excited about sewing in a way I haven't been in months and months.

I know most of the people on these boards actually sew like this all the time, and a few of you actually make everything perfectly every time you pick up a needle... but for anyone else who gets caught in endless planning and puttering but never gets anything *made,* join me!!

It all reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: Perfect is the enemy of finished. 

[Auryn]

gem, I will join you in this crusade.
I am definitely not one of these people

a few of you actually make everything perfectly every time you pick up a needle

.
I worry so much about screwing up that it takes forever to finish something.

[PrincessSara]

I know exactly where you're at - I'm so indecisive I can't get anything done.  I spend a lot of time planning and choosing fabrics and colours and testing patterns and I never get anything done.  And I never want to sew anything I haven't planned well, so it's hard to do a spontaneous sewing project.

[GirlChris]

I've actually started working like this. It's glorious. Last year I decided to make a doublet for my boyfriend for his birthday, and it took me nearly a full year. I was so worried about cutting into fabric and messing something up that I did nothing.

In the past month, I said "screw it" I have remade a shift that didn't fit properly, half sewn a bodice for a Tudor kirtle, and EVEN MADE A FARTHINGALE. I'm so proud of myself!

I'm pretty sure next weekend I can get the bodice finished.

[bellevivre]

Joining! Esp as TRF starts in about a month!

I have faerie to finish, and hubby's gloves, and also would like to make him a fur lined cape... and take in some of my garb...

[Elennare]

Does it have to be faire garb, or can it be any costume?  If it doesn't have to be for faire, I'm in with my halloween costume.  And if I somehow have enough time, maybe I'll throw in the doublet I have been planning to make for my dad.

Need to make a skirt, corset, garters, and trench coat for halloween.  And possibly a shirt as well, if I can't find one like I need.  I'll likely have to mod the shirt a bit anyway, and I'll have to make/mod some goggles as well.

[Auryn]

So should we set goals, a list of projects we plan on finishing, that we try to stick to or just wing it??
Me personally I am a list person. If I see things on my to do list that aren't completed it makes me focus and put my nose to the grindstone.

[Katie Bookwench]

It all reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: Perfect is the enemy of finished. 

So very true!!

I'm only an occasional perfectionist (I call it 'selective anal-retentiveness'). But more often, my problem is staying on track. If I become too frustrated on a project, it gets tossed in the corner to reflect on what it's done wrong.

But this is a GREAT idea! I'm on board!

[Beaudan Tocks]

I am so new to sewing...   well...  I can't say that...   My dear departed mother was a master seamstress. Evidently I absorbed something when I was a kid, sitting on the couch watching TV while she laid out her cardboard and started pinning tissue to fabric, all the while swatting at friendly dogs, curious cats and oblivious children with a mouthful of pins...  or maybe I'm channeling her...   Whatever the case may be. I think I'm in on this.
I just found a Singer 401A Slantomatic with all of the goodies in the original Hide-away "Desk"...  at Goodwill...   for $20. The machine and the Desk are in Awesome Shape. While looking around on the interlink for tips on cleaning up/Tuning up the machine i found out just how good of a deal I got. These machines are going for $450 without the desk.

Anyway...  M'Lady and I are both itchin' for some variety in our garb so we ended up at Joann Fabrics this past Saturday and picked up some Patterns and Some fabric.
I have 2 Renaissance Shirts and a pair of Breaches to make for myself and two Overskirts to make for M'Lady. I'd like to get at least 1 shirt, the breaches and 1 skirt done before Labor Day weekend.

I'm diving in tonight after work and see just how much I can get done before Satrurday.

Should we post project progress pics?  or ?

[Mairsy Doates]

M'Lord when you are in sewing mode I truly believe Mom is there.and surely she so very proud of you. 

[Lady Rosalind]

Shoot, I'd love to participate, but September is just too busy for me.

I look forward to seeing what everyone else produces, though!

[Syrilla]

The last few weeks, I've started declaring that!!!

[Lady Rebecca]

I have a super long list of stuff to get accomplished, but it all depends on how much free time I have at work (since I don't own my own sewing machine). But on my to-be-completed list is:
-finish 18th cent stays
-16th cent gown

-victorian corset
-new ren garb


I also have sketches done for an 18th cent gown, a steampunk inspired ensemble, and some more ren garb that i would make to sell. But all that will be later.

[PrincessSara]

I'm working on a couple of quick 'dane projects right now, but I'd love to do a fast period piece to get back into my sewing groove.  Any ideas?  I attend a 12th century faire and a 1526-7 faire (one weekend each).  I'm also pretty big on H/A so I wouldn't get much enjoyment from or have much use for a faire bodice/petal skirt/pirate coat etc.

One of the things that really slows me down is getting fabric - buying fabric for me means either an 80 mile drive on an incredibly congested freeway or ordering it online.  Not easy, so spur of the moment projects are pretty much non-feasible.

[gem]

Sarah, what's in your stash?  A kirtle is a pretty quick project--bodice + skirt; goes *very* fast if you have a corset to wear with it, OR a properly fitting bodice pattern already.  I made the Margo Anderson partlet in a couple of afternoons (and that included massive fiddliness with the collar, which I totally modified).  Hats go quickly--you could surely find use for a coif/caul.  What about a rope petticoat?  Use whatever skirt pattern you already have, add channels for the rope from anything (I used ribbon), and pick up some rope at the local hardware store.

So: fitted the new Simplicity corset tonight--it's going to be great!  Sewing instructor showed me how to bind it by stitching in the ditch (after 8 tabs, I'll be a pro).  I definitely *do* want to widen the straps.  Hope to get all the new pieces cut out tonight!