My sewing goals and challenges for 2018

I love to learn and improve and i love challenges. So, for 2018 I have decided to do just that.   I have found some fun challenges that i think will help me to learn and grow as a seamstress.

The first challenge is a 52 week sewing challenge.  For this one, we have a different challenge each week. This will be fun. I will be making things for my kids, grandkids and myself.  So for week 1, we sew something warm. Thinking I will go with a fleece jacket for some grandkids.

The next one I am doing is a monthly sew a long challenge. For this one they give us a monthly theme and we sew whatever fits into that theme. So for January it is a coat, jacket, or poncho. I already have ideas for this.  The think with this one, is having a whole month, so if I want to tackle a coat or suit jacket, I feel like it is doable.

The next challenge is the "who made it best?" Challenge. For this one, we have quite a few and have shared what types of things we would like to do, then we team up with each other. We set our date to be done between each other. I like this one, as we can spread things out if need be.

For learning, but all of the above are learning as well, I am following a book called Design it yourself clothes. This book will take me through the process of drafting clothes, something I have always wanted to learn.

Blog hops.

I have a monthly blog hop that I will be doing. Sometimes it will be something that works from 1 of my challenges, sometimes it will be something different.

I will also be doing additional hops throughout the year.

Testing.
I love testing patterns for designers. I will also be signing up for some of those. Through testing, I can also learn new techniques, because testers are usually in a separate group, and we share techniques with each other.

The Plan
I know I have a lot going on, but I have decided the best way to accomplish these goals is to develop a plan. I will do cutting in advance, probably on a Saturday evening or Sunday evening.  I have put all of my events for January on 2 different calendars in my electronic devices  and will be putting them on a calendar that will be above my sewing machine.

I need to now decide how often I want to blog about these things. I am trying to decide if for the 52 week challenge, I should post weekly showing each newly completed item or if I want to do it at the end of each month.  As a reader, what do you prefer?  Please leave a comment below.

Oh, and future posts will have pictures.