Other than being full of fabric (interspersed with trims, yarn, buttons and patterns) my sewing room contains a fairly significant number of projects that have been planned but are either not finished or not even started.  So I have been wondering when a planned project shifts onto my to-do list or when it is a WIP (work in progress) or UFO (unfinished object).  What deliniates each category?

There are the planned projects that have patterns matched up to fabrics and all trims are in readiness in nice little piles.  But these can sit for weeks/months/years waiting to be started.

There are projects that are on my to-do list.  These usually have some sort of a deadline, which may or may not be flexible.  They might have patterns matched up to fabrics or they might just be a word on the list.

There are projects that have been started – maybe cut out, maybe even a seam or two – but have then sat idle.  Some of them need to be sewn up before the intended owners outgrow them!

And there are projects that are works in progress.  Some of them are finished in a day or two, and others take ages but that is part of the process (such as the crochet afghans).  But they are WIPs because there is still something happening to them and they’re not stagnating.  They’re not UFOs.  But at what point could they transition across to being a UFO?

My sewing goals for 2009?  This year I plan to sort out all my UFOs and planned projects.  I’m going to try to finish of a  UFO per month until they’re out of the way, possibly alternating them with something new.  The planned projects will be evaluated to see if they are ever likely to come to fruition.  If they’re not, fabric will be returned to the general fabric pile, and the pattern to the drawer.  I’m going to have another look at my to-do list as well.

This year I want to learn how to quilt.  I want to improve adjusting clothing to fit me when I’m sewing.  I have loads of beautiful clothes given to me by my cousin that need to be adjusted to fit me properly – so that’s a goal for this year as well.

And I’m going to enjoy the process of the slow WIPs.  One of the great things about crocheting the CAL afghan in 2008 was learning to enjoy the making, the gradual unfolding, rather than the quick fix.  Of course, I’ll intersperse quick projects as well for a bit of instant gratification (for example, last night I crocheted Clare a hat) but I do want to slow down.  I’m planning a patchwork quilt or two and some more crocheted rugs, but none of these will have dramatic deadlines.  The plan is to break these big projects down into manageable chunks and finish them off bit by bit.

So I need to write some new “to-do” lists.  One for sewing, one for quilting, one for crochet.  And knowing me and my penchant for lists, I reckon I’ll come up with some other ones as well.

Because I don’t like a photo-less post, here are some fabrics I’ve been working with over the past week in a project I’ll reveal in a few days time.

Other than the two green-based fat quarters, the rest are left-overs from other projects.  From left to right: Clare’s dress, fat quarter, another one of Clare’s dresses, gifted scraps, yet another of Clare’s dresses, Clare’s skirt and a pillow, Stella’s dress, another of Stella’s dresses, yet another of Clare’s dresses, fat quarter, Clare’s ballerina bag, Clare’s dress/bag linings/various other projects.  Oh wow – I certainly have sewn loads of dresses for the girls!