2009 Stash Challenge: Vote for Most Inspirational

[kaitlinnegan]

To help the members of Sew What's Up choose the most inspirational sewist in the 2009 Stash Challenge, I have created this thread for each participating member to post a message summarizing what they sewed for the challenge and any difficulties overcome, lessons learned, experience gained, etc.

Once everyone who participated has replied, or by Wednesday evening (whichever comes first), I will post a poll for everyone to vote for who was most inspiring.

[Mom of Six]

I didn't really do anything new or different. what I got out of the sewing for this challenge was the joy on DGDS' faces when they got their Princess dresses.

[lendube]

Nothing special for me. Not much stuff either. Pretty usual stuff.

[Magot]

Making the cummerbund was interesting - I had to make a piece of pleated material and I have not done that before - was not as hard as I thought it would be but did take an evening. Took ideas on how to make it from the web and adapted it.

[momquilts]

Nothing inspirational from me either. Just a lot of fabric gone from my sewing room to make room to buy more!

[kaitlinnegan]

You guys are too humble. I should add that challenge participants are free to nominate others if you think someone else was particularly inspiring.

[temom]

I was hoping to be able to sew a lot more than I did, as the fact is I have too much fabric. My fabric stashes have stashes, and the piles have piles upon them. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to put a dent into it, but I was pleased that I made a good choice of not killing myself to get stuff sewn when I was too tired to sew.

I was able to sew thermal pj's for dd, a pair of jeans with embroidery, and some ufo rice packs I found when I looked for a ufo gored skirt inspired by material pakrat.
What I learned:

I really do like to sew!
It is ok to make up ways of doing things, just remember there is a lot of trial in error involved - see the saga of the heart shaped pockets.
I need to not put away almost finished projects, as I will forget about them - I found the almost finished rice packs from 2 years ago. It took about 15 minutes to finish them, and that involved getting the rice out and filling the packs.
When I serge denim, I need to go back and reinforce the seams with my sewing machine. I have no idea why, but it happens every time!
DD loves it when I make things for her, bless her heart!
I am afraid to try many new things, but will plow ahead on others that I don't have a clue about. I wish I could figure that out, as I would be sewing a lot more stuff if I could get past that mental block.
Embroidery is fun, but not as much fun as sewing, and not nearly as therapeutic!
And as I stated before, I have way too much fabric. It actually is inhibiting me from getting things done. I have to move piles to do anything. So yes, there is such a thing as too much fabric!

[esrun3]

Nothing real inspirational from me either altho I did sew my first purse and first set of book covers. I was just glad to get some of my stash whittled down.

[bridesmom]

I finally conquered invisible zippers!! But for inspirational, I'd have to say Barb! Wow, can that woman produce stuff! I find it inspiring because I know for me after making 2 or 3 of the same thing I get totally bored, but Barb can make a zillion casserole covers and keep on going, it's like she's the ever ready casserole bunny!

[kaitlinnegan]

The poll is now open! Voting will close on Friday, January 8.