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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Making Things Up As I Go

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Usually when I start a project I take time to plan it all out.  I often sketch rough drawings to get a clearer idea of what I am trying to achieve.  But sometimes, I simply get an idea in my head and I go at it with only a vision and a lot of enthusiasm.  Occasionally things go awry--but my dahlia pillow was the result of a mistake I made and I loved how that turned out, so I don't usually worry too much, unless my materials are expensive and I don't want to screw them up.  Generally speaking though, things work out.



For instance, right before Christmas I got the idea to make some white ruffled placemats. Simple enough I figured, so I just started cutting and sewing with a vague idea in my head and modified it as I went along.  A short time later I had four cute ruffled placemats:



I took them to the shop to set up a table under the snowflake mobile I made.  And that would have been that, except. . .



A day or two later one of the shop girls called to tell me that a woman wanted to buy them, but she wondered if I could make four more because she needed eight.  Of course I said yes--then I scrambled to remember the dimensions and how long I had cut the ruffle strips and how far from the edge had I sewn them anyway?  It is a good thing I had made four, because having done it four times I remembered most everything, and luckily the one thing I couldn't remember (the ruffle width and length) I had cut an extra one the first time, so it was still sitting there in my workroom.  I'd show you, but of course I rushed them right over and didn't take a picture.

You would think this would be a lesson in writing things down--but as I type this, I realize I STILL didn't write down the instructions and sizes.  Well actually, I did scratch down the dimensions from memory before I made the second set, but who the heck knows where I put THAT piece of paper.

So the moral of this story?  Write down what I did--and put it in a safe place where I will find it again.  It will really make my life easier.

5 comments:

Vicki said...

So, so true! I work mostly with paper but sometimes if I don't take a picture mid-way of a collage or wreath, I can't make it the same the next time! Such great advice.

Megan is Chuck. Chuck is Megan. said...

I am still in love with those pillows... well, pretty much everything you've made. Seems your business is doing fabulous. Way to go.

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

That's totally something I would do. You're lucky you're so talented though and could figure it out! Sewing has NOT been my thing, though I continue to try. Love your display at the shop - so wintry, yet warm!

Robin Johnson said...

LOL That is so funny. I am always doing the same thing. I need to get myself a little notebook or something!

lucy said...

after losing my weeks menu and grocery list last week I designated a tablet just for me and just to keep in the kitchen!!

 
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