Tuesday, April 05, 2016

"all I need is an hour...."

My friend Tara and I often chat about things we want to make (or finish) and I can't tell you how many times we use the phrase: "all I need is an hour..." It's become a running joke. Last Friday, as I was cleaning up my creative chaos corner (hahaha!)...I made a list of projects that I came across that fit the one hour time frame. On Saturday, I sewed. It felt great to cross so many things off the list in one day! It's amazing what a little focus will do.
The first project was simple pillow cases for my kiddos. Each one takes a yard of fabric, and I used French seams, so there are no raw edges inside. They are fairly quick and a great way to use novelty fabric. The penguins were too cute to pass up at the fabric store, but I was happy to have a project in mind when I bought them....because who knows how long they would "cure" in the stash without a plan. My boys love them! My daughter loved her ballerina pillow case as well. Hurray!
Next up was a pair of PJ bottoms for my daughter. I don't sew many clothing items....but PJ's are some of my favorites, simply because they are low pressure. A friend gave me the fabric about a year ago or more, so it was nice to use it up. I had JUST enough to make the shorts...which makes it feel like it was meant to be. I love that!
I made a quick infinity scarf for me. I wish the fabric was a little bit more flow-y, but I think I will still wear it. I LOVE the color! It's a nice weight for spring, so my timing is spot on for once. Noteworthy, for sure! (ha!)
I made catch all tray (video tutorial here) for some scrappy coasters I made a few months back. I love these trays! They are so handy and I could see making them in all sizes...and in all colors!
I cut the pieces 9" square for this version and it worked perfectly with the size of the coasters. My husband is going to take these to work. It will be fun to have some of my good neighbors fabric hanging out in his office. :)

Now, I'm ready to move on to something else that will surely take more than an hour.

I'm curious...what would be on your "one-hour list"?

Happy Tuesday! xo

28 comments:

Tami Von Zalez said...

More than once I have been working on a project and have had just enough material, not even a skosh more, to finish it. There must be some type of sewing project angels ...

Cindy said...

Love your finished projects! Such a good feeling to cross something off the list! I, on the other hand, have gotten out of my sewing daily routine and can't get back on that track. :(

Cindy said...

Love your finished projects! Such a good feeling to cross something off the list! I, on the other hand, have gotten out of my sewing daily routine and can't get back on that track. :(

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Usually my one hour project is to get one hour farther into a big project. I'll chain piece, or make a binding. Then I'll do a few rows of quilting, or cut something out. I usually have two to three projects going at once so I don't waste time trying to decide what to do, I just go to one and do the next step, whatever that is. You are very productive in your hour blocks!

Sew Much For Free Time said...

Ooooh, great one hour projects. I had a day like that recently. I the first hour I tackled long out off tasks...sewing patches on a karate uniform, zigzagging over seams inside a zipper pouch (put off because I did t want to wind a bobbin!); repairing a stuffed animal and patching a hole. Then, I made another pouch and started a fabric basket in the next hour! Mug rugs make great one hour projects, too!

Sew Much For Free Time said...

Ooooh, great one hour projects. I had a day like that recently. I the first hour I tackled long out off tasks...sewing patches on a karate uniform, zigzagging over seams inside a zipper pouch (put off because I did t want to wind a bobbin!); repairing a stuffed animal and patching a hole. Then, I made another pouch and started a fabric basket in the next hour! Mug rugs make great one hour projects, too!

The Joyful Quilter said...

LOVE those one-hour projects!! My own one-hour project usually includes cutting out blocks, trimming up scraps, or sewing block parts that were paired up in an earlier session.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

These are all great projects, but my favourite is the ballerina pillowcase. Kudos for being productive.

Mary Marcotte said...

Lovely projects you've got there. One hour, one project? Hmm, I think I'd work on either pajama pants for myself or jewelry trays for the granddaughters. They love the low baskets I made for them last year and want more to separate their jewelry pieces by type...see how they convince me? They know adding a really good reason for the item they want works well. What Gram could say no to a child who wants to organize?

Carolin said...

On sunday i made a clothespin catcher, the hanger is made with a kidssize clothehanger, it was easy fast and super cute. When i was Done i Sent a pic to my sister and she wanted one too! So i made another one ( just had enough fabric) . Both of them were Done in about 1,5 hours

liniecat said...

Prevarication takes up a lot of time doesn't it lol
That coaster and caddy would make a lovely gift set - have put inbox my list lol

margaret said...

nothing takes me just an hour. i think lots of things shouldn't take more than an hour but something always comes up. Yesterday i started a turtle. I opened the pattern and the turtle seems HUGE. i thought it would be hand size instead of head size. so it took more than an hour.

Thimbleanna said...

You are always so inspirational Ms. Crazy! Thanks for a fun post and a reminder to just carve out the time and "git 'er done". My one hour list is all about the baby these days -- bibs, swaddles and boppy covers are at the top! Are you going to Salt Lake?

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I am a novelty print JUNKIE!! Making pillow cases is the perfect way to use larger pieces of left over fabric. And you are right, you CAN get a lot of sewing done in one hour focused sewing.

Miaismine said...

I love your idea of one hour projects! I can think of several just off the top of my head, finishing those baby bed, putting together those quilt blocks that are on my many quilt design boards, and then cutting more fabric to fill up my design boards again! Then the cycle will continue! Thank you for such a great post!

Denise - Jewelry By Denise said...

I have so many 1 hour projects started, mostly have fabric cut and ready but just sitting down and getting to sew is a challenge. I've had fabric cut for your scrap happy purse for eons it seems and have been working on it bit by bit lately (finally)!! I finally have the panels ready, need to sew them together. My kids started sports (for the first time ever) so there goes even more time I didn't have to spare.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Wow so many projects finished. I'd be lucky to get just one pillow case made in a day and would call it a success.

Needled Mom said...

What fun one hour projects!!! I love the coasters and little tray for them.

Anonymous said...

This year I have been working in "small bites", working on several projects for about an hour at a time. I find I get far more done this way, and I don't get bogged down on a large project.

Sue Laufer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue Laufer said...

Hi Amanda Jean
Do you have a go-to pattern for the infinity scarf? Been wanting to make one.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Pillowcases are my favorite to make for a quick project. And I'm glad I finally figured out the french seam thing--now I can even make the whole thing on my Juki instead of having to switch over to the Elna for the zigzag stitch. That saves time for sure!

Suzanne said...

I think the running theme was to use the hour to finish things up. That's my story. I'm always amazed at how much I can accomplish in an hour on a project in process. Little steps go far. I have a pile of bags prepped and ready to be sewn. While they take more than an hour, I could really make more progress on them if I just did a step a day than what they are getting sitting on my shelf.

Diane Beavers said...

One hour of slicing my two "Shoe box" scraps into 1/2" strips to finish up a knitted rug.
Your Birch Tree pattern....stitching my scraps together and splicing 'em up to make the "trees".
Thanks for the share...I know your kiddo's love their pillow cases.

bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kelly O. said...

I use one hour projects to help me jump back into sewing when I've lost my mojo or just need the satisfaction of a completed project in one sitting. Some on my list are pillowcases, fabric baskets, napkins, snack bags, and a sewing/binding/needle kit... the other night I needed a jumpstart to get back into my sewing studio and I made a pixie basket from Fabric Mutt's tutorial. A couple months ago I made a triangle pouch and some bookmarks... I love quick projects for the instant gratification.

Kate said...

Thanks for the inspiration, I am going to make myself a One Hour list this weekend, will likely include some of your great vinyl projects bags : D

Kate said...

Thanks for the inspiration, I am going to make myself a One Hour list this weekend, will likely include some of your great vinyl projects bags : D

Quiltcat said...

I am making pillow cases today, 4 reg and 3 king size. What pattern did you use for the infinity scarf. I have several pieces of fabric that I want to use to make infinity scarves.