Don't Get Stuck in the Planning -- Another Gentle Nudge Towards Creativity

Can you believe it's been a month since my last Gentle Nudge post? How have you been doing with your creative projects? I'd love to hear what's worked for you (and what hasn't worked, too).

I'm still trying to find a good rhythm for my projects. I've been tackling my pile of sewing ideas and am constantly dreaming of other things I want to do. This is a never ending list. Which is a good thing, right? It would be sad to have no ideas.

Sometimes, though, it seems very slow going. I need to remember to celebrate each finished project instead of lamenting the fact that I don't have more time to get others done.

I finished the tunic I mentioned last month (you can see it in this post) and I added pockets to my thrift store dress, too. I spent way too much time trying to figure out what size and shape to make the pockets. (And I got a lot of help with the process).

I tend to get caught up in the planning. It's easy to do. Whether that's choosing a pattern or a fabric (or combination of fabrics) or even just looking for inspiration. There are so many ideas out there that it can be overwhelming to decide.

For this project I searched online for pocket ideas, but nothing seemed just right. In the end I used a template I'd created for another project.

When I used the template the first time, I gathered the pockets at the top, but I liked the look of the long, shallow shape and tried it out on this dress.

Sometimes I just need to make a decision and go for it. If I think and ponder and wonder and plan, I'll never get anything accomplished.

In this case, I LOVE how the pockets turned out. I tilted them slightly and let them overlap a tiny bit to the back of the dress. They make me happy!

I'm happy with my scarf, too, which I finished last weekend.

Now I need another crochet project. I have some beautiful yarn that's waiting for just the right pattern. I think I want to make a lacy shawl. If I could only decide on a pattern. You see how I get myself into trouble?

I have a couple other sewing projects in progress and am working on making peace with letting things be in progress. It's hard not to be impatient. I'm not a fast sewist and I'm not very good at reading patterns. Sometimes I have no idea what they're talking about. I constantly make mistakes. It helps to use patterns I've sewn before, but I also want to try new things.

I think the important thing is to always keep going, even if that going is slow. It's true for all creative pursuits, whether that's sewing or painting or gardening or gymnastics. If I had given up on painting when I first started because I wasn't happy with the results, I would never have gotten to where I am today.

Although planning is wonderful for any project, getting stuck in the planning is really just a delay tactic. If I spend all my time thinking about the beautiful paintings I'm going to make, I'll never create failed paintings. Of course, that means I'll never create any paintings, failures or successes.

We learn by our mistakes, with paintings, sewing, cooking, whatever. So what if I sew a sleeve or a pocket inside out the first time? Next time will be better. And spending more time planning the perfect project won't be a guarantee that I won't make mistakes. We learn by doing, not thinking.

I have a post-it note stuck to my computer that says "Don't get stuck in the planning -- eventually you need to DO."

Here's to the DOing!

Oh, and those blue roses? If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen my obsession with painting in Prussian blue. I've put those bits together for a new fabric design. I am so excited (and already thinking about things I'd like to sew with the fabric!). I'll tell you about it next week. I've also put together a gift for my JoyList subscribers using some of those same elements. It will go out to my subscribers next week! Not yet a subscriber? You can sign up here.

So, are you with me? Are you going to DO? Let me know what project you tackle next. I'd love to hear about it!