GAB Studio

Ummm its already Christmas time?? Where the heck did 2023 go?!

Anyways, I always have a list far too long for Santa to fulfill, but I also like having a list that will allow me to look back and treat myself through the following year as well!

Here’s some things that Nee is looking forward to hopefully getting under the tree/ getting herself next year:

A new sewing machine

So, this is actually one that I treated myself to this year. Since I was a teen, I have had a dinky little Brother machine that did the job for me. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, I really began to throw myself into sewing garments, bagmaking, and quilting. This year, on Black Friday, I treated myself to a new, semi-professional sewing machine, the Brother PQ1500SL. She is a BEAUT!

However, what I did not anticipate coming from this new purchase is my change in needs. I knew going into the striaght-stitch machine change that I would need to keep my domestic machine around for all of my stretch stitches, and namely my zig zag stitch and buttonhole functions. However, when I upgraded, I also began to work on bigger and bulkier projects which my domestic machine cannot physically handle.

This being said, although I already upgraded, it is looking more and more like I might also need to upgrade my secondary machine. Through all of my research, I think I have come to the decision to look around for a Singer Heavy Duty 4323. For now, it is not a necessity, but eventually, many of my projects will not fit on my old machine anymore!

An advanced sewing class/retreat

Being a non-beginner but not an expert can be a tricky place to be when you are not sewing full time and not going to school to learn. All of the classes that I can find in person are for projects that I can already do, and while there is ample videos and run throughs online, there is just something about being around other people and learning from someone in person. I also feel as though this would introduce me to new friends and a new world of relatability.

Being an adult and making friends is HARD, let alone doing so after a pandemic when everyone has changed their mannerisms and everything is done online. While I have found some avenues of finding crafty friends, I feel like even more specific classes would be increcible for me!

Better craft room organization

Don’t get me wrong. I am proud of what all I have done with my craft room with furniture and organization bins almost exclusively from second hand places. Some were acquired from Goodwill, some from my parents house, some from cleaning out my Grandfather’s house after he passed away, some from Facebook Marketplace, some from Buy Nothing, and everywhere in between.

While I am very proud of my set-up, I do think having better and more consistent furniture and organization bins will help make my place even more efficient.

Jewelry making supplies

After taking a class at The Beehive in Atlanta, I am convinced I can make all of my own jewelry. While this is definitely not the case, I definitely feel like I could make some basics and eventually teach myself all kinds of different techniques.

I already have things like a mandrel, the proper hammers, and simple stuff like that. Now I need to get materials like ring sizers, proper sterling solder, smething like a kiln brick for working, and possibly a few other accessories to allow me to learn and make some rings!

A smart iron/ really good iron

Nuff said. The $40 iron from Target is good but for the more complicated projects I am about to start, a really solid steam iron to give my projetcts and garments an even better look.

Clothing tags for my work

I want people to know what I made! And how not easy it was!

A nice dress form

Another obvious one. I am very proud of my bootstraps homemade one, but that is simply not what I look like LOL

AccuQuilt

Since I have tried to start making a quilt, I have learned how hard and laborous it is to cut out all of the pieces. The AccuQuilt is a die cutter (talk about another fun activity…) that runs through a press and cuts out multiple pieces of fabric exactly the same. The subsequent cuts will also be the same.

So much less math! And brain!

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So aside from these things, I would truly be excited to receive anything (as I don’t ever expect to receive anything). I always make more of a list of things to buy myself in the future! I also love enjoying the holidays and spending time crafting for the people I love and sometimes even with the people I love!

Let me know if there’s something crafty-cool on your Christmas list that I should put on mine too! I love new ideas!