Yes I know it is early but....

This year I am going to make a pure-wool coat, a complicated pattern with many pieces, called the Janzi coat by Elbe. I found and ordered a lovely fabric and the Bemberg cupro lining is ordered somewhere else and the special interfacing and shoulder pads and beautiful buttons somewhere else

It is about having all the ducks in a row this year

No more silly advent calendars for me, nor the snacks that put pounds on me and take many months to lose. All I need is something to keep me occupied with a good product at the end.

Last Winter I made a coat from purple Yorkshire wool - not as complicated as yours but I'm very pleased with it. I made a big mistake of economising on the lining which I regret - it looks fine but it was the devil to sew and I doubt it will last as long as the coat.
You live and learn!

I have a project too.
This year it will be to complete an Autumn throw crochet-along.

I had never done one of these before and bought it full of optimism that it would be ready for Harvest Festival season. Huh!

I am half way through week 3 of 6 so plenty left to do and new stitches to learn as I go.

That and a couple of jigsaws will keep me busy.

Hope you enjoy sewing, and wearing, your coat Karmalady

You are all so talented.

I wish I had your talents.

I agree about a Christmas project. Mine are reading up on something that interests me but I’ve never got around to looking into. One year it was Anastasia, another the north-west passage. Something will strike me by early December and I’ll get a couple of books, prob second hand. I also usually try to read something worthy from my list. I allow myself to start on 20 December.

karmalady

This year I am going to make a pure-wool coat, a complicated pattern with many pieces, called the Janzi coat by Elbe. I found and ordered a lovely fabric and the Bemberg cupro lining is ordered somewhere else and the special interfacing and shoulder pads and beautiful buttons somewhere else

It is about having all the ducks in a row this year

No more silly advent calendars for me, nor the snacks that put pounds on me and take many months to lose. All I need is something to keep me occupied with a good product at the end.

Please show us when it's completed.

It really is about filling the time with something constructive, rather than by eating and moping. I didn`t plan enough to do last year and it took ages for the excess weight to come off, all caused by nibbling through boredom. Dozing in a chair watching tv was not good either

I did buy myself a good Christmas present each year but even that failed last year so this year I am planning ahead and killing two birds with one stone and I am striking while the iron is hot, saw the fabric and Bobs your uncle, the project idea came to me

This is the fabric and I even found lovely cobalt buttons

www.fabricsgalore.co.uk/collections/wool-fabric/products/pure-wool-herringbone-blue-and-brown-chocolate-desires

Those who can knit or crochet, a nice shawl is a good project. I have a couple of knitted wool shawls and love wearing them in winter. Kits can be bought and this mill is one of my favourites, they make all their own yarns

www.jarbon.com/collections/shawls-cowls-scarves

Well I love Christmas and all it entails. Always have.
I do agree that any organising and planning for any sort of projects in the run up to Christmas is crucial. Supplies run low, delivery can be hellish too.
I aim to have the house decorated by the 15th of November every year, but only because there are so many family birthdays at the end of November and throughout December. I also have family - siblings and partners we don't see often - come to stay in November and we plan outings and events. I enjoy hosting so have to be organised.
For me, early November is for deep cleaning and getting the house sorted, bedding laundered, meals pre-cooked and frozen. Then with the help of Mr G I decorate. He is the muscle, I am the creative artiste.
Lots of greenery, two trees, conservatory and most rooms full of twinkling lights and candles. It looks lovely, and when our visitors arrive I can relax and enjoy their company and our Christmassy excursions and various birthday gatherings.

It's the wrong time of year for house guests really but their coming to stay makes me far better organised than I would be otherwise. I am not as fit or as energetic as I once was, so last minute panic and exhaustion is avoided by starting early.

I can really enjoy the run up to Christmas once they've gone as well. December is much more relaxed.
For me, Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry. I admit to over-indulgence but it's a once a year thing...and life is short.
I have a long list of Christmas films we like to watch too..an afternoon in front of the fire, feet up, festive goodies and twinkling lights is imo, hard to beat.
It's a magical time, and something I make an effort for, well in advance, so I can enjoy the season too.

My other project is on-going from September through to December. I buy small bits and pieces, little toys, puzzles, chocolates, silly socks, etc, to fill six shoe boxes. Wrapping them is done early too. My friend over the road organises several neighbours to donate, on behalf of her church, and they are distributed to disadvantaged families with children.
Despite the commercialisation of Christmas, I like to think it's still the season of good will.
For me a busy, but lovely time of year.

Blimey! What a variety of talents - I can only run to crochet and then it's only endless Afghan Squares sewed together as endless blankets. I have a big black rubbish bag full of odds and sods of wool so that keeps me going, but I wish I could dream up something more imaginative than bloody squares!

I always have some sort of project. ATM, it’s making big totes for the effects of deceased hospice patients.
Other times, it’s patchworks.
What I really need to do is to use up all my “millions” of unused squares, triangles and strips…

GM a coat of many colours?

Margs

Blimey! What a variety of talents - I can only run to crochet and then it's only endless Afghan Squares sewed together as endless blankets. I have a big black rubbish bag full of odds and sods of wool so that keeps me going, but I wish I could dream up something more imaginative than bloody squares!

Hexagons? The winner hexagons become a bit tedious after the first 40 or so but the joining together is more interesting. It uses up your stash although you may need more cream and green 🤔
Vintage Hexies pattern.

'winner'
No idea where that appeared from.

I do agree about having a Winter project. I am prone to depression once the sun goes in. I am not at all 'crafty' wish I was and take my hat off to all the lovely projects here- such a lot of talent. Golf is my usual thing but I don't do that in really cold or bad weather so it's a case of keeping the walking up - well getting back to pre tendonitis levels and creative writing. I have also started a new U3A Book Group - Crime and Detection so I am excited to be with some friends from the Writing for Pleasure group and some new friends. It will be Spring before I know it - I think.

grandMattie

I always have some sort of project. ATM, it’s making big totes for the effects of deceased hospice patients.
Other times, it’s patchworks.
What I really need to do is to use up all my “millions” of unused squares, triangles and strips…

GrandMattie one year our U3A group made quilts and blankets for children and young adults leaving care.
www.q4cl.org.uk/

Lovely thread. I’ve started making baby blankets nice big ones to keep me busy through the winter evenings. They’re always appreciated whenever a new baby cones along.

At the moment I’m painting a watercolour Christmas card which I will have printed to send out. I’m also crocheting a baby blanket for a baby girl. The list of WIPs I’ve got to finish either knitting or crocheting is very long so I don’t intend to be bored this year 😁

I knit super chunky wool blankets (all year round) for my GC, (and even their friends,if they ask) but i am trying to do some dolls clothes too this year for GD and its turned out so intricate for such a small project! 😆

One of my daughters does beautiful crochet projects including xmas gifts and blankets,she even invents her own patterns.She is truly talented.

A project doesn't have to be about making clothes, knitting, crotchet etc.
I've discovered Audible. It's incredibly relaxing to sit and listen to the Classics - novels that you might find a little daunting if you were to read them all. I'll be pleased when I've listened to all of the novels of Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. That's the sort of project I like!

Thanks, Jenni, when I’ve done the bags, I’ll look into that.

I’m already getting organised to make Christmas cakes, and will soon be getting certain sides and desserts made and frozen. There will be eleven of us at Christmas, and when four will be staying with us, it’s easier if as much cooking as possible is done in advance. I’m also knitting jumpers for two family members.