I had an idea for a new project last week. I was very excited about it. I’ve been trying to figure out what I could do with some narrow strips of leftover jeans fabric. They're big enough to use some how but not big enough to use pieced together (the material is too thick to have too many seams close together). I thought that maybe I can piece the jeans material with flannel since the weight of the two fabrics is closer than quilting cotton would be with the jeans.

I had the brilliant idea and for a few days happily treated that as enough. I planned to start doing something with my great idea but instead procrastinated by cleaning off my sewing area and worked on other projects while “cleaning.” I did that for four or five days because I didn’t know how I was actually going to do what was in my head. I was procrastinating because I didn’t want to be disappointed.

Today, I finally touched my jeans strips. I found some leftover flannel strips that seem like they’ll work with the jeans. I made a rough sketch of a pillow front that I’m thinking of and tried very hard to get in the mindset of just playing and seeing what would happen when I started sewing jeans and flannel together. Unfortunately, I’m so NOT impressed with what has come together so far.

The creative process isn’t always smooth and doesn’t always work. I won’t get better ideas based on experience unless I actually start working with my materials. I have an idea of what to do next which makes me happy. I’ll know more whether I like how the project’s going after this next step. If the idea of using jeans and flannel this way doesn’t work, it’s not a big deal. Both are scrap fabrics that I’m trying to repurpose rather than toss. Experimenting with a new idea with them is a good thing to try.

Have you ever had a great idea and then worked through the challenges to make it come to life?

Anya Toomre 2020-08-09 jeans and flannel.jpeg