Divide and Conquer

As I mentioned, this month, I'm hoping to participate in the Mad Men Dress Challenge, which means I'm running against somebody else's clock. Which means I definitely cannot expect to work my standard formula for accomplishment and expect to get a different result than I'm accustomed too (midnight on the 31st, I'm looking at you! )

This month, I decided to try a new approach. I started everything at the beginning of the month, and I'm distributing my time towards each project on a rotational basis. It's not very uncommon for me to have multiple knitting projects on needles at the same time. In a typical month, socks get stuffed into my bag for the commute and sweaters sit on the couch and wait for me to get home from work. But, sewing, sewing usually gets put off until the knitting is done, then squished into whatever time I have left...usually after a couple AADD flights of fancy (because, I, of course, have ample time). 

Some part of my brain is completely convinced that sewing is less time consuming and faster than knitting. I'm sure for some people, that's true. For me, it's not. From the first cut, to the last hand stitch, I estimate it takes me 15-20 hours to complete a garment. What's more, I have to pay attention while I sew. I can usually space-out while I knit. My hands know what to do and don't need to be babysat. With sewing, I have to focus. Focus, isn't one of my strongest or best developed traits. So, this process of theory I've implemented for the past year or so, makes absolutely NO SENSE. It's a wonder I've been able to finish anything. 

So, new plan in action. I think it's working... I'll find out soon enough. I do have half a lined, faced dress (sans straps) to show you. That feels pretty encouraging. Hopefully, this glimpse answers the burning question, "Which dress did she choose?". 

I also have... half???... a sweater. This is not so comforting. I'm not feeling nearly as confident that this sweater will be knit, assembled, and have its ends (all 5,000 of them) woven in within the next 16 days as I am that I will  be able to turn out my dress. 

Fortunately, I'm making some serious headway on these socks. I fully expect to contribute their 33.3% time to the others before the weekend. That may be enough of a boost to squeak out a 'W' for the home team    ...unless... I get distracted. Which, I really try not to do, but it's really hard, and I can't help myself, I don't think. 

What are your creative ventures this month?