May The Games Begin!
Feb. 12th, 2010 08:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
viennabelleTwo years ago, knitting writer Stephanie Pearl McPhee came up with the concept of the Knitting Olympics on her blog the Yarn Harlot. The idea was simple...Start a project during the opening ceremonies and finish it by the closing ceremonies. In 2008, I knit fast and furiously and made a tank top. This year, the Knitting Olympics returns, but while pawing through my yarn stash last night, I realized I'm just I'm not that into knitting.
I want to sew.
Then I realized...the Olympics are for all sports!
How about a Sewing Olympics? It's a fun, non-competitive way for us to take on new challenges--and to try to see them to completion. The Yarn Harlot's concept is that we document our project, challenges and foibles on our blogs (I suppose this might get me back to writing on my Live Journal). I've set up a Live Journal Community (SewOlympics2010) for anyone crazy enough to get involved to showcase their efforts.
So, here's my proposed adaptation of the Yarn Harlot's knitting rules to sewing:
Concept: You must initiate a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, Friday, February 12, 2010 (or within the time period of the games) and finish before the Olympic flame goes out Sunday, February 28. That's 17 days. Blog it and let us know what you are up to. Re-post highlights (or links to entries) here.
Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 17 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new sewer, something simple is great...If you are experienced, use your own conscience. I would also propose a "decathlon" event for anyone crazy enough to attempt multiple projects.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with scissors because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No starting up before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may drape and test fit before the games. ("training.") (sorry--not much time for that).
Medals?
The Sewing Olympics has only a gold medal. (There is only do- or do not.) Finishers get a gold medal button for their blog (anyone want to design a medal?) and the joy of knowing that they are an Olympic level sewer, no matter how experienced they are. You are only competing against yourself. (Well. And the Olympic schedule.)
Who's in?
If you're just crazy enough itching to be part of the Sewing Olympics, consider carefully. Done right, this will suck up 17 days of your life and could become an epic enterprise.
17 days, multiple sewers, one dream. The Sewing Olympics.
Good luck.
I want to sew.
Then I realized...the Olympics are for all sports!
How about a Sewing Olympics? It's a fun, non-competitive way for us to take on new challenges--and to try to see them to completion. The Yarn Harlot's concept is that we document our project, challenges and foibles on our blogs (I suppose this might get me back to writing on my Live Journal). I've set up a Live Journal Community (SewOlympics2010) for anyone crazy enough to get involved to showcase their efforts.
So, here's my proposed adaptation of the Yarn Harlot's knitting rules to sewing:
The 2010 Sewing Olympics
Eligibility: Any sewer who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me. Hand-sewing, machine sewing, embroidery, beadwork, quilting, and any other construction technique using needle and thread counts--just sew! After all, there are multiple events for each sport, right?Concept: You must initiate a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, Friday, February 12, 2010 (or within the time period of the games) and finish before the Olympic flame goes out Sunday, February 28. That's 17 days. Blog it and let us know what you are up to. Re-post highlights (or links to entries) here.
Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 17 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new sewer, something simple is great...If you are experienced, use your own conscience. I would also propose a "decathlon" event for anyone crazy enough to attempt multiple projects.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with scissors because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No starting up before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may drape and test fit before the games. ("training.") (sorry--not much time for that).
Medals?
The Sewing Olympics has only a gold medal. (There is only do- or do not.) Finishers get a gold medal button for their blog (anyone want to design a medal?) and the joy of knowing that they are an Olympic level sewer, no matter how experienced they are. You are only competing against yourself. (Well. And the Olympic schedule.)
Who's in?
If you're just crazy enough itching to be part of the Sewing Olympics, consider carefully. Done right, this will suck up 17 days of your life and could become an epic enterprise.
17 days, multiple sewers, one dream. The Sewing Olympics.
Good luck.
