Happy New Year!!

As we start this New Year, I wonder... how many people have "a new year's resolution?"  You know... that big goal you want to accomplish... and you work really hard at it until you reach your first set-back… and then -if you are anything like me- you get the mindset that “I’ve done my best” and go back to old habits and give up that goal.  Or maybe you choose something really attainable... then you make a plan, work hard, and succeed. 

Well this year, I have made some New Year resolutions... and today I will share my sewing studio goals with you.  So, a little back story to get started… I am a fabric collector – I buy it faster than I can use it!!  What my husband refers to as a closet, I call it a fabric vault, LOL!! 

So, my first goal for the year is to use 2x what I buy 😲!!  My plan will require that I project purchase as much as possible.  Project purchasing is only buying supplies for the project that I am currently working on – NO STASH BUILDERS… ok let’s be realistic and say limited stash builders 😉. 

Goal two – to inventory all of my apparel fabric and patterns.  Have you ever been out shopping and wonder – Do I have this pattern at home??  How much fabric do I need to make project X?  Does it take interfacing or batting or BOTH?!?!?  A couple of years ago I started inventorying my patterns in a spreadsheet.  I can access the spreadsheet on my phone and my computer… and that pattern that I purchased 3x hasn’t been bought again.  But now I am looking at moving toward an app that will allow me to not only know the name and designer, but have a picture of the pattern – and the fabric guide, the notion list and any other notes I want to record. 

A second app will allow me to track my fabric… mind you, I am only doing apparel fabric at this time.  Way too much cotton/quilting fabric to catalog.  But back to the app… the app that I have chosen – Sew Organized – not only captures what you want to know about your fabric (picture, content, size, width, price, project), but also has a place to record inspirations, projects, patterns, measurements and a shopping list.  Right now, I am only using the fabrics tab… but I can see projects, measurements and patterns becoming go-to resources when I have the fabric catalog done.

My third, and final, goal that I will share with you is how I plan to use some of this stash.  I am in the process of planning my summer capsule wardrobe.  I have made a list of what items I want in my wardrobe based on my lifestyle (can I get a shout-out 📣 for my casual and comfy crowd??).   Now I am looking through my patterns to find exactly which pieces will best mix and match.  Next steps include going through my stash (preferably in the app) to find all the fabric I need and actually making the garments.

I hope whatever goals you set for yourself this year one of them is to take time to enjoy your crafting medium – whatever it may be.  And may you have a Happy New Year!!

#sewing #sew #sewsewsew #sewingproject #fabric #quilting #machingembroidery #sewinglove  #handmadewithlove #sewingaddict #memade #handmade #diy #fashion #capsulewardrobe #sewingmachine #isew #LansingClippers #Sew@Lansing #SewingStash #ASG #AmericanSewingGuild #SewingOrganization

*This article was written by Jen Moore, Treasurer, Lansing Clippers

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 30, 2022 at 11:52 AM

    Great post, Jen! You have inspired me to try to organize my fabric and patterns. I need to check out those apps you mentioned.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Neighborhood Group - Pattern Works

  New Neighborhood Group Lansing Clippers, are you ready for one more Neighborhood Group?   I see a need for a group that works on patterns.   I think Bev has sparked an interest in many of our members to try pattern hacking or pattern mashing.   I also know there are many who are frustrated because they can’t get a pattern to fit, and I think there are even a few who would like to learn to draft a pattern, etc. I think now is the time for a group of us to gather on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to learn how to do more with our patterns.   With a little research and some work, we could learn to get a better fit, make changes to our patterns, and maybe even draft our own patterns.   As I said, this would take research and work by each of us in the group.   We would need to share our knowledge and experience; as well as, do some research.   I suggest we hold an initial meeting to get an idea of what the members would like to accomplish at a ...
Read more

Year in Review - 2023

Image
  My 2023 Sewing Year in Review I decided to keep a log of the items I completed in 2023 just to see how much I actually made.   I managed to complete a few things that had been started in the past – we won’t say what year.   But they are out of the stash and have been put to use.   So here is the list.   Charity Sewing : 11 items for the baby pantry and 2 dog beds made from recycled jeans. The dog beds helped me get rid of quite a bit of leftover batting from quilting projects.   Win, win on a stash buster.     Sewing for Others :   6 pillowcases, a crib sheet and a zipped fleece jacket with matching joggers.   All these items were for grand-kids. Doll Clothes :   10 American Girl doll outfits.   1 sweatshirt, 2 skirts, 6 dresses, and 1 pair of pants. The patterns came from various sources both printed and downloads.   My two youngest granddaughters have even more requests for 2024.   Sometimes they can be...
Read more
July 2023 Meeting Recap Like honeybees in a garden, members kept drifting toward the bolts of beautiful fabric at our July meeting. Janet and Dick Dapson from Fabrications brought so many high-quality choices, it was a sensory delight to peruse the luxurious and colorful textures. Janet’s presentation topic was “All Types of Fabric”, and she managed to cover an amazing variety with examples to demonstrate differences in weight and draping. Although her favorite fiber is silk, she advised that we consider the type of fabric rather than focusing on the fiber content. For example, rayon has evolved over the years, and is now included in many blends with differing characteristics. Rayon challis, originally a fussy dry-clean-only fabric, is now available in a washable! Newer rayons such as Tencel, Viscose, Modal (all trade names) are made from natural plant fibers which are then treated, and can be classified as “semi-synthetic”. Janet also explained the differences between interlock or dou...
Read more