I usually never make New Year's resolutions.
But this year was different... In five years of passionate sewing, I had accumulated a lot of fabric, supplies, patterns and more... During the 2019 end-of-year holidays, something clicked: my sewing room was in such a mess that things could not go on like that!
It really was time to do something, so I made four fairly ambitious resolutions while staying realistic... or so I thought...
First resolution: I tidy my sewing room and keep it tidy all year!
An ambitious goal for me, as I love spreading everything out. The more space there is, the more mess there is ;-)
The tidying includes:
- the worktable and machines,
- fabrics and scraps,
- haberdashery supplies,
- patterns.
I began with a big tidy-up of the worktable in January 2020, feeling very motivated at the start of the year.
Sewing space photographed on 28 December 2019 — "Shame on me"
January 2020
There have been relapses, but overall I am quite pleased with myself. I have managed to keep some semblance of order on my worktable, even though it is a constant challenge. The most important lesson I have learnt is to tidy the worktable between projects. This makes tidying a regular habit, and it is much more enjoyable to start a new project on a clean, clear table.
Next, I tackled organising my fabrics, and I am quite proud of myself here.
Since the end of January, I have managed to keep my drawers tidy, and my personal fabric stash is shrinking. I am increasingly using the remnants in my stash for my sewing projects. I think this is also linked to self-confidence. Before, I was sometimes afraid to cut into a lovely fabric remnant for fear of wasting it. Today, I live in the moment, enjoying cutting a fabric I love to make a garment I will wear with a smile. I now only buy types of fabric I do not already have in my stash for a project that matters to me (for example, matching ribbing for a sweatshirt, a denim remnant, or jersey like the fabric for my Wanted T-shirts...).
February 2020
In May, I continued organising my patterns and sewing books... That was no small task, as every sewer has her own way of storing patterns. I read a great deal and set about finding the method that would suit me best. I chose binders with plastic pockets, into which I slip my traced patterns and the assembly instructions from paper patterns in envelopes or the PDF instructions. On a label, I note the design, size and magazine or book reference, where applicable.
I am quite happy with this system, which lets me find the pattern I need very quickly. It gets my approval!
The haberdashery supplies have also been tidied as I went along. The biggest job was organising the buttons, which I sorted into compartmented plastic boxes. They are really practical and help me quickly find buttons to match my sewing projects. I broadly sorted them by colour rather than size (which could also have been a sensible option), as I realised that colour was ultimately my most important selection criterion. I really like having a stash of buttons at home, and I love hunting for them and buying vintage buttons. Bias binding and piping were also sorted into boxes, as were spools of thread, bobbins and more.
What remains for this first resolution is sorting the fabric scraps, which I have started but not yet finished. I have lots of them, in every size, so it could take quite a while...
The second resolution was: I finish the projects I have started
I thought this would be easier. It is anything but... I am struggling... I got off to a good start at the beginning of the year, and then the Covid crisis arrived. With it came mask-making, while my motivation to finish projects already under way disappeared.
In January 2020, I had 17 projects waiting to be finished, and I do not think I will reach the end of that list before the end of the year, as I hardly like some of them any more...
I have still finished a few, to save face:
- a shirt for my husband that still needed the buttonholes and hem finishing
- a pencil skirt in blue wax-print fabric, from my own pattern, which still needed its inner facing
- a Cédrat camisole by Maison Fauve in blue
- some make-up removal pads...
The verdict: could do better, as I still have 13 left.
I have a little under six months left to decide the fate of the various projects lying around...
Third resolution: I start no more than three projects at the same time
I initially said one, but that was not even conceivable for me. I was sure I could not manage it 😅 and that has certainly proved true!
I need variety in my projects, so I regularly sew several at once. All the more so now that I also sew for other people. This means I work on different projects at different stages. In the end, this suits me well and does not cause me any frustration. So I think I will listen to myself and set no limit, other than finishing each project within a defined time. Setting an end date for each project seems more appropriate and better suited to me. So, if you will allow me, halfway through the year I am changing and rewriting resolution no. 3: I finish my project by the deadline I have set myself in advance.
In January 2020, I put 11 ideas on my wish list, and I have already completed three despite the Covid period. I think that is quite respectable ;-)
They are:
- a Cardamome dress by Deer and Doe
- a velvet bodysuit
- a Gentleman coat by beaux gosses for my husband.
Fourth resolution: I end the year with a smaller fabric stash than I had at the start.
I thought this would be the hardest one for me... Yet, quite surprisingly, I am managing it. My personal stash is shrinking, and I am pleased because it will let me buy new fabric remnants I fall in love with in 2021.
One explanation is that I have gained confidence and now dare to cut into favourite fabrics that I was afraid of wasting. Today, I love hearing the scissors cut through a much-loved fabric that will become a lovely garment.
I also think I compensate for my fabric-buying madness by looking at and cherishing the fabrics in my shop.
The verdict on this fourth resolution: well done, Eugénie, keep going!
A little self-encouragement feels good ;-) don't you think?
And you, how are your 2020 resolutions going?
