As I told you at the end of 2019, I usually never make resolutions at the start of the year. And then, after more than 5 years of sewing, I had dared to make a few resolutions for this year 2020...

Who could have said at the start of 2020 that the year would take such a particular turn? Ultimately, 2020 marked my beginnings as a sewing teacher and the birth of my online haberdashery. This year was so special with its dark sides but also its little sparks of joy.

But enough talk, let's get back to the review of my 2020 resolutions
These were:

1. I organize my workshop and keep it organized all year... (the work table and machines, the fabrics and scraps, the haberdashery, and the patterns.)

2. I finish the projects I started  

3. I start a maximum of 3 projects at the same time

4. I end the year with a smaller fabric stock than at the beginning of the year. 

First resolution: I organize my workshop

So if you have followed my adventures and journey this year... you have seen that my new workshop is all nicely organized... and what pride!

I actually moved my workshop to have a room dedicated to my passion and allowing storage of fabrics and haberdashery products sold on my shop. So I took advantage of this move to sort and organize.

I had already done a big job of organizing my personal fabric coupons, books and magazines; I had also dedicated a few blog articles to it that you can find in the advice section.

The only part left for me to really do regarding storage is sorting the scraps. I admit I haven't yet found the method that suits me, but I haven't given up hope!

The scrap stock has decreased a lot this year; because I was careful to use them as much as possible in new projects (two-tone projects like for the Adélise blouse below, use in facings, reuse to sew small pieces for adults or children’s pieces...). I also paid attention to accurately calculating the yardage needs according to the projects to generate as few scraps as possible. And then, like many sewers, I used tons of scraps this year to make mouth masks.

So if you have good tips for storing fabric scraps, don’t hesitate to leave a comment with your tricks and tips, I will need them for 2021.

Second resolution: I finish the projects I started.

I had counted everything that was started and then stopped along the way in 2019 and was supposed to be finished in 2020... wow 😱
There were 17! 
In the end, only 5 were finished and 5 are waiting for finishing because I know I will finish them and wear them... It must be said that this year has not been easy for me as I work in the hospital sector. I had planned to quietly finish my various projects using my evenings... but well, for a good cause, the evenings were taken up by other activities.

For the 7 others not finished and not kept, I had decided that the projects would either be dismantled or thrown away.
So, I decided that they will be dismantled for what can be recovered and will join the scrap bin. 

 Third resolution: I start a maximum of 3 projects at the same time 

A difficult resolution for me because I love variety and I like to sew several projects at the same time. The downside is that I get scattered... one idea leading to another, one project leading to the next... I buy a pattern "for later" then a second one... In short, I think I will have to work on this resolution again in 2021!

In my 2020 wishing list, there were 11 projects of which 4 were completed in 2020:

- an elegant skirt from Popeline et Linon in plaid

- a Bruyère plaid dress from Deer and Doe

- a Cardamome dress from Deer and Doe

- a sweater for my man

- panties made from scraps with the Paola pattern from petit patron

- a lingerie set with Etoffe Malicieuse

- a velvet bodysuit

- a velvet wrap dress, house pattern

- an Artémis coat from the book Jackets and Coats from Editions Mango

- a Burdastyle coat

- a Gentleman coat from beaux gosses for my man

In the meantime, many other projects have marked my sewing year and in the end, I manage more or less to always keep this limit of a maximum of 3 projects in progress. 

At the time I’m writing to you: I’m busy with a coat, a dress, and slippers for myself and a shirt for my man that’s almost finished...

Well, on my wish list, there are still so many projects like a French Poetry moon dress, a Maison Fauve Sierra dress, a second pair of jeans for my man, a home-patterned dress, a jacket, a Maison Victor pleated pants... it’s endless for me...

 Fourth resolution: I end the year with a smaller fabric stock than the one I started with.. 

Now this one, I’m happy about because yes, this year my stock didn’t grow anymore and that’s a real victory!

I still have a substantial personal stock, it’s true ;-) but now it’s under control. I have 3 large drawers filled with coupons of fabrics sorted by size and fabric type.

The first drawer contains coupons from 1m to 1.5m in cotton or viscose: "woven fabrics" that I use for tops, skirts, sleeveless short dresses, or pants. It also contains some large scraps allowing fabric combinations to make a piece or pretty original facings. 

The second drawer contains coupons over 1.5m in cotton or viscose, always woven fabrics that I use for dresses with sleeves and larger pieces.

Who said I like prints ;-) and Japanese fabrics...

The third drawer contains coupons of jersey/knits, a bit of jacquard, and technical fabrics like interfacing, linings, ribbing, lycra for swimsuits,...

 I still have a large plastic bin with coupons of jersey, velvet, and faux fur, which are fabrics that take up a lot of space and are hard to fit rolled up in a drawer.

I dedicated an article this year on how to organize your coupons, I invite you to check it out by clicking here. 

I hope to keep up this momentum and invite you to join the new 2021 challenge! Stay tuned, they’re coming soon.

And you, are you satisfied with the review of your sewing year?