My resolutions for 2022

In the last two years, I offered you the "sewing resolutions" challenge and many of you took up the challenge. So I’m doing it again this year and will focus on what "bothered" me last year to avoid repeating it in 2022.

Feel free to take on the full challenge or just pick some of the resolutions, or even not follow any at all, or make your own... the goal is to give you ideas and then it’s up to you to choose!

Alright, let’s go!

First resolution: I tidy up my workshop and keep it tidy all year long

I had already made this resolution in 2020, then came 2021 and especially the opening of my online haberdashery... and my nicely organized 2020 workshop turned into a store. As deliveries from suppliers and customer orders came in, it became a bit of a mess... and that’s putting it mildly 😅 even though I know where everything is, it looks cluttered and my eyes never rest in front of this orgy of fabrics and products! So it’s time to take action in 2022!

And this time, I had a little seamstress scare in November; let me explain my distress 😱... In November, besides the general chaotic atmosphere in the workshop, I had piled haberdashery supplies on my sewing and overlock machine tables... And I realized I wasn’t sewing anymore, that my creative energy was dwindling, and that I no longer liked my workshop in that state...

I had carefully copied patterns, cut out the pieces, and they were just waiting there... it made me react! Without hesitation, I took advantage of a weekend to roll up my sleeves, clear off my machines, and find other storage solutions for these haberdashery items!

I took the opportunity to set up my little crochet octopus named Lucienne, a gift from my friend Céline, on my sewing machine. From now on, Lucienne watches over the order of the machines and makes sure it stays that way!

Lucienne will therefore be the guardian of this 2022 resolution, I’m counting on her!

Second resolution: I no longer buy clothes that I know how to sew myself (for me and my boyfriend)

I had already chosen this resolution, and I’m quite proud to have stuck to it faithfully for myself in 2021 (except for two jeans bought in July, because I really needed them and simply didn’t have the time to sew them in time).

This year, we move on to the second because I’m including my boyfriend’s clothes. In 2021, I sewed shirts and jeans for him... this year, I’d also like to sew him suit pants (yes, the ones with the welt pockets that are so intimidating 😂). It will be a fun challenge to adapt the different patterns to his body shape. I’ve already spotted some patterns... I’ll show you all of that in due time.

And for me, I continue on the path towards a wardrobe entirely handmade/at home. This year, I will also aim for a thoughtful wardrobe by sewing clothes I actually need. It’s great to sew little indulgences like pretty summer dresses and light tops, but the fact is that in Belgium, sweatshirts, pants, and warmer skirts/dresses are much more suitable.

So I allow myself a few little indulgences because life needs them, while being more measured on the count of summer dresses and skirts 😊.

Third resolution: I continue to learn and train

I am naturally curious and demanding with myself, so the same goes for deepening my passion. After achieving quite a few of my 2021 goals: sewing jeans, using my scraps, ... I have a few goals for this 2022 resolution and I hope to accomplish some of them this year:

Continuing to discover and harness the full potential of my sewing machine
Harnessing the potential of my coverstitch machine
Learn new sewing techniques (on woven fabrics and knits)
Learn to sew new materials (leather, sequins, ...)
Learn to sew more technical lingerie
Learn free-motion quilting
Continue learning embroidery and clothing customization techniques (heat transfer vinyl, ...)
Read technical books
And if the pandemic allows, do workshops again with professionals, especially in pattern making; I would love to learn draping techniques...
...

It’s kind of limitless, because when I really like something, I explore the subject from every angle 😊 and I won’t fail to share all my creative adventures on the blog.

Fourth resolution: continue developing C'est du Joly!

C'est du Joly is a bit like my baby, a teenage dream coming true... and even if it’s a lot of work for me, a lot of stress (mostly positive), a lot of thinking, ... it fills me with joy!

So for 2022, I’m sharing a few goals with you 😊:

Continue to offer you a selection of original fabrics, with good quality/price ratio, while keeping ecology in mind
Expand the haberdashery selection based on your requests (don’t hesitate to send me your requests by email, Messenger, WhatsApp...)
Write at least one blog post each week to provide you with well-founded sewing advice
Ask for your opinion via the Facebook page on upcoming collections, on the items you would like...
Put our new logo online and improve the website navigation a little more
To offer you some surprises but shh 🤫 I won’t say more!

I’m still taking advantage of this resolution to thank you for supporting my sewing adventure and to wish you an excellent creative year!