After the review comes the challenge! Yes, we start the resolutions again and this time it’s for 2023!
I really enjoyed the end of the year with a slightly lighter course schedule to take a few hours of introspection. It allowed me to do my sewing review and the review of my professional activities.
It allowed me to adjust my desires for 2023 to the improvement needs that came from 2022.
Maybe this will give you ideas for yours!
So here we go with the resolutions!
1. Continue developing C'est du Joly
I am delighted with 2022 with the launch of our physical store and the courses... it was great! And I will definitely continue on this path in 2023!
My goals for 2023 are to strengthen relationships with my current suppliers, with whom I am delighted to collaborate, and to find new suppliers to always offer you an original and high-quality selection that stands out from what you can find elsewhere 😊. With this in mind, my aim is to offer you products made from natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool...) or artificial fibers of natural origin (viscose, tencel, bamboo...). I also try to turn to short supply chains when possible; that’s why all our ribbons (bias tape, ribbon, piping, elastic) are French and Italian.
On the course side, I will continue developing new original courses that meet your needs. By the way, don’t hesitate to tell me in article comments what kind of courses you would like to find and at what times; it really helps me prepare my schedule.
I already have plenty of ideas for what’s next but one thing at a time, first let’s test the courses and concepts... Dylan will have more work this year!
Workshop during the holidays
Lingerie initiation: sew your little panties
Module "I sew my first jeans"
2. Organize my time
Among all the tasks related to the shop and the courses, I work no less than 70 hours a week. So even though it fills me with joy and I am delighted with my activity, I am well aware that at this continuous pace, I won’t last. I need to take some time to review my organization and maybe (😂 surely) delegate some tasks.
I realized there were activities I cared about that I could no longer do or outings I didn't go on because I was too tired... not very glamorous at all! I also realized at the end of the year during my little sewing review that I needed to sew pieces for fun, for myself, for the challenge... in short, I needed to find a bit of lightness again in how I approach my sewing projects, how I choose my models to sew, my fabric selection...
Also, I already started at the end of the year... which will link to resolution no. 3.
3. Use my fabric scraps and continue to clear out my personal stock
Let anyone who has never stored too large a quantity of fabric compared to their projects throw the first stone 😂. I think I don't know any sewists who don't have 3, 5, 10 or even 100 projects ahead, whether for patterns or fabrics! It must be said that it's tempting to have pretty fabrics in stock in your drawers and to admire them (personally I love doing that) and then there are plenty of beautiful pattern designs that keep tempting me...
So if one might think it's not reasonable, I have decided that it is also part of my creative process to be able to choose a fabric from the stock, a pretty pattern, and sew something even if it's Sunday evening (my personal sewing time while my partner goes to sports).
However, for this year, I want to go further in using my fabric scraps and my personal stock. I realized during the big workshop clean-up that I really had a lot of "large" fabric scraps in which it is still possible to sew small garments: mini skirt, camisole, short-sleeved blouse... and well, this year, I will sew them and use the rest of these scraps for pocket linings, facings, ...
And I've already started... with a Ségur top from cozy little world finished, a Jeanne blouse from République du chiffon in progress, and a Jolène blouse from Ready to sew cut out. These three projects come from scraps of larger projects. I still have small pieces of these fabrics that have joined the "mini scraps" boxes.
The goal is to continue in this direction by reusing my scraps and the patterns I love to make the most of them.
Ségur top in Japanese cotton
Jolène blouse made from a jacket lining scrap
Jeanne blouse in Japanese cotton
4. Keep order in the workshop and the shop
And yes, this one comes back year after year! Now that I have everything nicely organized, I have to keep order in the workshop but also in the shop and I swear it's not easy 😂!
Between the time it takes to tidy up, the mess my students and I create during creation courses, the kids playing in the shop (and moving the threads and sliders 😂)... I have plenty to keep me busy!
Overall, I think I did pretty well this year 2022... I hope to make the same assessment for 2023... answer in a year!
We put away magazines, patterns, fabrics, and scraps
We put everything away in the wardrobes 😊
5. Sew the models and patterns from my stock for my boyfriend and myself
I have a multitude of printed pattern models, magazines... and endless desires but well... choices will have to be made 😂
In any case, there will be jeans and classic pants for me, classic pants for my boyfriend (the cheeky handsome one).
On my wish list, there are several winter and summer dresses and I have already selected the fabrics I will use. Many are vintage-inspired because I really like 40s/50s fashion, which also suits my body shape well. I even spotted a beautiful 50s skirt suit in Burda... well well, I'm already getting sidetracked 😂! This resolution will be tough!
6. Keep training myself
It's very important to me but also for the sustainability of my business. However, this resolution must not become a constraint or burden in my life. So I decided to focus on sewing and embroidery, which I love. Even if crochet, knitting, and beads catch my eye... you have to choose!
I will continue to train myself in sewing techniques for clothing and accessories (bags...) to keep improving and share well-founded and detailed knowledge with you. I actually have several technical books on my nightstand and online technical courses to complete.
I wanted to take another professional training "in person" but let's be realistic right away, it won't be for 2023. We'll see in 2024.
In any case, I have to fit that into my schedule (back to resolution #2)!
And you, do you have sewing or life resolutions for 2023?
Do mine inspire you?
Feel free to let me know in the comments,
So once again, get your needles ready!
