How I Plan My Sewing
Like so many of you out there, I have so many ideas of what I want to sew that it can be overwhelming to decide which project to do next. About a year ago, I decided to do something about it. So, I started doing a few things that help me navigate all the ideas and stay on task.
Define my style
If you don't already have a well defined style, this portion of the process can take some self reflection- especially if you have recently gone through a life change. Appearance is a reflection of the inner self. As your life changes and your inner self evolves, so should your style.
You should be able to answer the question "Who am I right now and what does life demand of me?" In my life right now, I am a working mother of two small children, so life demands that I am put together professionally and that I am easily washable. But than there is the deeper question of who I am. I am many things, but at the heart of it, this time of my life is about new growth and discovery. However, I am also wanting to feel powerful, timeless and elegant.
From here, I make a mood board. This can be the old school way of cutting and pasting from a magazine or it can be digital, like a pinterest board. There is no right or wrong way to build a board.
The next step gets a little easier. I define my wardrobe holes. For me, this coming season, that means more pant variety. I have become overly reliant on jeans as a pant wardrobe staple. It is time to shake that up a little.
This is also the time that it is good to define any special goals I have for the seasons, like build a coat or dress fancier.
Know my colors for the season
There are so many ways to do this. There is the classic "season" color charts, colors based on personality, a more complex Seamwork method (which I highly recommend), or my Grandma's method of "just wear the colors that you like". Even though my Grandma's color choices are always on point, the method that I have had the most success with is the Seamwork method. It takes a little time, but it is well worth it. I pull out the chart that I made every time I am going to make a fabric or clothing purchase. I love it so much that I created one for my sisters and my Mom.
One small note: This is not all the colors you can wear, because everyone has a metal and a red that works for them. Whatever colors you choose, just needs to work with the palette that you create. It is a guide, not a bible.
Define my time capabilities
For me, as a working mom with two young children, I know that I can complete one simple project a month. For something more complicated, it could take longer. You may be able to do more or less depending on your life circumstances. This gives me the number of pieces that I can plan for a given season. I strongly feel this step is important. If too much is planned to be completed in a season, I end up have a small feeling of disappointment and defeat, which is not healthy. This is an activity that should bring growth and acts as therapy, so the negative energy from something like "not enough time" just shouldn't be a thing.
Plan my pieces
From here, I plan my pieces. This, of course, is the best part. I take all the wants and I narrow them down. After they are narrowed down to a few "have to makes" I fill out individual "maker sheets" for each.
Fill in the individual marker sheets
I use a simple sheet to help me track all of my sewing projects for the season. This helps me keep track of my holes in supplies, including fabrics and patterns.
Here is an example of a finished one:
I wish you the best in your future sewing adventures.
Happy Wardrobe Building!
XO Kathryn
Define my style
 |
| Sample Fall Inspiration Board |
You should be able to answer the question "Who am I right now and what does life demand of me?" In my life right now, I am a working mother of two small children, so life demands that I am put together professionally and that I am easily washable. But than there is the deeper question of who I am. I am many things, but at the heart of it, this time of my life is about new growth and discovery. However, I am also wanting to feel powerful, timeless and elegant.
From here, I make a mood board. This can be the old school way of cutting and pasting from a magazine or it can be digital, like a pinterest board. There is no right or wrong way to build a board.
The next step gets a little easier. I define my wardrobe holes. For me, this coming season, that means more pant variety. I have become overly reliant on jeans as a pant wardrobe staple. It is time to shake that up a little.
This is also the time that it is good to define any special goals I have for the seasons, like build a coat or dress fancier.
Know my colors for the season
 |
| My Colors |
One small note: This is not all the colors you can wear, because everyone has a metal and a red that works for them. Whatever colors you choose, just needs to work with the palette that you create. It is a guide, not a bible.
Define my time capabilities
For me, as a working mom with two young children, I know that I can complete one simple project a month. For something more complicated, it could take longer. You may be able to do more or less depending on your life circumstances. This gives me the number of pieces that I can plan for a given season. I strongly feel this step is important. If too much is planned to be completed in a season, I end up have a small feeling of disappointment and defeat, which is not healthy. This is an activity that should bring growth and acts as therapy, so the negative energy from something like "not enough time" just shouldn't be a thing.
Plan my pieces
From here, I plan my pieces. This, of course, is the best part. I take all the wants and I narrow them down. After they are narrowed down to a few "have to makes" I fill out individual "maker sheets" for each.
Fill in the individual marker sheets
I use a simple sheet to help me track all of my sewing projects for the season. This helps me keep track of my holes in supplies, including fabrics and patterns.
Here is an example of a finished one:
I wish you the best in your future sewing adventures.
Happy Wardrobe Building!
XO Kathryn
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