Are you struggling to find time to sew?
You know, when you start a sewing project and time just seems to slip away and boy, it can go so fast. Then you must have a full-time job or you are sewing around family and household chores or simply dealing with daily life. Most of us cannot afford to go into that timeless zone called sewing where we hit the sewing machine pedal and simply get lost in time.
Time Management
Time management and preparation are musts for sewists like us. In reality, the problem is not only time, like most people may believe, it’s both time management and preparation, just to stress my point. A pillowcase, for instance, can be sewn in fifteen minutes, if everything is ready, that is. The fabric must be cut and ready for sewing, the sewing machine is loaded, scissors and pins and thread are all in one place and ready to go. You see, having a plan and preparing for our sewing project is a habit that we should all cultivate.
The reality is we have to “make” time for sewing in spite of our busy schedules. This is especially true for those of us who have full-time jobs and that includes being a full-time mom. Having a handiwork project on hand all the time, for instance, may give us the chance to sneak in a few moments of sewing. Indeed, we can sew between changing diapers, playing games with the kids, or during lunch break at the office.
The truth of the matter is we can make sewing progress a few precious minutes at a time, even if we are working on a big project, by going back to our stitching regularly. Some of us can perhaps only take thirty minutes for our sewing projects daily then we simply have to take it, because although thirty minutes may seem like very little time, it will make a big difference after a week or two!
Balance
Finding the right balance is one of our biggest challenges when we have to juggle between a full-time job and our love for sewing. In short, if we are spending too much time working on our sewing project and start to neglect our other duties then we are losing our equilibrium. And it is true the other way around too because expressing our creativity through sewing is something we should not let go. The trick, really, is to find that balance and we are the only ones who can do that for ourselves.
Organization Tips and Tricks
We should make it a habit of putting everything for a specific project into a clear plastic storage box. In this way, we can prepare everything we need in one place. We can also have everything we need folded up in a fabric or tablecloth so that all we have to do is set it out on your table and start stitching. Clear plastic zip bags are also ideal for storing everything we need for a particular dress or quilting project.
When you plan to sew something, you should make time to finish it even if you have broken down all of the steps into small units. Then you should take those little sewing steps one small unit at a time and believe me, before you know it, you are finished.
Staying Motivated to Sew
It’s not only the external factors like time and preparation that play a role in successfully completing a sewing project, but also our internal motivation. Staying inspired and keeping the excitement alive can be challenging, but it's crucial to enjoying the sewing process.
Connect with fellow sewists online or join a local sewing club to share and gather inspiration. Seeing others’ work can reignite your passion and give you new ideas for your projects. You might also want to subscribe to sewing magazines or blogs to keep up with the latest trends and techniques.
Set Clear Goals
Setting clear and achievable goals for your sewing projects can help you stay on track. Whether it's creating a garment by a certain date or learning a new technique, having a goal in mind can make the process more rewarding. Breaking down the project into smaller tasks can make it less overwhelming and easier to manage.
Every little step you complete is a move towards finishing your project. It could be as simple as selecting the perfect fabric or mastering a new stitch. Celebrate these achievements, no matter how small, to keep yourself motivated.
Let’s keep on sewing! You can always find time to sew.
I also store projects in separate clear pouches. I really like using the pouches that bed linens come in, they are clear plastic and zippered so nothing gets lost. I store the pattern pieces/instructions, notions like zippers and buttons, and the fabric and interfacing before cutting anything out so I know I have everything I need before sitting down at the sewing machine.
Great ideas ladies! Now I just have to put them to use! ?
Easier said than done unfortunately! I live in a bedsit, I have a 1m x 1m dining room table which doubles as a sewing table if I clear it, my sewing machine lives at the top of a wardrobe and my sewing kit is in a suitcase under the bed. By the time I get all the stuff out and ready my sewing window has slammed shut.
What wonderful ideas! I’m trying to get back to sewing. This gives me hope!!!
I have been using plastic boxes for years. For a couple of reasons. 1. Keeps pieces sorted and handy. (Making more than one Halloween costume at a time makes it a necessity.) 2. Keeps the cats from using the nice soft fabric as a bed. 3. Protects delicate fabrics. (The kids are older now and they often want fancier and frequently more delicate fabrics for not only costumes but also prom dresses.)
Definitely have to be organized. Just 30 mins a day after the kids go to bed and the chores are done, and before I have to go down, I have been able to get a lot of projects done. People are amazed at how much I can get done with such a busy life.
Organization is the key…
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Agreed!
Nancu Zeiman wrote a book “10‑20‑30 minutes to sew” that talked about how to complete items when you don’t have much time. For example, in one small block get everything ready to sew in the zipper (pressed, basted/pinned/glued in). Next block, sew it in. Really an enlightening way to get the work done.
I have used 2 gal plastic zip top bags for years . I add project list tapped to the out side with a list of items needed to complete the project. I check them off as I place the fabric, notions, and pattern in the bag. When all items needed are in the bag, i create a start date, estimate time to complete and block that time on my calendar. This way i take away the excuse of not finding time to start of finish.
Great idea to put everything ready in a see through box! I am definitely going to be doing that in futurex