2025 Sewing Goals

 Grab a cup of coffee, tea or soda as I outline my thoughts for sewing in 2025.

I’ve been on a RTW fast since 2011. I’ve met my 50 yard dash goals for the last two years. And I’ve done a good job in 2024 with making only “mindful fabric purchases.”

I’ve been enjoying the fabric fast, the 50 yard dash and PR contests as a way to challenge my creativity and use up stash. I like to think of the PR contests as I did challenges presented in art school. This is the assignment, what can I do to make it work? What new sewing techniques can I learn?

My favourite "me made" garments are ones I learned how to do in PR contests. I’ve really enjoyed making active wear, swimwear and garments for swing dancing. I get to skip the indignity of trying on gear that does not fit and makes me less than happy about my aging, gravity challenged body. Instead, I can now make items I love, fit well and flatter. I tend to buy deadstock; so I save fabric destined for the dump and use it to make garments from designer fabric for a fraction of retail costs. I use them often. Hiking. Paddling. Dancing. Swimming. Exercising. Total score.

I did a full inventory of my stash this year as a way to investigate why my stash grew. And understand how to make better fabric and pattern purchasing decisions moving forward.

My stash is really an accident of the times. It began in an effort to purchase fabrics at the end of seasons on sale for the next season. I had done a really good job of thinking like a designer and planning collections in advance. I would still sew mostly in season, as I like to wear what I make pretty immediately, but I’d plan ahead. Then came the pandemic. Life changed. A lot. Sewing needs changed. I began purchasing online for different needs. Some of those purchased items did not work well for what I had intended. Wrong color, texture or drape. More purchases. So stash.

Young Robert, I love your DH’s philosophy to not argue with abundance. Genius.

Here are my preliminary thoughts on using the PR contests to spur my SewJo, use stash, learn new tips and techniques and have fun:

Duplicate This Bag?

Handbags & Wallets - When: January
I have a leather sling bag I bought 30 years ago that I’d love to replace. I used it as a diaper/handbag when my youngest was an infant. It allowed me to have what I needed with me and still have hands free to carry children, groceries or whatever stuff was handed to me. Up until two years ago, when it died, it was my favorite travel bag as it had the zipper for the main compartment against the body making it as pickpocket proof as you can get without having the bag inside clothes. It also allowed spontaneous dancing for encounters with talented street musicians. My plan is to use old denim to make a duplicate.

Border Prints or Panels - When: February
I don’t have many. A couple are scraps from projects I really enjoy(ed) wearing. I’m looking forward to brainstorming about better ways to use border prints and panels.

2024 Panel Print

LBD Contest - When: March
Dresses are my thing. I don’t need a LBD, but I sure enjoy them. This month I learned the joys of vintage petite and junior patterns. I may try another vintage.

What Was I Thinking - When: April
I’ve got a lot of these. Most are items that were bad online purchases because, while beautiful, the color is wrong on me. I’ve been sewing “bad purchases for me” up as wearable muslins. And writing them up. I’m a bit intimidated by participating in this contest because in most cases the fabric is stunning, the problem is it is not stunning on me.

Surprise Sprint - When: May
I’m excited about this one. I was disappointed the sewing bee was cancelled. May is usually a very busy month for me, so this may or may not work. Bad pun. Couldn’t help myself.

Stash Contest (Fabric) - When: May & June
In 2023, I used the stash contest to finally get back my Sew Jo after DH died and start writing up reviews on PR. I’d been a member for years but did not write up much of my work. I decided to sew an item a day and write up each during the 2023 stash; that got me over my first 50 yard dash line. That was also when I fell in love with this community. Having a central place online to share my sewing notes was an amazing bonus.

Dynamic Duos - When: June
My grandkids are now in the sweet spot where they love matching clothes. Not sure if that will still be in June. Even less sure if I could get photos as both are in a “no photo” phase. Perhaps a friend? I’ll really have to think about this one.

Embellishments - When: July

I’ve used embellishments on garments a few times. Embroidery to make a boring cuff and collar less boring. Appliqué on DGD’s sweatshirt because she will not wear solid clothes: “Too plain!” Again, this will take thought.

Recycling/Upcycling - When: August
I’ve got a bunch of items I’ve set aside to become “recovered” fabric. Many belonged to late DH. They really do need to be used or donated.

Sew a Lined Jacket - When: September
Suits used to be my favorite, most worn garments. I still wear them, but much less often. Former life. I need to think about sewing a more casual lined jacket. Solosmocker suggested a bomber jacket pattern for me to use with some velveteen in stash. Wool cuts are also possibilities.

2024 Mini Wardrobe

Endless Combinations - When: October
I love dresses, especially in the summer, because I don’t need to worry about matching and combinations. I’ve been working on making more pants and tops as a collection. Fall is a great time for a new set as I wear more pants/jeans in the winter months.

PJs - When: November
I hope PJs include nightgowns because I am very particular. If not, one of my kids or grandkids may have PJs in their future. DD wants flannel PJs but does not like any of the flannel in stash (that she picked but changed her mind about). I’ve got some old sheets that were retired because they had holes worn in places, but the in tact fabric is so soft they should be PJs.

Review Past Project - When: December
This one I’m managing. It will be my first time.

New Question for 2025.
When I returned to sewing in 2006, I found patterns frustrating. None worked. None fit. I could copy RTW and drape and sew. But I could not successfully sew up even simple patterns. The problem is I am short. Proportionally short . But really short. Most patterns do not include petite adjustments. I’ve learned how to fit after years of practice and many classes but I’ve decided from now on I would pay it forward to fellow petites by including a new question in future reviews: Was this pattern petite friendly? This question will address what alterations I needed to do, if any, to petite the pattern. It will also address whether or not the pattern itself (1) had finished measurements on it and (2) shorten/lengthen lines on bodice, hips, hems and sleeves. Many patterns do not, which IMHO is sloppy drafting resulting in less inclusive products for those of us who are either shorter or taller than the model for the pattern block.

Meeting the 50 Yard Dash
11 contests means sewing 11 projects (with about 16 garments sewn assuming 5 garments for the endless combo contest) and between 34 and 48 yards of fabric sewn. My rules for myself are to (1) use stash, including upcycled/reclaimed fabrics, for contests and (2) make stuff that is either useful to me or my family OR engage in projects that advance my skill (including pattern drafting/testing). That’s a lot of dent in my stash and a clear path to achieving my 50 yard dash goal for 2025.

Happy sewing!