Word of the Year 2026: Practice

 

I've returned to choosing a Word of the Year. If you aren't familiar with this idea, you can find more about it here. Basically instead of resolutions, you choose a word to focus your year around, fitting it to many areas. Some years it takes me weeks of pondering to find a word that feels right. But this year, one popped into my head and was immediately the one that resonated. My word this year is: 

PRACTICE

Practice can be both a verb and a noun, and I feel the need for a verb this year! Merriam Webster defines Practice in verb form as: 

1

a

: carry out, apply

practice what you preach

b

: to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually

2

a

: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient

b

: to train by repeated exercises

And Practice as a noun is similar: 

1

a

: actual performance or application

b

: a repeated or customary action

2

a

: systematic exercise for proficiency

practice makes perfect

b

: the condition of being proficient through systematic exercise

Basically, I want to practice many things, in order to create a practice of creativity. I find I am very often reluctant to try new supplies or a new technique, whether that is in sewing up my wardrobe or creating fabric art. I worry that it won't work, that it won't be good. So I want to let go of perfectionism this year and practice everything I do, with a beginner's mind. If I remind myself that I'm just practicing, the pressure is off. And eventually this will lead to A Practice, a routine that I stick to so I can prioritize my creative output. That's 2026! 

Photo by Madhuri Mohite on Unsplash

Sewing Goals & Plans, 2026!

 

It's time to make some new Sewing Goals and Plans for the New Year. I prefer making loose goals to guide me. And that's a good thing because in 2025 I was having some serious lack of sewjo, with a lot of changes in my routine to sort. I planned to go back to basics last year, and here's what I'd said I intended to do in 2025, and how I ended up with those plans. 

Sew from Stash - I need to clear out some of my fabric piles, by sewing them up or passing them along. That's a big goal for me this year, and I've joined in on the ongoing 50 Yard Dash at PatternReview to help keep me on track. 

Elevate - I want to include special details or techniques, along with having a wardrobe plan so that I can spend time on things that I will wear. I had a few makes in 2024 that I've only worn once or twice, I don't want to sew by impulse like this again. 

Textile Arts - I would still like to get into more of a habit of spending time on art as well as practical sewing. I really enjoy it when I take the time, and find it intellectually and creatively satisfying. 

Well. I did sew from stash, nearly 50 metres worth. But I also bought a LOT of fabric this year, while not sewing much. It was the closest I got to sewing at times! So I need to deal with stash again this year. I didn't take much time to add details or embellishment to my projects, and I would like to try to focus more on that again. And I didn't spend much time on my art this year, which I need to get back to. I have to use all those great art supplies I got for Xmas! 

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

So I guess those are really my goals again this year, for the most part. I want to try new things and feel the flow in my sewing, which is my main goal, though. Here they are officially: 

Manage Stash - this includes sewing up a lot of my stash, sorting and organizing the stash, and donating what I won't use. This also includes more intentional purchasing (I find it hard to pass up a thrift store deal but I have to be more discriminating) 

Elevate - I want to add details, try new things that may challenge me, and choose my projects wisely so that I will wear them.

Textile Arts - this is also part of my 'try new things' vibe for the year. I want to experiment with the fabric arts supplies I have and I also want to finish some pieces. I have lots of ideas, just have to try them out. 

Those are my general goals for the year. How about you? Are you setting big goals? Or going with the flow? 

Word of the Year 2025: Design

 

Photo by Keila Hötzel on Unsplash

I haven't chosen a Word of the Year in a couple of years, but I do like this concept. If you aren't familiar with it, you can find more about it here. Basically instead of resolutions, you choose a word to focus your year around, fitting it to many areas. My word for 2025 finally coalesced for me. I've chosen: 

DESIGN

The Merriam Webster defines Design (in verb usage) as:

1: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan 

2: a: to conceive and plan out in the mind

     b: to have as a purpose : intend

or, 

1: to conceive or execute a plan

I think this is a good word because it could mean design in the sewing room, with my art and fabrics. Or it could mean design as in interior design, to inspire me to make my surroundings into more of what I want to live among. Or it could be design as in design the life you want to live! Lots of ways to bring design into the year. 

I've decided to take some workshops this year focused on pattern drafting and design, for a start. And to reorganize & declutter my fabric stash (which is getting a little unruly) with a design in mind for my wardrobe, colour and substrate choices. We'll see where else Design takes me in 2025! 

Do you ever choose a Word of the Year? Would love to hear about it if so! 

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Sewing Goals & Plans, 2025!

Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash

It's time to make some new Sewing Goals and Plans for the New Year. I never go nuts with specific plans, and am not going to try this year, either! I prefer making loose goals to guide me. And that's a good thing because in 2024 I was totally off track when it came to goals and plans. Here's what I'd said I intended to do in 2024, and how I ended up with those plans.
 

1. Tailoring: I'm going to finish the Jasika Blazer course and make the blazer 

Did not do! None of it, actually - didn't watch the course, didn't make the blazer. It is a goal I will carry over ;) 

2. Focus on special details: I want to include more unique details in my projects that I add in myself.

Didn't do -- I didn't actually end up making much of anything this year, so the unique details, embellishments, fabric manipulation etc went by the wayside. 

3. Wardrobe Planning: I've enjoyed doing this and want to go over my current wardrobe ideas. 

I did spend some time on this, and on making up schematics for various wardrobe combinations. I actually spent more time on imagining and planning than on making this year. 

4. Watch classes & lessons that I have available to me through my library (CreativeBug) and the Craftsy membership I splurged $2.49 on (and immediately opted out of autorenew for). 

Um....I didn't do this either! I had big ideas but lost my sewjo for lengthy periods of the year and just never got to these. 

5. Make more textile art! 

I did do a little more of this in 2024 and have a small piece in a show that is opening in January. So that's exciting! I got some textile art supplies for Xmas so will have to test those out in some new projects. 

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

So for 2025, I'm going back to basics, with some of the same goals. This year, I want to:

Sew from Stash - I need to clear out some of my fabric piles, by sewing them up or passing them along. That's a big goal for me this year, and I've joined in on the ongoing 50 Yard Dash at PatternReview to help keep me on track. 

Elevate - I want to include special details or techniques, along with having a wardrobe plan so that I can spend time on things that I will wear. I had a few makes in 2024 that I've only worn once or twice, I don't want to sew by impulse like this again. 

Textile Arts - I would still like to get into more of a habit of spending time on art as well as practical sewing. I really enjoy it when I take the time, and find it intellectually and creatively satisfying. 

Those are my general goals for the year. How about you? Are you setting big goals? Or going with the flow? 

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Sewing Goals & Plans, 2024

 

It's time to make some new Sewing Goals and Plans for the New Year. I never go nuts with specific plans, and am not going to try this year, either! I prefer making loose goals to guide me.

Looking back at 2023's Goals, I didn't do too badly. They were: 

Sew from stash - I was doing great at this until about halfway through the year when I ended up buying more than I'd sew up all year long. There was a great sale at a thrift store, and then at the fabric store, and I succumbed. 

Finish some art quilts - I finished a couple, one of which is in an exhibit currently. So I am happy about that! But I do have a few more which are half done and I'd like to keep going and try new things as well as finish the current ones. 

Take classes & learn more - I did take a few online classes, and went to an art quilting conference which was amazing. I signed up for the Jasika Blazer course but have not completed it yet. That's moving forward to this year!

ON TO 2024! 

This year I have some pretty simple goals: 

1. Tailoring: I'm going to finish the Jasika Blazer course and make the blazer - and hopefully learn a lot in the process

2. Focus on special details: I want to include more unique details in my projects that I add in myself. The book on Couture that I've just talked about will help with this, as will some others in my collection. I am thinking of both fabric manipulation and surface design/embroidery as special add-ons. 

3. Wardrobe Planning: I've enjoyed doing this and want to go over my current wardrobe ideas. I find it really helps when looking at fabrics and patterns, and makes it easier to decide if something is for me if I've made a plan first!

4. Watch classes & lessons that I have available to me through my library (CreativeBug) and the Craftsy membership I splurged $2.49 on (and immediately opted out of autorenew for). 

5. Make more textile art! 

Those are my general goals for the year. How about you? Are you setting big goals? Or going with the flow? 

Half Way through 2023

 

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

I can hardly believe that this year is going so very quickly. It's already halfway through! Fortunately for me, I had a long weekend as July began, so was able to spend some time thinking about my plans for the year and how I'm doing with them. 

My goals that I set for 2023 were fairly relaxed. They were to:

1. Sew From Stash

2. Finish some art quilts

3. Take classes/learn more

I think I've done okay on all of these so far! I've been sewing a lot from stash, probably about 75% of my projects so far are from stash, and I haven't bought too much new fabric this year. I still have to sort more of the piles out so I can see what I want to use and what I want to pass on, but haven't got there yet. 

Finishing art quilts has been going pretty well -- I finished 2 small ones, and got to the SAQA Conference in Toronto I was planning on, which spurred me on. I have 2 more small quilts to finish, and lots of ideas for new ones! 

Take classes -- well, haven't done too great on this one yet. I did take one interesting art quilting class online, about using scraps effectively, which I really enjoyed. And I've been listening to some embroidery and art quilting webinars. However, I haven't finished my Jasika Blazer class (maybe this fall?) and do have some CreativeBug sewing classes I want to watch. 

My other 2023 goal was my Make Nine/Use Nine plans. So far I'm moving a bit slowly there - I have finished one, the McCalls dolman knit top, and have two others cut out. So maybe I'll get a few more done before end of year! 

Like I mentioned in my original planning post, I am a mood sewist - I get distracted from plans easily! Plus I've been doing a bit of sewing on demand, so to speak, for various sewing companies/stores, which does cut into my planned sewing a bit. 

And in May I added a new goal to the year, which is to make my own Vyshyvanka by next May -- I've traced out two potential patterns for it but haven't made any samples yet. I'm planning to make a couple of quick versions to test out which pattern I want to use good linen for, and spend time on embroidering! So I'll have to get busy so I can start on that with plenty of time for stitching. 

Not too much to overwhelm me, and I don't feel terribly behind, as these are simply goals to keep me focused. It's great to look at them and refocus now, with time left in the year to accomplish a bit more. Do you like making plans as well, or are you more freeform? I think I'm a mix! 

2022 Reflections and Goals for 2023!

 

It's the time of year to look back and also look ahead. This is my summary of how I met my goals for 2022, and the creation of new ones for 2023.

Reflections

Last year's goals were mild, and not overly challenging. Exactly what I needed in a year of Rest, after that last few years of chaos. I really needed to relax and just take time to myself, and I managed to do that as much as possible. 

This year I feel like I have a bit more room for bigger goals, but still don't want too much stress. I am trying to find balance so that I have the energy for sewing and the creativity I love. So overextending myself, even in the sewing room, is something I have to watch out for.

Last year's goals were:

Stash Management: I feel like I did pretty well on that this year, although there is a lot more organization to do in the upcoming months. I got a handle on what was in my stash, and gave away a lot of old fabric that I didn't want anymore (and also cleared out my summer wardrobe to make more room for new projects). I need to do the same to my winter wardrobe and to organize the fabric that is left is a more logical and accessible way.

Wardrobe Planning: I kind of faltered on this but would like to get back to it and create a new wardrobe plan for 2023. I'm still feeling the bright colours and work wear vibe but have to rethink the projects and fabrics I want to use. 

and my last goal of 2022 was to Enjoy! I feel like this was the most important goal, and I did enjoy nearly everything I did this year. I slowed down, sewed and reviewed fewer things than usual, even if I was still sewing for the Liesl Advisor's Circle and for Fabricville. Neither of those groups are onerous and I had fun with the projects I made for them. 

2023 Goals

Sew from stash

I want to continue clearing out and organizing my stash - I just received a very generous gift of fabrics from a friend, of wonderful wools, silks and cottons from her late mother's stash, and I want to use most of that before I buy more. I also want to use more of my own pattern stash, including my large number of Burda magazines. 

Finish some art quilts

I've started taking time from my garment sewing to work on some small art quilts. I really enjoy the different experience of creating art from fabric, and while I've finished a couple of smaller ones, I'd like to focus a little more and finish some of the many half made and imagined quilts I have going. To help me do this I've signed up for the SAQA Conference, which is being held in Toronto this year. I couldn't miss it being so close as it hasn't been in Canada before. 

Take classes & learn more

I'd also like to take some classes this year and improve my skills in an organized manner. I've bought the Jasika Blazer class from Closet Core, and hope to work through that this spring to develop some better tailoring skills. I'd also like to give a bag or hat a try this year for something new!

Do you have new goals for 2023? Feel free to share them in the comments or drop a link to your own post about your plans. 

#SewingTop5 Goals and Reflections

 

The turn of the year is a great time to reflect and to plan. I've been doing this as part of the Top Five series hosted by the Sewcialists for a number of years, which is now defunct, but originator Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow is doing a bit of it on Instagram so it spurred me to add it here once again. 

2021 was a tough one for me. There was a lot in it, and as many people have noted, it felt endless and a week long at the same time. When I look back at it, I fluctuated between steady sewing and no sewjo at all. But my sewing did keep me going, especially as Fall arrived. 

I had made a number of enthusiastic goals last December -- I only really met one, sewing 50 metres from my stash. I was participating in a sewalong at PatternReview, which helped (and you can join this year's same challenge now). 

So when I was thinking about my goals for 2022, I realized that I don't have many. My main goal is simply to have no expectations and take things as they come. I want to really scale down and protect my time and mental space. So my little goals for the upcoming sewing year are quite manageable, nothing too ambitious this year. 

1. Stash Management

I did pretty well with this in 2021, using a lot of my stash. I still have lots to do though, since it doesn't look much different. I'd like to actually organize it this year and really get a handle on what's there and the space it is taking up. 

2. Wardrobe Planning

I really enjoyed doing the Seamwork Design Your Wardrobe process this fall and learned a lot from it. I have already made a few items from the list I generated during that process, so my goal for the first quarter of the new year is to make a few more of the patterns I chose for that wardrobe. And to use the process for planning my summer wardrobe too -- I found it really helpful to narrow down my choices among my hundreds of patterns and stash fabrics. 

3. Enjoy!

That's my overarching goal. To keep the enjoyment and excitement of sewing as a hobby going. Not to overextend or overplan, but if opportunities come that look manageable I'll take them :) I find that sharing my sewing is a big part of my enjoyment, so definitely continuing to blog and IG my sewing too. 

So not a hugely ambitious year, but one in which I hope to find balance and  joy. 

Happy 2022 to you all! 

2021 Word of the Year: Shift

 

Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash

I like to choose One Word for the theme of my years -- if you aren't familiar with this concept, you can find more about it here. What I enjoy about this is that instead of specific resolutions to improve oneself, which will be forgotten shortly after January, the one word theme just helps to guide you through your year, in every area. 

Some years, like last year, a word pops into my head and I know it's right immediately. This year I have been really puzzling over it, and trying out various words that seemed almost right, but nothing clicked. Finally a few days ago a word just came to me, and immediately felt right. 

My word for 2021 is: 

SHIFT

Merriam Webster defines Shift as:

1 : a change in place, position, or direction.

2 : a change in emphasis or attitude a shift in priorities.

Although perhaps these later definitions may apply here too ;)

3  a: to go through a change

    b: to change one's clothes

And I'm also keeping in mind that this word means the very opposite of Shiftless, which is a lack of ambition or resourcefulness. I'm planning on building up both of those very things this year, and will remind myself of this word throughout 2021. 

Do you choose One Word for your year? Share it, if so! Or do you go for the more traditional resolutions route?

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

#SEWINGTOP5 Reflections and Goals

 

Well, 2020 is nearly over. How do we reflect on such a year? I don't really feel like looking back at some of it, but there were lessons and high points even in such a long and stressful year. I feel like there were things to learn, and so I've tried to reflect on those elements. And I've also looked at the goals I set around this time last year, and tried to decide what any future goals should be. 

Reflections

Looking back at my favourite makes and my highlights of the year, I realize that continuing to try new things and maintaining a sewing community are really important to me. This year that took place in new ways, but finding a way to continue rather than just dropping all connections was super valuable. 

I also found that doing meaningful things with my sewing, like working with Amnesty International and even starting a Boomerang Bags group to help reduce textile waste and plastic use, was satisfying in a concrete way, so will be looking for more ways to do things like this. 

Taking care of myself physically to increase energy and enjoyment of life was a key discovery this year. Exercise was a stress relief and sanity saver for me, alongside my sewing -- I made 47 items this year, a fair bit more than I usually make. I think being at home for a few months and having the materials and time to sew made a big difference there. And, I still really love colour and print, and prefer more natural fabrics -- so I'll be continuing to sew with things that make me happy.

Goals

Somewhat surprisingly, on looking back at my 2020 goals, I seem to have met most of them at least in some small way! 

I had set a goal to sew from stash -- I ended up sewing 51 more metres than I brought in. Joining the 50 Yard Dash challenge on PR really helped me track this. Of course, having fabric and thrift stores closed for so long likely reduced my consumption automatically as well. But I also planned to Slow Down my sewing; with lockdown I sewed more than ever before, making 47 items this year. Only three of those are wadders though, so it works out overall. 

I'd also set the goal again, like I do so often, of sewing some menswear. But this year I actually did it! I sewed my husband a pair of summer shorts to replace his aging ones, and he likes them, and wears them -- a success. Plus I made him a fancy cravat just for fun, and a matching mask or two. 

I also planned to go through all my Craftsy classes -- well, with the Bluprint implosion this year I ended up speed watching all my pattern drafting courses before things settled somewhat and we were told that Craftsy was rising again and we'd still have access to our classes. I still haven't gone back to do all the work in those classes though. 

My last goal for 2020 was to draft a pattern for myself. Well, I did draft a very basic pattern, and am now tweaking it to get it just right. I've made a prototype and am planning on a couple more to get it perfect. Then I'll see what I want to do with it! 

So what about 2021? What are my goals? I've really been pondering this. After this last year, I'm not in the mood to set as many big goals -- who knows what life will be like? But I do need some goals to work toward and guide me, and like always, I don't feel bound by these goals, they're just suggestions to help me stay on track. With that said, I did come up with a few things I want to do in 2021. 

1. Stash Management

I was able to sew up 51 m. from my own stash this year, and in doing so I really explored what I have in my house. I have too much for my own comfort, and lots of it is from so long ago I don't really want it anymore (ie: quite a bit of poly blend fabric). So my 2021 goal is not only to sew from stash, but to really clear it out and organize it, so that what I have in my house is fabric that I really want to use. 

2. Pattern Drafting

This is really two goals in one: 

a. Work on my current simple pattern and get it finished to my liking

b. Do the work with my Suzy Furrer Craftsy classes and the Sara Alm flat pattern making book I bought, and learn what I need to learn. 

3. Embroidery

I've designed a number of simple embroidery patterns, which I really enjoy doing. I'd like to get them digitized this year so I can share them/sell them. 

4. Social Action

This year I really enjoyed participating in opportunities to highlight social causes, using my sewing. So I'd like to search out more opportunities for the same in 2021 and use sewing/embroidery/crafting to work together with others to make change. To alter the social fabric, so to speak. 

I think that after the year we've had, some reasonable, concrete goals are where I'm at. So that's my plan, and let's hope that all our plans for next year aren't derailed by any other unpleasant surprises. Wishing all the best in looking back and looking ahead for all of you as well.

20 in 2020

I know I said that I want to slow down and try more complex patterns this year, but that didn't stop me from getting all excited about the 20 in 2020 plans going around. The numbers are just too irresistible!

I was looking through Instagram sewing challenges, pondering doing the Make Nine challenge for the first time, or maybe the Use Nine Challenge instead...so I thought I'd combine them into a 20 for 2020 Challenge by adding one more to each!

Now, having said that, this is going to be a relaxed and aspirational challenge, not one that I'm going to rigidly hold myself to. I don't do well with fixed parameters, so this 20 in 2020 is my overarching them for myself, and a reminder of things I'd like to do by the end of the year.

Onward with the details!

Here are the Ten Patterns I'd like to get to this year:

1. Jennifer Lauren Laneway Dress
2. Jennifer Lauren Ivy Pinafore
3. Chalk & Notch Fringe Dress
4. Antero Shell Top (from the Well Traveled Collection)
5. Halla Agnes Dress
6. Halfmoon Atelier's La Brea Tee
7. Jalie Rachel Top/Dress
8. Closet Case Cielo Top/Dress
9. Victory Patterns Hazel Dress
10. Named Sointu Tee

And here are Ten Stash Fabrics I'd like to use up this year:

L: Windham Fabrics cotton, R: knit

L: Cotton voile, R: knit

L: Rayon twill, R: Linen/Cotton blend

L: mystery woven, R: knit

L: stretch poplin, R: knit

These 20 may overlap, or they may not. I have some ideas now put down in writing, but will always follow my mood as to making things. I have at least ten Big 4 and Burda patterns that I'm interested in too! And then there is my goal of drafting a pattern of my own.

So it will be interesting to see how things look at the end of the year! Do you like to make plans or to go with the flow?