September Sewing Plans!

 

I am back after a lovely August break & ready to get back to sewing and blogging! This year I'm feeling more "back to school" than I have in a long time. Hoping to learn some new things this fall & try out new projects & techniques.  

In September I will have a couple of things to share which I finished in August. Then I will try to finish and share a few items I started in July & August! I have a couple of those to complete but I am already feeling like it's time to move on to some fall sewing projects so that will be what is next. 

Related to that I have a bunch of Burda patterns to trace out, a few recent ones & a couple of oldies which I think will be nice fall outfits. 

And I hope to share the next Literary Sewing Circle pick by the end of this month as well. Lots going on but a busy month at work too so I will have to be organized. I'm ready to go 😄📚🧵

July Sewing Plans!

 

It's already July! Time to make plans for the second half of the year...

I was lucky in June and got a lot of my hoped for sewing done. I still have a couple of leftover projects from May to work on, but my goal now is to start on my summer dress queue. I have sorted through a lot of patterns with some of my stash fabrics in mind, and have a handful of pattern/fabric matches I would like to try to get to. There are a couple of my Make Nine projects I might try, but I am also putting a few other ideas on my list. From this list I am hoping to get two or three done -- or at least cut out! 

Fringe Dress by Chalk and Notch

Vikos Dress by Itch to Stitch 

Butterick 6722

McCalls 8030

Otherwise I just have a few mending jobs and practical fixes to do in between the new projects - they always seem to fall to the wayside when I get excited about new things. So I hope to do those too. A busy sewing month but if I get 2 new things done I will be thrilled ;) 

June Sewing Plans

 

June's sewing is once again mainly catch-up sewing! I had big plans in May but nearly all of them were derailed. 

I started a pattern test, which threw off my timing. And I didn't get down into the sewing room as much as I'd planned! I did finish my Literary Sewing Circle project (yay!) and I made pants! That's not the usual. And I was able to finish a quick top for the #SewFrugal26 IG challenge, hurrah :) I'll be sharing that here very shortly.

I also worked a little bit on some of the projects I started in April - but didn't finish anything else. Getting closer, though...

I am carrying forward those April projects - a blouse and my 3 remaining Sudoku wardrobe planned makes. And for June I want to add in summer dresses. If I can at least get the 3 dress patterns I want for this summer traced out, I will be happy with my progress.  

Always so much I would like to sew :)

May Sewing Plans

 

April was a whirl of sewing; I tried to sew up all my Sudoku plans (didn't make it), added in a couple of other ideas that are now half done, and made so many new plans. It was fun but I didn't have half as much time as I'd wanted for sewing up the projects I wanted to! 

So May's sewing is pretty straightforward. I want to finish up the last three Sudoku projects, even if it will be past the deadline, as I think the combinations made in the planning were perfect for my wardrobe. I have one cut out now and two more to go. I think I can do it. 

And I am just finishing up my own Literary Sewing Circle project - I changed my idea when I found some fabulous fabric recently so started a new project! That will be posted pretty soon. 

I also have a fun blouse that I started with a bunch of April contests in mind, but it is only half done. I will try to finish that one in May and share it, too, since I really love the fabric (an old duvet) and the quirky pattern I'm using. 

And IF I have any more sewing time, well, #SewFrugal26 is now taking place in May. It's a favourite challenge as I already love sewing with free patterns and upcycled fabric, of which I have a ton in my stash... 

And of course, May brings MeMadeMay! So much fun to participate and think about one's wardrobe in May. My challenge to myself this year is to complete 4 projects in May, from what I have ongoing, as part of the plans I've outlined above. I think I can do it :) 

I hope your May is going to be full of fun and sewing, too. 

April Sewing Plans

 

Well, March flew by! And I feel like I have an even busier April coming up. But one good thing, I did get to almost everything on my March plans list -- finished my patchwork vest, launched the latest Literary Sewing Circle, completed the Fabricville project I needed to get posted, and have made good progress on my Sudoku Wardrobe so far. 

The Sudoku wardrobe is the big thing I plan to keep working on during April. I've just finished the fifth piece of my plan, five more to go. Not sure I'll get there but it's still fun to make pieces that go together. I'll keep reviewing pieces as I go along. 

Other plans are to tentatively make a project from an IKEA duvet I picked up recently, for the Earth Day upcycling contest at PatternReview -- there is also a challenge at StyleArc for something similar so perhaps I will try one of my StyleArc patterns for this, the Bronte or the Xanthe, maybe. If I have time between my Sudoku sews! I've been enjoying sewing with a premade plan, it makes things a bit easier when it's time to head to the sewing room. But I also like having some freedom to switch things up so we'll see how this all goes. 

So April is already pretty full of plans, not much room for many more. I'm trying to stay focused and finish this plan off!

Sewing by Sudoku, with PatternReview

One of the challenges I'm taking on right now is one I briefly mentioned as part of my monthly plans. It's the Suduko Wardrobe Challenge, hosted by PatternReview in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the site. As such, it's a Sudoku style grid of 25 squares which you have to fill with specific wardrobe items, to make multiple matching outfits. The good news is, you only have to sew 10 of the items for this grid, over 10 weeks! 

I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this one over January and February, and came up with a bit of a plan. I pulled fabrics from my stash, compared things, looked at patterns -- the planning is really half the fun! My working plan is based on a lot of my thrifted 80s and 90s patterns, with a couple of new ones thrown in. And the colour scheme is essentially black, cobalt, pink and a touch of print with other bright colours involved. Most of the fabrics are also stash. Here's an example of the grid you could use to make plans: with five different categories and nothing repeated anywhere. The outfits have to work horizontally, vertically, and across the two diagonals. 

I've begun the first project -- I am starting with the easy ones -- and will keep at it to see how close to finishing I get. I haven't been sewing one item a week in recent memory so will have to see if I can do it. But in any case, I have a fun wardrobe planned and will finish all the pieces at some point even if I don't make the contest deadline. It was great to pull so many nice fabrics out of the stash and make plans for them. 

March Sewing Plans

It is already March! I got some fun sewing and embroidery done in February, but now I'm looking ahead to a month with some busy sewing and challenges to focus on. What's up this month? 

I have lots of fun projects on the go. There is a rather challenging Challenge going on over at PatternReview, the Sudoku Wardrobe, which I'll talk more about later this week. Lots of sewing involved there. 

I have a patchwork vest workshop coming up, which I have to prepare fabric for -- this is a challenge for me, as I'm not much of a quilter and it will take some concentration to get this ready! 

And I have another project for my Fabricville blogger activity to get busy on this month as well. I have some really fun fabric coming for that one! Between all of these projects, there is plenty of sewing to keep me occupied for most of March, without even thinking hard about it! I hope I can maintain the excitement about all of them and get some of my fabric out of my stash and into my closet. 

And....of course I will be announcing our Spring Round of the Literary Sewing Circle very soon! It will be launched on March 20, with a title that I hope you will all love as much as I did. Stay tuned..... 

February Sewing Plans

 

I didn't get as much sewing done in January as I had hoped, but I knew I would be busy so I'm not being too hard on myself. Still, I want to make some plans for February so I can stay on track! 

This month brings some new sewing challenges and some old favourites, too. The Stash Contest at PatternReview is still going to the end of this month so I'm still planning on sewing for that. But there is also a PR Contest "Feel the Love", to sew something inspired by something you've seen at PR -- I am hoping to make a blouse using some techniques I've seen reviewed there -- and using stash fabric! Right now I am considering Butterick 3895 as a possibility for this project.

February is also the time to participate in the Black History Month Pattern Designers Challenge. This is one I've participated in previously and have always enjoyed it. More on my inspirations for this challenge are coming in my next post. 

February is also National Embroidery Month so I would like to finish up a new embroidery project that I've just begun. It's fairly small so I should be able to do it -- it's inspired by our Canadian Prime Minister's recent speech at Davos and I'm excited to share it with you. 

That's a full February and I hope I can get everything done that I'm planning for! 

PatternReview Stash Contest: Plans

There are many sewing challenges, sewalongs and sewing contests out there in the sewing world! One of my main community sites is PatternReview, and they always create a full roster of contests throughout the year. The first one of the year, running through January and February, is a Fabric Stash contest, a throwback to the very first contest they ever ran, 25 years ago when they were new! 

The idea is to sew things using only fabric you've owned since prior to June 30, 2025. I think I have enough to choose from ;) 

And since I've determined that I need to use my stash, I've signed up for this one! My plans are a little loose; I'm putting some fabric and patterns together and thinking of what I should make next. Of course, the items on my MakeNine list are on my mind here, too! 

Right now I am thinking that I will make 2-4 items. I have a lot going on in January so might not get to much this month! I would like to try the Vikos Dress from my MakeNine, and if I can make one of the Burda dresses I have put into the last few years of MakeNines, I'd be happy with that!  

Another part of this contest prep is just going through the stash. I have so much fabric right now. I need to sort it, choose some to sew up right away, and decide if I am going to keep some of the other pieces. So a weekend of stash sorting awaits... 

Make Nine 2026

I'm continuing with the habit of a Make Nine grid for 2026 -- even though I have never completed a Make Nine yet! But I enjoy the planning and it helps to think about what you might want to sew in the months ahead. Over the last couple of years I have sometimes included a Use Nine list, looking at fabrics that I wanted to use up. But this year I'm sticking with patterns only.

I only made 2 items from my 2025 Make Nine: 

Simplicity 3684

Burda 121-11-23

But I also made 2 that were on the 'backup' lists that I winnowed down to Nine. Does that count? LOL!

Burda 112-01-2020

Vogue 9364

Just like last year, these are aspirational lists; I'm not holding myself to anything! I'm really a mood sewist, just like I'm a mood reader, so these lists are fun to make but not rigid at all, or I will get sewing block pretty quickly. I know myself. 

And again this year I found it hard to decide on only nine! I started with many more ideas. But I know I have less sewing time and am trying to prioritize things that will fit into my wardrobe plans while still also being fun things I'm excited about. This plan is intended to keep these projects top of mind, not act as a hard and fast rule that I must make all of them. And so, starting fresh with a new 9x9 grid, here are my hopes and plans for 2026 projects.

1. Butterick 3895 

This pintucked blouse is one I've been thinking of making for a few years now. 2026 is the time!

2. New Look 6476 

I want to make the tie neck blouse from this pattern, which also includes pants and a jacket. 

3. Lysiane Blouse by Les Lubies de Cadia

I bought a few patterns in the last Black Friday sales, and this was one. I've had my eye on this pretty pleated blouse for a while! 

4. Butterick 7036

I love this 'retro' 80s design. I am looking at the short sleeved dress version of this one. 

5. Vogue 9029

I picked up this dolman sleeve dress pattern at a church sale recently and I just love the silhouette 

6. McCalls 8500

Another fabulous 80s silhouette. Want to make the dress view of this one too. 

7. Vikos by Itch to Stitch 

One of the other recent Black Friday purchases, this one is such a nice basic. I usually love ITS patterns so am looking forward to making this one. 

8. Simplicity 2289

I made the tunic from this pattern in 2023; now I want to use it for the knit pant part of the pattern. I don't really make pants so have to start with an easy one! 

9. Vogue 2006

I bought this in the fabric store sales this year, specifically for the interesting skirt (includes a back pleat that I like). I want to make it this year! 

I also hope to use all stash to make these items, even if I'm not sure which actual fabrics yet. And surely I can make more than 2 of this list in 2026!

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? 

December Sewing Plans

And once again it is already December! I feel like this was a very quick moving year. I did get some of my yearly goals done, or at least worked on, but some just went by the wayside. So my December plans are pretty simple - tie up those loose ends.

I have a couple of projects that are cut out & waiting, and I just want to get them done and off my sewing table. Plus I have a few things to mend and hem, and really want to get those done before year's end. Of course being the end of the year I'm feeling the need to do a bit of a clean of the sewing space as well! 

If I can get all of those things done I may try to make a new dress for Christmas - I have two options using stash fabric. One is a burnout velvet with a slight stretch, and the other is a beautiful though muted rose print in red and navy in cotton lawn. They'd give much different effects but I think either would be quite festive. So I'm thinking about those, but not pushing myself to make them as I do have other festive options already. It would just be a fun project if I can fit it in! 

And of course lots of end-of-year wrap up to do here on the blog as well. Watch for some posts about the year's sewing later on! 

November Sewing Plans

 

It's already November, I can hardly believe it! What are my sewing plans this month? To get a bit of sewing done, essentially! 

I have my project for the Literary Sewing Circle underway, so I know that one will be done soon. But otherwise, my goals for this month are to get my late fall/wintery projects planned out. 

I have been feeling green & purple for fall, so was pleased to see that there were a lot of these colours on the recent runways. I also have a lot in my stash - even if the colours in these photos aren't quite true to the fabrics. It's always hard to get a clear picture. 

Anyhow, here are some of the fabrics and patterns from my stash that I'm thinking of using this November. 

A couple of sheets, a couple of smaller pieces of rayon and a knit.
 The top fabric is much more purple than it appears here. 

And some greens, of all shades! From dark to floral to a greeny-blue, I have lots to choose from

A few new-to-me patterns, an old favourite, and I also have a few Burda
magazines not in this photo that I've earmarked.
I want some skirts, tops and at least one dress!

Any big plans for November? I just want to fit some sewing in among all my other things I've got to do this month... including the holiday sewing of course. Thankfully not too much of that this year. How about you? 

October Sewing Plots and Plans

 

It's already October although it doesn't feel much like it around here, with our continuing warm weather! Still, time to think about a change of season. 

I didn't get much sewn in September, it was such a busy month. So I have a few things I'd like to get to this month instead :) I still have some projects cut out and ready to go, so really do want to work on those but I have some oversize shirt patterns to experiment with as well, so will have to try to make up at least one. And I'll be getting out some more fall/winter fabrics in a couple of weeks, once our weather catches up with the calendar. 

But I've really not been sewing that much lately, more organizing and sorting (and buying some new fabrics and patterns even though I haven't used the old!) So my main goal this month is to finish something, anything! And to get back to blogging a little more regularly.

I also want to point out that, while a bit late, the Fall session of the Literary Sewing Circle is coming! It will be announced next Friday Oct 10, and will go into mid-November. I hope you'll enjoy the seasonal read that is coming up :) 

September Sewing Plans!

 

Hello all! Back from summer break & ready to get sewing again. I finished up two simple projects in August but really did take a break, with not much time for sewing. All the better to return refreshed to the sewing room and to the blog! 

I have started thinking about sewing for the fall season but also have a couple of summery makes to finish off. 

These are the two summer projects that are cut & ready to be sewn. 

And then I have some "shoulder season" patterns in mind, for the in-between weather. I most want to make these two button up shirts.

And if I have time, perhaps I will finish another dress. I just picked up some lovely purple fabric at the thrift store that I think would make a great shirtdress, so that may be coming up next! 

I am starting to think about autumnal outfits already, even if it's not quite the weather for them yet. But it's definitely the time to start sewing them! Do you make a big switch over to new projects when the season change and if so, what is your favourite season for sewing?

July Sewing Plans & Updates

It's July! Time to think about what I want to accomplish in my sewing room this summer! 

Everything slows down a bit in July so I am not making huge plans but there are a few things I want to get to. Aside from regular sewing I have also started an embroidery project that I can work on outside - because I know I am going to want to be outside & not in the basement quite as often!

But these are my main areas to focus on this summer:

Pattern Tracing - I have many patterns I would like to prep, including some Make Nine projects, a couple of Burda magazine ones & a couple of Indies that have snuck into my queue ;) 

Mending - I have some hems to shorten & a summer shirt to fix for my husband. I also want to alter the shoulder area of a thrifted dress so that it fits better. 

Use stash - I have buying quite a lot of fabric so far this year (almost all thrifted) but have great pieces in my stash. While sorting recently I found so much yellow - so my primary focus is to sew up some yellow this summer, with maybe some blues too. I have a fun 80s print to use up as well & am quite excited about that project! 

And otherwise, just to continue the ongoing stash and wardrobe cull/reorganization. I have to do that in small spurts as I find it overwhelming to make a big mess all at one time. Slowly but surely. 

I hope your summer plans include some fun as well!

June Sewing Plans

 

Well it is halfway through the year, and I am, as usual, behind in all my plans! My planning eyes are bigger than my doing stomach ;) 

In May I was able to finish 3 projects, all for specific purposes. I've made a list of some items I'd like to make this month, just for fun! There are a number of things I'd like to accomplish in June. 

First, tracing off a handful of patterns - some newer ones and some old classics that I've been meaning to make for YEARS. (looking at you, Chalk & Notch Fringe Dress!) And I would like to get busy on that Hinterland bodice, a goal I've noted for the past few months. I've gotten as far as pattern adjustments and cutting a muslin, so I am hoping a real Hinterland will materialize this month. I would really like to finish up a couple of summer dresses this month, including just a plain navy one as a basic. 

Hinterland and Fringe
both on my wishlist!

I'm also planning on prepping a fun embroidery project that I designed a while back, getting it ready for summer stitching. It's always nice to have something portable for the summer so that I can work on it outside or during trips. I'll share that when I have it all ready to go! 

Looking at my sewing lately, I realistically make 1-2 pieces a month on average, so I'm trying not to overplan. But there are so many wonderful patterns and wonderful fabrics I'd like to use. I think that reorganizing the sewing room might appear as a plan later on this year, too, in order to make everything more accessible and user friendly. We will see... 

Do you have big plans for summer sewing this year? 

May Sewing Plans

 

May is here! I have sewing plans, of course -- it's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Sewists, that is, it's MeMadeMay!

I didn't get an official pledge posted but I always love following along and seeing what people are making and wearing. I stock up on inspo for the whole year in May. This year I saw a couple of pledges that were essentially to enjoy and not limit any fabric, pattern, or sewing choices in our most loved hobby. That really struck me. We don't need to police ourselves and act like our sewing is something to limit -- it's our joy, our happy place, and we don't need to apologize for that. I already have enough me-mades in my closet to be able to wear multiple combos every day, so building a wardrobe isn't what I need right now, but I do pledge to enjoy it and not to stop sewing because I feel like I don't "Need" something. 

However, there is also a contest going on over at PatternReview this month (and all of June) to Sew Your Fabric Stash. Any patterns, just use some of that fabulous fabric you've owned for more than 6 months so it doesn't languish. I've owned a lot of fabric for a lot longer than 6 months...so I am also going to be trying to shop my stash this month and bring out some of those amazing pieces I bought so I can sew them up and share them in the world! 

As for specifics this month, I still want to get to that Hinterland muslin I intended to make last month. 

I also have a Fabricville blogger project I need to finish, and then I want to get to my own project for the Literary Sewing Circle. I found an amazing fabric in my deep stash that is perfect for an LSC project so I'm excited to get started on that!

If I somehow find the time and the sewjo to make anything more than that, I have a couple of 80s vibe oversized shirts that I really want to make for this summer. Fingers crossed I will get more done this month than I have over the last few ;) 

It's going to be a busy month for me in my real life so I am hoping by writing these goals out I will get some of them accomplished. Will I? I'll have to report back next month!

April Sewing Plans!

 

Ah, finally Spring is here...well, sort of. In any case, April is here, and that brings some new sewing challenges and plans!

I finished my yellow dress I had planned on making in March, even if I used a yellow cotton poly rather than the yellow linen I'd originally intended - I'll be sharing more on that soon. 

This month's online challenge is the #SewAprilBlouse25 one on IG, hosted by @sewn-on-the-tyne and @Cloth_Edit I was planning on making some blouses/tops this spring so I guess the time is now.

They have lots of fun prizes and the goal is to sew a blouse - definition on their IG account - here is what I am thinking. I'd like to make both of these but if I get one done I'll be happy! 

I also want to work on fitting the Hinterland Dress as part of the design course I signed up for with Sew Liberated - I'd like to have the bodice fitted and a muslin made this month. 

And finally, we have the next round of the Literary Sewing Circle coming up! I will be announcing our new title this Friday... look forward to some wonderful Canadian fiction this time around. 

March Updates & Plans

 

February flew by and now it's time to take stock of March's sewing plans! I was so busy in February that I only got a couple of things accomplished out of all the things I'd hoped to do. 

I did organize my stash - not perfectly but pretty well, starting it kind of accidentally! I now know where things are, at the very least, and have weeded 30 metres. I didn't get a project done for Black History Month Pattern Designers Challenge -- I have a Khaliah Ali Simplicity pattern cut out in a purple cotton but it's not together yet.  

I also didn't get to my first Make Nine project, but I am focusing on that for this upcoming week as I want to be able to wear it while the weather is still chilly, as it's a knit dress.  

As for other March plans, there are a number of contests and challenges out there that appeal to me because they fit in with things I already want to sew :) PatternReview is holding their Little Basic Dress contest; it doesn't have to be black but it does have to be a solid which can be styled for casual day or fancier night outfits. The Make a Garment a Month account on IG has a March theme of Mellow March - and the fabric I was thinking about for the LBD contest is a yellow linen, so it would also fit this challenge! Let's see if that is enough of a push for me to make it this month or not... 

I also want to prep an art project I am thinking about; lots of fiddly designing and cutting of pieces. I hope to the have the plan done for it in March. 

And I want to start one of the classes I've signed up for this month too, or at least watch the class videos to prepare to begin. More on those later! Hopefully work won't be quite as bonkers this month so I can find the energy to sew more in the evenings. I have lots to do.