The new year is almost here, and you know what that means: we all collectively pretend that this is the year we become organized, productive, and perfectly put-together sewists! Speaking truthfully, I am far from the most organized maker—and that's okay! Chaos can be creative. (and is often an essential element in the creative process.) But if part of your sewing goals is to clean up, a little bit of magical sewing space organization at the start of the year can work wonders for your sewing space, your projects, and your mental clarity. So grab your broom (or vacuum), toss on some moody music, and let’s get ready to have the best sewing year ever!
Clear the Cobwebs (Literally and Figuratively) in Your Sewing Space
Start with a good old-fashioned clean-up. No shame if you haven’t seen the top of your cutting table since last July, or if you forgot what the rug in your sewing room looks like. We’ve ALL been there! Grab a hot bevy, put on your best pump-you-up music, and give yourself an afternoon to:
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Tidy up your space, put away your fabric, and get your tools where they belong.
- Tip: Anything that doesn’t belong in your sewing room put in a dedicated basket or box to be put away when you’re done so you don’t wear yourself out playing ADHD ping pong.
- Dust off the shelves and sweep up those rogue threads that haunt your floors, clothes, and pets. Throw open the windows and let some fresh air in. Think of your sewing space like a living breathing being, it deserves to be clean and fresh!
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As you're tidying, consider the items you have. What isn’t sparking magic anymore? Is there some fabric you loved on the shelf but just isn’t sparking inspiration anymore? It may be time to let it go!
- A great way to do this is through destash groups online or if you are local, come to our sewing stash fabric swap at the shop on January 4th.
Think of it as clearing the energy in your sewing space so you can invite in fresh creativity! I know there are some items that are hard to let go of or to know what to do with, let’s talk about how to address those.
Take Stock of What You Have in Your Sewing Space
If your sewing stash has taken on a life of its own, it might be time for a magical inventory spell. I like to have mine in the form of a spreadsheet! I have links below to several different trackers.
Track Your Fabric:
Go through your fabric stash and make notes of what you have—yardage, fiber content, project it’s planned for, or anything else you find helpful.
- Create a good storage system that allows you to easily see what you have. Clear bins are great for this! Personally, I love to roll my fabric and label it with the KATM fabric label tape. I then store my quilting cottons flat and my garment fabric upright in a deep drawer. This makes it very easy to see what I have at a glance. I’ve also kept a personal rule of only keeping what I can store in this Ikea dresser. It helps keep the fabric inventory in check and helps me make sure I’m using the fabric I already have.
- Use tools like our [Fabric and Project Tracker] to log everything in one place—you’ll thank yourself later when you’re deciding what to sew next. (be sure to make your own copy of the tracker)
- If you are more of a pen and paper person we have a great downloadable sheet you can use. It's called the Witch's Stitch Tracker and it has lots of project planning tools to use throughout the year!
Whatever system you choose, having any system in place will help you achieve your sewing goals! Know what you have is half the battle.
Tracking Your WIPs:
WIPS, aka works in progress, aka the bane of every creative person's existence. We’ve all got em’ let’s talk about how to work through them!
- Start by writing out a list of every work-in-progress. Yes, every single one. Seeing it all in one place is powerful—and yes, maybe a little terrifying.
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Our fabric and project tracker also includes a tab for WIPS. In this space you list out your WIPs, group them by category and sort them by priority.
- Notion is another great app for tracking!
- We also recommend checking out the new Thread Loop app. We’ve heard nothing but good things about this all in one app for tracking and sharing your projects.
As you're going through your WIPs be kind to yourself. It’s completely normal to start a project and abandon it when the dopamine subsides. It’s okay! You’re doing a great job. Let’s talk about what to do with those WIPs that have been hanging around a little too long.
Give Those WIPs Some Tough Love
Let’s talk about those unfinished projects lurking in the shadows. They take up space—physically and mentally—and it’s time to set them free.
Ask yourself: Will I actually finish this? If the answer is no, that’s okay! There’s no shame in letting a project go. Avoid getting caught up in the sunk cost fallacy. Here’s the thing: we often hang onto WIPs because we’ve already invested time, effort, and maybe even money into them. This is what’s known as the sunk cost fallacy—the idea that you must keep going just because of what you’ve already put in. But that’s not true! Letting go of something that’s no longer serving you isn’t wasteful; it’s freeing.
Ask yourself: Will I actually finish this? Do I want to finish this? If the answer is no, that’s okay! There’s no shame in letting a project go. Here are a few ways to clear WIPs from your life:
- Give it away: A fellow maker might love to pick up where you left off. We take WIP donations at our free craft library at the shop. If you’re not local try posting to a local buy-nothing group, you may find someone who that project is calling to!
- Rework it: Turn that half-finished quilt into coasters or a pillow. Chop it up. Make it new. Got burnt out on that queen-size quilt you started? There’s no shame in making it a baby quilt or throw instead! Or maybe even a quilted garment, can you say quilted pants?!
- Recycle it: Check your local area. You may have a company like Ridwell or an eco waste center that will recycle your fabric waste.
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Toss it: If it’s truly beyond saving, thank it for its service and move on. And yes, sometimes “letting go” means putting something in the trash—and that’s okay too! A couple of unfinished projects aren’t going to ruin the planet, and clearing them out will free up so much mental and physical space. Keep it in perspective: you’re not single-handedly creating waste here. You’re making room for fresh energy, new ideas, and projects you’re actually excited about.
- Last year I burned a drawing that I had started in 2012. I had put HOURS into this extremely detailed Harry Potter drawing and it was looking really great. But I don’t connect with the HP world anymore and I had no desire to finish it. I tore it up and burned it and let me tell the weight I felt come off me as I watched those flames eat up that project was pure *Magic*
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Deconstruct it: I’m no stranger to diving into a project without creating a toile or a test block and then getting stuck when things are working out. There’s real growth in taking something apart and starting over the right way.
- I once made a quilt from my mom’s old clothes. This was when I was a new baby quilter and didn’t know that I should interface things. It was all bunched and the points were a mess. I hated it. I spend a good part of a road trip seam ripping the whole thing apart so I could start over and do it the right way. The whole time I knew my mom was watching over me with a “I told you so” energy. She was constantly reminding me that it takes half as long to do things the right way the first time than it does to do it twice because you rushed through it. (to be honest, it’s still a lesson I’m learning)
Clearing unfinished projects can be freeing. It’s like breaking a spell that’s been holding you back. When you release old projects you open up so much space in your heart for the projects that spark the magic within you. You’ve got this!
Use a Little Magic to Pick Your Next Project
You cleaned your space and made your lists, it’s time to start sewing! Is the decision paralysis kicking in yet? If you find yourself staring at your project list for hours without making a move, I have a simple spell for you: let the dice decide.
- Write a numbered list of your projects. This could be your WIPs, planned projects for the season, or a mix of both.
- Grab some dice (or use a digital dice roller).
- Roll! Whatever number you land on, that’s the project. No second-guessing. Just get going on it!
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- You could also try writing down your projects on scraps of paper and putting them in a jar, use whatever method speaks to you.
Sometimes, the hardest part is just starting. Letting a little magic and chance take over can nudge you in the right direction. I love using this trick for my to-do list too! It’s amazing how just getting over that hurdle of starting can get you off and running.
Sprinkle in Some Fun
Sewing isn’t about perfection. It’s about creativity, joy, and maybe a little bit of chaos. Don’t forget to have fun while you’re working your magic this year. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate a little more fun into your sewing practice:
- Host a sewing day with friends
- Have a dance party each time you finish a project
- Have a fashion show for your family to show off your hard work. (you’re never too old for a fashion show! Quilts make great capes if you’re not a garment sewist.)
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Get yourself a little treat like a new tool or cut of fabric for achieving a sewing goal.
If you’re on the hunt for more sewing friends, consider joining our Wyldwoodie Maker Crew! With a dedicated Discord server, it’s the best place to get tips, share projects, and connect with like-minded makers.
Ready to Work Some Sewing Magic?
The new year is a blank canvas for your creativity. By giving your sewing space organization a fresh start, tackling those WIPs, and adding a little playful magic to your planning, you’re setting yourself up for a fulfilling and fun year of making.
So grab that journal, roll the dice, and let’s see where this year takes you. After all, you’re the witch, and your sewing room is your workshop. Make something magical and don’t forget to share it with us when you do! We want to cheer you on and help you achieve your sewing dreams this year.
