No, I don’t mean fashion style, I mean your way of working on a sewing project style. Once upon a time I was an interiors construction project manager and we had plans for everything. Now with my sewing projects, I don’t follow many of my own drilled-in rules of project management; I mostly just dive in.

I usually start something based on the fabric.  When I’m in a fabric store or on-line and get  inspired I choose a few yards based on the fabric design, color, or texture. I may have something in mind I think would look good using this fabric or I just really like the fabric and buy it with nothing definite in mind. When I see something in a magazine or catalog I like, and I think I can make that, I do start with a design first. Most of the time, however, my inspiration comes from the fabric. Are you a fabric first or design first sewer?

After I put my newly acquired fabric with a pattern, or several that I want to combine, I just dive right in. I guess this is why I use my seam ripper so often because I have no overall plan, just let’s get going and finish what will be a great new dress, blouse, shorts, whatever. WRONG! I should start by making a plan on how to do this. What would be the first thing you would start with once you had your fabric and pattern? There are a few things that we all probably do subconsciously – like gather the tools, notions and thread we will need. Although, sometimes I wait until I’m ready to use something before I buy it, like buttons. I guess the next thing is to begin making a muslin. If I have never made this pattern before or now since I have put on a few pounds, making a muslin is a good idea.

Whoops, I already missed a whole bunch of steps. Does my fabric and/or interfacing need preshrinking? Is it done? Have I lightly ironed the wrinkles out of my pattern? Do I want to copy this pattern or use the original? Have I reviewed the pattern directions and do I understand them all?  Now I can start cutting out my muslin once these questions are answered and completed.  (Did I miss any?)  I stitch it together using a basting stitch. Once this is completed as much as necessary, I can try it on. Luckily, I have a 3-way mirror I got from Santa Claus. I think it was to save my husband from having to help me fit things all the time and now fitting b  y myself is a lot easier.

After fitting, what’s next?  Making adjustments on the muslin and trying it on again? After noting corrections, I am ready to go and I get out my trusty seam ripper. Once the test garment is into its pieces, I can use my gently torn apart muslin for my pattern pieces. Now, I can just follow the pattern directions from here on, although I do add notes directly on the directions to make them easier for me to follow.  Should I just do as much as I can in the time I have to sew or should I block out the sewing into sessions including some correction times so I have a finishing point every time I sit down to sew? How do you do it?

You would think something so basic would not be filled with so many questions. Try and think what is the easiest way to tackle a sewing project– those with a deadline and those without. I am sure someone has mapped out a plan before and if you have, I would love to hear about your sewing project style. Let us know how you tackle the various stages of your projects. What have you worked out over the years to come up with the plan that works best for you, even if it’s no plan at all. Do you allow any slack time to account for pieces that need to be ripped out and sewn back together again? Tell us the way it  works best  for you

Cheers,