SewbySanne

I’m probably not the only one who has started the begin of 2025 (or maybe even the end of 2024) with making plans. Are you that type of quiltplanner who gets out their journal and start writing down lists, plans and goals? I’m sure you know the ones I’m talking about:

• I’m gonna get my WIP-list down to 5 (or less)
• I will definitely finish that big handsewing project this year.
• I’m gonna buy no new fabric and only use my stash.
• I won’t start any new projects untill I’ve finished all my work in progresses.
• This will be the year I’m gonna clear out and donate/sell the fabrics and patterns I’m not using.

And the list can go on and on. For the last few years I’ve been doing this, 2022 I think was the year I would really get my WIP-list under control, 2023 the year I would really get it down to under 10! My goal for 2024 was to do a no buy-year and get my stash under control…. haha, I had the best intentions. During the last few years I actually did manage to get my WIP-list down to around 10-15, when my starting point was 30+ projects that where hanging out in my sewing room.

The no buying year didn’t go as planned, I started out with a good few months, but then a favourite designer came out with new fabrics, there was an amazing deal, I went traveling, and so on…. But it did help with the way I look at my stash and handle it. It has gone down a little bit, I actually manage to keep it all contained, so that is a big improvement. No more stacks of fabrics laying around everywhere. The thing that helped me the most with using my stash is breaking up FQ bundles and sorting my fabrics by colour. First I was always ‘afraid’ to break up those amazing bundles, to looked so pretty. But now when I buy a bundle I break it up immediately and add it into my stash, this makes it so much easier to use.

So when the end of 2024 came around I was thinking about if I wanted to set myself goals like the previous years. That answer was a quick yes! I know if don’t think ahead about the things I want to finish or make some type of plans my head will explode with all the great creative ideas I have. With the effect and result of starting a lot, but not really finishing.

I started with writing down all my current projects on a tracker and then went ahead and added all the quiltingprojects I already decided I wanted to do this year. Next on the list I added a few patterns that are on my “if I ever have some extra time I want to make them’-list. I’m sure the most of us have bought patterns that you want to make sometime, or have seen a project that they really want to work on in the future. It seams I can never find the time to actually start on those, so this year I want to carve out some time to get to those.

I also want to continue with a form of no-buy for my fabric. The plan for this year is to always start with my stash and then if (really) needed, I will add a few bits an pieces. So not a really strict no-buy year, but I have so many great fabrics in my stash and they deserve to get a place in my projects.

The one thing I am commited to this year is to buy no new thread for at least six months. I have to wooden racks full of spools from different brands, different weights and so many amazing colours. I have enough for many, many years.

My goal is to get my thread down to the amount that will fit on one rack, and start by using up the smalles spools with remnants first with piecing and see if this works. I started this on the first of January and so far it seems to work. The only exception I’ve given myself here is for garment sewing. Sometimes you just really need to get a specific colour.

So these are my plans for 2025, do you make lists/plans please let me know in the comments or if you want to go ahead and join me!

Next week I will let you know more about the projects I want to finish or start this year!

Sanne