Do you buy fabric and sewing patterns on a whim? Does your handmade wardrobe feel mismatched or full of things you never wear? If you answered “yes” to either of these, then this post is for you! Today, I’ll tell you how I’ve become more organized with my sewing. I also waste less time and money by planning out my projects with my sewing planner. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!
What is a Sewing Planner and Why Do I Need One?
If you’ve never heard of it, let me introduce you to the sewing planner! It’s a simple way to curate your handmade wardrobe with pieces that work well together. By using a sewing planner, you’ll become more aware of which projects to spend your time and money on, and which ones to skip.
So, why would you want one? Could you just use a sketchbook? Well sure you could, but a sewing planner provides a simpler way to keep everything organized. Everything you need for each garment is right in your planner for easy reference. Think of it as a visual guide of your personal style and what inspires you to sew. And finally, you can choose to organize your projects however you’d like! For example, you could organize by collection, by season, or by any category that works best for you. Still not convinced? Let me show you how I use my sewing planner!
How to Use a Sewing Planner… And Get the Most Out of It
There are many ways to use a sewing planner, but today I’m going to show you how I use mine. Since I live in the Arizona desert, there isn’t a huge change in the weather though out the year. Because of this, I don’t plan my sewing around seasons, but rather for the entire year. All of my goals, ideas, and my mood board pages are done once for the year. I mostly use the project pages to plan out my sewing, then I organize them by garment type (dresses, skirts, tops, etc.).
If you live in an area with more distinct seasons, planning by season may be of bigger benefit for you. Use a mood board to start your planning for each season, then place your projects pages after your seasonal mood board. In the end, the way you choose to organize your planner is completely up to you!
If you would like to use the same planner as mine, you can purchase and download it from my Etsy shop here. In this planner, you’ll get 7 printable pages to help you get started. You can reprint these pages as many times as you’d like and use them for every project! Below, I made an overview of all of the pages, so that you’ll get the most out of your planner.
All About the Planner Pages
Cover Page and Instruction Page
This might seem self-explanatory, but the first page is a cover page for your binder. Not only does it make your binder pretty, but also makes it easy to find. You can fill in the year and reuse this page for future years. The second page is an instruction page to help you get started.
Goals Page
This page has two sections; the top one is for goals and the other is for a list of garments you would like to make. At the top, come up with 5 sewing goals that you would like to accomplish for the year. For example, you could want to learn how to use a serger, or learn how to do a blind hem. Don’t forget to check off these goals once you’ve accomplished them!
In the second section, list everything you would like to make for the year. You can write rough ideas like “make 2 skirts“, or be more specific and say “make Peppermint’s Wrap Skirt in a light blue chambray“. The goal is to come up with ideas, so feel free to add to this list throughout the year. Again, check them off once they’re completed, and you’ll get to see how far you’ve come at the end of the year!
About Me Page
This page is all about you! Add details about your personal style and favorite colors. Not sure about these? Check out your wardrobe! Another option would be to make a private board on Pinterest and find pins of outfits you like. After you save, say 20-30 pins, go back and check for any similarities. Now, write down the common characteristics that you see.
Once you have figured out your personal style, write down your measurements. Then write a reason why you sew for yourself. Having a reason why you sew for yourself will encourage you to get through any frustrations you may encounter while sewing. Make sure to refer back to this page as you select your patterns and fabrics. It will help you build a more cohesive style for your handmade wardrobe!
Mood Board
Use the mood board however you’d like! You can use it to visualize your personal style, build a seasonal collection, or build a capsule wardrobe. Use magazine clippings, sketches, fabrics, paint samples, quotes, or anything you can think of to create your mood board. Try to have every item on your mood board have a consistent “feel” or “mood”.
Project Pages
There are two pages for each project; a sketch page and a project details page. On the sketch page, use this space to draw your design. You can draw your design on a croquis (a sketch on a fashion figure) or as a flat drawing. Need help drawing a croquis? Search for a free template online, or check out this tutorial from Amiko Simonetti to learn how to draw your own! Once you have your template, trace over it and add in your design. Now, you’ll have a croquis template you can use over and over!
The second page contains all of the details for your sewing project, and it’s probably the most important page you’ll use! At the top, write down the pattern information. In the supply list, write down the supplies you’ll need, then check off the items you have. Next to this list, you’ll find another space to add a small sketch. Since I like to use the sketch page for my croquis, I use this area for a flat drawing. If you need help with a flat drawing, take a look at the one that’s on the back of your pattern. Below the supply list is a space to attach your fabric swatch(es). Finally, add any notes about the project.
What’s Changed Since I Started My Sewing Planner?
Since I’ve started using a sewing planner, I’ve become more focused with my sewing. I’m not wasting my time on projects that don’t fit with my wardrobe. Instead, I plan out my projects out ahead of time, and I find the ones that coordinate well with other items in my wardrobe. My planner makes it easy to keep my sewing organized and I can see how far I’ve come at the end of the year. I think of it as journal, a sketchbook, and an organizer all in one!
See how easy it is to start your own sewing planner? All you have to do is get yourself a binder, and start today! I believe that you’ll find having a sewing planner will be as helpful for you as it was for me!
Have you already started a sewing planner? If so, how has it helped you? How has it changed the sewing projects you choose to do? I would love to hear your thoughts!
If you’re looking to get started on your own sewing planner, you can purchase the download right here.
