My Sewing Goals for 2024

[@michelle.z]

Hi Erin! Great aspirations! Looks like you’re going to have fun and exciting sewing in 2024! I would love to learn various hand stitches. Don’t know that I would become an expert at it, but it would add a different aspect to sewing. Thanks for mentioning Ryan’s Case for Smiles ❤ I’ve made 15 pillowcases so far and have another 5 cut out. I am going to drop them off next week after they are all done. I’m going to keep making them off and on between other projects 🙂 Tip: if you’re going to make several pillowcases, make templates out of cardboard (or whatever) already cut to the correct sizes needed and use them to trace on the fabric and then cut it. For me that was MUCH easier than individually measuring each piece.

[@ErinSews]

The goal is always fun! Maybe that should have been my number one goal lol. It’s hard to remember that sometimes. Same- I definitely don’t think I’ll become an expert at hand stitches, but I really just don’t want to dread doing it. Plus the finishes are just more refined (because I’m soooooo refined 😂). Wow that’s so many pillowcases! That’s awesome! Thank you for the tip about the template. That will make it so much easier.

[@lynngates1662]

Hmmm, goals..... I'm going to say that my goal is usually the end product of anything I'm working on. That's why I've started it after all haha. About the WIPs, I've finally learned that the place to start is to ask myself "do I really want to use/wear/give this finished item?" If the answer is no, then it's time to repurpose/discard/donate/dispose. It's incredibly freeing! 😉 Feels just as good as finishing something you know you will enjoy using. Right now my goal is to finish a half-done Heather Blazer that I really want to wear before spring. 🎄🎄🎅🎅

[@ErinSews]

I believe in you! You WILL finish Heather Blazer (or it'll just keep staring at you awkwardly haha). Every time I go to just get rid of a WIP, I start to second guess myself and feel like I'm quitting it, but maybe 2024 is the year I need to quit some of them! I've moved my partially finished t-shirt quilt FOUR times since I put it together....it's time to make a decision on it.

[@Silver_Threads_Sewing]

Hi Erin. I agree the beginning of the year is a good time to set goals… I love the blank slate thing… all the possibilities. I really like your goals. I want to try and slow down… really take my time and do the steps called for as well as I’m capable of. Honestly, I would like to clear every item of clothing I own, take them out of the closet and if they are worn out, ill fitting or just don’t look good on me… get rid of them. Then make only the items that I like and in fabrics I love. I always need to work on fit… and skills. Thanks for a thoughtful and thought provoking video. Also…. The independent bobbin winder is the bomb … go for it… you’ll never look back. ❤ Diann

[@ErinSews]

I've noticed quite a few people mention slowing down and taking their time, so maybe we've all felt a little too much pressure to go fast this year! I recently went through my closet and it felt great! Izzy from Dizzy Quilts and Sews did a closet clear out during her vlogmas videos and it was VERY motivating. I'll have to consider getting it! Thank you for watching and Merry Christmas Eve Diann🎄

[@LostMyThread]

These sound like really thoughtful goals with a nice balance of some simple and some more ambitious. I'm not really a WIP girl, so it would be interesting to see what you've got in your WIP pile and what your thoughts are about the projects. I think you've got a good year of sewing ahead!

[@ErinSews]

I feel like there’s good sewjo in the air for sure! I think I’m going to go through my WIP pile in the next few weeks, and potentially film it so that I have to make actual decisions. If I don’t do it publicly then I’ll probably waffle for months 🫣

[@pamelaliebelt9967]

Great video! I have been thinking about my goals as well. Learning to use my serger/coverstitch combo machine is at the top of my list. Fitting patterns is up there as well. I will spend some time after Christmas really thinking about what my sewing and gardening goals for 2024 will be.

[@ErinSews]

Thank you! I've thought a lot about what I want to focus on and how I want to improve, so the next step is making sure I *actually* remember these goals as I pick projects. Learning your combo machine sounds daunting but will be VERY rewarding once you get the hang of it, I'm sure. I'd love to hear what goals you decide on! Hearing other people's ideas is very motivating and inspiring.

[@LaraSchiffbauer]

Those all sound like great goals. I am constantly working on fitting, and it's kind of a slow process for me, but each garment is practice and it gets a little easier. This year I've come to realize that unless you sew a garment a couple of times, it's really hard to perfect fit. So, I guess toiles are actually a valuable piece of sewing! :D I'm looking forward to joining you on the journey! Merry Christmas!

[@ErinSews]

That’s such a good point! One thing that’s helpful with sewing a lot of big 4 is that the adjustments tend to be the same across garments, but getting a perfect fit isn’t going to happen without multiple makes or a toile (ugh). I really should make more toiles. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a happy new year!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Those are great goals! I’ve been thinking about my goals for 2024 and haven’t really nailed them down yet, but that’s what I usually ponder during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Like you, I think some of my goals will be around learning new techniques or trying new things. We’ll see! 💞

[@ErinSews]

I'm excited to hear what they are when you iron some out! You had some good challenges and makes over the past few months with #sewingscared so it'll be fun to see what else you pick to learn or challenge yourself with!

[@RunningWithScissors-th8jo]

One of my goals for 2024 is also to make a lined coat. I too, need to work on fit. My main goal is to get out of my sling and be able to start sewing again! Oh, shirring! Me too! I’ve tried it once and wasn’t successful. We can do this! Merry Christmas, Erin!

[@ErinSews]

We can conquer the shirring! It’s so cute but the elastic bobbin scares me 😂 It sounds like your recovery has been going well so far, and I hope it continues to do so. You’ll be back in the sewing room before you know it. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

[@melissamelisulapilacellisc645]

You are always so thoughtful and kind. Your reflections and thoughts are wonderful. I also really want to make a fully lined coat, like a fancy vintage style coat with bound buttonholes. I'm thinking about the Princess Coat by Gertie at Charm patterns. The long version with lantern sleeves. Go big or go home right?

[@ErinSews]

Aw, thank you Melissa! You're so kind! I definitely vote go big or go home! That coat is GORGEOUS, especially with the lantern sleeves. I figure almost anything can be done as long as I go slowly enough and pay attention to the instructions (easier said than done...). Also bound buttonholes are so impressive and really level up a garment. I'll be so impressed when you report back that it's done!

[@kadycrea]

Lovely to hear about your sewing goals! and discovering your channel too :) I have decided that I was not going to set any goal for 2024 as I did not want to put any pressure on myself this year - last year I did have a few goals in mind and it was great to keep me going although I probably only managed to complete half of them - if that lol. I would love to sew my first self-drafted jacket pattern this year although this will take time obviously. Being a mum and working full time I just don't want the added pressure of having sewing goals on top of my very busy life - I love hearing about other sewists goals though ahah! Definitely agree with you on the pile of wips!!! I should probably also go through it and ask myself whether they will ever be finished. Looking forward to future videos x sorry for the essay lol

[@ErinSews]

Hi and welcome! I clicked over to your channel and subscribed too. Can’t wait to watch your first few videos when I get time in the sewing room later. You’re definitely a busy woman and I love that you haven’t set goals so that you’re just able to be creative in whatever way you feel when you have time. A self-drafted jacket would be such a challenge but so rewarding! I hope you’re having an awesome weekend 🤗 PS- essay comments are ALWAYS welcome

[@kadycrea]

@@ErinSews Thanks a lot 🤗 really appreciate it 🥰! 100%, I definitely need to feel completely "free" in my hobbies 😅 I definitely prefer having a structure in general but I leave that to family and professional life lol more than enough ahah Have a great weekend too x