As we reach the end of the year, tradition allows us time for looking back to the past, to see what has happened, to reflect on the coming year, and what goals and aspirations we may choose to make for New Year Resolutions. How we resolve to make good on any changes or strive toward a goal depends on how we keep promises to ourselves. It may help to consider that resolutions are mostly promises you make to yourself. They are dynamic on-going processes and not one-time pass or fail efforts.

For example, finishing the partially sewn project or projects from months (even maybe - years) ago may be on our list of sewing resolutions. Organizing our sewing space, categorizing our patterns, and arranging our growing fabric collections come to mind also. Just how can we see our way through a sewing resolution for the New Year?

Make it easy on yourself! Break down your sewing goals and aspirations into small, intermediate tasks and then work toward them just one step at a time.

• List, then prioritize the small intermediate steps required to complete your specific goals. Many small steps add up to one completed project!
• As you complete an item, mark it off your list. The visible mark-off becomes solid proof you are making your way forward.
• Assign a reasonable time line to each step if possible. Nearing a time line mark is great for trying to keep on task. Completing a task within a set time frame is personally rewarding.
• Schedule an individual task on your monthly or weekly calendar. Seeing it there keeps it in focus.

Persistence, more than any other factor, will result in success in achieving your New Year’s sewing resolution goals.

We all have much sewing we will do or want to do ahead of us - Robert Frost’s memorable lines from his poem, Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening may help us to reflect on our promises, "...I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."

Free Organizing Projects for Your Sewing Promises

The Home Sewing Association has Sewing Room Accessories – sewing machine caddy, scissor cover, and basket cover to sew.

The Martha Stewart Show has Mason Jar Pincushion Sewing Kits to craft.

Martha Stewart Living has whimsical Tomato Pincushions to sew.

Marcus Brothers Textiles, Inc. offers instructions for a Wall Organizer by Vandarra Robbins to sew for holding your sewing/quilting necessities; also look for a Roll-Up Caddy, Sewing Machine Cover and Armchair Pincushion.

The Warm Company and Eva Holen feature a Portable Ironing Pad Ensemble to make.

The White Sewing Machine Co. has a Heart ‘n Hand Needle Case to sew (PDF file).

Happy Sewing.

Editor Recommended Books