Here it is. In writing. On the internet. So I have to do it.
I actually love new years resolutions and challenges. I know a lot of people hate them because they fail them every year or they feel they don’t work, and that’s totally valid. If your resolution is “go to the gym”, you’re statistically unlikely to continue that for the rest of the year. However, I still think the beginning of the year is a great time to reflect and evaluate where your life has taken you so far and how you want to move forward. And, because I’m nosy, I love learning about other people’s resolutions as well.
Before I get to my actual goals, here’s what we’re working with this year: two conventions, two music festivals, and a big move. Plus whatever else I get swept up into. Feeling a bit stressed already oops. We’re starting to look for a house starting in the spring and once we find The One, we’ll have to drop everything and go for it. This means that I have to be The Most Organized I’ve ever been in my whole life. Now, how do I change my whole personality to accomplish this goal? That’s right, outsourcing. (Mom pls help).
So here’s the plan:
- Turn my unwieldy towers of fabric into manageable and useful material. I have a habit of pulling bits of fabric I want to use and putting them on display so I can remember, but then never putting them away if I don’t get to that project. I also just have too much and lots of hand-me-downs that I’m just not into anymore. My goal here is to pull all of my fabric out and go through every piece. This includes my scrap bin.
- Minimize purchases. This includes secondhand. I recently watched a video about this concept circulating on the internet right now, where it is essentially challenging you to give up purchasing any ready to wear garment for the rest of the year. I like the concept of this challenge. It pushes you as the sewist to make your clothes and value the work that goes into garment making rather than just throwing down your cash and buying whatever strikes your fancy, regardless of whether it is new or used. However, I don’t think I can fully commit to this based on my enigmatic moving plans combined with my love for costuming but having little time to do so. There will be an attempt and if I slip up or need something that I can’t make, I will just move on and keep trying. [eta: underwear, basics, aka things that are boring to make are an exception. I will still buy new socks if I need to although I’ll source them from an ethical brand]
- Use what I have. Once I pare down my fabric stash, theoretically I will then be left with only inspiring/useful fabrics. And then I will use those fabrics. I already don’t buy fabric without having a plan, but if it’s secondhand I will and then I end up storing enigmatic fabric for indeterminate amounts of time. This is fine, secondhand is better for the planet and you are at the thrift gods mercy when fabric appears. However, using the secondhand fabric is also important, so that is what I will be focusing my sewing plans around. My next Design Your Wardrobe season will be designed around what I already have, with one allowance for creative inspiration (because sometimes you just gotta).
I have confidence that this is a well rounded and attainable list of goals for the year. I have a lot of things planned for this blog as well, so stick around. Maybe I’ll feel confident enough to post a tutorial or two. 🌼
Dropout Daisy 