Sew Much Fabric, Sew Little Time

I was chatting to a lovely lady recently about quilting and she told me that she had a famous quote in her sewing room, 'sew much fabric, sew little time.' This quote often becomes the mantra of many devoted sewers, but it got me thinking, how can we maximise our sewing experience when we only have so many hours in our day?

In the colourful world of sewing, purchasing fabric can be a thrilling adventure. Often entering a fabric shop is like stepping into an Aladdin's cave of treasures with designs of all colours and patterns begging for our attention. The vibrant patterns and colours ignite our creativity and promise endless projects and possibilities, making it almost irresistible not to purchase just one more yard of a coveted design to make something 'extra' with. This excitement can lead to large stashes, which might remain unused. What if instead we took the time to appreciate our selections and embrace a more thoughtful approach to buying, transforming our sewing experience from a checklist of tasks into a creative exploration causing us to slow down.

Today, society's fast paced environment may lead to us rushing through projects, focussing solely on completion. Hands up who's guilty of this?! I know I am! Not only can rushing through a project cause mistakes, but it leads to a missed opportunity of enjoyment. Slowing down can have a transformative effect on our sewing experience. Sewing isn't just a process, it is a medium for personal expression and creation.

Taking a more mindful approach to sewing to create a more satisfying sewing experience should begin with your fabric selection. Instead of buying fabric simply because it's on sale, ask yourself does it speak to you? Spend time researching your favourite designers, their narratives, what inspires them and colour palettes they often use. As a designer I design in collections and use complimentary colours throughout seasons so that anyone who follows my work can mix and match across collections and seasons. My hope is that by having the ability to do this, it leads to a project that truly resonates with you whilst preventing overwhelm.

Planning projects in advance may also prevent overwhelm and time wasted in the sewing room. For each collection I produce, we design a complimentary quilt pattern to go with it. Not only do we provide the quilt instructions but also the quantities needed to help you plan in advance. By following your favourite designers you will be able to find out when their collections are going to be released and plan project accordingly. This also gives you the time to embrace each phase of sewing, from the initial planning to the final stitches.

In a world brimming with fabric options and looming projects, it is vital that we slow down and make mindful choices to avoid our sacred sewing time ending up feeling like a chore. A rewarding sewing experience isn't always defined by the amount of sewing projects you've completed but the quality and enjoyment that emerges from it.

Next time you feel overwhelmed with choices, don't forget that 'sew much fabric, sew little time' is just a gentle reminder to embrace the art of sewing, one stitch at a time.