How To Improve Productivity When Sewing

This is about how to improve your productivity when sewing. Some of you may have seen a post I wrote that was featured on the SewOver50 Instagram site (here). But in this post I wanted give a few more details about how I use the “10-20-30 Minutes to Sew” method and “The Busy Woman’s Sewing Guide” method popularized by Nancy Zieman.

I started this process several years ago when I worked full-time and my husband and I were parents to two young kids. That was back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Now my kids are grown and my husband and I are empty-nesters, but I still use the same process.

My most important quick tips:

I start with the premise that every step forward is progress. If you only have time to change the machine thread so it matches your next project, you’ve made progress.
But before that, I organize. I keep my pattern, any notions and fabric in large Ziploc bags. It helps to keep things in clear containers or bags so I know what’s inside and I don’t have to guess.
Stock up on essentials. In the book, Nancy talks about interfacing and thread. I have also stocked up on fabric and zippers. With the Covid-19 pandemic in full effect and not having the ability or desire to go to the store, I have realized I have more than enough to get me through a pandemic! And, I probably have enough to get through another one if need be.
You can read through the instructions (at least halfway) in order to determine good stopping points. I don’t do this as often as I used to. Since I now have my own sewing space, I don’t have to clean up for us to use the table for dinner. But there are some things I like to do when I’m fresh (ex. putting in zippers or making buttonholes).
Change the order of your sewing in order to save time. I do this often depending, of course, on what I’m making.

Sometimes getting something done boils down to getting started. That sounds simple but it’s not always easy. There may not be the “perfect” fabric or the “perfect” pattern for a project. But there are always some really good options. Make the decision and stop second guessing. I tell myself this all the time.

Just get started!

Spend your time on the things that really matter. In sewing, that would be making a tailored jacket, for example. That’s something that I know going in is going to take more time, so I have to be willing to spend that time to do a good job. I actually go into those types of projects with the idea that it’s going to be a “slow sewing” process, so I’ll enjoy it. So, if you have limited sewing time, know where you need to allocate the most time in order to not just get a garment completed, but completed well.

Sew multiple projects with the same colors when possible.

Other things that help me to save a bit of time are sewing in the same color family. If you can make to dark blue garments one after the other, then you shouldn’t need to rethread your machine. Many people cut out multiples of the same pattern. I might do that but not at the same time. I’ll make one, then I’ll make another of whatever color. I’ll do this before I put the pattern away. It’s easy to make another while the pattern’s already out.

And finally, just as the books say, I always advocate for buying the best you can afford. That means having the best quality fabric and thread, etc. that you can. It doesn’t matter if I’m just making a T-shirt, I still care about the quality and construction of the garment. I have clothes that I’ve made that have survived years of wear and washes.

So, be encouraged and just keep going… or keep sewing.

Creativity During Covid-19 and Social Unrest

These past two weeks in particular have been tough. Like many Black Americans, my heart and soul hurts. I have gone from worrying about family and friends because of the pandemic to worrying about those same people being affected by senseless violence. That last part is always a concern. I have been emotionally exhausted.

I have been cautiously optimistic to see so many people of all races come together to fight injustice, and I can only hope that continues. I have been happy to connect and reconnect with old and new friends. Over the past few days I have felt as though I have renewed my creativity.

For anyone who thinks that I should just “stick to sewing”, I can only say, I wish I could. But as a Black woman in America, I (and my family) deal with these issues on a daily basis. For my mother and her sisters, sewing was a necessity because Black women were not allowed to try on clothes in boutiques. If you bought something that didn’t fit, the store would not take returns from Black customers. So they made their own. Sewing has always been how I express myself. So I’m finally feeling as though I can and should express myself through my craft again. That being said, I want to share with you two of my latest projects.

The first is this dress from Simplicity 8178. When I bought the pattern, it was actually number 0929, but whatever… I bought it for the jumpsuit (which I still haven’t made). But the dress was an easy project to make. I used a lightweight cotton blend that was easy to work with.

It should be a nice addition to my summer wardrobe. I realized that I really haven’t made many dresses lately, so I want to make more this summer.

The next item that I just finished is this Butterick top 6685.

I bought the pattern (twice by accident) for the sleeve options. If you are familiar with this, there are various sleeve and style options for this pattern. If I’m going to buy a pattern, I want there to be other options for me to make it worth my while.

I like the top unbelted as well. I used a leftover piece of chambray fabric I had. Originally, I had used this to make a shirt for my husband. I had enough left over to make View A of this pattern. This is another quick make. I also need to add more solid color tops to my wardrobe, so this worked out perfectly.

One positive thing that sewing during this pandemic has done for me is I have been able to use up some of my fabric stash. But believe me, I still have PLENTY of fabric left! I have also been able and motivated to use some of the hundreds of patterns I already have.

So, I hope you all are well and will continue your own creative adventures.

If you want PEACE, work for JUSTICE.

Pope Paul VI

Thanks for reading…

Terrific Summer Dress Patterns To Sew

I’ve been wanting to write a post like this for a while. I just wanted to feature some of my favorite summer dresses that I’ve made previously and give you some pattern information or information about the process of making these. These are some terrific summer dress patterns to sew.

Vogue 8997

I made this dress a few years ago and I still have it and love it. I’ve seen some other bloggers and sewists use this pattern lately although I don’t know if it’s still available. You can read the original post here.

I did find that when making this dress, I had to reconfigure the layout in order to have room for the pattern pieces to fit.

BurdaStyle 05/2019 #107

Another favorite. pattern of mine is this BurdaStyle Magazine dress from 05/2019 #107.

BurdaStyle magazine pattern 05/2019 #107 in lemon and navy blue — **BS 05/2019 #107**

I made modifications to the pattern with this dress (short-sleeves and added pockets). That original post is here. I truly love this dress! It’s a fairly basic shirtdress style, but I think my love of this comes from the lovely lemon fabric. It’s a stretch cotton (it’s almost sold out, but here’s the link from fabric.com). The fabric has a good weight for a dress like this and washes really well.

BS 05/2019 #107 in navy and lemom print back view

Simplicity 8384

My last one for this post is one that I’ve made twice. It’s Simplicity 8384.

As you can see, the pattern had another number when I first bought it, then they changed the number when it was issued later.

S8384 front view in green and white — **S8384**

This one is made in a green polka dot stretch cotton.

S8384 front view in ankara fabic — **S8384**

The last one I made was in this African wax print. Both of these are cool and comfortable to wear in the summer. The last post I wrote about this pattern/dress is here.

The one thing about all of these patterns is that the styles are all classic and uncomplicated. That’s why they can be made from a classic print, a more vibrant print, or just about any solid fabric you could choose. That’s another reason they are favorites for me. I really like versatile patterns and these all fit that category for me.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas for some things you might want to make for yourselves. Any of these patterns (or something similar) are great options!

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