As I reflect on my sewing journey in 2024, I feel that this past year has been all about sewing with more intention. With limited time, I've had to approach my makes with more care and thoughtfulness. As I look ahead to 2025, here are a few key lessons from this year that I’m excited to carry forward.
1. Let Go of “Must Make Everything”
Before having kids, I was firmly in the “I only wear what I make” camp. It was a badge of pride and a core part of my identity. But over the past couple of years - especially this past year - I’ve had to accept that I simply can’t make everything anymore. Part of it is the limited time I have to sew, since being a mom to little ones is a full-time job. The other part is my work: when I’m developing a pattern, mostly for other people, I end up making it over and over again. While it’s incredibly rewarding, it leaves me with little time - or energy - to sew a variety of pieces for myself. So, if I want to be dressed, have a wardrobe with options, and maintain some level of sanity, I need to buy clothes.
Still, I can’t help but feel emotionally attached to the “I make everything myself” identity. It’s hard to let go of something that once felt so integral to who I am. It has been tough, especially because I once challenged myself not to buy any clothes for an entire year - and I stuck with it long after!
This year, I want to keep working on releasing that mental hold. I want to embrace the fact that my closet can include store-bought items and still reflect my creativity, values, and style. After all, it’s not just about who made the clothes - it’s about how they make me feel. And while I’m letting go of the “I make it all” mindset, the ethics of who and how the clothes are made will always remain important to me.
2. Accept that Some Things I Will Not Make
In a similar vein, I’ve been working on accepting that there are some garments I simply won’t make - and surprisingly, that’s been difficult. There’s a lingering guilt about not making certain items myself, but I know it’s time to let go of that.
Take jeans, for example. I don’t wear my me-made jeans. I prefer washes and distressing that are difficult to replicate at home, and I know I won’t wear my denim long enough to achieve that perfect faded look. So, why waste time, money, and effort making jeans I won’t enjoy wearing?
The same goes for activewear. I can make a great pair of leggings, but I don’t enjoy wearing them. Sometimes it’s the seams or construction details - things I can’t easily perfect at home without specialized machines or materials. The same applies to underwear and lingerie.
This year, I want to fully embrace the fact that some garments are simply better left to the professionals - and that’s okay. It will free up more time to focus on the things I truly enjoy making.
3. Try Things Out Before Making
It may sound straightforward, but I’ve realized how freeing it can be to buy something just to try it on. This allows me to see how an item I want fits into my life, how it looks on me, and whether it truly fits my style. It’s helped me recognize when I’m blinded by desire and realize that the item I’m craving might not actually work for me.
On the flip side, if I really like an item, it helps me understand why and gets me excited to try making something similar. Being able to try it out and return it—before investing the time and energy to make it myself—has been a game-changer.
This mindset also extends to experimenting with new fabrics, styles, and colours. It’s saved me countless times from the disappointment of spending hours creating pieces that end up unworn. It’s definitely something I’m excited to continue on my sewing journey, and I highly recommend it to others.
4. Fabrics and Colours
Last year, I did a color analysis, which I highly recommend - though with a grain of salt. It’s an amazing learning tool that helps you understand which colors, undertones, and intensities look best on you. It’s a great way to refine your wardrobe choices. But remember, it’s just a tool, not the be-all and end-all. You still need to apply that information to yourself. If there’s a color you love but it’s “not recommended” for you, take it with a grain of salt. My belief is: if it makes you happy, wear it. Take what you need, and let the rest go.
After my color analysis, I went through all my fabrics and packed up a bunch to donate to a local charity for resale. Knowing my colors helped me finally understand why my love for certain fabrics didn’t always translate into love for the finished garments. I had so many fabrics in shades and undertones that didn’t do me justice. Now, my fabric stash includes shades that truly make me happy and will hopefully look great on me.
When buying fabrics, I’m now more mindful of the colours that suit me. But I also need to consider what I actually wear, what’s in my closet, and what makes me happy. Just because a particular pale blue jersey will look good on me doesn’t mean I need to have it. I still need to be mindful of the fact that I mostly wear white and off-white jerseys, so it might make more sense to buya white jersey instead.
This mindset is similar to the “don’t buy it just because it’s on sale” mentality.
5. Try Something New
Clearly, knowing myself - what I actually wear and what fits into my life - is important to me. But this year, I want to push myself a little outside my comfort zone and try styles, fabrics, and colours that I would typically turn away from.
Over the past few years, with the pandemic and transitioning to working from home, along with having kids, my style has changed quite a bit. Actually, scratch that - it didn’t just change, it kind of disappeared for a bit, replaced by the "whatever is clean and fits" mentality. In 2024, I feel like I did a good job figuring out where I stand in terms of my style journey, and now, I’m excited to keep learning and evolving in 2025.
I feel good about where I am - combining comfort with a touch of fashion - but I know I can push it further. I want to expand my style and my sewing by incorporating new items and shapes that I wouldn’t typically gravitate towards. One example is the mini skirt. I made one in 2024 and loved it, but only wore it once. In the coming year, my goal is to gently challenge myself to incorporate these new pieces into my everyday wardrobe. When I inevitably make another mini skirt in 2025, I want to push myself to wear it 3-5 times in my regular life - not just for special occasions - and see if it’s something that sticks.
2024 has been a year of growth, reflection, and refining my sewing journey. As I look forward to 2025, I’m excited to continue evolving, pushing my boundaries, and embracing new challenges while still staying true to what makes me feel happy and comfortable. Sewing is about more than just creating garments—it’s about creating a wardrobe that aligns with my life, my values, and my style. I’m excited for the year ahead and the new experiences it will bring, both in my sewing and my personal style. Here’s to a year of intentional sewing, growth, and finding joy in the process.