Time Management

When I first started sewing I was really young and just wanted to learn to make things. I wasn’t thinking about time, time management, or project management. I just wanted to make cool things that no one else had (or that everyone else could afford to buy in the store and I couldn’t).

Sewing for most of us, at least starting out, is a hobby. One we each choose to do for our own personal reasons. And as a hobby, it should be enjoyable.

Perhaps I should call this page “Mindset Management” because time management is much more than just being organized. It’s about creating a space (physically, mentally and emotionally) for you to find peace and joy with not just the outcome but also the journey. And that’s why I want to share these tips with you.

One of the biggest hurdles for new sewists is understanding how long projects actually take. Trust me, I’ve been there – starting a “quick” project at 8 PM, thinking I’ll wear it to work the next day. (Spoiler alert: that never worked out!) The reality is that sewing takes time, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s part of the creative process.

When you’re just starting, you might feel frustrated watching experienced sewists whip up a dress in an afternoon while you’re still figuring out how to thread your machine. Don’t worry! Every single one of us started exactly where you are. The key is setting realistic expectations for yourself and your projects.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I sew fast. And yet, there are very few things I can sew from start to finish in an afternoon, and that’s with a dedicated sewing room.

Setting Up for Success

Creating a dedicated sewing space doesn’t mean you need a fancy sewing room (though wouldn’t that be nice?). I started sewing on a dedicated sewing cabinet my dad built for my mom. But once I moved into my first apartment in the city, I found myself using my coffee table and an end table to sew. Very not ideal. But I didn’t even own a dining table.

So if you are setting up on your dining table, that is a perfectly respectable place. (And probably far easier than trying to figure out how to use your foot pedal while kneeling at your end table.) The important thing is having a space where you can leave your project set up for at least a few hours. Even if you need to pack everything away at the end of the day, having a consistent spot helps you jump back in more quickly next time.

Organization is your best friend when it comes to efficient sewing. If you don’t have a dedicated room or corner of a room, it is useful to keep all your frequently used tools in a small basket or tote that can easily move around. You’ll want scissors, pins, seam ripper (yes, we all need one!), and measuring tape to start with. Some of these may store neatly in your sewing machine free arm. I also like having spare needles and my thread snips. Having everything within arm’s reach saves so much time during a project.

If you are a list-type person, you could create a pre-project checklist. Some things to consider before starting are:

• Do I have enough thread (and in the correct color)?
• Do I have all the notions needed for the project?
• Is the fabric pre-washed or pre-treated if needed?
• Are my all needed tools ready to be used (did your scissors wander off to some other room tsk tsk)?
• Do you need any special tools for this project?

Taking care of these details before you begin saves you from those frustrating mid-project supply runs.

Project Planning Strategies

Obviously, the complexity of different projects means that they will each need different time investments. A simple tote bag or placemat might take only a few hours, while a lined dress or jacket might take several days.

I have a style of purse that I sew that takes around 14 hours of time spent working on the project. That includes preparing the fabric and cutting it out (but not washing it), and all the little steps along the way. On the flip side, a pair of simple basic leggings might take me a only two hours from laying out the pattern to finishing the hems. I can tell you, though, that when I add a few seams on those leggings usually by the time I’m staring down the elastic for the waistband I need a break. And usually I come back to it the next day.

All that being said, at least double the amount of time you think you’re going to need, maybe even triple or quadruple it. It’s way better to be pleasantly surprised than frustrated and disappointed.

Breaking down your projects into smaller sessions is a game-changer. Instead of trying to make an entire garment in one day, try dividing it into manageable chunks: Day 1 for cutting, Day 2 for main construction, Day 3 for details and finishing. This approach helps prevent overwhelm and makes the process more enjoyable. It’s like my leggings, after hours of sewing, a break is needed.

Setting milestones gives you natural stopping points and a sense of achievement. I love checking off steps as I complete them – cut fabric, done! Attach collar, done! These little victories keep you motivated and moving forward.

Making the Most of Your Sewing Time

One technique you can use to save time is batching the work. Now, if you’re like me, and you have a background in Lean Management (Lean manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, The Toyota Production System etc) you know that batching is not actually the best way get projects done. Thats because if you batch process steps, you end up with a bunch of projects in process and if you are not able to make the time to get back to them, they don’t get done. (Hello UFO Pile!)

So, keep this in mind when batching multiple projects. Yes, if you are planning on doing a marathon sewing week or two to knock out all of your family’s holiday gifts, you can batch process some tasks like cutting. Especially if you have a lot to set up and take down to cut your fabric out. Just keep in mind if you cut a bunch of projects out at once, you can only really sew one at a time (especially if you have to change thread color). So, some of those cut out pieces can take a while to get to, and you will need a good place to store them.

That being said, I do like to batch steps within a project. Yes, I cut all the fabric, interfacing, lining, underlining etc at once. I typically cut elastic just before the elastic insert step though. Then I pile all the pieces together with their patterns and stack them neatly so I can easily find what I’m looking for.

I also like to read through the instructions and get a feel for the order of things.

Then, combine as many of the sewing steps as you can before pressing. Once you have everything sewn that you could without pressing, you can get up and go to the pressing station. Don’t skip pressing.

Most sewing instructions in commercial patterns that I’ve read are not written to save you from moving between sewing and pressing. They are usually: pin – sew – press, pin – sew – press etc. So, they will say to sew piece A and B together, then press the seam. Then sew C and D together and then press. But you could just sew A and B together and then sew C and D together, then get up and take both sewn pieces to be pressed.

Just be aware that if you are sewing a piece to two other pieces that have been sewn together, and the seam crosses another seam that should be pressed open, it might be easier to press the first seam first so you have less to fight with when sewing. At least till you get used to some sewing techniques.

When I can, if I’m sewing with multiple thread colors, or multiple stitch setups (especially on my serger which is much more difficult to change over) I will try batching those seams as well. All the straight stitches, all the ziz-zag, etc. It’s not nearly as critical on the sewing machine unless you have to constantly adjust tension.

Interruptions happen to everyone. If you have to leave your machine in the middle of sewing a stitch, stop with the needle down. That will prevent accidental shifting of the fabric in the middle of a seam. This is especially true if you have helpful animals in your house that might get on your project. It might also be useful to turn your machine off to prevent accidental sewing in your absence. It probably goes without saying that it’s better to stop at the end of a seam when possible.

You can keep a small notepad by your machine to jot down where you left off. This way, when life inevitably pulls you away from a project, you can quickly pick up where you stopped without losing your place or momentum.

Tips for Staying on Track

A project journal might sound old-school, but it’s incredibly helpful. I note down measurements, adjustments, and what I would change if doing it again (even what went wrong) – these notes are gold when making similar projects later. One of my favorite instructors Kenneth D. King says to write everything down like you’re going to develop amnesia tomorrow. He’s got a very good point. It’s amazing what you won’t remember even when you sew a LOT. Plus, it’s fun to look back and see how far you’ve come!

Setting boundaries around your sewing time is crucial. Let your family or roommates know that when you’re sewing, you need to focus. Set up a “do not disturb unless there’s blood or fire” rule if needed.

Building regular sewing habits doesn’t mean you need to sew every day. Maybe it’s an hour every Tuesday evening or Sunday afternoon. The key is consistency – find what works for your schedule and stick to it.

Speed Comes with Experience

Remember, sewing speed isn’t the goal when you’re learning to sew. Focus on developing good habits and understanding the techniques. The speed will come naturally as you become more comfortable with your machine and more confident in your skills. I promise you’ll look back one day and be amazed at how much faster you’ve become without even trying!

The most important thing is to enjoy the process. Sewing should be fun, not stressful. Take your time, celebrate your progress, and don’t forget to show off your creations – even the imperfect ones. After all, every stitch is a step forward in your sewing journey!