10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Sewing Time - Planning to Plan for 2020

I don't know about you, but I am what you might call "functionally disorganized." Sure, lots of stuff gets done, but it's all kind of a mess.

Over the past couple of years I have set some goals for myself to create a better system with meal planning and stocking the pantry to make my life run more smoothly and it has made a HUGE difference. My goal for 2020 is to make these changes in my quilting life.

While I am no expert, I am hopeful and committed to using my time more wisely and here is how I plan to do it.

1. Planning . . . With a Planner

I will be the first to admit that I have purchased planners before, used them for two weeks, then never opened them again. Will this time be any different? I hope so - a significant amount of time, effort and research has gone into my planner pick.
I got The Passion Planner for the following reasons:

• It has a weekly layout (all on one page) that breaks each page down into 30 minute increments.
• It has a personal and a business to do list section. I like that they are separate
• It has a blank area each week for whatever I want.

After some deliberation, I got the pink. I was going to go for the black, but I love that this one has "Empowered Women Empower Women" on the back and I just love that sentiment.

If you would like to join me on a Passion Planner journey in 2020, I will be sharing how I use it on my Instagram account and you can get 10% off by clicking here ;) 

If you want to go ahead and get started, you can download a 2019 version of the planner here and print it for free.

2. Project Progress Checklist

This idea came from a suggestion that someone gave me on Instagram. I have created a grid to track my progress on each of my progress. You can download a copy (for free) and print off a bunch of them on a single sheet. I am printing mine off on sticker paper so I can stick them into my planner. 

3. Optimizing My Sewing Space

This has been an ongoing project, you can see past posts here, here, and here, but I will be making a big change soon. After struggling with my tiny room layout for the past 3 years, someone on Instagram suggested I move my tables to the center of the room so I can set up a design wall. What? I had never considered that. Game changer.

The design wall is up (I got this one) and has been wonderful, and this week I ordered new furniture for the cutting mat, sewing machine, and ironing station. I will share more soon once I get everything set up.

4. Finish the WIPs

This has been an ongoing goal for 2019 and my plan for 2020 is to finish them all off. They seem so innocent sitting there, but they take up space and mental energy and it's just not the way I want to work. 

5. Use the Crock Pot

I have made huge changes to how my family does meal planning. While I do love to cook, it is time intensive and I want to shift more of our weeknight meals to the crock pot. If you have any favorite recipes, please share them in the comments! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Greek Pork Pitas
• Sweet Potato Lentils
• Quinoa Tortilla Soup
• Southwestern Pulled Brisket

6. Let Go of Self-Imposed Deadlines

You know what has been freeing for me recently? Realizing that I could close the door of my sewing room and never come back in here again. I don't HAVE to sew anything - I GET to sew. And I can set my own timeline. I am not going to work myself to death to meet a deadline that I pulled out of thin air and I'm going to make what I want to make.

7. Designate Time for Social Media 

Instagram, Pinterest, etc. are great, but they can take up SO MUCH TIME! Most phones will let you set a time limit for social media apps so that you can have a little more control over how much time you spend on them. This helps make that time more intentional and meaningful.

8. Organize Projects

Do you want to know where my current projects are located? In a pile on the floor. They are all mixed together, nothing is labeled or sorted, and looking at it kind of makes me want to cry. I bought a pack of these so that I can keep everything separate and organized without taking up a bunch of room.

9. Make Use of Small Pockets of Time

If your life is anything like mine, you are busy. If I waited until I had a solid hour to sew, I would never get anything done. You can get a lot more done in 5 minutes than you think you can, especially with a little bit of planning of preparation, and I am hoping to make more of this happen next year. 

10. Only Make Projects You Love

This one seems obvious, but how many times do you end up working a project that you don't love? It happens and it shouldn't - if you love what you are making, you are much less likely to leave a project unfinished and all of these other steps will be much easier. Can I suggest you start with some of my patterns (wink wink)?

So 2020, I know you are still a few weeks away, but I am ready for you. I am not expecting that become a perfectly organized person, but I do want to be better.

Do you have any goals for 2020 (sewing related or otherwise)? I would love to hear them if you want to share them in the comments!