THE Q & A SERIES - FINDING TIME TO SEW WHEN YOU WORK FULL TIME
What’s the best way to find time for sewing when you work full-time+. Thanks!
- Gail
Hi Gail,
This is a question I have also been grappling a lot with in recent years! Up until recently I was working 6 days a week, so it did not leave much room in my schedule for a lot of things that I love, including sewing. It did make me think hard though about how I could use my sewing time so I could get the most enjoyment out of it, and I found a few things that worked for me.
I used to keep my sewing machines in my studio (photo above), but a couple of years ago I realised I would have a better chance of sewing recreationally if my machines were at home. For a year or so I was working from the dining table, so I had to pack up my machines after using them, which meant that I wasn’t taking advantage of free time to sew very often as I wouldn’t want to set up my machines! Last year I decided to bite the bullet and set up a sewing table in a spare corner of the house. I don’t have a lot of space so I purchased a fold down sewing table that is quite narrow, and it’s great! I also try to keep my sewing space as organised as possible, so that if I do have 15 minutes to spend at the machine, I know where everything is to get started.
Also, this may seem like a small thing, but I also grab a plastic bowl whenever I sew and use it to put in cut threads and clipped corners etc. This has saved me a lot of time when it comes to cleaning up and less vacuuming of my sewing space!
I know many of you probably don’t have a dedicated sewing space where you can leave your machines set-up at all times. I once heard Helen from Love to Sew podcast (sorry I can’t remember which episode it was!) say that she once timed how long it took her to set-up her sewing machines, so that if she had a small amount of time to sew, she could convince herself it was worth taking the opportunity by knowing exactly how long it would take to set up / pack down (and it wasn't very long, which really helped). Why not give that technique a try!
ORGANISE YOUR SEWING PROJECTS
I find having my projects well organised is something that always inspires me to jump on the machine to get started. After I cut a project, I put all the pieces in a large zip lock bag (I use storage vacuum bags, that are not very glamorous, but do the job well as they are clear and large enough for all projects). I then stick a plastic sleeve to the front of the bag where I can keep the instructions. Once a project bag is set up like this it can be used over and over. I have about 5 or 6 on rotation so that I always have one on hand when I’m cutting a project.
In the bag with the cut pieces I put:
Leftovers of the fabric. This is handy if you want to do sample seams or end up needing to re-cut pieces later down the track (or forget to cut things like bias binding or pocket bags etc.)
Spools of thread in the correct colour (plus overlocking/serging thread if required)
Any notions, such as zips, buttons, fusing etc.
I then use a skirt hanger to clip the top of the bag so that I can hang the project bag on a door handle / coat rack.
Alternatively, you could use clear plastic storage containers that are stackable. Whatever works for you and the space you have!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SMALL POCKETS OF TIME
This leads me to suggest that if your sewing space / sewing projects are organised well, you may be able to create a few pockets of time in your week when you can sew for 15-20 minutes. Possibly you could get up half an hour earlier a couple of days a week. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but I am a firm believer in small steps adding up over time, and if you managed to just sew for 20 minutes three times a week, that’s 52 hours in a year!
PUT IT IN YOUR SCHEDULE
If you’ve been reading these emails for a while, you might know that I am really into having a schedule and planning my week in advance (if you would like to know more about my method, you can see this past post). Can you schedule time to sew? It might mean saying no to other things in your schedule, but the benefits to blocking out time to do things that you love are usually worth the sacrifice.
BATCH SIMILAR TASKS
I find that it helps to batch similar tasks. For example, I normally cut two garments at the same time. This way if you’ve cleared your table for cutting, you can get more done with less time. It’s also a good opportunity to listen to a good podcast or put something on Netflix to watch in the background. The same goes for taping PDF patterns together.
I also try to sew similar fabrics / colours one after the other. This means my overlocker is threaded in the correct colour - and often my sewing machine is too!
FOCUS ON QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
I know that it can sometimes kill your sew-jo when you feel like you have no time to sew. I tackle this by reminding myself of the joy I will get from sitting down to just focus on one sewing project. I know it can get overwhelming seeing some makers churning out a new make every week, but I’d suggest focusing on quality over quantity, and using that as your driver.
For example, last year I decided that I would make myself a pair of jeans. I wanted them to be the kind of jeans I would wear over and over, so committed to getting them right no matter how long it took me. I ended up making three toiles (muslins) and then spent days on the jeans themselves! When they were finished I realised the waist was too high and ended up removing the fly and waistband so I could move it all down by 3cm. It doesn't sound like something that would be worth the effort, but it really was the difference between a pair of jeans I would actually wear and I pair I wouldn't. Yes it took a lot of time, but in the end I made a pair of jeans that fit me well and that I love. Now when I’m feeling overwhelmed about finding time to sew / thinking about what I should make, I remind myself that if I make just one thing this year that I love as much as my jeans, that will be a huge win!
GO ON A SEWING RETREAT OR MAKE YOUR OWN
This may not be something that you are in a position to do, but consider going on a sewing retreat for the weekend. There are more and more of this style of event popping up all over the world, so there might be one close to you that you can save up and plan for.
Alternatively, find some sewing friends in your local area and consider hosting a sewing day at your house or in a local hall / sewing studio. There are also studios where you can go and sew by the hour. I feel like booking something in (and exchanging money) is a great motivator to keep you accountable to a goal you have.
OTHER RESOURCES
I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful!
Happy sewing,
Emily
resources mentioned in this issue
Q&A Issue 4: Making a plan for the year / quarter. Post can be found here.
Busy and Finding time to sew (Sewcialists). Post can be found here.
Finding time to sew (Christine Haynes). Post can be found here.
Making time to sew with Lauren Taylor (Love to Sew podcast). Episode can be found here.
Speedy sewing (Love to Sew podcast). Episode can be found here.
You don't have to sew everything (Love to Sew podcast). Episode can be found here.
P.S. Would you like to know what the Q & A series is all about? This page tells you a little bit more about the motive behind the series. Past issues from the Q & A series can be found here.
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