Lost your Sew-jo? (sewing mojo)
Let me tell you! You’re not alone! Let me help you find your sew-jo.
The students I’ve spoken to over the last few days have, almost without exception, said that they are lacking the motivation to sew right now. And I totally get that!
It is important right now to do those things that help us to feel good and I know for many of you sewing is usually one of those things.
So if you are struggling to get yourself sewing and to retain some grasp on normality, here are a list of 41 things that I’ve been doing (or plan to do) to help keep my spirits up and other things that I’ve been doing to find my sew-jo.
The things on my list may not appeal to everyone, but it might help spark some ideas that could work for you. (In no particular order)
Find your Sew-Jo
- Open some windows and let some fresh air in
- Get up, get showered and get dressed, even if you’re just putting on your comfiest clothes.
- Light some scented candles
- Video call your friends & family
- Get outside in the garden, if you have one.
- Watch Next in Fashion on Netflix
- Talk about other things rather than what’s happening right now. I’m tired of having the same conversations over and over again.
- Talk to the animals, if you don’t have pets, talk to the birds or next door’s cats
- Tidy your sewing space
- Limit your screen time
- Get dressed up – we had an Awards Ceremony last week as Gary’s work awards had to be postponed. So we got dressed up, drank Champagne and had joke awards.
- If you’ve got more than one toilet, use the furthest away
- Step away from the biscuits
- Drink plenty of water
- Watch YouTube videos – for sewing tips and inspiration I recommend my own channel Bagladybird, Bernadette Banner and Kenneth D King
- Save wine for the weekends
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Move around – don’t just sit in one space
- Join my Facebook Group and get inspired by others makes.
- Try a new sewing technique – always wanted to master zips or button holes, try a different type of seam or get to grips with set in sleeves.
- Sort your wardrobe, identify gaps, bag up clothes for charity that you no longer love, repair loved garments. (Before we moved I got rid of over 60 pairs of knickers from my underwear drawer that I never wore, they either didn’t fit, were worn out or were uncomfortable and never got worn!)
- Sort your stash. Reorganise your fabric and your pattern stash. You might find stuff in there to inspire you.
- Watch animals being cute or doing funny things, either in real life or on YouTube.
- Create project boxes/bags if you’ve already bought everything you need for a project then keep them together for ease when inspiration strikes. Do the same with any work in progress.
- Make a really simple project or something you’ve made before and enjoyed.
- Sort your UFO’s (unfinished objects). Be realistic about those you want to finish. Relegate others to the scrap bag.
- Make a gift for someone else.
- Is there a project you’ve wanted to make for a while? Now’s the perfect time to start it.
- Watch clips from past Great British Sewing Bee series here, the Celebrity Specials were great and are still on iPlayer
- Tidy your sewing area at the end of each day
- Accept that if you don’t feel like doing something, that’s ok
- Search Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration
- Binge watch your favourite shows
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There’s no right or wrong way to deal with this. Whatever you’re doing is ok
- Just do 10 minutes and see how you feel then. No pressure
- Support small businesses, buy what you need from an independent business rather than Amazon or the big supermarkets
- Be kind to others
- Say thank you to supermarket staff, NHS workers and others who are out there serving our communities
- Share positive news stories
- Search for pattern inspiration on The Fold Line
- Give yourself some time alone, just because you’re in the same house, doesn’t mean you have to be in the same room.
- Book a 1:1 Lesson or Sewing School Course with me to help you with a project or technique.
Love & stitches —-
Alison xx
(Originally written 25th March 2020 and updated 6th January 2021)
