Have you ever started searching for sewing inspiration online only to find yourself hours later, confronted with multiple tabs open on your computer, a plethora of saved posts on Instagram, and no closer to actually deciding on a pattern or fabric? My process for deciding what to make has been streamlined over the years to avoid the feeling of overwhelm that can arise when turning to social media platforms as the first port of call for project inspiration. As someone who is pretty indecisive and really has to consider each sewing item I buy, I’ve learned to approach project planning in a certain way to save myself time and energy, and I hope the following tips will help you do the same.

Decluttering your clothes

I know you’re eager to start searching for patterns and fabrics, but decluttering your clothes first is a great way of helping you clarify which items to make next. In an ideal world, I declutter my clothes at the beginning of each season and fill any gaps in my wardrobe with handmade, second-hand or shop-bought items. When considering what to make, I tend to think about what I need most at that time or the skills I can gain from a certain project. At the moment, I’m desperately short of activewear, and this isn’t a category of clothing I’ve sewn much before.

Another tip to help you decide what to sew next is to consider your most and least worn items from the previous season. Is there a certain colour or garment you love to wear? Are there items you haven’t reached for over the past few months? In the past, I have purchased patterns simply because everyone else was sewing them, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the garment suits my style. These days, I try to think about how much wear I’ll actually get out of that garment, if I already have accessories to match and if the colours and prints are easy to pair with other items in my wardrobe.

Pattern inspiration and wish lists

I find it much easier to search for inspiration on social media when I have a certain pattern in mind. First, I’ll check my online pattern wish list (I’ve collated one on The Fold Line) to see what patterns I’ve already saved. For instance, if you want to sew leggings, you can search the pattern database for suitable activewear patterns; I appreciate multiple garment options in one pattern, but I will also think about the skill level and if the style of the garment will suit me. If it’s a certain garment you’ve not sewn before, it might be worth seeing which patterns have a sew-along available online that you can follow, as this can really help with the construction process.

Revisiting your pattern stash is also great for deciding what to make. We can often forget about the patterns we already own. Just the other day, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed sewing the Kew dress by Nina Lee. It would be great to sew this dress again now that I’m feeling a bit more confident in my sewing skills.

Once I’ve decided on the pattern, I’ll start thinking about fabrics. Searching on Instagram for fabric ideas is really helpful once you have your pattern in mind, as you can search for hashtags and see what fabrics others have chosen for that pattern; this is especially helpful if you’re sewing with trickier fabrics. Consider the colours and materials you most like to wear and if these will complement other items in your wardrobe. For example, if I’m sewing leggings, I’ll think about what tops I already own that will team easily with the leggings.

Fabric searches can be quite time-consuming because there are so many options. I might type the specific fabric type and colour into Google to see what comes up, but most of the time, I’ll search on my favourite fabric stores. You can also create fabric wish lists on certain online shops too.

Timeless pieces and capsule wardrobes

Having learned more about my style over the years, the fabrics I want to wear and the importance of purchasing patterns I’ll reuse, I’ll try my best to make pieces I know I’ll still enjoy wearing for years to come.

You may want to sew yourself a capsule wardrobe – the pinnacle of seasonal wardrobe organisation; I’ve always loved the idea of this, though I haven’t quite mastered it yet. However, I think working towards creating of a seasonal capsule wardrobe can help you streamline your decisions about what to sew next.

Buying sewing supplies

Have you ever started a sewing project only to realise you’re short on an essential piece of haberdashery? I try to purchase all the items I need for a project at the same time; it’s worth double-checking the supply list on the pattern booklet, as this will indicate all the haberdashery required for your make.

My final tip is to record any thoughts about your sewing projects that you can refer to over time as this may influence your next make, for instance, if you have an idea for modifying a certain pattern. The Maker’s Workbook by Patterntrace is so useful for making notes on your sewing projects. It will enable you to make any necessary modifications or consider the fabric used if you decide to sew that item again.

I hope you found these tips useful, and I’d love to hear your own tips for planning what to make.