2017 Goals & January Sewing Plans

Hello January! I love these monthly planning posts – they give me some time to think about what I really want to accomplish in the month. While that might change over the course of the month, it’s nice to have a starting base!

Before we get into my plans for January, I wanted to talk a little bit about my 2017 goals and my goal setting process.

I’ve always been a really big fan of Lara Casey and The Cultivate What Matters Shop. They have an amazing tool called Powersheets which are a non-traditional way of goal setting. Looking at what matters most, setting realistic attainable goals and my favorite part – being able to adjust, revisit and revise those goals every step of the way.

I had been brainstorming about my goals throughout the month of December but decided to take a morning during my time off between Christmas and New Years and focus on what do I really want to accomplish this year? 2016 was an amazing year – filled with ups and downs as most people’s years are – but I challenged myself to think about what was the good parts and where can I continue to build and grow.

Lara Casey posts an amazing multi step process for the PowerSheets here that even if you’re not a PowerSheets owner is an amazing resource for goal setting. I followed that process along with filling out my own PowerSheets and wanted to share some of my sewing and making goals for the year along with my word of the year!!

Following some of Lara’s advice on her website, I tried to think about my goals in terms of categories – family, marriage, finances, work, etc. I’m going to talk a little bit about my goals for my sewing and knitting:

1. Challenge myself to learn new skills related to sewing and refine the skills I already have: Since learning to sew in May I have really challenged myself to tackle different skills and garments. This year, I want to continue to challenge myself, but also refine the skills I have by being more intentional about my sewing. Focusing on the details and learning the process instead of worrying about getting a completed garment. Quality over quantity here.
2. Learn at least one more handmade hobby: In 2015, I learned to knit and in 2016, I learned to sew – what does 2017 hold? Gotta find out!
3. Create a wardrobe of mostly handmade clothing: I find myself gravitating towards the items I’ve made versus RTW clothing. This year, I want to really focus on cleaning out my closet of RTW clothing I will never wear again and filling my wardrobe with staples. Maybe even trying out the Colette Wardrobe Architect?

My word of the year is:

It’s so important to be intentional with your making, intentional with your purchases, intentional with your time with friends and family. Last year, I challenged myself to be present – after a crazy year of wedding planning in 2014, I wanted to step back and enjoy 2015. This year, I want to be intentional in everything I do. Intentional is a word that is all over Lara’s goal setting series and it really stuck with me. So often, we do things without thinking or intending to and I think it’s really important to do things that are in line with our goals as we intend to!

Even if you’re not planning to do formal goal setting, I encourage you to check out Lara Casey’s series. It’s a great resource!

With all that said, let’s talk a little bit about my January sewing plans now that we’ve laid out my goals for the year! January starts my busy time of the year for work, so I am not going to set my goals too high for January, but here we go!

Tops – 

• Milano Cape – This was on my list in December, but we weren’t able to finish up the cape in December during the class I was taking. I do plan on finishing this up this month and I can’t WAIT to wear it!
• Silk Cami – I have made many of these and these are the perfect work shirt for me. I want to make a few more in various rayons. This ties into filling my closet with handmade items – such a staple for me so why not have many!
• Toaster Sweater #1 and/or #2 – To keep up with #SewMyStyle I am planning on making the Toaster Sweater. At the time of me writing this, I’ve already made #2 so there may be a #1 in my future too!
• Julia Cardigan – This is another make of mine that I am always reaching for in the closet. I’d like to make another one in a similar fabric to add to my work wear collection!

Bottoms –

• Chi Town Chino Pants – This was one of the items on my #2017MakeNine. As part of my goal to be more intentional in my making, I want to focus on making a first “draft” or wearable muslin of the Chi Town Chino pants. Make them, adjust the things I need to and then in a subsequent month make the final version for my #2017MakeNine. I’m planning on making my first pair out of a rust colored stretch twill from the Indie Sew Fall Collection.

Do you have a word of the year? What are on your sewing goals for the year?