Why some sewing projects stall even when you’re excited to make them + 3 tips on how to solve it

Have you ever purchased a book with the intention of making something in that book only to have it sit there for days, weeks, months…even years?

Yup, it happens to me.

And it often gets me down whenever I look at the ‘culprit’ and think “Right, I need to make that thing otherwise I paid all that money for the book to just sit there on my shelf”.

Said ‘thing’ doesn’t get made and the cycle continues the next time my eye catches sight of the book.

This exchange I have with myself has happened to me mid yoga pose. There I am in tree pose, standing on one leg, arms stretching to the sky, channelling my inner Zen when I spot the book.

Yes – that book, the one that cues the instant dialogue of project-creation-inertia-guilt-hood.

Gone is my clear, calm, still and focused mind and instead I’m just left with guilt.

*This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.

SUPPORING INDY PATTERN DESIGNERS

My most recent example is the *Handmade Style book I picked up while celebrating May is for Makers back in 2016.

The concept was to purchase something from an indy pattern designer to show my love and support from them. It was a great campaign dreamed up by Lindsey Rhodes. Being an indie pattern designer myself, I know how tough it can be to run a small independent design business. So, I was all in to support my fellow makers.

Even though Anna Graham’s Handmade Style book had been on my radar for awhile, I was so focused on creating my own things that I hadn’t taken the plunge. But here’s the thing – I couldn’t get her Market Bag out of my head! It was such a gorgeous simple yet stylish design. I loved everything about it and knew I needed the pattern in my life.

Week 3 saw it happen, I finally picked up my very own copy with the intent of not only making myself the Market Bag, but also her stunning tunic (yet to happen, even though I have the linen already 😉).

WHAT CAUSES A SEWING PROJECT TO STALL?

Have you ever considered why something that you’re so fired up to make ends up stalling?

I’ve spent some time thinking about this because:

1. My intentions are usually really good when I set out to buy the item (in this case, the book).
2. I’m excited when it arrives and want to dive in immediately (this time was no exception).
3. I read through the instructions (cool, I can do this).
4. I re-read the materials list: fabric (no issue), thread (got it), stabilizer (a what now??), interfacing (ugh, there’s so many, do I already have it on hand?).

annnnnnd that’s where things derailed.

Even if the materials or tools in question are simple enough, if I don’t already have them on hand, then things stall.

• I may need to research.
• I may need to wait for the delivery.
• I may need to find an option I really love.

And despite all my good intentions, that type of hurdle can lead to project inertia.

This was the case with the Market Bag.

I needed stuff like stabilizer (a what now??) and interfacing. While I know and have worked with interfacing, there are so many different types and brands. And not everything that is available in the US is available in Canada. So, it can be limiting and frustrating.

Take zippers. Do you know how tough it is to find metal zippers in Canada?? It’s slowly changing thanks to Zipper Loft and Zipper Valley, but geez, we’re talking about zippers here!

*ByAnnies Soft and Stable was not something that I was used to purchasing. Was it easy to work with? Was it going to be pricey? Was it really worth getting this product to make the bag? Where the heck do I find the stuff?

Ugh. Sound familiar?

SOMETIMES IT’S ABOUT THE BABY STEPS ALONG THE WAY

What’s interesting is that I went back over my purchases and while I may not have made the bag right away, I was planning the making:

• 2016 – purchased the book
• 2017 – purchased the ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable
• 2018 – purchased the leather Jul handles
• 2021 – purchased the zipper

So really, I’ve just been dreaming of seeing this bag come together for the last 5 years – ha!

I guess the moral of the story is that if you truly love it and you’re taking small steps towards your goal, you’ll make it happen!

MATERIALS FEATURED  

If you want to dive in and make your very own Market Bag, here’s a full list of everything I used to make mine:

• Market Bag Pattern – available in *Handmade Style book
• *ByAnnies Soft and Stable
• *Interfacing
• Jul Designs Leather handles 16”
• *Pearl Cotton Thread for the big stitch hand binding (find the tutorial here)
• *Needle
• *Thimble
• *Silver magnetic closure (optional, I added this in)
• *Linen
• *Striped linen
• Pink scraps leftover from my Etched Diamond Quilt x Hovea Coat
• *Gray 40wt Aurifil Thread
• Zipper
• *Erasable marking pen
• *Awl
• *Tailor sheers
• *Ruler
• *Rotary cutter
• Pins
• Iron
• *Sewing machine
• *Clips (these were particularly handing for securing my coat pattern pieces together and for attaching my binding.

Shop all my favourite notions here.

3 TIPS ON HOW TO SOLVE IT

Now that I know what triggers lead to killing my sewmojo, I’m better equipped to combat them. Here are my top 3 tips on how to solve your projects stalling:

1. Keep a well stocked craft cabinet. I don’t mean go out and buy every possible notion. What I do mean is to buy select notions and tools for projects that you have your heart set on making. As a quilter, I always have on hand fabric, batting, thread, and all my essential notions that I can’t get through a quilting session without. That’s a given, but I also like to stock less used items that are typically called for in other sewing projects: zippers, buttons, interfacing, etc. I don’t keep a ton of this on hand, just a few items now that I know they’re often called for in the projects I like to make on a whim. Think about the projects you like to make and jot down the notions typically called for. When you see them on sale, add them to your craft cabinet so you’re ready the next time you have the urge to make a project featuring those less used items.
2. When you purchase a book or pattern with the intent of making a specific project, read through the list of materials needed and jot down anything you don’t have on hand. Having that list will keep you focused on what you need to move forward to the actual fun of making your project 😊
3. Make it social! Meaning, reach out to your sewing friends and see if they want to make the same project as you. Stitching is only made better when you get your sewing partner in crime along for the ride 😉 Plus, you’re sure to help encourage one another along!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Looking back, I wish I’d made myself this bag wayyyy sooner! I’m just so in love with her!

There are a few things I would do differently.

First, I would incorporate the pocket into the lining of the bag, rather than having it as a hanging sleeve. I’d also reposition the pocket lower on the side of the bag so that it doesn’t interfere with the metal hardware from attaching the magnet closure and leather handles.

It was my hubz who mentioned being able to close the bag. I had considered this but had decided to stick with Anna’s original design and leave it open. But when he brought it up it made me think the option might be nice. I ran out of bobbin thread halfway through stitching the lining in. During my break before winding the bobbin (sometimes I just need to walk away when I run out of bobbin thread!), is when the discussion with the hubz occurred. Kismet? I think so!

I would like to incorporate a stiffer base of some kind to make the bag even more sturdy.

I love that she stands open on her own, even with the leather handles on.

The bag opens nice and wide which is lovely for being able to easily store and access things.

With a trip planned to visit my mum, it was the push I needed to get this bag done for myself. I’d been wanting a nice travel bag to keep my sewing kit and current quilt in progress tucked away in with their own dedicated spot to live in. This honestly turned out even better than I thought it would 😊

She travelled beautifully with me and was perfect for keeping all my quilty notions corralled and easily reached – especially with that nice wide opening. She’s super pleasing to look at and, when empty, is super lightweight.

In terms of size, she stores smaller quilts easily, but anything a throw size and up gets to be a challenge. I’m going to need to plan something for my larger projects, I think. 

What do you use? I’d love to know what you use to travel with your WIP? Is it something you made yourself? Share in the comments below!

If you need a new bag of your own, then grab a copy of *Handmade Style and make a Market Bag of your own – we can twin 😉

xo,

Shannon

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