What to Write in a Sewing Journal: 15 Things to Record

You have just finished a sewing project and you are already thinking about what to make next.

Before you move on, there are a few details worth writing down because I can guarantee you that in six months from now, you probably won't remember them.

Here are 15 things I like to record in my sewing journal.

 

1. What you made

Start with the obvious one - What did you actually make?

Write down what the project was, a dress, a pair of trousers, a jumper, a bag, etc.

It makes looking back through your sewing journal so much more enjoyable, especially once you have filled it with lots of projects.

2. The pattern you used

If you used a pattern, write down the name and designer.

This sounds simple but when you have got a growing collection of patterns, it becomes surprisingly easy to forget which one you used.

And if you love the finished project and want to make it again, you don't want to be searching through your entire pattern collection trying to work out which one it was.

If there was no pattern, just make a note of that too. (Like self-drafted)

3. The size you made

This is one of the first things I record.

The size you make isn't necessarily the same for every project, even if your measurements haven't changed. Different designers, different garments, different fabrics and different amounts of ease can all affect the size you choose.

So I write down the actual size I cut and made which means, that way, if I come back to the project later, I don't have to guess.

4. Your measurements

I also like recording my measurements at the time I made the project.

I have changed quite a bit over the last few months, so this is something I definitely don't want to rely on memory for. Plus, it gives me a bit more context when I look back at the size I chose.

Maybe I made a size smaller than I normally would because I wanted a closer fit or maybe I sized up because I wanted more ease.

Whatever the reason, having the measurements there makes it much easier to understand the decision later.

5. The fabric you used

This is one of the things I always record too.

What fabric did I use? Where did I get it? And was it tricky to sew with?

I like adding a small swatch of the fabric to my sewing journal too.

There is something really useful about being able to see and feel the fabric again rather than just reading "cotton" or "viscose" on a page because these all vary in weight.

And if a project has more than one fabric, I will add more than one swatch. Especially if there is a lining, contrast fabric or another fabric that I might want to remember later.

6. How much fabric you used

This is another one that seems obvious until you want to make the project again.

I like recording how much fabric I actually used, rather than just how much I bought, if it is quite different from the amount required by the pattern.

It gives me a much better idea of what I will need next time, particularly if I am using fabric I already have in my stash.

7. Any adjustments you made

This is probably one of the most important things to write down.

Did I shorten it? Lengthen it? Make bust a adjustment? Alter the neckline? Add pockets? Remove something? Whatever was changed, write it down!

At the time, you will probably think there is no way you will forget. Guess what? You will.

I have definitely pulled out a pattern I've made before and thought, "What on earth did I change last time?"

A couple of notes in your sewing journal can save you having to work it all out again.

8. Anything you did differently

It isn't always a pattern adjustment.

Sometimes you simply did something differently from the instructions. Maybe you used a different construction method or technique. Maybe you found an easier way of doing something.

Whatever it is, make sure to make a note of it.

9. What was tricky

Not every sewing project goes smoothly.

Sometimes there is a particular step that makes you want to throw the whole thing across the room.

If something was difficult, I think it is worth writing it down. Not just because you might want to remember what went wrong but because you might have figured out how to deal with it.

10. What you learned

This is where your sewing journal starts becoming much more than a record of finished projects.

What did you learn? Maybe you tried a new technique. Maybe you worked with a fabric you had never sewn with before. Maybe you finally figured out something you have struggled with for ages.

Write it down.

11. How the fit turned out

Once you have actually worn the finished project, you will know much more about the fit than you did when you were cutting it out.

Was it too loose? Too tight? Exactly right? Did you like the amount of ease? Did it sit where you wanted it to?

These are the things that are really useful to know if you decide to make the same thing again.

12. What you loved about it

I think this one gets overlooked.

We tend to focus on what went wrong or what we would change but it is just as useful to record what worked really well.

Maybe you loved the fabric. Maybe the fit was perfect. Maybe the colour makes you reach for it all the time. Maybe it was just really enjoyable to sew.

Write that down too.

13. What you would change next time?

Of course, there will probably be something you would change.

Even when I really love something I have made, there is usually at least one thing I would do differently next time.

Whatever it is, write it down while you still remember.

14. Would you make it again?

This one is simple.

Would you make it again? Yes? No? With changes?

Definitely write everything down.

15. Anything else you will want to remember

This is probably my favourite part because it gives you permission to record whatever matters to you.

Maybe you want to remember where you wore it. (Like the dress I made for the Gala event I hosted) Maybe you want to record who you made it for, maybe you want to remember how long it took or maybe there is something about the project that doesn't fit neatly into any of the other categories.

Write it down.

There aren't really any rules when it comes to keeping a sewing journal.

NOTE: You Don't Have to Record Everything

The important thing is not to turn your sewing journal into another task you have to complete before you are allowed to move on to the next project.

I think it's important to mention that you don't have to fill in every detail every time. Some projects might have loads of notes because there was a lot to remember. Others might just have the basics.

The whole point is to capture the information that future you is likely to need because that's really who you are writing it for.

Not you today but you in six months from now, pulling out that pattern again and thinking, "What size did I make?"

And then being very glad you wrote it down.

 

You can take a look at My Sewing Journal here →

 

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx