Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

My Sewing Notebook

12:14, Tuesday, August 29, 2006 .. Posted in Sewing Room .. 2 comments .. Link

I mentioned in a previous blog that I have a sewing notebook. I started keeping this only recently, but already love it. I wanted a way to track all the aspects of my sewing projects. Here is what I am putting into it right now:

* All the information about my sewing machine. Brand, model number, serial number, etc. I am also listing all the attachments, presser feet, and such that I have for the sewing machine. Some of the presser feet will take alittle more time since I have to research and find out what they are first. All I know is that this is an older model Kenmore that had several presser feet with it when I received it.

* Sewing shops in our area: directory of the shops that sell parts or repair sewing machines.

* Fabric shops directory: These are the shops that I can drive to. We live in a very rural area, so shopping trips are well-planned out day long outings. This list will help me to locate a shop in whatever city we happen to be in that day.

* Mail Order: directory of businesses that I mail order fabric, patterns or other sewing related items from. This also includes internet stores.

* Current projects: I keep a record of the projects I am going to be working on. What I am making, if a gift - who it is for; fabric used with a swatch of each fabric; where fabric and supplies for the project were purchased; cost; pattern information; and any notes I may want to make about the project (construction tips, over all critique)

* Free idea sheets from the store: these are placed into sheet protectors and if I will be making them soon, I put them in the notebook. Otherwise, the idea sheets are placed in the appropriate file in my filing cabinet.

* Sewing Supplies Inventory: These pages are pretty self explanatory. Fabrics pages include the fabric content, date and place where purchased, price per yard, and a sample swatch. If I have already bought a special thread for that fabric, I give the thread reference info (brand & color number) for quick reference. Threads also have their own pages. I record the brand, color name and reference number (found on the end of the spool), where purchased & price. I do similar sheets for all the other items such as buttons, snaps, velcro, bias tape, ribbons, elastic, lace, ruffles, etc. I also will have separate pages for quilt battings, interfacings, and fusible webbing.

* Online Resources: Directory of the free patterns and projects that you find on the internet. You could list the project, website where you found it, etc.

There is probably alot more things that you can add or adapt to make your own sewing notebook. As I mentioned, this is a recent addition to my notebooks collection. You can add sections for items you make to sell, gifts for upcoming holidays or special events, etc. You can also include a picture of the finished items. Another idea would be to put together a quilt page that has the information and swatches for all the fabrics used in that quilt. This, along with a photo of the finished quilt would be great if you should ever want to make another one like it.

One of the best parts of having the notebook is that I am able to carry it with me to the store and make my purchases. I avoid making duplicate purchases and am able to find coordinating embellishments, threads or buttons for my sewing projects without having to bring the fabric with me. I already have the swatches in the notebook. Another advantage is that if I ever had to send my beloved to pick up some more fabric for me, I could send along the pages the fabrics are recorded on and between the information on the page and the swatch attached, he can get the exact fabric.

Have fun making your notebooks. I hope that the ideas here will inspire you and help you in organizing your own sewing supplies!

Leave a Comment

Sewing book

04:13, Sunday, February 11, 2007 .. Posted by Jans1404@yahoo.co.uk
What a great idea. I know you posted this a long time ago, it just goes to show good ideas never date. What sort of book do you use? I enjoy reading your blog and might get time to update mine soon.
God Bless and many thanks for an effective idea.

Sewing Notebook

02:05, Monday, February 12, 2007 .. Posted by oklamouse
Thank you for the comment. I use a 3-ring binder for all of my reference notebooks (sewing, garden, and household). Using the binders, I am able to easily add pages or switch out old ones.

Enjoy!
Paula

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