For a sewist an end of year reflection will surely be on all those sewing UFO’s (Un-Finished Objects) or WIPs (Works in Progress), a current sewing organization assessment (How did this sewing area gets so untidy?) and a Sewing To-Do List (mending, refashion, sewing promises) that may comprise a New Year’s Sewing Resolve.

Sewing UFO’s – Consider the unfinished sewing project - is it weeks, months, or years old? If years old, donate it to the local thrift store or disassemble and add to the fabric scrap pile. It is ok to do so and don’t look back. If the UFO is only weeks, or months old, consider if it should still be a valued sewing WIP – work in progress, if so add to a To-Do List. If not, feel great – donate!

Sewing Room Organization – Perhaps the most difficult task of all. Remember Smokey the Bear’s catchphrase (Smokey is the poster icon for the U.S. Forest Service and the longest running public service message), “Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” Insert appropriate words such as disorganization or sewing chaos to replace Forest Fires and the message becomes clear. Using individual fabric storage boxes to corral wayward sewing notions, too small fabric scraps, thread spools, spooled ribbons, and sewing patterns goes a long way to providing organization. Fabric storage boxes or cubes can be made to fit into a bookcase for easy retrieval. They can also be purchased and come in a variety of colors. Great for organization.

Sewing To-Do Journal – Consider for the journal - what needs minor mending (back pocket in men’s much worn jeans a likely candidate, buttons missing or loosening from shirts), refashioning projects (T-shirt turtleneck to crew neck, separating zipper to add to a lovely pullover sweater), and importantly what sewing promises to keep to myself (make a sewing machine or serger cover, sewing caddy for example) and keeping sewing promises to others. Also review sewing notions on hand and determine what to replace or what would be nice to acquire to make sewing projects easier to attend to.

Other sewing resolves to consider:

Compassionate sewing – children’s hospital nurseries always have a need for baby caps, nursing homes for lap quilts or walker caddies, homeless or outreach shelters for personal care items in a fabric roll-up or tote bag, animal rescues need pet blankets. Always call ahead to find out the need.

Tending to a growing or rapidly unmanageable personal fabric stash by consolidating by color, or season (holiday, fall, spring/summer) or fabric type (cottons/cotton blends, knits, denims, winter wools, silks/satins, flannels/fleece) for example, may perhaps be toward the top of many a sewer's to-do list.

The above mentioned are only suggestions since sewing as a crafting hobby, personal challenge or cottage business is as unique as the individual. The sewing possibilities for the new year are however endless.

Many great sewing DIY organization ideas are of course available online.

Sew happy, sew inspired for the new year.