There are lots of ways to keep track of your sewing projects, and social media has made it even easier. You might have a blog where you write about your projects, or you might post photos to Flickr or Instagram. Or maybe you keep notes on your sewing patterns like Nicole does.
But what about keeping a sewing journal? A sketchbook-type journal allows you to keep track of your sewing projects in a more tactile manner than a blog. You can include clippings of the fabrics and trims you used, images of the finished garment, and notes about how you made it, what alterations or customizing details you added, and any other special details that make it more memorable and personal. I think that, over time, it would be fun to have such a detailed collection of your sewing projects all in one place. And it’s so tactile! As sewists, we’re quite tactile anyway, so this has a particular appeal.
A couple of years ago, the Smocking Arts Guild invited me to be a guest teacher at their annual conference, and I enjoyed the experience so much. The women were very welcoming, extremely knowledgeable, and so eager to talk about sewing. One of the women I met there was Lynn Dohne, who shared her journal with me and encouraged me to share it with you. When I returned home I somehow lost these photos, only to discover them again recently. Better late than never to share these with you, I suppose. So here are a few images of Lynn’s journal to inspire you.
On this page she included her wedding invitation as well as swatches of the fabrics she used to make her gown.
Lynn’s journal includes a fun collection of both photos and notes to help her keep track of each project she’s made.
If you want to keep a similar journal you might include inspirational photos you see on-line or in magazines, etc., to help you plan new projects. You can bring it to the fabric store when you shop, too.
I love how Lynn included the smocking chart for this dress. It will be a wonderful treasure for her grandchildren to remember the clothes she made for them.
And I recognize one of these dresses….
Obviously, if you already do scrapbooking you know all about journaling. But keep in mind that you can make a project like this as elaborate or as simple as you like. There’s no need to invest in a lot of equipment or materials, which is what I like about Lynn’s journal. She uses a simple leather-bound diary with a wrap-around strap to keep everything tidy and contained. You could even use a three-ring binder and add a new page for each project.
Do you document your sewing? If so, how? Do you keep a sewing journal?