Organizing a Sewing Project

Make a list of sewing supplies needed for the project. Write them down on a piece of paper so that you can cross things off as you gather them. Items on the list may include fabric, thread, sewing shears, sewing pins, sewing tape, buttons, zippers, embroidery thread, applique fabric or extra bobbins. Making a list helps you plan and check against your current inventory, so you know what items you need to purchase.

Set a budget for the sewing project. Come up with a comfortable budget realistic with the type of project you want to complete. Base the budget on the inventory you already have. If you are just starting out, you might need to spend a little more money on essential sewing tools, such as a sewing machine, but this may just be a one-time purchase.

Assign a timeline for the sewing project. If you are sewing something to give as a holiday gift, for example, decide when the gift is due and work backward to create the timeline. Figure out how much time you can dedicate to the sewing project each day, or estimate an amount of time that you can dedicate per week.

Select the appropriate fabric to use for the sewing project. Certain projects demand particular types or qualities of fabric. For instance, according to New Mexico State University, the best fabrics to use for applique projects are light- to medium-weight fabrics and those with a tight weave. However, you might not want a light fabric for a garment construction fabric.

Find a thread that matches the color of the fabric and is the appropriate texture for the project. For instance, embroidery projects necessitate the use of embroidery threads. However, for applique projects, nylon threads are commonly used.

Choose the sewing project pattern or create your own. You can make your own pattern for things like applique by drawing the design freehand onto the fabric.