Planning for a Handmade Christmas: Start Early for a Stress-Free Season

The Importance of Early Planning

Starting to think early about big events in your calendar gives you ample time to plan. Planning is a crucial part of sewing and of Christmas, so why not combine the two? There's nothing worse than sitting down to sew with a looming deadline, only to find you lack the right tools, equipment, or materials. Adequate planning makes the entire process more enjoyable and cost-effective.

Explore New Fabrics and Inspiration

The fabric companies usually release their new Christmas collections during the summer. Browse online outlets to discover a multitude of new Christmas-themed fabrics. This is a great opportunity to gather inspiration for the colours you wish to use, as well as project ideas for gifts, homeware, and decorations. Christmas-themed items are also available at shows and online, and new books are released to spark our creativity.

Avoid Last-Minute Panic

How often do we suddenly realise we need to make a gift for someone, only to find the deadline is next week? In a panic, you might decide to buy more fabric. However, searching through your stash without the pressure of time increases your chances of finding what you need. You’re likely to have something that’s a bit Christmassy, even if it’s just some red or green fabric. Knowing early that you’ll need to buy supplies helps with budgeting and finding the best value for your shopping.

Master New Techniques

If there's a pattern you fancy making as a gift but feel less than confident about the techniques it uses, having time to watch tutorials or research techniques is invaluable. You can book a workshop or practice before using that special fabric. This way, you’ll feel more prepared and confident when it’s time to start your project.

Balancing Christmas Preparations

Christmas is already a busy time, and adding handmade projects can feel overwhelming. July might seem a bit early to think about Christmas food shopping, buying a tree, or preparing the sprouts. These tasks can be tackled closer to the time when your Christmas makes are finished, allowing you to focus on organising life. If you plan to visit family or go on holiday for the festive season, having your crafting plans in place means your gift "shopping" is already done.

So, What's the Plan?

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

First, Make a List

Start a spreadsheet or find a notebook. There are many reasonably priced journals available for your planning and progress. Whether electronic or handwritten, this will serve as a working planner for this year and a great reference for next year.

Get Organised

Set aside time to sort through your sewing supplies. Ensure everything is where you expect it to be and that you have enough materials. Starting early allows you to buy supplies gradually over the coming weeks, helping with budgeting. Go through your fabrics and tidy them up. I try to keep my fabrics in colour order, but that often goes awry when I’m in a rush.

Get Browsing

There are many fabric shows during the summer months and early autumn. Once you’ve completed your list, visit a show. Knowing what you need to buy and what you want to look for makes browsing enjoyable. You’ll come away with fabric ideas, gift ideas, and perhaps a few shopping solutions.

You can also browse online. Fabrics, notions, patterns, and inspiration are all available right from your home. Grab a coffee and a slice of cake (a little sugar helps your brain function!), and settle into your favourite spot. You’re not idly sitting; you’re actively working on your Christmas planning.

Dig out the patterns you’ve downloaded and neatly stored but haven’t looked at in a while. We all have good intentions, but life often gets in the way. Whether you store them in folders on your desktop or keep them printed, these patterns are a treasure trove of inspiration.

Refresh Your Knowledge

Search through your books. I have a plethora of books on various soft crafts and techniques, many of which I haven’t opened for some time. Most of you likely have a collection too, and they can be incredibly useful for generating fresh ideas or revitalising old ones. Again, a lovely drink and a snack (like cake) can stimulate those brainwaves!

Time to Get Started

Now that all the planning is done, it’s time to get started. There’s no rush; it’s still July. However, once you begin, the feeling of achievement is unmatched. Knowing that you’ve made a start will motivate you to do more as you tick items off your list. Make time to update your spreadsheet or journal. Add your thoughts and secrets; it’s incredibly cathartic! Most importantly, enjoy the process.

Conclusion

It just leaves me to wish you a very Happy Sewing Summer. We’ll save the Christmas greetings for closer to the time.

Kath x