My Sewing Goals for 2026: Circling Back and Moving On

I love a fresh new year, the chance to "begin again" and make a whole new list of goals. Even if some of those goals never come to fruition, I like the feeling of creating a new list. It's a feeling of positivity, motivation, inspiration, creativity. Something to look forward to and something to want to do. 

And so what if we don't do all those things. 

I looked back at my 2025 sewing goals and some happened and some didn't. But the real result of 2025 was progress. I kept a list of all the garments I added to my "me-made" wardrobe and really felt quite proud to see that I added 34 new pieces to my wardrobe. I now have spent two years transitioning to a mostly handmade wardrobe, and I'm not there yet, but I have reached a point where I have seasonal capsule collections and wear me-made pieces several times a week. 

When I look at the 34 projects I sewed, I am proud of the new skills I acquired along the way (buttonholes, zippers, fly fronts) and the confidence I gained as a sewist. I have come a long way, and so I look back on my 2025 sewing journey and feel immense joy and satisfaction -- even though I didn't learn pattern making or make my Chanel-esque blazer. Making a list of goals still provides focus. It documents what is important to us today, and a year later provides a reminder. Either we can circle back or move on. 

My 2026 goals are a mixture of both circling back and moving on and looks a bit like this:

• Mainly, I am focusing out rather than focusing in. I am thinking more about the textiles I am working with and want to create my own -- starting with natural dyeing and eco-printing. I have circled back to crocheting and am integrating some wearables into my handmade wardrobe. And I want to learn to knit this year. 
• I want to step out of my own little studio and become part of creative communities. I want to be around creative people, to truly get to know and connect with and learn from other artisans. Sure, there is a wealth of information and courses online, but learning and creating all alone all the time can also be very isolating. This year I want to get out there somehow -- go to a fiber festival or a natural dyeing workshop or just show up at a local crocheting or quilting group meeting. 
• Okay, okay...so what about sewing? I will continue working on my mostly me-made wardrobe. However, I don't see 34 additions this year. But, honestly, I didn't see that happening last year. I love having core seasonal collections in specific color palettes, and I will add a couple new pieces to these collections each season. I do still have a few dream projects, such as the matching jeans and jean jacket outfit and a truly quilted jacket. Outside of those plans, I don't exactly know where this year's sewing journey will go from there. I will allow it to unfold as it may.

I guess if there is a common thread through this all-encompassing goal list, it is that of delving even deeper into slow fashion. Sewing my own clothing has become more than a hobby. As cliche as it sounds, sewing has become my art, my passion. I foresee a slower journey, for sure, not because my interest is waning but instead because it is deepening. 

Deborah's Black Friday Favorites From Seven Sewing Sites

The Black Friday specials have been rolling out all week long. I have chosen seven sewing-related deals to share with you. These seven businesses are ones that I support all year long. They are part of my day-to-day sewing life. Are there some big sewing sales that you are excited about this week? If so, let us know in the comments which Black Friday deals you think other sewists would love to know about. And also be sure to tell us which products are on your Christmas wish list. 

Enjoy This 15% Discount From Singer Sewing Company

Ensemble Sewing Studio is now an affiliate of Singer Sewing Machines. In honor of Teach The World To Sew Day, enjoy a 15% discount from Singer with code SINGERLOVEDJOANN through the link below.

Singer Exclusive New Customer Coupon

Offer: 15% off a single product purchase

Eligibility: New customers only

Usage: One-time use per customer

Restrictions: Not stackable with other coupons or discounts, excludes new models

Expires December 15th, 2025.

My Fall Sewing Plans

This is my favorite time of the year. I love the fall colors, pumpkin everything, and crisp, cool days. And I love layering back up in cozy fabrics. It is still quite warm where I am -- south of Chicago -- but the mornings are cool and damp and the trees are hinting at the magnificent color show soon to come. By mid October, we will be in full on fall. And here in my sewing studio, I am ready for it. 

I have nine projects on my fall make list, which I discuss in more detail in the video below. Most of these projects are patterns that I have wanted to make for awhile now but have been waiting for cooler temperatures. A couple are carryovers from summer. 

The List: 

1. Fall Patchwork Skirt (self-drafted)
2. Ruby Vest (Sydney Graham Patterns)
3. Audrey Jacket (Seamwork)
4. Worship Jeans (Daughter Judy Patterns)
5. Kite Pants (Matchy Matchy Sewing Club)
6. Colorblock Set (Matchy Matchy Sewing Club)
7. Flaneur Pants (Friday Pattern Company)
8. Tie-Front Blouse (McCall's 8557)
9. Coulottes (McCall's 7475)

I am not going to put a lot of pressure on myself to get all of these projects done during fall. I did that last year when I made myself an eight-piece capsule collection. I enjoyed the process of creating eight interchangeable pieces in a specific color palette, but, frankly, I started tiring of my Autumn Spice colors about halfway through the collection. I love that I have those pieces now and hope that a few of my projects this fall will fit into that collection. 

I will most likely be featuring these projects in shorts on YouTube as they are completed over the next couple of months, so if you'd like to see how this all turns out, you can find me there at Ensemble Sewing Studio. In the meantime, I discuss these patterns and my fabric choices in my Fall Sewing Preview video:

Sew Along: New Look 6434 | Put A Ruffle On It!

Join me in making New Look 6434 (View D), an easy summer top without buttonholes and without a zipper. This top is a great basic piece with ruffled sleeves taking the spotlight. I walk you step by step through construction and then do my usual runway walk. 

This is the first in my Sew Along Series, and I hope to add a new one each month. I would love to know whether you have made this top or plan to and how you have gone about making your own.