When You Lose Your Sewing Mojo
Losing your sewing mojo, and getting that sewjo back!
“Sewjo” has become a colloquial term amongst sewists to refer to our “sewing mojo.” The phrase “I lost my sewjo!” is one you may hear from a sewist who has found themselves without their usual energy and motivation for sewing. So what do you to when you lose your sewjo? How do you re-energize yourself and get it back?
Today we are going to talk about a few of our favorite ways to regain our sewing mojo!
Observe Your Space
Take a moment to look around your sewing space. Maybe you have a whole room, maybe you have a designated corner, and maybe you move your stuff to the dining room table when you want to sew. There is no “right” space, but the space needs to work for you! One reason people feel their sewjo dip, is that their space does not feel inviting to create in. No matter how big or small your space is, if it doesn’t work for you, it won’t feel good to be in.
What you can do:
Ask yourself why it isn’t working. Understanding what doesn’t feel right about the space will help you decide what steps to take. Maybe it feels daunting to move your stuff back and forth to the table for every project and you need a system of organization to make that easier, like a wheely cart. Or, maybe your space is messy in a way that makes you feel overwhelmed. In this case, tackling the mess can feel like such a big job it is hard to get started!
I will be the first to admit that I am someone who often ends up with a messy space! When I feel overwhelmed, I give myself the task of putting away just FIVE things per day. It feels possible and not overwhelming, which helps me get going. And more often than not, I ended up putting away more than five. The job gets done faster than I expect and in the process, I always end up feeling excited to use my space again.
If you find that your space is what is stopping you from feeling energized to sew, take one small step at a time. Ask yourself what small changes will take you the direction you want to go. The more inviting and functional your sewing space is, the more excited you will feel to be in it.
Finish One Project
Ah yes. The did-not-finish pile. So many of us have one. There are so many reasons we don’t finish projects… We start one and it isn’t going how we thought so we push it away for a while. We get busy with other things or pressing deadlines and the half-done project gets forgotten. I am guilty of cutting 5-6 projects at once and then only sewing three of them. The worst is if you are sewing for kids and by the time you find your unfinished project it won’t even fit anymore!
Sometimes, looking at the pile of unfinished projects can just feel like too much. You can’t even start because it seems like approaching a mountain you won’t be able to summit. The key to getting through this is to just finish one.
Choose the project that feels the most approachable. Write out a list of steps of what you need to complete. You might like to simplify the steps so that you are looking at a shorter list of steps. Or, you might like to break down every step as small as it goes, so that each individual step feels doable! Then, just do one step at a time. Commit yourself to just starting. Before you know it, that project will be finished. Moving a project from the unfinished to finished pile feels amazing, and might be just what you need to get going again!
Try Something New
Do you feel bogged down by monotony? Particularly if you are someone who sews specific items for a shop, for example, you might just feel bored of sewing the same thing over and over again, killing all your sewing mojo. Try something completely different!
Tap into that feeling of sewing something totally different and fresh. Do you normally sew clothing? Try a bag! Do you usually sew with woven fabric? Try something with knit! (Psst, B&L has a list of patterns organized by base so you can get some ideas!) Getting out of your normal routine can spark a fresh energy into your sewing!
Look for Inspiration
Feeling uninspired to start a new project? Inspiration is everywhere! Walk through a mall and notice what silhouettes of garments catch your interest. Scroll Pinterest and make a mood board of things that make you smile. Take a trip to an art gallery and pay attention to colors and shapes that move you. Listen to music, watch movies, read books. What makes you feel excited? Energized? Passionate? Find anything and everything that brings out those feelings, and then find a sewing project that ties into it. Whether it is through the fabrics, textures, function, or colors, use that inspiration to pick a project that makes you feel good.
Start Small
If just getting started is holding you back and killing your sewjo, choose a project that is not intimidating. Anything that will help you sit at your machine and get rolling. Start with a small project. Think zippy pouch. Or, applique on a dishtowel or pillow cover. Something very small, that you can do in an hour or two. A small project will get your creative juices flowing, and give you the feeling of accomplishment that you finished a project!
Set the Atmosphere
Pay attention to your senses.
- Add something visually pleasing to the space. A simple vase of flowers, a favorite photo of your family or pets, or art that you love.
- Listen to something that you like. Podcasts, audiobooks, or favorite music can help you get going!
- Choose a scent that you find either energizing, like citrus, or relaxing, like lavender, or something totally different that you love! Sensitive to smells? Give your space a deep clean or open a window for some fresh air!
- Sew with a texture you love the feel of. Bamboo, modal, buttery athletic fabric, organic cotton, anything that feels lovely in your hands as you work!
- Have something yummy on hand! As you work, have a favorite drink or snack with you.
Check in with all your senses and set up your sewing atmosphere so that it feels just right for you.
Sew Clothes You Love
This tip is specifically for the garment sewists. If you plan to sew clothing for yourself, it is so important to sew things you actually want to wear! Pay attention to fabrics, styles, and function. If you spend time sewing clothing that you never wear, the excitement for sewing will wear off. Sew what you want to wear. Take a look at your wardrobe and ask yourself what pieces you reach for again and again. Is it a certain type of fabric? Sew with that! Do you sew tons of dresses but only wear hoodies? Try sewing a hoodie that feels fancy, so that you are bringing together your desire to sew something luxe with an item you know you will wear.
And a big thing: clothing should be made to fit YOU, you are not made to fit clothes! Our bodies change over time. Different seasons of life bring different bodies for many of us. Whether it is family changes, health changes, stress, life circumstances… our bodies change. And we are beautiful and unique exactly as we are. If your body is going through changes of any kind, it can really impact how you feel when you choose clothing.
Let me reiterate a strong belief of Boo and Lu: you are beautiful EXACTLY AS YOU ARE. Your body, in whatever shape and size, deserves clothing that makes you feel incredible. Choose a pattern that you love, take fresh measurements, pick a fabric you are drawn to, and sew yourself something new. Find the silhouette that sparks joy in you. Clothes should be created to fit YOU, not the other way around. Find fresh sewing mojo in creating something perfect for you right as you are now.
And Sometimes… Don’t Sew
The reality is, some seasons in life do not lend themselves to sewing. Changing jobs, having a baby, moving to a new home, experiencing grief and loss, navigating health issues, family dynamics, schedule changes, and so many more things can deeply impact your ability to find your creative space. There are times and circumstances that mean that you just need to temporarily step away from sewing.
And it’s ok.
And it isn’t forever.
When you feel like life is preventing you from experiencing the joy of sewing, allow yourself to feel that, and try to find other ways to connect to that joy of sewing. Remember what made you love sewing in the first place, and find small ways of holding it. Maybe you need a different creative outlet, and you can try drawing or painting. If you love the mindfulness of sewing, try hand embroidery. It could be as simple as making a Pinterest board or mood board of projects you would love to try when life allows you the space for sewing again.
Sewing has been here through the ages, and it will be waiting for you when you return. Take your time, and take care of yourself.
Most of us, if we have sewn long enough, experience the loss of sewjo.
When you find that your sewing mojo has tapered out, know that you are not alone. We hope that with the help of this post, you can find ways to re-energize your motivation and find a project that sparks creative joy. If you need sewing community, we hope you join our Boo and Lu Facebook group. We are a collection of sewists who love to talk all things sewing. Find support, help, encouragement, and camaraderie in your sewing journey. We’d love to have you!
