The change of heart has come courtesy of sewover50 over on Instagram, who created a template of sewing goals to choose from for 2026. And this seemed like something I could manage to tie in with whatever sewing I do manage to do.
 |
| My choices |
"Slow sewing" was an easy choice as it is always on my agenda now. I don't exactly have a shortage of clothing to rectify, so I try to ensure that what I make is considered, and carefully done.
"Know my machine" may seem an odd choice for someone whose main machine is a 1930s treadle! But it has box full of different feet, most of which I have never used, so I intend to at least try some of them.
 |
| I'm not even sure what some of these do! |
On top of that Singer seems to have had an unwavering, if commercially unwise, commitment to sparing customers from having to upgrade to a newer model. All sorts of impressive attachments were created to mimic the actions of a modern swing needle mechanism on your trusty fixed needle machine. I have several of these but have never tried using them. If nothing else, I want 2026 to be the year when I tackle the buttonholer.
 |
| For hemstitch, four types of zigzag, and buttonholes |
That could also come under the category of "Build skills" but for this goal the main thing I want to do is something I have threatened for years, namely learn pattern grading. My hand is being forced on this one, as the pattern for the project I want to do next is only available in a size much smaller than the one I need.
Finally, "I must try". I'm not sure yet what this will involve, but I'm hoping to venture out of my sewing comfort zone at least a little. This is the goal I'm least confident of achieving, as time pressures and other stresses make comfort sewing very appealing, but at least it's on there as a prompt.
