Sew Little Time: How to Fit Me-Made Projects into a Busy Schedule
- Words by Peppermint
Sewing can be a time-consuming hobby, which sometimes makes it feel incompatible with busy modern life. However, with some extra organisation and preparation, you can create gorgeous projects in the limited time you have available. Check out these top tips to fit sewing into your busy schedule.
words NICOLE MCKENZIE images KELLEY SHEENAN FOR SEW YOUR WAY (CUTE MAGNETIC SEWING ACCESSORIES!)
Organise your space
Start by assessing your sewing space. If you have to set up your machine and materials every time you sew, you’re less likely to start sewing. Try to make your set-up as simple and speedy as possible. Could you create a space that remains partially set up? Perhaps a hideaway sewing space in a foldaway cabinet or cupboard. If not, consider other time savers – an organised sewing bag or basket to hold your projects and notions, a table that is kept tidy and a power point or extension cord nearby.
Divide tasks
Schedule your tasks throughout a week or two. Pre-wash your fabric one night, cut out your pattern pieces another (perhaps while watching your favourite TV show) and cut your fabric on a third. Then, plan a few sewing sessions to put needle to thread and bring your project to life.
Sew with knits
Sewing with knits doesn’t require finishing seams (as knit fabric doesn’t fray) and generally doesn’t require fastenings (zippers and buttons) because the stretch allows for a comfortable fit. Knitwear such as t-shirts, jumpers and leggings are quick creations, and once you have some experience under your belt, you can make a simple knit garment in an hour or two!
READ MORE: Peppermint’s New Sewing Expert Commits To Shopping Her Fabric Stash…
Skip the fastenings
Zippers and buttonholes can be fiddly and time-consuming, so choose projects without fastenings to save time. Some elastic waist shorts or a wrap skirt are a perfect starting point.
Remake garments
One of the most time-consuming parts of making a garment is learning the construction (how the piece comes together) and fitting the item to your body. Because of this, the first time you make something is always the slowest and most challenging. Remake a pattern with different fabrics for a completely different look – it will fit perfectly and take considerably less time to sew.
Step away from clothes
Make a guaranteed quick project such as a scrunchie, a tablecloth or an eye mask. These creations can not only be completed in one short sitting but are likely to re-ignite your passion for sewing and inspire you to start a bigger project.
One seam at a time
Perhaps the best approach is to embrace the “one-seam mentality” – that is, it’s worth sitting down to sew, even if you only have time to complete one seam. Remember, sewing one seam at a time still makes a garment. Plus, once you’re at your sewing machine it’s almost guaranteed that you will keep sewing.
As with every task on a tight schedule, organisation and planning are key to success. We hope these handy tips help you to make the most of your sewing time and stitch something magical!
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
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"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
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Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
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8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
