Keeping a log of your dressmaking items

[Cocojazz]

Hi all - I just wanted to know if any of you write in a journal or keep a spreadsheet about each make, what material you used, what pattern you used etc.? Plus whether it was easy or not and any tips if you made it again? Or is that too much and you just remember?!

I'm only really picking up dressmaking again after quite a long absence and wanted to know how best I can organise myself.

TIA.

No, unfortunately I don’t get enough time to make that many garments. I don’t know why I would need to make a log. I can remember which pattern I used.
How many garments a year were you planning on making.

Probably won’t be making that many this year but I will be retiring next year so I will have much more time. It might be that I will write notes on the pattern sleeve.

I thought I would have a lot of time for sewing when I retired but then we had grandchildren and they took up a lot of time! Probably a good idea to write notes on the sleeve then they can’t be lost. I have a huge stash of fabric, collected over many years. I have no idea where it all comes from but some of it is so old that I could never get the same again. I also go fabric shopping when abroad.

I use the Threadloop app, which let's you plan projects, take notes, keep track of your stash etc. There's a paid version, but I find that the free version allows you to do so much there's not really any need to upgrade.

I especially like to keep track of any changes I've made to a pattern. I can usually remember what fabric I used and what pattern, but not if I, for example, lengthened the pattern. If I like a pattern I often make it again, so for me it's important to record that information, as well as how much fabric I actually used (some companies vastly overestimate how much fabric is needed). If I buy fabric with matching thread, I'll also record that in the app as I've gathered so many spools of thread over the years it's not always easy to remember which thread goes with which fabric.

I have a notebook that I use to record all my sewing & embroidery projects. I include a small sample of fabric, pattern number, sketch or photo of what I've made etc. At the back of the book there's a list of possible new projects. It's not a tidy notebook - lots of scribbled notes.

I also have a Pinterest board of photos of possible future makes/projects.

Thank you - all very useful suggestions!

I use a card based system. 1 rolodex card for each pattern I own, and 1 note card for each pattern's makes, where I attach fabric samples with a safety pin and make a note of date, size, and comments.

So for the Madrone Pants, I have 1 rolodex card to remind me that I own it, with details of when I bought it, and how much it cost, where it is (digital/printed etc). Then I have a note card for the Madrone pants, with each version I have made, with notes and sizes, adjustments and thoughts, and attached to that with a safety pin a sample of the fabric for each make.

I can then flip through my pattern stash, and also see what I have made. By the way the Madrone pants are fantastic summer pants!

I use Airtable. I got a free template from https://www.instagram.com/minimalistmachinist?igsh=cW5obWtja2h4ZHBz The template is in her linktree. I use it to record my fabric stash, patterns and makes. I add notes to my makes about any adjustments I’ve made or ones I’d do if making again.

Thank you!

Hello! Yes I have an excel spreadsheet to track ideas, likely pattern choice, potential fabrics, and then fitting notes etc once made. I do a lot of sewing for me and the home but I also have a lot of ideas whizzing around my brain and it has saved my sanity! I just made it myself and have tweaked it as I have gone along to include the information I want it to. Happy sewing!

Thanks!

I don't use one for sewing, but for knitting/ crochet I have an A4 book which detail pattern, start date, end date, tension, colour chart etc. I find it useful.

I did try a couple of the apps,/ spreadsheets for sewing, but the just didn't click.

I put my knitting in the same notebook I use for my sewing/embroidery. I used to have separate notebooks but it was easier to combine the two.