I’m going to Japan in February, and I wanted to make some garments to wear on my trip. I’ve been planning to do this for the last six months, and in true ADHD fashion, I’m trying to sew as much of it as possible in the last 4 weeks.

I spent the first two weeks of January fighting a demonic flu on my couch, rotating the hours between mending clothes and napping. By the time I could sit upright without feeling like I was dying, I was sitting in front of the sewing machine. Not because I was trying to ignore the fact that I was sick, but I was going to lose it if I had to spend one more hour on the couch.

Ultimately, my goal for everything I make is to use what I already have first, and if I must, buy secondhand. My craft room is abundant, and I am tired of piling things in the mountain of “someday”. I want to experience the satisfaction of creating things instead of perpetually consuming things. Forcing myself to get creative with what I already own is a challenge I want to step up to for the rest of the year.

Though I’m not really one for new years resolutions, I do like setting annual creative goals. Last year I wanted to knit a sweater by the end of 2025, and I spent the year slowly practicing all the skills I would need to successfully make one. I find this type of long-term goal setting is structured enough to keep me practicing new skills, and the timeline big enough to keep it doable without any false urgency.

This year, I want to use up my fabric and yarn stash as much as possible. I am well on my way to becoming a hoarder if I don’t start prioritizing this.

I suffer from the “this thing has a potential other use before I toss it” mentality, where I feel vindicated from saving something from the landfill, but then my home starts to become the landfill. Am I really living in alignment with my values of low consumption and being environmentally friendly if I stay stuck in the cycles of over consumption by justifying it as secondhand? Upcycling is wonderful, but only if I actually upcycle and not just collect junk.

Breaking cycles is hard, and this feels like a layered one I’m ready to tackle this year.

Without getting too deep, here are a few things I’ve made so far for my trip.

Patterns are hyperlinked.

Quilted Flora Jacket

• Upcycled quilt from thrift store $6.99
• Bias binding made from old cotton duvet, dyed brown with Rit all purpose liquid dye I had from a project I never got around to and can no longer remember
• So comfy, and did a double pocket so I can actually put things in it without worrying about stuff falling out.
• It’s lighter than I expected, so I don’t know if I’ll actually wear it on my trip. TBD.

Knitted Bonnet Scarf

• wool yarn I bought off marketplace last year
• Don’t love the hood, but I love the bulk it adds as a scarf
• Will be coming on the trip.

Nora Sweater

• vintage fabric bought from a fabric garage sale $4/meter
• I love wearing this more than I expected.

Willa Shorts & Ruby Top PJ Set

• thrifted flannel sheet $3.99
• old blue sheet I no longer use
• Top is hacked with same ruffles as the shorts to make them match. Instead of bias binding I did a serged seam and edgestitch to finish.
• Pockets! Handmade tags! Soooo comfy. I looooove how this set turned out~
• Will def be bringing with me, and using these patterns again for future garments in different fabric

I have about 8 other things to make, but if I don’t get them done by February 14th, that’s okay. The arbitrary due date helps the gremlins in my brain feel motivated, but I’m enjoying whatever I can sew as pleasurably as possible. Some days that’s fast, and some days that’s slow. Making stuff is my happy place no matter the pace.

I wanted to share because I’m exceedingly proud of what I’ve made so far. I’ve wanted to make my own wardrobe since I was a teenager learning about the harmful impacts of fast fashion. The fact that I’m finally in the place where I’m regularly able to show up and sew things now is a huge sign that I’m healing. When my behaviour aligns with my values, I feel exquisite joy. This life has not always been my reality, so being able to create this much is genuinely life-giving.

Creativity is liberation.

Maybe my creations can spark your own.