Hi All,
2017, it’s already here. wow. 2016 seemed to be that year of a million little changes for me, and a settling process. The year before, 2015, was my year of HUGE changes, like starting my business, opening my studio and moving back home- it was a MASSIVE year. But I found that 2016 was the year when all the dust settled, and I figured out which direction was up again, and I hit the ground running and sorting out all the little details and the everyday realities that 2015 left out.
And all of that is okay with me, I felt very ready for that after 2015. I’m a detail-oriented person, and I love when I have my own little space and hours to myself to work away on all the details and sort things out- and there was (and still is) a never ending list of things to do! It was the year where I started to hit my stride in other some areas, and then totally fall off the bandwagon in other areas, and the year where I really started to question all of my choices and decisions and think about my life and business more holistically with more concrete goals and vision.
In my studio I feel like I’ve started to hit my stride. I’ve found so many amazing suppliers for all of my inventory, and I’ve found so many products that I LOVE and I’m so happy to share with everyone. I also feel like I’ve massively improved my photography skills and photo editing skills- and I’m comfortable with doing all my product photography and blog photography. I’ve been getting better and faster at shipping out packages (thanks mom!), and I’m getting my organization system in the studio slowly sorted out. – That’s all been SO much work, but really really great.
Where I feel like I’ve fallen off the bandwagon is with my blog- and not the blog itself, because I’m SO happy with the new look of my blog and it was so much work to get it here! But I feel like I got lost about half way through the year with my content.
The honest reality is that: the bra-a-week challenge is just TOO much. it’s too many bras, it’s too much work and it’s just too much to do while I’m starting/running/figuring out my business, and I completely ran out of steam by the end of August. – Then instead of just making a more reasonable goal, I decided to just change the topic and do my Style Search series. Which – while it was fun- I found that it was SO much work as well, and it took me too far away from my lingerie and swimwear loves. As much as I would LOVE to overhaul my wardrobe (as I type here in my yoga pants and t-shirt) I think it’s going to be a slower process, and I’m looking forward to slowly curating my wardrobe, bit by bit, with a post here and there.
So that brings me to now, 2017, and my resolutions and goals for this year!
My goals for 2017 are:
1. Post more consistently on my blog
- Sunday posts! Sunday is my favourite day to post, and I really want to get back in the habit of posting EVERY Sunday, whether it’s a bra make, tutorial, studio life post, style search post or a bra round up! I feel like consistency is important, and when I stopped being so diligent about my posting schedule, it all went to chaos for me!
2. Be more connected to all of you – my lovely community
- This is a BIG goal for me! And the first main way I want to do that is: Bring back the Round-Up Bra Submissions Posts! On the last Sunday of every month!! I’ve really missed seeing all of your makes and hearing from you through the month! And I loved how I got to find more of your blogs, share all the love in the community and connect us at the end of every month! So that’s coming back- Please start sending me your lovely makes again (to bra.a.week@gmail.com)!!
- The other way that I want to connect more is to let you in on more of my everyday life! I feel like you get some tiny snippets every once and a while through the occasional personal Instagram post (usually of Gibby!) But sometimes I feel like I’m in my own little tiny bubble working away at my studio, and I want to open that bubble a little to let you all in- I have a few ideas of how to go about it like: more posts like this where I talk to you about my goals and what I’m up to, more posts here and on my social media about what I’m up to, and the last idea is mildly terrifying- but I’m thinking of possibly starting a youtube channel and putting up vlogs?ย I’ve seen so many other amazing sewing youtube channels out there right now, and I think it’s such a good way to show tutorials, things you’ve made, and connect with your community. But wow, this idea is really intimidating for me! Do any of you make videos or watch any sewing vloggers? I’ll probably end up doing a whole post on this alone!
3. Work on and release bigger projects.ย
- I think this one is very logical next step for me, as everything is getting bigger, and I know that pretty much everyone is begging me to FINALLY release a pattern at is point. And I can confirm, YES, I’m working on them, and YES they are coming along. I am working through my huge learning curve- as a psych major (lol) I don’t have any background in working with pattern drafting software (I do everything by hand) or how to useย Illustrator, Photoshop or inDesign- it’s all a big new challenge for me (that I am happy to say I’m meeting head on and tackling down step by step!) I have SO many ideas, SO many plans, and SO much work to do! But as I’ve promised before, it’s at the top of my list and always inching closer and closer to being ready!!!
- The next step, when I have my patterns out in the world, is starting up classes. Which is my second biggest request at the moment. I do, and have been, teaching lots of private lessons to people who are looking for something specific, or want specialized attention! But I decided that I want to wait before I teach any general classes until I have my own patterns released. Because: 1. It’s so much better teaching with your own patterns and 2. the more time I spend on teaching and classes, the less time I have to work on my patterns!
So those are my goals for this year- and I will leave you with this photo above- which was how I spent the last few days of 2016- sewing my emerald bra, and being silly.
Whatย do you think about the plan for 2017?
What are your goals for 2017?
I love to hear from you always!!
xo
erin
Erin, best wishes for 2017! May you find all your focus produces exactly what you want. And I only hosted the BAWC for 2 months, and I can agree – it is a LOT of work. Thank you for all you’ve done to share everyone’s wonderful makes.
Thanks so much Michelle! And all the best for you in 2017 too! I’m excited to change things up a little bit- but so happy I’m getting back into the round-up posts!! XOXO
I love your goals Erin! In fact I might need to borrow some of them. I had a very similar 2016!
I’m so excited about your patterns! The tester paid of boyshorts I made are still my favourite, they are so comfy and fit so well! I must place another order for more jersey at some point.
Thanks Emma!! You can borrow any of these goals- I think we’re all going to have an amazing 2017! Also- so happy you’re loving the boy shorts!! It shouldn’t be TOO long before they’re out for everyone ๐ ๐ XOXO
All I have to say is….YOU CAN DO IT! ๐
Blogging is extremely time consuming, let alone running a business. Lord knows I’ve not blogged all year, boo :(, and I don’t run a business..hehe. Anyway, looking forward to seeing your first bra Pattern. I’m not sure if you’ve seen Lauren Dahl’s pattern making course, but it’s pretty darn good and many indie designers have used it. She has a background in tech stuff and teaches how to draft in illustrator and create instructions and such in InDesign. I can’t recall the name off the top of my head, but googling her name, you’re sure to find it.
Happy 2017 and May God bless you and your business!
G
Thank you Genevieve!! ๐ ๐ Yes, blogging can definitely be a huge time commitment- luckily I still love it SO much!! Also thank you so much for the suggestion- I actually found that online course a little while ago and I’ve been working through it! I can attest- it is very good!! Thank you so much for all the kind words and I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing 2017 too!!!
HI!
I recently found your blogg. And I am so happy that I did. I love it! All the tuts and inspiration. I spent almost a whole day reading your posts.
I was glad to read that you are stepping back on some things and forward on others. As I was reading the other day, I was thinking how you managed it all. Fun things can also eat you up. Itยดs all about priority. And it sounds like you figured yours out. And that is what makes me happy.
My newyearsresolution is to accept that I canยดt do stuff as intense as I used to anymore. That I have to plan thereafter. Iยดm new to all sewing. Last year I learned a lot. I sewed my first two bras, among other things. This year Iยดm going to sew more of them. Learn to redraw my pattern to other models and to use lace. AND! Iยดm going to sew my first swimwearbikini! Iยดm so looking forward to it. So Iยดm going to use your blog parallell to my sewing.
I hope your year will turn out great! So looking forward to “join” you. Youยดre such an inspiration and happy addition to my life.
Take care!
Hi Jackie! Thank you so much, I’m so happy you found my blog!! New years resolutions (and really just goal-making in general) is so important, but with that it’s SO important to make your health and happiness just as high on your list! And I find too many woman are WAY too hard on themselves- so it’s amazing that you’re making a goal to be less hard on yourself!! Also – it’s always a good goal to sew swimwear!! So happy I can be part of your life ๐ ๐
Good luck with your goals, Erin!! I love the coming back of the Round-up posts! I used to find so much inspiration on them! Also, I’m really excited for your upcoming patterns!! YAY!! It all sounds like hard work, but it must be so rewarding!
Think of what you’ve accomplished until now: you have a blog that has become a referent in the bra-making community, and you’ve started your own business!! So, I’m sure you’ll tackle all your new goals and be successful! ๐
Oh, and about the youtube channel: I’ve never watched any sewing vlogger, but it could be a great idea! Or, at least, it could be another place to see more of Gibby! ๐
Thanks Sofia!! I’m so happy to be bringing back the Round-Up posts too! I miss it so much!! But I am ready to take on some of my new goals- and yeah, if the youtube thing doesn’t turn out to be my thing, it will definitely turn into a channel about Gibby ๐
I can sew relate, Erin! When I began bra-making, I wanted to make a bra a week for myself. That never happened. I joined your challenge and guess what? I made 2 bras for myself – 2 years ago!!! Maybe I can get to a bra a month- for myself. That will be my goal for 2017. It is truly the only way to stay passionate – to appreciate your own work. You inspire us all with your gorgeous lingerie, and have provided a platform for everyone to be our best creative selves. I am so happy you have come back to it. Happy New Year!
Thanks Linda! A bra a month sounds like a good goal- and I’m always so excited to see your gorgeous makes! ๐ I’m excited to get back into a more solid routine too- and get back involved with the community again ๐ it’s going to be a good year!!