8 Mistakes I Made That Caused Me Sewing Stress

For the last couple of weeks, I worked feverishly to finish my handmade gifts. And I found myself dealing with sewing stress.

This time of year is always hectic for me, and it might be for you too. Whether it’s for the holidays or a birthday, finishing DIY projects can make you want to pull your hair out.

I’ve had some time to reflect, and the issue wasn’t the sewing itself, but my other mistakes. I’m going to tell you what I did wrong, so you can avoid them.

Mistakes I Made That Caused Me Sewing Stress

I know better than to wait until the last minute, but it happens. I didn’t have a total breakdown, but it could’ve been a more enjoyable process.

Overcommitting, procrastinating, and not giving myself enough time to finish are big culprits. 

1. Starting Too Late

Okay, I’m going to give myself some grace on this mistake. I was sick for basically all of last month, so I couldn’t sew.

I thought about all the cool things I wanted to make. But planning in my head is not the same as actually doing it.

The projects I wanted to make all required much time and effort on my part. But I wanted my gifts to be special this year.

My goal was to start my holiday sewing a month before. But that got pushed to a week before Christmas.

I started making my jacket way, way too late. This should’ve started well into November.

But during the time when I was sick, I planned to sew a birthday present. So by the time I finished that gift, I only had a few days left.

And another thing happened. I couldn’t start at the beginning of December because I had a bad allergic reaction!

Sewing wasn’t going to help my issue with all the lint and all.

Next year, I’m going to have to start making my Christmas gifts in the early fall. That way, I won’t feel rushed. 

Things happen, and the days go by fast when you have deadlines. When it rains, it pours!

2. Evaluating My Stash Too Late

Well, here’s the thing. I did a good job organizing my stash over the summer.

This was actually relaxing for me. But you might cringe at the thought of going through yours.

At this time, I made fabric swatches for all my new stuff. Then I realized that I had more fabric than I thought I did. 

Some stuff had been lost in the sea of materials. You see, I bought a lot before Joann went out of business because they were on sale. 

But I was quick to discover that I didn’t have enough of what I wanted. Not enough of the ideal fabric to make a button-up shirt or a jacket in one color. 

So I ended up color-blocking remnants to make it work. This is fun, and a creative thing I like to do.

But honey, this takes up time! With all the piecing and laying everything out, plan on taking double the time!

3. Skipping Easy Projects

My go-to gift is making reusable napkins, and they’re always a hit. They’re so easy to make, and I can knock several of these out in a day.

By the way, I’ll have to make a tutorial on how I make these because they’re so cute. 

I have other sewing projects that I’ve made within a couple of hours. And when I was thin on time, I should’ve chosen one of those.

Plus, I don’t have to worry about sizing. Anyway, I could have made pillows, headbands, scarves, and other things.

As much as I should’ve resorted to one of these, I didn’t. I was determined to bring to life what I was dreaming up! 

4. Choosing a Complicated Project

And what I was dreaming of? Creating that color-blocked jacket for someone. 

This one wasn’t so easy. I chose a really complicated sewing pattern. 

I could have used a simpler one, but it wasn’t in the stars for me.

The one I used has many different pieces and is structured. It’s not for the faint of heart.

It usually takes me a couple weeks to make something like this, as I’ve done it before. I do a little each day, practicing slow sewing.  

But there was no slow sewing this time. And with me only having a few days to make it, what was I thinking? 

5. Not Getting Materials Beforehand

What I should have done before my first day of sewing was go to the store. I ran out of essential things.

I thought I had enough topstitch thread, but I didn’t. And I knew I didn’t have the dungaree buttons I needed, but proceeded anyway.

I don’t know why I thought the sewing fairy would mysteriously deliver them whilst I worked and slept. 

It’s not like when I start a project, I want to take time to run to the store to buy stuff. 

Plus, I have so much thread in my sewing room, it’s ridiculous. But it’s never enough of that one color I need!

6. Rushing Through

Okay, we already established that I started too late and chose a complex project. Are you surprised that I was rushing?

The clock was ticking down, and I needed to finish. Have you noticed how time flies when you’re sewing?

So I was going faster than I would’ve preferred. When I rush, it’s not good.

And boom! Guess what happened? 

I made some mistakes with cutting and prepping. Then that led to other problems.

I always plan on errors happening, but who has time to deconstruct seams when you have a deadline? 

7. Spending Long Hours Sewing

And while trying to meet the deadline, I was at it for long hours each day. With all the sewing and cutting, I got a case of back and neck pain. 

I took breaks and stretched, but apparently it wasn’t enough.

A good balance for me is sewing no more than 2 hours a day. But I found myself doing 6 to 8 straight.

That’s not good for me. One, for my back, and also for my allergies. 

Although I stayed motivated, this led to fatigue.

I’ve just now recovered from all the binge sewing. I used to listen to a podcast where they would refer to this as “sweatshopping.”

I guess that’s what I was doing. Now I’m in recovery mode, as I usually am after the holidays.

8. Going on Social Media

One thing that distracted me was going online. I found myself doomscrolling on social media instead of being productive.

I did this while taking quick breaks from sewing, but maybe this wasn’t a good idea. It took up time.

Although I saw nice videos and photos of other people’s projects and lives, it didn’t help in my quest to finish mine.

Social media sometimes gives me inspiration and ideas. But it’s too addictive. 

So, for me, it’s best to stay off of it when I’m on a mission. I’m better off taking a walk or doing some stretches instead.

Final Thoughts

Although I’ve been sewing forever, I realized much of my stress is from the choices I make. I have the habit of underestimating the time and effort it takes. 

I must hang this list on the wall, so I can remind myself of things not to do. Have you made any of these mistakes too, or am I the only one?

More About Sewing

I have many other related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.

• Would you like to know how sewing pulled me through some difficult times?  

• I’ll tell you some comments I get when people find out I sew.

• My first sewing job was both exciting and stressful, and I’ll tell you why.

I’d love to hear about what’s going on in your sewing room!

Originally published: January 3, 2026