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{Net Fabric Zero} The year that was



Can you believe it—we're nearly at the start of a new year? That means this one, with all its somersaults and unexpected turns, is just about finished. I'm craving time to settle into coziness and am feeling especially reflective. It's a perfect time to review how Net Zero Fabric went and to look ahead to the coming New Year. Let's divide the year into three parts - the beginning, the middle, and the end (ha!). 

:: The Beginning ::

At the beginning of 2024, I was filled with the rush of starting and eager to set myself up for success. I checked in weekly and was excited about building a community around the concept of net zero fabric. I destashed, I gave away, and I sewed small projects. I was mindful and minimal with purchases, too. 

:: The Middle ::

Keeping up weekly check-ins tapered off as the year went on, and I got wrapped up in non-fabric life. In June, I sewed a couple of last-minute, end-of-the-year teacher gifts, and then... fabric stuff came to a grinding halt. Here and there, I slow stitched my #LightDancesLaPassacaglia epp project, but mostly, fabric took a backseat to family, work, and life, and...

:: The End ::

That brings us to the end of the year. October and sewing costumes (which I did not count in my fabric tracker) reminded me that I was tracking my fabric in and out this year. I bought more fabric that caught my eye, but then sewed with some of it immediately (Halloween treat bags). Touching fabric again led me to pull up my tracking spreadsheet. I wasn't hopeful that my net would be zero, but as I plugged everything in and got caught up, I was surprised to see that my net fabric for the year was -0.11 yards. While the year isn't over yet, and I plan to sew more (last-minute kid crafting??), it does look like I'll have less fabric than what I started the year with. 

So, where does this leave me as the year ends and I look ahead to next year? I do think this project was successful. It inspired me to sew with my fabrics. I was encouraged to destash, though destashing felt like a lot of work for a little reward. And destashing mechanisms changed as Instagram changed and I'm not sure I've completely settled on the best way for me to destash going forward. I was reminded that sewing small projects is really rewarding. And, that I still want to use fabric play as a way to connect and craft with my kids. 

With the idea of making plans instead of goals (thanks, Leanne!), let's look towards 2025...      

{Fabric Plans 2025}

  1. Destash & Stash Busting
  2. Continue working on WIPs
  3. Sew with the kids
{Destash & Stash Busting}
Even though I didn't grow it over the year, the amount of fabric I've accumulated takes up more space in my home than I would like to allot. Any change takes time, but this is one area that I would like to make more rapid change so that my family and I can start having the benefits of more space sooner. Like Harry says, "... you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." For the coming year, I've included stash busting - aka, sewing small projects, finally doing the projects I bought the fabric for, and giving fabrics away - with destashing. For me, destashing means selling fabrics, which requires lots of my time, and I've learned it isn't profitable. Plus, I like most of the fabrics I've got now and would rather use them. Still, I'll find fabrics I'm ready to part with as I work through my stash and those I may sell or give away. Either way, I'm ready (more than ready) to get some space back.       

{Continue working on WIPs}
I'd like to make 2025 the year of WIPs. These projects started long ago linger because I have yet to make them a continued priority. And still, they are so actionable they are ripe for the picking when it comes to planning and checking things off the list. I have fresh excitement to move my list of works in progress to my 2025 planner and to make my check-lists for each one. The trick will be renewing this energy throughout the year. Making space (literally and figuratively) will go a long way in making this plan successful. And continuing to acknowledge that the plan needs to be actionable, and it helps to be measurable as well. 

Earlier this year, I wrote: 
"I crave the connection with my family. Finding joy together. Creating, crafting, sharing, laughing. I'm reminded to let the kids in. This is OUR space."

This rings just as true today. I was reminded of this when we recently made Scandinavian folded stars as a hostess gift for the kids' great aunt. They loved choosing their fabrics and took such care in their creations. They surprised me with their capabilities, and connecting over crafting was fun for everyone.  

So, there are my fabric plans for the year. What does your year for fabric look like?


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