An Almost-Quarterly Project Management Update

After meeting with a couple of my fellow SCA seamstresses recently to discuss projects, project management, and goals, I thought I'd come here and share some thoughts on my personal process and how its revision has been going.

Last September I wrote my first "mission statement" post, mostly stemming from the feeling that costuming was sucking the life out of me and knowing that it was because I was pretty thoroughly sucking at managing my time and work effectively.  In December I posted an update, after a self-review surprised me by revealing that I was achieving my goals fairly well.  (You can see both of those posts here, or by clicking the "mission statement" tag on this post or the sidebar).

In the most recent five months, I've made progress, and I've also fallen off the wagon a little bit.  Most of the latter has happened since Gulf Wars - because I had a spectacularly awful war because I was ill the entire time I was there, and then cut short my trip because one of my pets was dying, the emotional fallout has sidelined me for a good two months.  But I'm back on track now and being truly productive again, and I've been re-thinking my process, refining some of my ideas, and discussing it with friends who have given me some excellent insights and new information to consider.

Goals From 2014 That I've Met and Good Habits Established: 

1. Become better familiar with the number and scope of commissioned projects I can take on at a time so that I can make my work and delivery more reliable, without overloading myself or biting off more than I can chew. 
2. Become better at establishing with new clients project parameters and delivery expectations
3. Learn to "divide and conquer" my project loads to ensure that no one thing falls by the wayside and so that every project receives an equal amount of attention to quality
4. Develop better workspace management habits (keep my room clean so I can work in it effectively)
5. Develop and grow my skills and knowledge, and the quality of my output
6. Learning to take the same care and put the same attention and quality into work for myself that I do into work for my clients.  

Goals I've Not Yet Met: 

1. Blog-related project delivery.  I've done better this year than last year, but I'm still awful at things like: posting finished project pictures of ALL of my projects, and posting pictures of finished costumes ON my clients
2. Participation in A&S: my A&S goals are stretched out over the course of this year, so it's not that I haven't done a good job, it's just that I'm only barely past the first marker.  I'm completely satisfied with my performance at Candlemas (the red Habsburg gown); I had fun, got over some fears, and learned a lot from the process that I think will help me in the future.  My next A&S checkpoint will be at Laurel's Prize Tourney in September of this year - I've got plenty of time to develop my project for that event and to develop my documentation skills, presentation, and confidence.  And trust me, I WILL be letting you know how all of that turns out. :) 

What's Next? 

I've been talking with friends recently about the more business-oriented aspects of being a seamstress.  I have no plans at present to develop my hobby sewing into anything like an actual business, but the more I learn about business and project management in the professional sense, the more I realize that much of it applies to casual, "sure, I'll make that for you" projects, and is VERY useful for learning to manage my productivity and quality in a more effective way.  

With the attention and development my commission projects and my personal wardrobe have been receiving, I'm noticing that more and more people are coming to me for advice, help with costuming, and actual commissions than ever before.  My work is improving consistently, and I feel I'm beginning to look the part of a person who actually knows what she's doing (in the past, I've focused 99% of my attention on commissions and then half-assed my own wardrobe in a mad dash the day before an event, which meant that while my "work" was well-received, *I* was still walking around events looking like a dump truck).  I'm beginning to receive more commission requests from outside of my circle of close friends, recently, as well. 

While I'm in no way resolving to stop doing the things that are working well for me (i.e. more effective project management, attention to detail, improving my "customer service", development of skill and quality), I have some new goals to add to my growing list of self-improvement strategies: 

• I'd like to develop a more comprehensive set of project parameters to establish with clients, especially clients who I don't know well to begin with.  It's one thing to sew for a buddy with whom you already have a relationship and see all the time, where mutual understanding and communication aren't at issue; but it's another animal entirely working with someone you don't know.
• While I've always known that I undervalue my work (and what maker or artist doesn't, really?), I've recently done some research into my past work and discovered that the extent to which I'm selling myself short, in MANY areas, is just staggering in proportion.  I'm not just talking about pricing, either - I fall short in areas of confidence, pride in my work, and in fear of judgment resulting in a dysfunctional sense of false humility. 
• Because I anticipate one day doing a lot more work on a semi-professional level, I'd like to spend some time really tracking my costs, time, and labor on various projects, so that in the future I can have a better idea of what it is that I'm doing, so that I can more accurately predict for clients how long a project will take, what it involves, and what to expect overall.  
• On the organizational front, I'd like to create a couple of notebooks to keep around:  a portfolio of my work, both for A&S purposes and to show to clients during design consultations; a working notebook in which to keep client information, measurements, and history, for my own use; and an SCA "resume" type of document or book, in which to keep track of both my project history and achievements. 
• I'd like to develop my own wardrobe even further.  In my first few years in the SCA, I was excited by every new thing I discovered, and had a "one of everything" wardrobe, but because I jumped around so often, not one of my outfits was ever fully developed where things like jewelry and accessories were concerned.  I've been sticking with a time period/culture for longer periods of time in the past two years - I now have a [more or less] fully-developed 15th century Florentine wardrobe, my 14th-15th century English wardrobe is doing fairly well, and my Viking wardrobe is well on its way.  However, I still feel that each of those collections could use a little more depth.  The devil is in the details, as they say.  I met a man at Queen's Champion last week who was a paragon of periodicity.  I've seen people with very nice kits before, even epic kits, but this guy blew them all out of the water.  There was a level of detail and effort in his presentation that went far beyond having done a good job - you looked at this man, and it was like seeing someone from the 1100s actually, physically come to life before your eyes.  I want my own look to be working on THAT level! 

I'm a couple of weeks overdue on posting some finished stuff, so I'll get to that in the next few days (I just have to go through my camera and get pics ready for the blog), and in the next few days I'll also be talking about the next round of commissions and personal projects that I have lined up.  

See you soon! 

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Project Goals: A Check-In

Last September, I posted this about some changes I felt I needed to make in my project-ing habits (mostly for SCA, but also applicable to my mundane projects).

To wit:

1. Limit the number of projects I take on at a time, so that I don't overload myself. 
2. Establish expected delivery date before committing to a project.  Ditto project parameters. 
3. Procrastination issues: 
1. Work on each project for at least two hours per week - no putting things off til the last week. 
2. Stop putting off things for myself, or mundane projects, until I "get my work done." It just stresses me out. 
4. Clean up and put away my toys when I'm done with a project. 

How have I done? 

You know, I was paging back through my blog, and I came across that post, and I laughed out loud.  Sort of a barking sound, really.  But then I read it through, and really thought about it, and I think I've done pretty darned well in the past four months! 

All of 2014, really, has been an exercise in learning not to take on too much work at a time.  I've had a hard time learning to say "no" and "not right now," but I've done it.  I've learned to do that.  And it's done me a world of good. 

I think going into a project with clear expectations on my part and the part of my clients is doing us all a LOT of good.  My first question is, "When do you need it?", and then we get right down to drawing up some designs, setting expectations, and going over what's feasible and what's not - and THEN I accept, or I can I say that a project is more than I can take on right now; and there are always options at that point (check with me in a month, or, I'll let you know when I'm finished with X, or "Maybe you could ask Lady Whosit, she does this kind of thing far better than I").   I think this process is making me easier to work with. :) 

I'm no longer separating "fun" from "work" - it's all fun, that's why I do it! And I've found that having more than one project gives me relief when I need it.  Something's frustrating me to no end and I'm banging my head against the sewing machine aimlessly?  Switch projects to clear my head and lift my mood! It's great! 

And I AM cleaning up my toys at the end of a project.  My sewing room is usually pretty clean nowadays - no more walking in, throwing up my hands in disgust, and walking out again simply because I just cannot work in there the way it is.  Ditto my workshop in the garage.  It's come in extremely handy in the last couple of months as I've prepared my house in various ways for the addition of a roommate, too, and even in the moving and unpacking process.  

So, what's next? 

For right now, I'm 100% focused on getting ready for Candlemas in February.  After that, it's all about Gulf Wars in March (technically, I should have started that like three months ago, but that's another blog post for another day).  

Now that the Room of Requirement (i.e. having converted my gigantic master bedroom into a craft room for my roommate and I to share) is complete and functioning REALLY WELL, I find I'm actually working more quickly than I was before, and I have a lot more workspace in which to organize the various stages of project completion. Yay! 

A New Frontier

*deeeep breath before I up and say this out loud*

So I'm branching out into actual A&S competition.  For my whole, whopping five years in the SCA I've been perfectly content to work in the background, not calling attention to myself.  I had my reasons, and some of them still stand, to be honest.  Earlier this year a good friend convinced me to display at an A&S table - not compete, but display, which took the fear-of-judgment out of the equation.  A little, anyway.  And I discovered that it was TOTALLY FUN.  I discovered I actually want to start entering competitions, which, to be honest, freaks me out a little, LOL.  I've been lurking around A&S tables at events ever since, examining the process and expectations as well as the staggering and gorgeous array of talent this kingdom has to offer, and I find, I want to join in.  

So here goes nothin'. 

On Project Delivery

One thing I've noticed - I've always noticed, really, but it's been on my mind ever since BAM in November - is that I am absolute pants at delivering any sort of project closure on this blog, and it's driving me NUTS.  I'm only posting "after" or finished pictures of projects on this blog, seriously, like maybe thirty percent of the time, and that's not okay.  This blog is supposed to be a record, a reference for myself on future projects, and a way to show people what I do; and yet it's mostly a slapdash assortment of plans that look unfulfilled.  I HATE THAT SO MUCH.  I do so much more than what you see here! 

So my "New Year's resolution", if it's that, is to get serious about posting finished pictures and project wrap-up posts here, on  every project.

• One problem is that I really don't have a good space in my home in which to photograph myself in my finished outfits.    
• Another issue is that I'm in the habit of thinking, "Oh, it's okay - I'll get pictures at the event coming up" - and then I don't, because I'm too busy or I'm having too much fun to remember.  I ran around BAM with a camera in my hand and never once did it occur to me to hand it to someone and ask them to photograph me!  DERP. 

A friend of mine and I have ben discussing this issue, because we both do it, and have decided to get together at some point in the next few weeks for a joint fashion show and photo shoot, hehe.  That'll catch me up on projects for myself that I've already finished.  From there on out, though, I'll have to really stick to the concept of photography and blogging as the final stage of a project - not an afterthought. 

Oh, and one more thing. 

The other major point in that September post was a commitment to really doing a job on every project - no more working my butt off for other people and then half-assing the work I do for myself.  I'm proud to say that not only have I stuck to that, the ripple effects from that commitment have been a pleasant surprise. 

When you've been sewing for twenty-eight years, things get a little old hat.  And you start cutting corners just to get things DONE.  At least, I did. For a long time. And I was mad at myself for doing it - but I was so overloaded that, well, you know.  

So now I'm not doing that any more.  I'm paying way more attention to detail.  I'm feeling really proud of everything I do.  I'm really feeling that every project IS better than the last.  I'm suddenly excited about refining my current skills and making them even better, and turning out higher-quality work.  

I'm getting really interested in expanding my skill set as well.  I've been reading up on all sorts of new styles of historical dress, new embroidery methods, various types of weaving (I'll be inkle looming by the end of this week, in fact).  I'm also learning a bit about tailoring techniques from a that same A&S friend, and from some online reading I've been doing, and it's really exciting!  (I've always been a seamstress and a dressmaker; but until now I've never even understood that *tailoring* is a completely different discipline, and it's fascinating).  

The moral of the story:  

Never do anything half-assed. ALWAYS USE YOUR WHOLE ASS. 

And, of course: 

A New Mission Statement

This is the part where I don't have a completed project to show you today, so I'm going to babble at you for a little while instead.

I have some very bad habits, as far as sewing/making things in the SCA.  I do the same things in my mundane crafts, too.  I under-estimate the time I need for a project.  I forget how many things I have in the works at a time and get bogged down.  I have a hard time saying "no."  I feel overwhelmed when I take on too many things at once, react to that feeling by procrastinating, and then cram a project into the last few days before a deadline and completely stress myself out.  I put a lot of time and effort into making quality things for other people, then rush through things I make for myself, often resulting in sub-par clothing and accessories (or things that look fine on the outside, but, for example, don't have finished seams on the inside, or are devoid of fine details I'd put onto a garment for someone else).

I'm sure everyone reading this is nodding in agreement and empathy.  We all do it. I don't know an SCA crafter who doesn't do the same things.

In an effort to learn to set boundaries and to pace myself, so that I can turn out better-quality products all around, I've worked this whole year on creating new habits.  It started with finishing up all of the projects for others I had on the line at the beginning of the year, and then not taking on any new ones for several months. And then I set some rules for myself.  I've adhered to them all successfully, and it HAS made my life better.  It's also made it much easier to say to people, simply, "I have a lot on my plate right now, and can't accept, but ask me again in [time frame] and I might be available then."  My fear of turning people away aside, I've found that people really do understand that.

My Rules

• Absolutely no more than two sewing projects for others at a time.  Limit three projects total (only two of which can be sewing).  
• Establish expected delivery date before accepting project. 
• Ditto project parameters. 
• No procrastination:  (1) work on each project for at least two hours per week.  More if I want to, but minimum two hours. 
• No procrastination: (2) as I have a habit as looking at commissions as "work" and things for myself as "play" - thereby making commissions feel like they're looming over me, I now allow myself to alternate working on a commission with working on something for myself, or around my home (the "fun" often as a reward for putting in a couple of hours on a commission when I didn't really want to). 
• When I finish a project, I (a) clean up the entire craft room (or workshop), so that when I start the next project I'll have a clean space in which to work, and (b) often will lay out the materials for the next project as soon as the space is cleaned, so that when I walk in the next time, I see potential, instead of an empty room and a need to begin something. 

There's another rule, that I've recently come up with, and have been thinking a lot about lately.  I've been sewing since I was 9 years old, I've been costuming since I was 17, and have sewn for home decor since I was about 26.  As I mentioned before, I tend to put a lot of work and attention to detail into commissions, but not on projects for myself, which are often cheap, plain, and sometimes not completely finished.  You'd think, with all that experience, that every thing I make is just awesome, but it hardly ever is, by my standards.  You'd think I'd actually work up to my own standards, at least!  So then, my number one rule going forward, and my new sewing motto: 

Let every project surpass the previous. 

Which means: 

• I will put the same attention to detail and quality into everything I make, not just things for which people are paying me. 
• I will fine-tune my finishing skills on every project, and get better at it with every project. 
• I would like to try to learn a new technique, or at least hone seldom-used ones with every project. 
• My work now is pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  A year from now, I want the things I'm sewing now to look like a beginner effort next to my progress to come.  

There is always something to learn.  You can always do better than you're already doing.   There is always opportunity to focus more, take more time, exercise more patience, and excel your own work at every step. 

And this goes for every craft, not just sewing; although my main thinking lately has been mostly concerned with sewing.  In the coming weeks I'll have a few new outfits to show you, some campsite decor type stuff, and even some nifty woodworking and artwork.  Hopefully each thing will be better than the last one I made. :) 

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