Like other creative activities, fashion design includes a need for a lot of things: drafting paper, scissors of different kinds, rulers, various media for sketching and fashion illustration, iron, fabrics ... And all of these add up so it is crucial to be organized. I keep my sewing room clean and have it divided into section (e.g., table for drawing, closet for fabrics and sewn samples, drawer for drafting paper and rulers). I know where to find all of my tools, which in turn allows me to focus on the creative process.
Being pragmatic about the creative process is important to me. I know how to I work and when I do my best. I take note of my mood, my inspiration, and where these have taken me in terms of ideas and design work. I understand the steps of the creative process - instead of halting creativity, being pragmatic keeps me focused.
The images below show my attention to detail. During the design stages, I produce a lot of notes, sketches, and just piles of paper. This could be, at times, overwhelming. I step back and use sticky notes to highlight my best ideas and to assess next steps. In addition, when it comes to patterns, I label each piece with name, time/year, size, and other important information. I can go back many months and find exactly what I need in a matter of minutes.
You can check out my work (and my organizational skills) on my Pinterest page.