I’ve done a bit of self-reflection in my time as a maker, and I know that my favorite part of crafting isn’t the very beginning (too many decisions) or the very end (I get restless here) of a project. It’s the middle, when I’m in what productivity bros have started to call “the flow state.” Because of that, I tend to tie off the loose ends of one thing (literally) and immediately move on to the next. Not to mention that as a crafter on The Internet, my feed is always full of peoples’ gorgeous finished objects popping up one after another, which is great encouragement to MAKE MAKE MAKE without pausing to think for a second.

However, my handle on IG is “made slowly by” for a REASON. I am a believer in slow fashion, meaningful projects, and intention behind every creative choice. I wanted to create a ritual for finishing my craft projects that helps me:

• Provide a concrete end to each project
• Celebrate what I’ve made and reflect on the process
• Avoid the trap of rushing headlong into the next thing

Here’s what I’ve come up with. The steps don’t need to be done in order, but each one has a purpose.

1. Reflect, Document, and Share

I usually start each project with a digital notebook page where I log pattern details, sizing, materials, and costs. At the finish line, I round that out with reflections: favorite memories from the process, working notes, and what I’d do differently next time.

These notes often evolve into a blog post or Instagram caption. Writing them out not only documents the project but also helps me celebrate it, remember it, and learn from it.

2. Wear or Use the Finished Piece

One of the best ways to honor a make is to actually use it. If it’s clothing, I try to wear it as soon as possible — maybe even the next day. This is a suggestion I picked up from someone on Instagram, though I have lost the original post at this point. If it’s not wearable, it’s still a good idea to document with some photos: styled on a hanger, laid out neatly, or staged in its intended setting.

If the piece is a gift, I generally skip “test driving” it, but I’ll still take photos before it leaves my hands.

3. Reset the Space

This idea comes from How to Keep House While Drowning, and I’ve found it best applies for my purposes when crafting. My space is small and works hard, so it doesn’t take long before it looks like a bomb went off in it.

Instead of “cleaning,” I think about resetting. Scraps go in the scrap bin, tools go back in place, extra spools and bobbins get stored, and anything stray gets put away. If I know my next project already, I might even re-thread my serger or sewing machine with the appropriate color thread.

The goal is to walk in next time to a clean slate, ready for the next burst of making in a room I ACTUALLY WANT TO spend time in.

4. Choose the Next Project with Intention

This is the most important piece for me. Before I start something new, I pause to ask: What do I actually want to work on?

Not “What will use up stash?” or “What object do I want in my wardrobe?” Instead, I think about what kind of project I’d ENJOY making right now:

• Do I want a quick win?
• Do I want to dive into that luscious yarn from my stash that’s been calling my name?
• Do I want something challenging, like a lace chart or fitting a new pants pattern?
• Or do I want a comfort project in a tried-and-true pattern?

This step makes the difference between a project that carries ME to the finish line and one that languishes half-done in time-out.

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Anyway, that’s what I’ve landed on at this point: reflect and document, use the finished piece, reset the space, and make a deliberate choice about what comes next. It’s nothing fancy, but the goal is to keep me from blowing past the finish line and crashing hard when I try to start something new. I may not finish at “Instagram speed,” but my hope is to make the whole process of creating something more meaningful. Maybe something here will help you out too! Now… if only I could develop the discipline to actually execute this EVERY TIME…