Sewing With Certainty #7: Writing a Sewing Blog

Welcome to the LAST Sewing With Certainty topic linky party! Can you believe it?

 Many bloggers have been participating (yay!) -  click here to see the links to all of the posts and linky parties! You have two weeks (until February 16) to link up your post on today's topic, writing a sewing blog (I bet all of you bloggers have something to say about that!). Then, we'll have:

• February 9: Final Linkup! Write a blog post about a project you worked on during the series that helped you gain confidence in your skills (this refers back to the goal setting in the beginning)
• February 16: Prizes awarded from all Linky Parties - prizes TBA soon from 1 Choice 4 Quilting and myself!

 

"Writing a Sewing Blog" is another topic that I could probably write about for eons. I can't imagine quilting without blogging, honestly, because it's been part of my process since I started sewing back in 2010. Also, blogging helps me keep a digital scrapbook of all the things I've made, and it helps me keep deadlines and goals. Overall, I blog mainly for selfish reasons (though I really enjoy giving back with tutorials and how-tos and series posts like this one). Based on my experience, here are the most important things about starting and keeping a blog:



1. Motivation: I blog because it's something I enjoy. I do not write posts I don't want to write. That's why sometimes I post a day or two later than intended - maybe I was sewing or finishing up a project, and that was more important to me at the moment. Sometimes, though, I get the urge to write. One way I balance my time often is by writing parts of posts when I feel inspired, and then I finish them later on. At any one time, you might see 4 or 5 unfinished posts lined up in my post tab. :) Blogging takes a lot of work and time (more than I care to admit sometimes) but it is so worth it to me when it all comes together. You have to make it work for you - sometimes I draw up a mental schedule in my head for the week, but I allow it to change. I usually try to post 2-5 times a week; that varies on what I'm working on and what is going on in blogland that I am participating in.

2. Engaging content: If you want to write a blog, you have to make it interesting (if it's interesting to you, it will come out in your writing). Additionally, I almost always include a picture - I am a visual person and I know many readers (who stare at fabric and quilt patterns!) are, too. You have to find a balance between knowing when to write a lot and when to write a little. For example, sometimes it makes sense to just post a picture and a couple words about a project I am starting (though Instagram, I find, works even better for this). For a WIP (work in progress) or Finish post, if you have a lot to say, you should say it! Your readers are interested in knowing how you went about something (remember the Process Pledge?); personalized posts with lots of details make for good reading and great inspiration.





3. Awesome pictures: There are tons of great tutorials/posts out there about taking great pictures. It's become one of my favorite parts of the process - when there's a finish, I need to figure out where a good picture can be taken. By the way, I don't use a fancy-schmancy camera - I have a pretty old Canon Powershot, and sometimes I use my phone (though lately the husband has been begging to take pictures with his fancy-schmancy camera, so I let him. Almost all the pics in this post were not taken with it). I always, always, always go for the outside shot for finished quilts, because nothing looks better on a quilt than natural light (*this is my opinion but lots of bloggers agree!). Sometimes I go for the artsy photos, and sometimes the straight on ones look best. Take a whole bunch, invest in some fun quilty partners to take the pictures/hold up the quilt, and you've got yourself a fun photoshoot. Don't be afraid to show the "behind the scenes" - that's what makes your blog fun to read!

 

 Curled up with my nieces on our recent trip to Maine :) This is one of the first quilts I ever made - it's my oldest niece's.

 

 Brave the snowstorm! I dare you!

I also try to take pictures of the process and of sewing on the machine during the day. Nighttime pictures just don't look that wonderful. And on a blog, "look" can mean a lot. It means a lot just to me. Which is why it's worth it to wait for the sun!

 This picture was taken at night, but looking back, I know it would have looked better the next day. It was a process photo, though, and I knew I was going to get farther with the quilting, so I decided to fly with it.

 Beautiful, glorious natural light!

4. Easy, accessible layout: This is still something I struggle with, though I've switched (probably forever) to a white background - I like the crisp, clean look. Who knows, though, I might change my mind suddenly :) When a reader, old or new, visits your blog, and they can get to your social media icons, pages, and links easily, you are in good shape.  I'm not here to give you the how-to on everything Blogger (and sorry, I know nothing about Wordpress) but you really can learn your away around with some practice. I like to think I'm pretty good with Blogger, so if you have a specific question, I'd be happy to help. Try and figure out what works best for your blog.

5. Linking up and making connections with other bloggers: This step is so, so important and so wonderful! Even without a blog, of course, it's possible to make friends with bloggers by commenting on their posts and emailing them. However, when you have a sewing blog that is up to date, the blogger you are in contact with will likely visit your blog, too. You might both be inspired by what the other sees, and you can cheer each other on through comments whenever one of you posts. I have several friends like this and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, long-distance, quilty support system! Also, one of my favorite ways to connect with bloggers is being friends with them in person; some of my fellow CJMQGers like Rachel, Jess, and Kristina read each others' blogs.

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Now it's your turn! Some questions you might consider for your post: What is your advice for starting and/or managing and/or writing a sewing blog? What is your favorite part about blogging? Why do you blog? How does blogging affect your quilting?









This has been an awesome series. I learned so much reading your posts. Check back next week for a final link up of your goals, and later this week for the prize post!

Sewing With Certainty Schedule:

Introduction Post

• Sunday, November 3: First Linky Party! Write a blog post about the crafty areas in which you want to gain more confidence, and/or discuss a project you will be working on during the series that will help you gain this confidence.
• November 10: Choosing Fabrics
• November 24: Perfection
• December 8: Approaching New Patterns/Concepts
• December 22: Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) with Christa of Christa Quilts
• January 5: Creating Your Own Designs
• January 19: Showcasing Your Work with Laura of Little and Lots
• YOU ARE HERE >>>February 2: Writing A Sewing Blog
• February 9: Final Linkup! Write a blog post about a project you worked on during the series that helped you gain confidence in your skills.
• February 16: Prizes awarded from all Linky Parties!