The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Ep. 36: New Year, New Sewing Goals

Release Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Bethany McCue & Audra Chaimson

Episode Overview

In this uplifting and practical episode, Bethany and Audra dive into setting intentional, achievable sewing goals for the new year. Rather than proposing pressure-filled resolutions, they advocate for mindful, “SMART” goal-setting – structuring aspirations around growth, enjoyment, and well-being, with plenty of room for self-compassion and flexibility. The discussion is rich with personal anecdotes, helpful analogies, and concrete systems for tracking progress, making it a motivational listen for sewists of any level as they reflect on 2025 and look forward to 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reflecting on 2025: Wins, Challenges, & Lessons Learned

[02:37-11:18]

• Reviewing Achievements and Surprises: Both hosts share proud moments from 2025. For Bethany, highlights include trips brought about by sewing, sold-out retreats, doubling her social media presence, launching the podcast, and taking bold steps to go “all-in” on her creative business.

  • Quote (Bethany, 05:32):
    “I kind of am taking this leap of faith to go all in on me and my Craft with Bethany Brand... Something I've always wanted to do for a very, very, very long time.”

• Learning from Discomfort: Audra focuses on her intention to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” pushing beyond her comfort zone and learning what truly brings joy.

  • Quote (Audra, 06:35):
    “I continued to stare that fear in the face and go, this is scary, but we're gonna do it... I know what brings me enjoyment, what fills my tank, what drains me.”

• Letting Go, Setting Boundaries: Both hosts stress the necessity of boundaries, being okay with unfinished projects, and pivoting when priorities or interests change.

  • Quote (Bethany, 08:20):
    “You have the permission to choose not to [finish a project]... It's okay to just stop doing it.”

Turning Failures Into Learning (“Fail Forward”)

[09:38-11:24]

• Audra introduces the concept of reframing failure as valuable input or “data” rather than an emotional setback.
  • Quote (Audra, 09:47):
    “I don't believe failure is a failure. Failure is purely input. ...Data input received. It is not a reflection on you.”
• Bethany relates this to sewing mishaps — every mistake is a chance to learn and improve.

The “Why” of Your Sewing Goals

[12:40-13:58]

• Begin your goal-setting with your “why” to avoid wandering aimlessly and ensure motivation endures.
  • Quote (Audra, 12:40):
    “If you don't have a why, then you're kind of like wandering aimlessly in the desert of possibilities.”

Structuring Goals: Categories and Anchors

[15:39-19:54]

• Three Goal Buckets:
  1. Skill Goals: Learning new techniques, machine accessories, or software.
  2. Project Goals: Completing a specific quilt, bag, garment, etc.
  3. System Goals: Improving organization, workflow, or adopting new habits.
• Anchor Goals vs. Quick Wins:
  Use an analogy of a balanced dinner and a fire — a few big (anchor) goals sustain you, while “kindling” (small, quick-win projects) keeps up momentum.
  • Quote (Audra, 19:12):
    “When we start a fire, we've got the big logs... But then you need the kindling. You need those little sticks... If you don't have both, that fire is gonna die out.”

Making Goals “SMART”

[20:38-30:36]

• SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound.
  • Break down large projects (e.g., learning all your machine feet, making a complex quilt) into monthly or weekly steps.
  • Write down your goals and schedule time for progress in your calendar.
  • Quote (Bethany, 21:58):
    “Maybe a goal this year could be, for example, tackling learning the different accessory feet... And we're doing 12 because there’s 12 months in the year.”
• Flexibility is critical; goals can (and should) be recalibrated as your actual year unfolds.
  • Quote (Audra, 27:36):
    “You have permission to change your goals if it doesn’t work… I’m actually going to make this an 18-month goal because it will be more enjoyable.”

Tracking Progress, Accountability & Systems

[33:25-44:22]

• Systems for Success:
  • Both analog (physical planners, e.g. Passion Planner) and digital (apps like Artful Agenda, Notes) are encouraged.
  • Regular check-ins (weekly, monthly, quarterly) help maintain momentum and reassess priorities.
  • Quote (Audra, 40:35):
    “The power of 10 minutes. Don’t underestimate the power of 10 minutes… You can take just 10 minutes and make little, little bits of progress.”
• Social Accountability:
  • Partner with fellow sewists, share goals out loud, and find (or create) communities for encouragement (e.g., The Social Sewist Facebook group).

Mindset, Self-Compassion & Words of the Year

[44:22-49:55]

• Choose a yearly “Word of the Year” as an intention. For 2026, Bethany chose “growth focus,” Audra “streamlined focus.”
  • Quote (Audra, 45:16):
    “I am a serial over committer... I need to start streamlining and focusing in because I’m starting to feel the pressure of all the yeses.”
  • Quote (Bethany, 46:25):
    “My word this year is also focused, but mine’s growth focused… My focus is growing my brand as a business in ways that I haven't had the time or capacity to be able to do in the past.”
• Be willing to let go of goals that no longer serve you, and don’t equate incompletion with failure.
  • Quote (Audra, 33:32):
    “Don’t be afraid. There’s absolutely nothing wrong if... you go, you know what? Two of those are not serving me anymore... It is perfectly, perfectly okay.”

Personal Moments and Notable Quotes

• Remembering the Year’s Lessons:
  Bethany describes surviving a year that was a “roller coaster,” including losing a job, family loss, and the feeling of weight being lifted as she steps into a new chapter.
  Quote (Bethany, 52:31):
  “Having that weight lifted off my shoulders, having the space and time to commit to the things that I've always been wanting to do, is what I'm going to focus on going forward. ...my ‘you love to see it’ is just the fresh start that the new year brings.”

• Listening to the Universe:
  Audra tells the story of the universe “benching” her with a back injury, compelling a reset and leading to her new intentional focus.

  • Quote (Audra, 51:26):
    “I'm like, okay universe, I know I need to slow down. I get it. This is a bit extreme though.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:37] — Reflection on personal growth and surprises from 2025
• [09:38] — Reframing failure as learning and “input”
• [12:40] — The importance of your “why” in goal setting
• [15:39] — Categorizing goals: Skill, Project, System
• [19:12] — Analogy: Balancing anchor goals and quick wins
• [20:38] — Breaking down goals into manageable pieces
• [26:53 & 27:36] — Adapting goals as life changes
• [33:25] — Checking in, pivoting goals, and data over failure
• [37:53] — Accountable systems and motivation
• [44:22] — Words of the Year and intentions for 2026
• [50:15] — “Love to See It” - Universe sending signals and embracing new beginnings

Notable Quotes

“I don't believe failure is a failure. Failure is purely input. ...Data input received. It is not a reflection on you.”
— Audra [09:47]

“You have the permission to choose not to [finish a project]. ...It's okay to just stop doing it.”
— Bethany [08:20]

“The power of 10 minutes. Don't ever underestimate the power of 10 minutes.”
— Audra [40:35]

“Don’t be afraid. There is absolutely nothing wrong if... you go, ‘you know what? Two of those are not serving me anymore.’ ...It is perfectly, perfectly okay.”
— Audra [33:32]

Tone & Style

Upbeat, encouraging, realistic, and filled with relatable humor and warmth. Bethany and Audra are candid about their own struggles and victories and foster a sense of camaraderie, emphasizing community support and self-compassion.

Recap & Actionable Takeaways

• Start with clear intentions and your why; let go of all-or-nothing thinking.
• Break big projects or ambitions into smaller, time-bound steps (use SMART goals).
• Balance growth-oriented (“anchor”) goals with quick, confidence-boosting wins.
• Write your goals down, keep them visible, and check in regularly; adjust as needed.
• Use systems—either analog (planners, lists) or digital (apps)—to stay accountable.
• Share your goals with others for added motivation and support.
• Above all: be kind to yourself, embrace learning, and remember that it’s perfectly okay to revise or set aside goals you'll revisit later.

Next Episode Teaser

Up Next: Tackling the “Lies We Tell Ourselves About Being a ‘Real’ Sewist” — expect a “spicy” and honest conversation about sewing identity and impostor syndrome.

For more goal-setting graphics and to join the conversation, join The Social Sewist group on Facebook, or connect on the podcast’s Instagram.

Happy New Year and Happy Sewing!