It’s not often you’ll read a sewing column where I tell you to stop sewing. Seriously. Step away from your machine (or machines – lucky you!). It’s time to do a wardrobe audit.

Now I think it’s best to imagine some fun music here – maybe a little funk to set us up – because believe it or not, this is a fun job. And it’s also essential. It’s very easy to hop on the merry-go-round of sewing, constantly jumping onto the next thing you want to make. Sorry to be the fun police, but how sustainable is that? For the environment, for your budget and also for your sanity.

Think about why you started sewing in the first place. For me, it was because I had very specific things in mind that I wanted in my wardrobe and just couldn’t find in shops. Along the way I’ve come to really value considered design that suits my body and high-quality fabrics and construction.

And what’s that got to do with a wardrobe edit? Well, if you’re constantly filling your wardrobe, you’re probably not being true to why you sew. And also, let’s be real, it’s bloody hard to pick an outfit when there’s too much in there.

OK, let’s have a little pep-up to prepare for the next leg of this relay (I’ve got a shot of espresso): how to audit your wardrobe. For my own audit, I used the excellent Create Your Dream Wardrobe worksheet from the amazing folks at the Love to Sew podcast – it’s free if you sign up to their newsletter. But I also found useful tips all over the internet and had some brain sparks of my own while pondering my wardrobe, so below I present a mash up of ideas that worked for me and hopefully they work for you, too.

STEP ONE: GET THINKING For this first step, you’ll need a notebook and pen and some coloured textas. We’re going to be asking ourselves a bunch of questions to work out how we wear our clothes and what styles we like.

What are the occasions you wear your clothes for? (Work / home / going out are some ideas – we’re going to do this section by section, so let’s pick our 'around home' clothes as an example.)

What’s more important – comfort or style?

What activities do you wear them for? (Kids / cooking lots / crafts / gardening / bike riding/ lounging.)

Any specific requirements? (Must be stretchy / machine washable / super hard wearing.)

List three things you love about your current wardrobe. (Might be specific items, or just general themes.)

List three things you’re not loving about your current wardrobe.

Think about some looks you’ve seen lately that you really like – what are three words you’d use to describe those looks?

Without thinking too hard, start scribbling some little swatches with the colours you like best – first colours that come to mind are best.

What’s the first type of fabric you’re always drawn to in the fabric shop? (Patterns / florals / textures / bold colours.)

What finishes catch your eye? (Sharp tailoring, sporty edges, big volume.)

Repeat these questions for the other categories of clothing in your life.

STEP TWO: THE BRUTAL EDIT This step is tough, but it’s also liberating. I won’t blame you if you grab a wine – and keep the music playing – let’s step it up now to something with a driving beat. You’ll need all the motivation you can muster.

Sit in front of your wardrobe: it’s time to work your way through the items of clothing one by one. You’ve articulated what you really want from your wardrobe, do these items stack up? Can they be altered so that they stack up? If they don’t, it’s time for them to go – even if you made them! Your options are: bin them, recycle them into your fabric stash, op shop them, gift them or sell them.

I found this step the hardest, but push through because now it’s time for the fun part.

STEP THREE: PLAN IT, DREAM IT, MAKE IT (OR JUST BUY IT) You’ve articulated what you want in your wardrobe and you’ve gotten rid of things that don’t fit the bill. So where are the gaps? What’s missing? Try writing down three items you want most after your brainstorm. Describe them. Then retrofit the fabrics and patterns that would work best.

I’m a planning nerd (seriously, I love it!) and I’d already mapped out my winter makes before I did my wardrobe audit:

• Natural denim Persephone pants
• A sheer black Romy style top
• Red merino top with an interesting neckline

But in writing down my three items post-brainstorm, I was so surprised to see how different the list was:

• Dark pants (I’ve gone with 14oz denim for durability and yes, the Persephone pattern because it’s a winner)
• Two warm skivvies in neutral colours (I’ve gone with the free Monroe pattern from Tessuti and black and chestnut merino fabric from The Fabric Store)
• A knit cardigan (I chose a navy mohair and the oversized Faye pattern from Cardigang)

I busted out the skivvies in a few hours and have hardly taken them off since. I’m about six rows of knitting away from finishing my blanket, sorry cardigan, and have been wearing it around the house with the needles dangling off the unfinished sleeve. Cool hey. And I’ve bought and washed my denim for my Persephones, ready to cut.

I went 110 per cent with my audit and I love what’s left in my wardrobe. But I also love that’s it really focussed my attention on what I like wearing and what I feel good in. Somewhere along the way I got a bit lost in all the exciting new pattern releases and the incredible makes of the sewing community on Instagram, but sewing is personal and it’s been nice getting in touch with that again.

Good luck with your audit – I’d love to see where you land on @sewinthewild