advice on starting a sewing blog

I know this is the place to go for advice since so many of you have such lovely blogs out there!

I've been thinking for some time about setting up a blog.  At the moment I wouldn't be using it for business, as I work full time and sewing is my hobby - it is rare for me to finish anything before I start the next project, so would be hard for me to make money off of the hobby right now!  But I would like to have the blog as a way of recording and keeping track of things I see that I like, and projects I've started, finished or am just thinking about.  I would like this to be something that others would find interesting and hopefully useful occasionally, and that potentiailly could be expanded into a small business if one day I decide to move in that direction.  Probably wouldn't  be just sewing, but other craft projects and things I do with my kids, e.g. camping ideas. 

I'd really welcome any suggestions at all for how to set up a good blog that people would enjoy following. I've set up an account at blogspot but haven't really done anything with the page yet. Thanks in advance!

Just start writing blog posts about any sewing projects, patterns, or techniques that interest you.  You have to write about something you like, or your content will feel forced.  If you are using your blog primarily as a journal, then put in any links you find that interest you so you can go back and find them easily.

Don't expect miracles when it comes to followers at first.  It took months for my blog to get "going" and attract followers.

You can check out my blog for an example if you like:
http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com

Have fun with your new blog, and post your URL so we can follow it!

Paula

Thanks, Paula.  I like your blog, and can so identify with that 'why on earth isn't this working' feeling!

I've set up my blog at whenaflowergrowswild.com but there isn't really much content yet.  Hoping to do some over the weekend!

It can really be a weird feeling.  I actually just started my branched off craft blog from my personal one.  I got sick of family complaining about my crafting 'crap' and once I started to get a decent number of followers, I started to feel weird about posting about my kids.  Sooooo, I decided do-over!

I've tried several formats and I like blogger best.  Download Picasa from google--it's free!--because you can 'watermark' your pictures so people can't steal them.

(or you know if they do!)  You can also make cool collages and your own custom headers, etc.

I took the plunge and got 733 to design my blog this time around.  I plan to do limited sales (when people ask me to make stuff for them, I am thinking that it will encourage me to let them pay for it, rather than me spending money on materials then just giving it to them).  I'm using Big Cartel for that (nothing will be in there until closer to Chirstmas--haha)

I would just start going until you get your groove.  Maybe you want to do different things on different days of the week?  Join linky parties.  leave your blog address IN every comment.  When you sign in and look at your dashboard, you can see where people are coming from, if they found your blog from a google search, etc.  Really fun stuff!

I just do it for fun, to get feedback and share what I am doing since a lot of my family isn't interested.  I also work and have 3 kids so I will get stretches that I don't blog.  And that is ok, because I am not in it for the money, the followers, etc.

Really, you will notice how much you like to get comments, so you might start commenting more too!

Ok, I need to get to sleep, but you can see a shell of my old blog:  www.etownhooks.blogspot.com (I was featured on SMS for my scrappy reusable produce bag...)  Oh yeah!  Get a creative commons license...I was standing in line at acmoore and flipped through a few mags to find my produce bag tutorial with new pictures, but instructions nearly word-for-word.  It just makes you feel used, so set yourself up some protection!

my new blog is www.strawberrystitches.blogspot.com
I am starting a memory quilt-a-long there...

Angel