Happy New Year, everyone! I’ve really been enjoying reading all the “looking back” posts by sewing bloggers. I’ve never done this before but it brings so much perspective so I decided to jump in on the fun! I’m pretty shocked at how much I actually made because I consider myself a slow sewist–intentionally so, because I like really taking my time to refine patterns. There was a lot that didn’t get blogged about, either.
2012 was a pretty topsy-turvy year, full of many changes. A not so small one included us living in a rental most of the year while we did some renovations to our beloved arts and crafts home. There’s a whole story there, but the major bonus of this rental was the space–for the first time in my life I had a sewing room! I’ve been sewing since I was a teenager and always wanted a space just for that, to come in and out of as I please without having to haul machines back and forth out of closets, cut on the floor, etc. Derek always reminds me that sewing is a tool-heavy craft. I didn’t even have room for an ironing board in our house, and I’ve been collecting sewing paraphernalia for twenty years!
My top faves:
Persian lamb coat with leather trim (Burda December 2011, #114)
My first big project of the year was tackling a leather and fur coat. I had so much fun making this and trying new techniques, and it has to be my favorite handmade garment so far–it turned out so perfectly, is so me, and I’ve worn it quite a bit.
Satin PJs (Burda November 2009, #129 and #132)
This was my second pair of handmade pjs and I’ve worn both sets to pieces (I think I probably need a little more variety!). Little did I know, lingerie would start to become a bit of an obsession…
Scallop shorts & Mariner bodysuit (Pattern Runway, tutorial at Daughter Fish)
I got wise this year and started in on my summer project ideas in early spring. I intended to make several more pair of shorts but as you’re about to see, things took a much different turn! I’m including these in my faves because I was pretty proud of the fit I got on these (it took 3 muslins, but I haven’t gotten this far on pants yet!).
Peasant top and skirt (1970s Simplicity 7892 and self-drafted skirt)
Award for most-worn-thing-I-made-ever goes to this butterscotch yellow top. I’m still wearing it this week! I’m a little surprised because yellow isn’t normally my color–is actually the furthest thing from my color–but it somehow goes with everything and reminds me I need some more easy blouses. This whole outfit was a knockoff of a Salvadore Ferragamo runway look.
Sewaholic Cambie Dress
I really wanted to try my hand at pattern-testing so I eagerly signed up for Tasia’s Cambie dress. I made actually made two but this one was my favorite. Despite the fact that this dress isn’t my usual style, this was one of my favorite makes this year. I love how her patterns fit me and I intend to use this dress as a block for some other designs. And this won’t be the last time I sew with a cotton/silk voile. It was heaven to work with and so perfect in our climate.
From about May onwards, I went lingerie-crazy. I knew that I had found something of my sewing “calling” in lingerie, and decided to start developing some of my own patterns, including my first, the Rosy Ladyshorts. I’ve now collected quite the library of books on bra-making, drafted about 15 different bra and underwear blocks, and have been experimenting a lot with concepts in grading (read: math) especially for stretch fabrics. I really look forward to making more patterns and maybe even some custom bras for friends!
One thing that’s been hilariously consistent is my inconsistency as a blogger. That’s about to change and real fast! The lingerie-fest continues as I kick off the bra-making sew-along next week. I’m really excited for the New Year!
I hope y’all have a happy, imaginative and creative 2013!
