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.
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!
Would you like tips and inspiration in the craft of lingerie sewing? Sign up for my weekly eletter The Lingerie Maker.
SHEESH! You made some AMAZING things this year! I’m still blown away by your yellow peasant top set– that look is fantastic!
Amazing collection! Agree with Ginger about the peasant top and skirt: it looks fantastic on you! I am also very impressed by your bra/underwear collection. Last year I launched into bra making/drafting myself: it’s so much fun!
It IS so much fun. Thanks for the compliments. I do love how that set turned out.
All seriously gorgeous makes – I’m totally loving your style too 🙂
I love that coat!! And that gold/yellow ensemble!! I can’t wait to see what you make in 2013! Happy New Year!!!
That yellow top is great. I’m sure 2013 will be filled exciting endeavors as well!
Everything looks so amazing, especially love that coat…and the bras OF COURSE! They just blow me away, especially that purple one, dreamy! I’m a little behind getting my bra making supplies but I can’t wait for the sewalong to start! A Happy New Year and super creative 2013 to you!
Thanks Jen!
I’ve been loving all of your lingerie this year. It’s all gorgeous, and so inspiring. I didn’t think I’d be able to join your sew-along, but I bought a pattern and kit, and hopefully it’ll be here in time! So excited! I’ve been a totally inconsistent blogger too, and I’d like to be better about it, but life always seems to get in the way! I don’t mind inconsistency, though. I always enjoy your posts when they appear in my reader. 🙂 Oh, and happy New Year!
Thanks Abby. I’m excited you’re joining along! Blogging is a whole other craft, isn’t it? I take as much time on my posts as I do on my sewing, which just adds up to slow 😉
amy, you are a beautiful, young woman who has made a great many beautiful things in 2012, and your web documentation is impressive! i, on the other hand, having lost 165 pounds, am a wrinkled up, old woman of 62, about to begin your bra making class, and would like to start a similar documentation for 2013! i don’t know where to begin to do this. fortunately, i am not afraid to show my stupidity; is this a blog? can you show us how to make one of these also, for documenting our progress, as we make our bras? would this be too difficult for you to do? i apologise if i am out of line and asking too much; thanks. sande
Thank you so much for your kind comments! No, you are not out of line at all. Many women start blogs as a way of documenting their progress in all sorts of creative endeavors, and this is how I found so many sewing blogs–by women of many ages. I am in my 40s and some days I feel like an older blogger! (Before this I had a blog for gardening–my other great passion!) In the beginning I actually started Cloth Habit because I was following a sew-along and wanted a place to write about my progress! Do you have anyone near you who is familiar with blogs, uploading pictures, and can help you get started? Blogger.com and WordPress.com are very easy sites where you can start making one of your own.
All your makes are so beautiful, and it’s an inspiration how you model them – your photos are as beautiful as your garments 🙂 That’s definitely something I want to work on this year! 🙂 Love the lingerie too – it’s definitely a natural for you – your makes are so polished and professional; very inspirational!! 🙂
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