Hello friends!
I’m on a little bit of a small sewing hiatus at the moment as I’ve been sick, so I thought it would be a great time to reflect on my sewing from last year and focus on what I want to sew this year.
2014 was a great year for me on many levels, with the best thing that happened to me being that I was prescribed my scleral lenses and was finally able to SEE! This helped my sewing greatly as I was no longer squinting and trying hard to see while I sewed due to my eye disability — keratoconus. I was able to start sewing more with less concentration (and headaches) and it was like seeing everything in HD after viewing the world through a muddy, unclear filter. This also meant that I could actually SEE myself and my appearance and you may have noticed a big difference between my photos pre-lenses and post-lenses. I could not see before if I had a scowl on my face in photos or if I looked deranged…. It was also really difficult to take photos without my glasses and I couldn’t hardly see in the sun. These lenses have been an absolute blessing and I feel so thankful and fortunate that I was able to get them through my specialist at UC Davis.
Alicia has mentioned how I really seem to be coming into my style and I completely agree with her. I deliberate more on what I’m going to make and I spend a lot of time looking at fabrics. I no longer buy fabrics that I don’t feel are good quality and I only go for a deal if it is something that is on my list of fabrics that I want to wear. I also looked through the colors in my closet to see what was lacking and added those colors to my list. I also try very hard not to buy fabrics I don’t need, witnessed during a recent trip to Britex in San Francisco where I abstained from buying any fabric (I was there for patterns) as the ones I wanted were seasonally inappropriate and didn’t seem right to buy right now (if they were on sale I would have been all over them though….). 🙂
Kelly recently posted some charts that graphed her sewing from last year and I thought that would be a great thing to do, especially as I’m a bit of a listmaker (and a dork…).
2014 was the year I delved into sewing with knits and never looked back. That sure is evidenced by this chart! Woven dresses are still tops with me, but will they be in 2015? I guess we’ll have to see! I only charted garments that I had blogged about and ones that I made for myself. There were some skirts and UFOs that didn’t get included and the last two dresses I made in 2014 that have yet to be photographed.
I also branched out from my regular style last year and tried some different silhouettes. I found that I still prefer my favorite fit and flair dresses and those are what I wear most often. It’s good to try other things though and I plan to do more of that this year as well!
As far as patterns that I sewed with — BlueGingerDoll and Colette are my obvious favorite pattern companies. That’s do mostly to the fact that I like the fit of their patterns and I know what to expect with their patterns. I also love the styles that both Abby and Sarai design and there will definitely be more makes from their patterns this year.
As far as what I hope to make this year, perhaps if I tell you, maybe I will actually do it??!
1. Sewaholic Robson
[source: Sewaholic Patterns]
2. A Winter Coat
I have three wool coatings sitting in my stash waiting to be made into various coat patterns. Will I make this before it’s no longer useful? Who knows… this has been sitting on my sewing list for far over a year. I’ve been reminded of this as of late as I’ve been wearing my lovely dark red Kenneth Cole wool coat that rarely gets worn out here. I usually only get wear out of these coats whilst visiting the East Coast or the Midwest, but it has been chilly here and they do come in handy.
3. A Bra (and panties)
I have the patterns. I have the fabrics. I have the notions. I took the craftsy class. Why oh why do I not do this? It can’t be that hard? I mean really, I’ve made corsets — I can make a freakin’ bra!! 2015 needs to be the year I hunker down and do this instead of being perennially tempted by all of the pretty dresses.
4. Leggings
I wear these all the time in cold weather — why don’t I make some???!! I have a few legging patterns, but haven’t decided which to make yet. If you’ve made leggings, what patterns do you like?
5. A Suit (and a blazer)
Back in the day when I was involved with politics and non-profits I wore a lot of suits. In more recent years I didn’t wear as many when I was involved in academia and participated in forums, lectures and conferences as I could get by with “dress clothes”. I only have one suit now (a pink tweed skirt suit from Lane Bryant back when they had some really nice clothing in 2005) and it’s a bit tight. I would like to have a couple more suits that are more my style and have the patterns and suitings to make them. I’m about ready to become part of an organization where I will be wearing suits and nice dresses and it would be nice to have some me-made ones. I would also like to have the quintessential navy blazer.
Yep, I need to get off my bum and make these. Maybe I will be held accountable now as I’ve made this list public. Or maybe I will just ignore it another year? What I really like to make are clothes that I wear everyday — which is what you see here on this blog. It’s time to fulfill those vacant areas on my me-made list and DO THIS! *cue manly fist punching*
I’m working on some cool and fun projects that I’ll be sharing SOON. And I’m looking forward to showing you those!
Awesome post! I’m a sucker for a good pie chart. I’m such a geek-oid that I’ve made a spreadsheet to track my makes this year.
I’m really looking forward to reading about your projects in 2015.
hey lady- what a productive year! and you didn’t even quantify all of the garments that I made after I was inspired by seeing your awesome stuff 😉
I just left this (exact same) comment on Andie’s blog after her year end roundup mentioned leggings, so I feel like a bit of an evangelist. I make all of my leggings using this tutorial on the etsy blog: https://blog.etsy.com/en/2012/design-sew-your-own-leggings/
I can’t believe I don’t see more people in the sewing blogosphere use
it, so i am trying to spread the word. I drafted my pattern exactly to
my measurements and then did not add in a seam allowance, so I think
that would result in 1/2 inch of negative ease when I use my serger’s
1/4 inch seam allowance. Depending on how much vertical stretch there is
in a fabric, I sometimes remove an inch in length across the thigh and
the calf. Let me know if you want to chat about legging making, I LOVE
leggings and wear them almost every day.
I didn’t mention this on Andie’s blog because I know she is in Canada, but I use the exact same fabric for all my leggings and they always turn out great. Its the basic cotton/spandex thin jersey that Joann’s carries (retails here for 14.99 I think, but is totally reasonable with a sale/coupon) and its available in a wide variety of colors, which is great. It wears pretty well and has good stretch and recovery. The only downside is that they don’t have a good gray color.
I’ve been inspired quite a bit this year by you and other sewing peeps. That would be another chart! 🙂
I’ll have to remember that for leggings. I sure hope I make some rather than buy…. I never look at Joanns knits, but I guess I should check them out. I already have some knits in my stash set aside for leggings. Guess I just have to get to it! I guess this is “cake” and I’m always swayed by the “frosting” (per Andie) 🙂
I am excited to see to see future coats! Long to make but fun to wear! Love the productive chart!
Thanks, Nakia! I’d love to see them, too! It’s currently warm here now which certainly doesn’t inspire me to make any coats!
oH HAHAH it is so cold over here in canada – 27 weather .. .but I want to make some blazers possibly!
I’d rather be in the cold weather!! I miss zero temps! haha 🙂 My problem right now I think is finding the right blazer fabric. I already have some patterns, so I have that down. Seems like they’d be a cool spring cover-up, too, when it’s a little nippy.
I know heavy cottons are great if you can find them. 🙂 But springtime for a cut blazer will be very ideal right now.
So you want to switch weather destinations? 😀
I was thinking gabardine for colder weather and a cotton sateen for warmer weather. I’d definitely switch weather with you!
I love infographics! You had a wildly productive year in 2014! I expect that 2015 will be another year of fun-filled sewing! The Robson is on my wish list. I bought fabric for it already, but the weather turned bitterly cold before I was able to get it started. Maybe this year. 😀
Info-graphics are the best! 🙂 I’m hoping that 2015 will be full of some interesting makes and maybe I will step it up a notch. I wonder how the Robson would be if you made it into a winter jacket and lined it with flannel?
I really like a legging pattern without outside seams, Kwik Sew used to make a fantastic one, but I’m not sure they do anymore. In anycase, I will just franken any legging pattern to remove the outside leg seam and be only one pattern piece, so the only seams are the crotch seam and inseams. Oh and look! These fit the bill…http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k3636-products-20176.php?page_id=3334
I don’t like outside seams either! I have this fabulous bebe knit I picked up from Fabric Mart months ago that will make perfect leggings. Lets see if I make them rather than buy them as I’ve already been perusing online… haha 🙂
Part of it is that I am crazy lazy and love the idea of one pattern piece for a whole garment also. I have frankenpatterned pajama pants to also remove the outside seam because of this extreme laziness.
I don’t think of that as laziness — more innovation. 🙂
I’m with you on leggings, but I can’t find a pattern that works for me. I had horrible problems with the Espresso leggings pattern, because I’m really not a typical shape for the pattern. I am drafting a pattern using my RTW leggings.
I loved reading about your happiness with your lenses. 🙂 It’s so awesome to have such an incredible improvement! 🙂 I’m so happy for you!
Those charts on what you’ve sewn are really neat. I might have to try that. Although, I didn’t sew a ton in 2014, but I still want to do charts, because….charts! Mind if I copy cat you on that? 🙂
Seamwork has a new leggings pattern, too, but it seems like I should try one of the patterns I already have first. Mel mentioned below in the comments about a site where you can draft your own, too.
I do love my lenses! I loved my glasses a bit more as I’m a glasses person, but I love being able to see perfectly even better! 🙂
I’m a total chart person, too. I get all over spreadsheets and tables… Copy away as this is a copy of a copy 🙂
Thanks, Tanya! I added the charts to my final top 5 entry. 🙂
I saw those leggings in Seamwork. I like the tulip detail, but also think I should use what I have… I have three other leggings patterns that I got in pattern bundles this year. I might try those, too…
Yeah, that’s why I think I should try things I have first…. I tried to check out your post that was emailed to me yesterday and it said “page not found”, but now I see that it’s on your site, so I will comment now, as I’ve already read it! 🙂
I had trouble with the date on the entry and had to change it…twice. It changed the link. Blerg. I figured it would mess things up for email subscribers. 🙁
That’s okay as we could read it in full in the email. Just have to go to your site to get the real one to comment!
Yeah I really think the Seamwork legging pattern is adorable. I am totally going to sew that or at least steal the cute petal band for other leggings.
I love that petal band. I usually wear my leggings out with boots and under dresses/skirts so no one would see it. However, I do wear them at home with tees and then I would see it! 🙂
Ahhhh! A fuchsia silk trench?!?!?!?! Make it!!!!!!! That sounds AMAZING.
I’m also so glad to hear that your vision is so improved now! Sounds like your lenses have changed your life! That’s great news!!!
In theory it sure does sound amazing! haha! 🙂 I forgot to mention that I even have all of the buttons for it, which wasn’t an easy feat…
Yes, the lenses are the best thing ever!!!
You can draft a pattern for leggings based on your own measurements. I’d only drafted an a-line skirt before, but doing the leggings pattern was really easy and the leggings fit really well. I think I used the instructions here:http://www.onelittleminuteblog.com/2013/01/drafting-and-sewing-leggings-stretch-yourself/
Thanks, Mel!!! I will check that out. 🙂 I’ve only drafted bag patterns a skirt lining — I’m more of a patterns person, but that might be up my alley.
I live in a cold climate, and I also keep pushing my coat project off. I think it is something that I am going to have to be in the mood for, and honestly right now I am not in the mood for it. Thanks for mentioning me on your blog, I really do appreciate it! Panties can become addictive to sew, because they are quick, and once you have a good fitting pair you will never go back RTW!
It seems like the best time to make a coat is before it gets cold and you need it. However, I like to make things that I can wear immediately, so I never do it like that…. I’ve been saving my jersey dress remnants for panties, so I have a lot I could make if one sat down and made them…
Wonderful plans, Tanya! Looking forward to your suits!
Thank you, Marianne!! I hope you will see at least one this year! 🙂
I have tried the Burda Style leggings pattern and it is quite good but then I only used it for my daughter when she was younger. Must dig it out again actually. That is a really comprehensive list. I am hearing you about suits. I need them for work too and van never find anything that fits well and that I like. Do you follow Rhonda Buss ‘ blog? She has been running a sew along for that trench coat pattern and has made a couple of amazing versions. Xx
Thankfully there are lots of suit patterns out there to choose from! I wish colette would come out with something along those lines that’s more complicated than their usual patterns. I think I remember hearing about the Robson sewalongs through Tasia. Must check it out and get motivated!
I really enjoyed this post. I love seeing other people analyze what they sew and talk about their goals. I had “winter coat” on my to-do list for a while, but it never got done when I lived in SoCal. I finally bit the bullet now that I live in Seattle and am in progress with the Leanne Marshall coat that came out from Simplicity this fall. I decided to underline the lining for extra warmth, and with that extra step, this coat is taking me FOREVER. I’m hoping to have it done in time to actually wear it this winter. (It doesn’t help my motivation that we’re having an extremely mild winter here this year.)
Most of my reasoning for not making a coat last year was the mild winter. It’s actually cold now, so maybe that will help!!
In addition to pants and fitted skirts, I need a raincoat. I think I have a pattern or two, now I just need to assess my needs and make decisions. Honestly, I need to make some more knit dresses. I made my Moneta during the sew along and I’ve worn it so much I’ve got a few tiny holes around the waist that I wear a cardigan over and hope no one notices.
I used mccalls 6517 to make a hooded raincoat a couple years ago. I lined it, too, and its nice but I never got around to putting buttons on it! And yes, you definitely need to make more monetas! And so do I! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you make this year!
I’m working on a buttery yellow Moneta with a peter pan collar right now and have a red one with the bow collar planned and a patterned one as well. I need to use more fabric before I go buying more, but have you seen Birch Fabric’s new interlock?
As to rain coats I have a pattern for a very urban looking anorak, McCall’s 6531, that reminds me a lot of what I see college students wearing around here. I was thinking of doing it in a rip-stop nylon for something really practical that I could layer. I thought I’d picked up another raincoat pattern since I’ve been hitting those $2.99 sales pretty hard, but turns out I exercised some restraint.
Oh, those Monetas sound wonderful!! I haven’t seen Birch’s new interlock. I love their knits, but the ones I’ve seen were too narrow in the width.
Anoraks are cool! That will be wonderful to make and wear!
I keep going back and forth on what I’d do with the interlock and who I’d be buying it for. The line I’m eyeing has all the pink roses and little birds against cadet blue, it’s a little sweet for me but I love it. I have a pattern for a loose blouse that might be nice or maybe the leggings from the new Seamwork…