End of the Year Review!
Well, it’s the end of the year which means everyone does a summary of what we made this year. I really enjoy reading other people’s review posts I never actually did one of these for 2013, I think I thought about it but then it was almost the end of January and at that point I guess I figured it was too late.
But this year I’m going to do one of these posts. Let’s get started!
2014 Makes
I made about 30 items of clothing (not counting a couple unblogged pieces and costumes):
And this is where it gets surprising – when categorizing “hits” and “misses” most of these are clear hits and I don’t really have any big misses…
“Misses”
The only that immediately comes to mind is my Mathilde Blouse and only because of fabric choice. The pattern is great but the fabric I used really should have just been for a lining of a jacket rather than a shirt on it’s own. It wrinkles terribly (and I can’t steam out those wrinkles) and even though it is silk it just doesn’t look “nice,” ya know?
I still wear it occasionally but I definitely intend to try this one again in, say, a cotton voile.
TNT Patterns
Quite a few, it seems.
#1 Grainline’s Archer Shirt. I made three! And I wear them all the time.
#2 True Bias Hudson Pant. I made a plain black lounge-y pair and a “fancy” pair.
#3 Burdastyle Book Blouse. This is the third version of this shirt and it’s one of my faves.
Most Adventurous Makes
Definitely my experimental Cynthia Rowley Vlisco outfit. It’s pretty wild and crazy. And I know my Holly Jumpsuit seems tame in comparison but it’s still a bold move for me to wear a romper.
Favorite Dresses
It’s a hassle to get into because of those straps but my coral Cynthia Rowley dress is pretty sweet.
The white trim on my navy silk Flora Dress makes it win out over my other By Hand London dress I made this year (which had some crummy poly fabric that I didn’t end up liking).
And how could I forget my Breathless Dress? It also got the most pageviews of any make this year (thanks Tilly!). It’s absolutely a make I’m especially proud of.
Most Used Fiber
Cotton: 18
Silk: 3
Cotton/Silk Blend: 1
Linen: 1
Rayon: 4
Poly: 1
Blend/Mystery: 3
Knits vs Wovens
Knits: 9 (counting a couple unblogged)
Wovens: 24
Garment Type
Tops: 12
Bottoms: 5
Dresses: 10
Outerwear: 1
Rompers: 1
Weird matching set thing: 1
Most Worn
This one is tough because I wear nearly all of these makes often, weather permitting, with the exception of the “party dresses” and the psycadelic Vlisco outfit.
The most worn items are my casual ones like tops because I can wear them with jeans or shorts and my two mini skirts ’cause I can wear them when I can’t find my jeans or shorts.
It’s easier to talk about the least worn garments…
Least Worn
My cat, Peanut, ATE one of the tie strings off my Pintuck Sundress. Not all of it but now the string is way too short to wrap around to the front. I haven’t taken the time to fix it. I know I ought to have enough fabric left somewhere.
I gotta be honest… I forgot I made this dress. Does that ever happen to anyone else? Where the heck is it??? *rummages through drawers*
For some reason I just haven’t worn this dress that often. I think after making it the fabric feels too “party” for everyday wear.
Looking back I’m a little in shock. Nearly all of my makes this year were winners, that’s a first. None of these have been put in the “take to Goodwill” pile. I should pat myself on the back for this year.
Costuming
The thing with this whole historical costuming business is that in order to have a full completed outfit you need so many details: corsets, petticoats, shifts, hair styling, accessories. It’s not just “the dress” and that’s what’s keeping me from showing off my costumes.
So far I have a completed Regency era outfit with undergarments.
Currently I have an 1840s dress that is *thisclose* to being finished but I need more petticoats (and maybe a wig?). I just finished one petticoat and I need at least two more. The dress itself came together quite quickly for being a big fancy dress.
I finished a Victorian corset which I showed in a decorated state to be used with this work-in-progress cosplay.
I also have a couple shifts (undershirts) from different eras and I’m working on a mid-late 18th century shift for an upcoming colonial era outfit.
Other Accomplishments and Fun
I got to meet some new lovely sewing friends and grew closer to some local gals. I did some pattern testing for By Hand London and Jolie Marie Louise. I participated in Sewing Indie Month. Attended Pattern Review Weekend here in Austin. Became part of the Blank Slate Sewing Team.
I’d say 2014 was a pretty good year for sewing! If I have any goals for next year I guess I want to ramp up the historical sewing and costuming. As for regular wardrobe sewing I’d like to make more everyday wearable dresses that I can just throw on in a pinch and feel comfortable in. Oh, and maybe finish that darn skirt pattern I’ve been working on and off with for months. 😉
That looks like a pretty great year to me! I hope 2015 is even better.
Oh, cats. Mine just bites holes in my yardage, but hey, that’s my fault because I left it where he could get it. You had a great sewing year!
What a series of rad makes! Here’s to an epic 2015 for you, lovely!
Nice year end review!
Gorgeous outfits, one and all! It was awesome to meet you this year, and I hope that I’ll be able to venture down to Austin again before long!
Great roundup! I have to say out of the many reflection posts I’ve seen yours is up there with the number of wearable garments. I’d love to get to the point in my own sewing where I knew my style so well I could choose as well as you!
30 something hit garments is something to be really chuffed about!
Amazing! That Cynthia Rowley two-piece is particularly stunning 😀
this is such a great and thorough list. and i love that the hudson pants made the list! you have been a very busy sewer this year. love your blog and getting this peek into your life.
What at great review! Thanks for sharing. I love seeig your costumes pieces, too!
Happy new year! You had really fantastic makes. Thanks for blogging and sharing your projects this year!
What a wardrobe. Happy New Year Jo x
What a great sewing year! I’m with you on struggling to pinpoint my misses… I’m at a point where I know what I like and just don’t take that many sewing risks… haha not sure that’s a good thing, but whatever. Love your roundup!
My goodness Dixie, what a busy year you’ve had! You’ve made such beautiful things as well…I love seeing what you create so I’m all tuned in for 2015!
Such classy beautiful garments. I loved the smugglers daughters dress, so different and of course your breathless dress.
What a fun round-up! I love your categories and stats.
Your cat eating your strings hits close to home! My cat is crazy for yarn, and I swear she can even smell it on my hands if I’ve been knitting. If I set a knitting WIP down for even a second, she will immediately try to bite/lick it, and will chew off any loose pieces of string. Cats are such assholes sometimes…
Great round-up! I still love that outrageous 2-piece set. I don’t know where I would ever wear such an outfit, but it must have been fun to sew. You should throw a party where everyone is required to wear fabulous outfits!
Wow! You have made tons of gorgeous things!! Can’t wait to see what you do in 2015! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year. You really accomplished a lot in sewing this year. I like that you really thoroughly went through what you wear vs. what you don’t wear. ANd yes, I sometimes forget about some items too. I find I love the dresses I make but that I am more likely to wear pants and blouses. In Canada it feels like we have 10 months of winter and I am generally too busy keeping warm so dresses are out except in summer.
Wow you had a great sewing year in 2014! Like the way you rounded things up in little categories too! 🙂 Happy new year!
Hey thanks and even though we here have ten months of summer I still end up wearing shirts and shorts/jeans most often. But I’m not giving up on dresses just yet. I think the trick is going to be making dresses that are just easy wash and wear so I can throw one on in a second and be out the door. Happy new year!
I’ve been wanting to do some kind of dress-up-party for ages. Maybe this year it will happen. Once summer rolls around I’m sure I’ll get some wear out of the top half of that outfit at least.
Thanks a lot!
Ugh my cat is like that with any sort of string shaped object: ribbon, elastic, any kind of electrical wire, headphones, kitchen twine. It’s rediculous. But cats, tho, right? Gotta love ’em.
thanks Nicole!
Thanks, I think that smugglers daughter dress was one of my favorite patterns of this year. I should make another…
Thank you! As have you 😉 happy new year and happy sewing!
I’m like you, I just know what I like. At this point I think I’ve moved most of my “risk taking” makes into the costume catagory. But even after all these years of sewing I’m still surprised I make mistakes when choosing fabric. That’s where my misses usually come from.
Thanks!
Thanks! Happy new year to you, too!
Thanks, the Hudsons are the only pants I’ve ever made to have truly competed with the reign of the jeans. I’d say that’s a big success.
thanks lady!
Thanks so much! I loved meeting you and getting all the girls out together. Lots of fun and I’d love if you got to come back for another trip!
Wow, your cat is hardcore. But I know what you mean about being careful where you leave stuff. I swear my cat hunts through the house for non-food to eat.
Thanks!
Hey thanks gin!!
Oh my goodness! Haven’t you been busy! Wonderful year of great makes – can’t wait to see what you make in 2015!
Great post! I recently accidentally figured out a way to get the crotch curve down pat. I made a “practice” pair of pants directly from my sloper, stuffed myself into it and wore the sloper around for awhile hoping I could figure out why they camel-toed at the front crotch.. When I took them off I noticed that an exact line where the crotch curve should be had formed by pressing itself into the fabric. Transferred that line to my sloper, and bingo, it’s perfect!
I just found this on Pinterest and am linking to it, because there is no sense in my repeating what you wrote so well. Credit all over to you!
I have that same pattern sitting in my closet. Thank you for posting your result. That dress looks fantastic on you!
Great round up! Oh, I am so waiting for that cute skirt pattern of yours! 😉
You had such a wonderful year darling. Loved that your most daring outfit is made with the same pattern of one of my favourite makes of the year
Wow! What an impressive collection! So inspiring!