Over the last few weeks I’ve had a lot of non-sewing time which I just couldn’t tolerate. To pacify myself, I spent my spare time reading sewing blogs – a lot of them had their roundups of last year.
It made me think about what I liked, didn’t, and still wanna do with my sewing.
So for my first post of the new year, let’s keep it simple!
Let’s start with what I liked…
By far, last year I was happiest with my jackets, like my MotorCycle Express by Islander Sewing Systems. It was a complicated pattern for me to tackle but using the excellent instruction book included, I learned how to “bag” the lining properly and make sleeve gusset zippers and zipper pockets. Then there was the added bonus that the fabric was a gift from a friend!
My Sister’s Sewing Projects, the “Snake Skin“, “Picasso’s flowers” and the “Clark Gable” were all made with a 1989 vintage pattern, McCall’s 4408. I enjoyed them simply because I felt I was on an episode of a TV show where they give you ingredients and a recipe and say go to it. The fabrics my sister picked made me feel like I was learning a new style … and adjusting Petunia “The Dress Form Formerly Known As Dolly” to someone else’s measurements was a first!
Last year, I found my favourite skirt pattern (my TNT), the Sewaholic Hollyburn – there will be more of these in my future!
I also discovered a favourite top pattern (another TNT), Butterick B5988. Do you think I have made enough?
Eww, the nasty one… what I didn’t like… and can’t figure out what to do with…
There just must be SOMETHING I can do with this thing. I loved the look and feel of the fabric but no matter what I did it still felt like a thin shapeless T shirt fabric. I made a dress I didn’t like and refashioned it into a top I don’t even want to talk about! I think it still lies in a heap on the closet floor!
Lastly, looking to the rest of this year, what I still wanna do…
I always love a Challenge and I plan on taking part in a few this year, just like last year.
Jungle January is NOW! I have two bundles of animal print fabric and I am almost finished my first garment. Hopefully I will have time to finish my second before Jungle January is over! (I have the fabric but don’t know what I am going to make… that’s the delay.) Here’s my last year’s contribution…
I also plan on continuing my RTW FAST on Facebook. Last year was my first year… the first year of many to come. I enjoy not buying clothes and making my own. I tackled pants for the first time, after first tackling the slopers and muslins. I examined what I really had in my closet and what I really liked to wear, then I filled in the holes in my wardrobe with tops, pants and skirts. I really need to start on some dresses soon!
I’m also a fan of MAGAM (Make a Garment a Month) on Facebook. It’s a lovely group of creative sewists, helping each other out, sharing ideas, unveiling plans and trying to sew selfishly.
DESIGNIN’ DENIM – I plan on another pair of jeans this year. I already have my black denim fabric and am anxious to get my hammer and jeans buttons out and start smashing away!
DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER – What can I say… I think I may have already found my Designer photo to copy this year. Now I have to find my fabric. Why buy when you can make it yourself?
There are so many more Challenges and Sewing Groups, as you know … The Monthly Stitch, Sew It Chic, Me Made May…
Are you planning on joining a Challenge or Sewing Group this year?
Happy Sewing in 2016!
60 Responses to “What I liked, didn’t, and still wanna do!”
Wow! You are one busy, creative girl! I’m glad I’m not the only one with bloopers, but you have a lot of successes here! Can’t wait to see what you do in 2016!
Haha there is quite often something that goes wrong. That’s why seam rippers were invented!
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s come across cursed fabric. I bought some pretty floral fabric last year and made it into an awful dress that simply would not work. It ended up scrunched into a ball and hidden out of my sight, it was that bad. Next, I used part of the rest of the fabric to make some shorts and they were, if anything, worse than the dress. At this point, I decided the fabric was cursed and when I came across the remainder of it in the course of sorting out fabrics the other day, I took it straight out and dumped it in the bin, which is something I never do normally, but I just didn’t want to risk passing the curse on to some unsuspecting individual.
Good luck with your sewing goals for this year! Here’s hoping we can both steer clear of cursed fabric in 2016.
Yes it is nice to know I’m not alone in this! I sort of compare it to eating dessert, it looks so good, then afterwards I’m groaning cause I shouldn’t have! Well maybe I will think twice next time… Maybe? Happy Sewing to you in 2016!
Good picks! You had many successes last year, for sure. Your moto jacket is still awesome (including the lining) and enviable! And how in the world did I miss your dilute tortie’s cameo on the first go-round from Jungle January 2015?!?!? We have one too and I sort of nerd out when I see that another person has one. =)
I can’t wait to see your Jungle January 2016 submissions. I look forward to that challenge every year: it’s so much fun! (I’m trying to get my garment done before the month runs out–eek!)
Thank you! And yes I am madly sewing and cutting my Jungle January garments. I was hoping for two but I might run out of time! Sophie the tortie hardly sits still and you can hardly hold her unless it is high up! But they are fun, aren’t they?
Linda you inspire me.. Thanks for sharing this.. enjoyed it.. will check out some of those challenges you mentioned.. perhaps the garment a month as this year I am trying to incorporate more of my staple pieces made by me in the wardrobe.. :)… I will definitely join you in a few.. Once I get a heads up early.. hahaha .. 🙂 Will be posting that could have been a designin december piece soon.. look out.. take care.. looking forward to your posts this year and continuing the sewing journey with you .. take care.. 😉
Thank you! I’m sure there are even more challenges than I mentioned! I’m looking forward to seeing your DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER outfit even if it is January! Good luck with your sewing in 2016!
Thanks Linda..:)