2013: Sewing Goals!

I'm combining the last two categories from the top 5 of 2012 hosted by Gillain into the one gigantic post: My inspirations from 2012 and my Goals for 2013.   Thanks again Gillian for mobilising so many of us all into some serious sewing reflection and goal setting!

1.  Me Made May 

Day 1 of Me Made Me 2012

Me Made May 2012 introduced me to some inspiring and supportive people, including Gillian, Morgan, Carolyn and Merche, I discovered new patterns (and received a gift of a pattern from Emily from which I made two dresses in 2012). I love Me Made May and I'm so happy to read that Zoe will host another one in 2013 and so participating in this is definitely a sewing goal for 2013.
Last year I pledged to wear at least one me made piece everyday with no repeat outfits.  I did this reasonable comfortably as usually I wear something me made although the no repeats sent me into a bit of panic sewing .  I can't promise there won't be any panic sewing, but Me Made May is a great opportunity to mix the outfits up a bit and wear clothes in different ways so I hope I'll be able to do that.

2. Independent Pattern Designers
I began sewing using Japanese Pattern Books (in Japanese with no Japanese language skill) so while they are pretty clear, I had to make up most of the instructions.   This year I've used more English language patterns, (except for the Pavot).  Having detailed instructions to work through some of the trickier bits has been great and my sewing, I hope, has improved.  Well made garments is obviously a goal of 2013, but more than that though, it's been a revelation to me how many amazing independent pattern designers are out there drafting fabulous patterns.  This year, I've sewn patterns from:

Salme Patterns

Megan Nielsen

Collette (though this was a fail)

Papercut Patterns

Katie-Maree Cole (from the Home Sewn book)

Wiksten

So Zoe

Undies using So, Zoe's pattern

There are so many things to love about using these patterns, it's also great to have access to the designer and others who are making the same pattern. I'm currently working on Grainlines Maritime Shorts, so hope to have them finished soon and I've also signed up to participate in the Charlotte Skirt sew-along starting in January.  So in 2013, I will continue to look out for new independent patterns and designers.

3.  Choose wisely
I spent a lot of time in 2012, sewing, thinking about sewing, reading about sewing...I read as much fashion 'stuff' as ever before, but I barely bought any RTW.  In 2013, I hope I'll be as inspired, engaged and brave enough to tackle some tricky projects and continue to make clothes that reflect me.  My goal is to sew wisely: materials, patterns, projects...... I might do a sewalong or two and if the sewalong with the little black dress/party dress suggested by The Perfect Nose takes off that would be a fun and challenging project.  Who cares that I don't currently have an occasion to wear such a dress.
Having said that, I have two little boys, Ben, a big job and a whole lot of others and other things in my life.  Time goes too fast and sometimes it's great to spend hours at the sewing machine (and computer), but sometimes it's not!  For that reason I won't participate in KCWC in 2013.  I've lost my sewing mojo for the boys anyway and the hour spent each day sewing for them in that week could be better spent actually with them.

4. Keep on improving
Goes without saying really.  My little monthly projects helped focus me in 2012, so I might do a few of those last in 2013 (post our trip to France in March/April and Me Made May).  I'd love to end the year not fearing zippers!  I'd also like to get better with photographer and this little blog space.  A few months ago I did a  online course by pugly pixel  on some basics on using CSS on the blog which helped.  I seem to hang out here quite a bit so I may as well try and make it me.  And one day I'll actually work through this tutorial from Lucky Lucille on how to do a moodboard in photoshop!

5. Be organised 

I pride myself on being organised, but when it came to these end of the year posts, I found I had to scramble to work out what I had actually made.  So, in 2013, I'm going to keep a better list.  I love a list so this will be easy. I also got these 2 beautiful baskets from my sister for Christmas. The small one is going to be for my current project (in actual progress) and the bigger one is for all the other works in progress.  I did a big clean up in my sewing cupboard the other day and found quite a few WIPs that I had forgotten about and a couple of things that need a bit of fixing.  So, the system is up and running with a full WIP basket and the maritime shorts in the pink basket.   No more lost projects buried in the stash cupboard! Ha.

Top 5 'other makes' for 2012

I posted the other day about my top 5 clothing makes but I feel a bit self indulgent so thought I'd also post my top 5 other makes for 2012.

1. The super easy lo fi blanket

I am not a knitter, so this took me ages to finish, but I loved doing it.  The make coincided with a few trips to the snow so there were a few missed stitches while I knitted in the car, but I'm still proud.  It was a present for on the birth of a little baby girl, Stella.

2. Roxy Longsocks

This is a bit of a cheat as the doll comes as a kit from the Red Thread, well only the face does, so it's not such a cheat.  It was a present for a little girl Lily for her first birthday.

3.   A bag with zippers

In September I took a Saturday course by Nicole Mallalieu on putting zippers into bags.  Unfortunately since the course, I have only finished this bag, but the course was great.  I gave this to my mum, who I am very happy to say uses it.. and it looks stylish in the process.  Next year I'm taking another one of Nicole's courses in March: Frame Purses! Yay.

4.  A lunch bag!

This little bag has revolutionised my eating habits at work.  Everyday I now take a salad!  It is the perfect size!

5.  Bird Wings

I made these wings as a present for a little girl Hannah for her 4th birthday.  There were a few wearability issues that I have now worked out.  I really want to make these for my niece Alice for here 5th birthday, but I haven't been able to find the exact fabrics again nor the energy.  Her birthday is at the end of January so I hope I can find my wing mojo as these wings truly are beautiful.

Top 5 reflections of 2012

I hope you all had a great Christmas!! I'm back after the Christmas excess with the 3rd instalment of the top 5 of 2012.  Today, reflections and lessons learnt during 2012

1. Blogging

I started sewing in 2009 (though I, like many, had done a bit of sewing at school and my mother likes to talk about the appalling shorts I used to make and wear).  I made my first dress in 2010 and then proceeded to become obsessed with Japanese Pattern books and Liberty of London fabrics.  I decided to start this blog around about the time Zoe announced the dates for Me-Made-Me 2012.  I had such a great time during May posting about my outfits that I was hooked on blogging from there.  I admit that sometimes there is a feeling of, yikes, I haven't made anything to post.  There is great camaraderie amongst the sewing community. I have been a devoted follower of many sewing blogs since I started sewing, but now it's nice to be more connected.  I also used to lurk in the shadows and now, I'm probably the other way.  I'm always commenting on posts and the amazing things made.  Next year I'll try and be more thoughtful with the comments though rather than just 'WOW!  I love it!! You look amazing!'

First dress I made March 2010

2. Focus

During the year I was inspired by a post on the Colette blog around how to develop good sewing habits.  I decided that I would make little challenges for myself in an effort to improve some of my sewing skills: August is Buttons, Zip-tember, FrOctober and then November was 'all about me' sewing.  I really liked this focus as it slowed me down (generally) and provided me with the space to make something that I was perhaps a bit afraid of doing before.  I still have a long way to go with zippers and button holes and plackets and especially those trouser button things, to make them look nice so I might consider doing this again in 2013.

3. Photography

This year, I've struggled with documenting what I've sewn. I've had some ok photos but with the present of a new camera for my birthday, I now can't say, oh it's the cameras fault! I really need to improve my skills in this area.  I never seem to get the light right with self portraits and Ben (who is a reluctant photographer at best) doesn't seem to look at what is in the background when he is photographing.   Seriously....he didn't see the blue ball in the photo!!

4. Style

I've blabbed on about this a bit lately too much lately already, but I made a few things this year that I made just because I wanted to try my hand at something - namely more clothing using stretch.  Unfortunately the clothes I made weren't exactly me (unlike that wardrobe full of blouses in Liberty fabrics in the photos which are so me). I've gifted my latest stretch projects to my sister over Christmas who I hope will wear them, but sewing time is so so precious that these projects left me feeling a bit empty.  I love to be carried away by a project but it's also nice to have a gorgeous original wearable at the end.  I've had a great year of making clothes (28 pieces in all for myself including 12 in Liberty of London fabric!).  Only 2 of these were complete disasters and the other 4 I've gifted to better homes, so I shouldn't be too hard on myself.. but in 2013, I will think carefully about the projects I choose.   Oh and only buy and make clothing out of fabric that I really love AND I will love wearing!! 

5. Stretched too thin

Following on from 'Style' trying to do too much didn't provide me with a great platform for sewing great clothes in 2012.  This all came to a head in October when I clearly over committed myself with school fetes to prepare, a birthday, frocktober sewing and  of course KCWC.  Every single post for KCWC was a chore and almost every bit of sewing was a chore.   I just felt like it was a bad time to be doing the challenge, I had too much on my plate and yet I didn't pull out or really pull it off.  To add to my problem with KCWC, I was trying to use up stash and it just doesn't work for me if I'm not into the fabric.   So, I wonder will I be any better with loading things onto my plate in 2013!??

Top 5 Sewing Fails of 2012

Today, I'm posting the second in my top 5 list as part of Gillian's Top 5 of 2012: My top 5 sewing failures.  It's appropriate as in a bit of pre Christmas cleaning I cleaned out a few of my drawers today and I actually tossed some of my early handmade clothes into the charity bags. I did a lot more sewing in 2012 than in any other year, so it only follows that I have a few (well a lot of) fails.

Number One

A Broken Arm (making sewing impossble for most of the first few months of the year).

I couldn't start this list off without the biggest sewing fail of the year.. my broken arm. Back in January a roller skating rink was set up in the middle of the city, so thinking back on my childhood and the fun I used to have with my strap on skates, skating around the garage I thought I'd indulge in some nostalgia and take the boys skating.  Now usually I'm pretty nervous but for some reason I had really talked myself up and was brimming with confidence.  Over confidence...one step on the skates (yes only one step!!) and woosh..  The skates came out from under me and I slipped backwards onto my right hand (yes I'm right handed) and tailbone.  I immediately knew my wrist was broken but continued the session out with the boys with a makeshift sling (mental note to self - always wear a scarf just in case you need a sling!). It was goodbye to sewing for around 2 months.

Number Two

The Sugar Tee

Don't get me wrong, I love this top.  I really really love it. I really love the patterna and I really love the yellow lace. The problem is that I just sewed it so so badly.  That's why it's such a fail. I don't know what I was thinking to overlock instead of sewing it properly.  I've worn it a few times, but unfortunately I took it out the other day to wear it and it is coming apart.  It's impossible to resew and no amount of fray stop will slow the disintegration. I'll have to make another one of these as looking at it is just too sad.

Number 3

The Ginger Skirt

Back in Me-Made-May 2012 I felt a bit of pressure to make some new clothes so one Saturday I attempted to make a Colette Ginger Skirt.  Fail.  I don't even have a finished photo.  The size was wrong, the zipper was wrong and most important the material was wrong.   This fabric was sitting in the stash and before I even started making it I knew I didn't want a skirt out of this fabric, but thought I'd better use it up because it was in the stash. I think I really need to learn this lesson - there is no point in me attempting to sew something if I don't like the fabric.  Guaranteed fail!

Number 4

The Wrong Size

I had a few fails this year by cutting out the wrong size (the Ginger skirt above fell victim to this problem as well)  Probably the biggest example of this was my pleated pants, but I did a lot of adjustment on them and they are wearable and as such they are on my success list.  This cord skirt was one such item that didn't quite fit and wasn't able to get the love and attention that the pleated pants did. I wore this skirt for this photo and once to work, but it was just too big around the waist and I gifted it to my sister. I hope she has worn it?

Number 5

Stretch/Jersey

Problems by the number.  Maybe I wasn't made to sew in jersey or more likely I just need to think more carefully about the patterns I'm choosing.  Last year and the first part of this year I sewed a lot in Liberty of London fabrics.  Blouses, shirts, dresses, tops.. and then somewhere along the line I thought I should do something different but my style didn't change.  I'm not sure why, maybe it was having this blog.  Well, it just hasn't worked, not yet anyway. Don't get me wrong. I have sewn some clothes that I love in jersey/stretch and are welcomed in the wardrobe; but in general I think that even though there were some that were made well and are ok,  there were some big failures. 

Next up in the Top 5 series is 'Top 5 Lessons Learned'.  Check out others who are doing their top 5 over at Gillian's Crating a Rainbow.  

Top 5 favourite (clothing) makes of 2012

Many of you already know that Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow is organsing a great end of year sewing reflection..I've joined up as I thought it would be interrsting to reflect on my sewing.I was going to wait until after Christmas to start on these posts, but like Gillian, have started a bit earlier so I can fit them in amongst all the other Christmas things going on.  First category is my Top 5 favourite makes of 2012.  I'm limiting this to my clothing makes as I might want to bring out a best of the rest later on.. !?

Number 5:  

Salme pussy bow dress

This dress is worn to work just about every week.  I love it because it's Liberty of London print, it's my first lined dress and it has a pussy bow.  Say no more.  Yes, yes, the fit isn't exactly right ... the waist could be shorter but at the end of the day, this is a winner.  The pattern is by Salme patterns which unlike some of the other independent pattern makers haven't quite got their style thing going on yet, but have some really fun things amongst their range including the playsuit, which I know I'm going to get a lot of wear out of in the Summer months. The playsuit I made is down in my honourable mentions.

Number 4:

The Brocade Skirt

I made this skirt back in July.  I blogged about here.  This is the first, would you believe, pattern I ever made from one of the big companies.  It is McCalls 5591 and I do plan to make many more if I could just stop finding other patterns I want to make.  I love wearing this skirst with the stripey top as in the picture, but also love wearing it with my ornithology top.  Again, this is on high rotation for work and with different shoes can transform itself into an edgy skirt for going out in.

Number 3

Drape Drape Cardigan

Against all the odds, this is one of my favourites from 2012.  I made it in August when I was trying to focus on making clothes with buttons.  And there are many buttons! It is from the very cool Japanese pattern book "She has a Mannish Style" and I must say that it was one of the 'funnest' things I've made.  I just love those patterns that are the strangest shapes that seem to com together.  I had a lot of 'comments' about the fabric I used for this cardi - none of them good.. but I like the end result, have had lots of positive comments about it and found it a great Winter piece. 

Number 2

Paper Cut Patterns Pleated Pants

I made these pants way too big, took them in and although they are still a bit big I LOVE THEM.  I'm so proud of them as they have a zipper and are also far more complicated than anything I had done previously.  The pattern is great, the material is great. I wear them at least once a week - they go with heaps of tops.  Winner!  I will definitely make another pair - a size smaller (unless I over indulge at Christmas).

Number 1

Deer and Doe, 

la Veste Pavot in Pink Linen

Best make of the year, worst hair in a photo!

Great pattern, fabulous colour, buttons and an uncharacteristic slow and steady sewing pace, all go to make this coat my favourite make of 2012.  I am usually such a speedy and impatient sewer, but I really took my time with this coat. I wear it quite alot and every time it makes me feel great.  Unfortunately I haven't found loads of different ways to wear it yet, but I probably haven't put my mind to it enough.  Also, I wish now that I had known about bound button holes before I made it, as I think the button holes is the only thing that is letting the coat down. Having said that, overall, I'm extremely proud of this one!  Whenever my mum sees me in this coat she always says "You've come ahead in leaps and bounds"!

Honorable Mentions:

• The Liberty Salme PlaySuit - I am praying for a hot summer so that this gets a lot of wears.
• Megan Nielson Banksia Top 
• All my Liberty of London blouses, but especially this one.  It was the first time I had put a collar on this shirt and I think it turned out so great.

Next up - top 5 SEWING FAILS of 2012!

Get ready for the Top 5 of 2012

Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow has come up with this idea to reflect on 2012.  Here’s the idea:

"Let’s take time to look back on the past year of our blogs by posting a series of Top 5 lists leading up to New Year!  You might post just one big list, or separate posts, or just join in on a few of the topics… It’s up to you and your schedule. 

Let’s write about our Top 5 from each category: 

• Top 5 Favourite Creations (most worn, or most loved!) 
• Top 5 Sewing Fails (UFOs, worn once, or complete disasters!) 
• Top 5 Lessons Learned (either practical tricks and techniques, or life lessons) 
• Top 5 Blogs and Bloggers that Inspire
• Top 5 Goals for the New Year

As a blogger, sometimes we pressure ourself to constantly have some new to show. The teacher in me says that we have to take time to reflect and learn before we can move forward. (Besides, a blog post is just the beginning of the life of a me-made garment - and being a little nosy, I’d love to know the rest of the story!)

I’m planning on posting my Top 5 lists between Christmas and New Years, and I’d really love if you joined me. If you are interested, you can grab the “logo” from my flickr profile, and spread the word! 

I love lists, I love to reflect and even more I love to plan, so I am definitely in.  I think I'll do a post a day starting on the 27 December with my top 5 goals for the year on the 31st... but who knows, it is the silly season so the timing could really go out.