2014: SEWING GOALS

The final post in the Top 5 of 2013 series.   There is such a long list of sewers who have taken part in this annual event- check over with Gillian for the full list.  

First a quick reflection on 2013. I loved a lot of my 2013 makes (though I still look at them with critical eyes and think I could have sewn them better), I virtually 'met' heaps of supportive sewers, guest posted and was featured in Sew Liberty. I wore a large percentage of me mades during the year, but mainly blouses, skirts and dresses oh and one swimsuit.

During the year I also took on a Sewing Dare from Gillian and Maria, which is such a fun outfit

Sewing dare outfit in the wild!

to have in the wardrobe.  I knitted using double pointed needles (but only baby leg warmers and baby beanies) and I abandoned only one garment., the dastardly Rigel Bomber.

My goals for 2013, were:

1. Me Made May - Yes!  And will do again in 2014. Despite the sometimes annoying burden of the daily photo, there is such great camaraderie that it is a bit addictive. Like Gabrielle last year, maybe in 2014 I should try and take photos at different locations. 
2. Sew Independent Pattern Makers - Yes, but not exclusively. I did try out new patterns by Tilly, Papercut Patterns, Pauline Alice, Sinbad and Sailor, By Hand London, Tessuti and Grainline. 
3. Choose Wisely - I think I did. I tried not to overcommit. I sometimes felt the pressure to have something new to post, but in 2013 took on some slightly longer (for me) projects. I bought patterns though that I'm never going to make up so I need to do another giveaway soon I think. 
4. Keep on improving - this year I made muslins for the first time (quick and dirty but they were made). I tackled marginally more difficult projects, but in 2014 I'd really like to be able to talk about a make without feeling like I have to point out all the problems with it.
5. Be organised - I started the year with a spreadsheet of all my makes but gave up on it.  I think I might set up a binder/book like Gail to better record my projects.  I didn't accumulate much of a stash but have a few pieces that need sewing up.

  

Anyway, not a bad scorecard for the year.  So with all that in mind, here are my 2014 Goals

1. Canberra sewers group/meetup.

There has been talk of this lately with Amanda and Maria, and Myra and Jen and I'm sure there are other Canberra sewers who might be interested in a catchup - regular or once off.  It seems a shame to live in such a small city and not try for a meetup. Maria suggested one for Me Made May which is a great idea.  Perhaps an earlier one could also be organised and I really like the idea of a regular sewing catchup.

2. Keep on improving

Maybe this year I might even build project checklists that ensure I read the instructions first (!) and allow sewing in smaller increments to take the 'rush factor' out of each garment.  That sounds ominous but I like a checklist and I would like to be proud of the sewing on my garments this year.

I'm going to continue to take online courses to build on skills (I'll know what I need to learn because I'll have read the instructions first). I would like to take a course but the times don't work for me so I think this year I will need to do 'virtual' classes. 

Oh and maybe sometimes I might make a muslin 

3.  Try the things that seem too hard and master the things I have tried.

It's probably destined for failure if I put a specific make on this list, but I really want to do the Rigel Bomber and after seeing the flower bomber on Lily Sage and co in THE Fabric of 2013 I am more determined than ever to get this made up. I just need the right fabric now.

This year I should master zippers.  And shirts collars. End of story.

4. Knit Socks ...?

I really want to be a sock knitter. I feel like all the cool kids do it and I want to be able to do it as well. We have a few holidays planned this year including France in December/January and remembering how I was last year away from sewing for so long I really want to master this. Knitting those little baby leg warmers on dpn was really fun but surely I can do more than that?  

Outside la droguerie, Strasbourg

That's enough goals for 2014!

Thanks everyone for all your comments and support and friendship over 2013.  It really is an amazing community.  Hope to see some of you in person in 2014.

 Happy days of sewing and crafting for 2014. 

Top 5 of 2013: The MISSES

As part of Gillians Top 5 of 2013 series, I bring you the MISSES. You can go back here for the happier times of 2013 with the Hits or head on over to Gillians blog to see who else is participating and read up on their reflections. So, without further ado... the Misses.

1. The Laurel

I was just too keen to make this dress. I bought the fabric at La Droguerie in Strasbourg and after being on holidays for 6 weeks was keen to get on with a sewing project. Perhaps too keen?  I rushed it so inserted the bib pretty poorly. And those bust darts were drafted so high so that even though I adjusted them with the original make,  after the first and only wear I adjusted them again. Sadly on ironing my now perfectly positioned bust darts I burnt the fabric. Fail!

2. Tania Culottes

These are really cute, but they aren’t my style. I wore them a few times, but I think if I added another few inches onto the length I’d wear them more. This was the same corduroy from France as the Laurel - it wasn’t a successful purchase was it?!

3. Invisible Zips

I had some problems with invisible zips this year. I installed a lot so I suppose I shouldn’t be too hard on myself but I was pretty disappointed with the insertion on this O’keefe skirt (though I still wear it - the fabric is too good not to wear) and just last weekend the invisible zip on my Colette Iris shorts broke. As these shorts  are in constant rotation and I was madly flapping around in a pre Christmas rush, I tookthem to one of those alteration places for them to fix in the hour. They did... but they machine stitched the waist band on and across in the most messy way that I ended up having to unpick and hand sew the waist band back in place as per the rest of the band. Should have just done it myself.

4. The Rigel Bomber

This year I only abandoned one project. This one. I really want to make this. I mean really really. But I just didn’t get the pockets right and for neatness I think it needs to lined... and I’m not a good enough sewer to work that out by myself.. so I’ll just wait around until I make up the Ninot jacket with lining or until there is a R ... bomber sewalong..

5. Attempt 1 of the top for my sewing dare

The top: Poorly executed, wrong pattern, not my style. Fail! This top does not ever get worn.
My final version I adore and love the whole outfit so all was not lost.  And I really love the skirt.

My Bel Rowley skirt just missed out on making the top 5. I had a massive screw up with the lining. I still wear it but a big lesson on inserting lining.

Top 5 of 2013: the HITS

By now you will have seen this logo around the sewing blogs. Yes, Gillian is again hosting this annual reflection series. Do head on over to her blog, pick up a logo and join in.

I participated last year and really enjoyed reflecting back on the year and to look ahead to 2013 that I was happy that we were going to do it all again this year.  To check out all my makes from this year head on over here and then click through to clothes, gifts or miscellaneous makes.

Today, the HITS in no particular order.  But they all have one thing in common - pattern!

1. The Mathildes

Richard and Lyla Mathilde

Tilly launched the Mathilde pattern early this year and it was instant love. I just adore it.  I feel like it is a pattern that is so perfectly me. As someone who loves to sew with Liberty of London fabric, I have had to restrain myself from sewing up many many more of these. As I think it is the perfect marriage of fabric and a pattern.  I have made two and have the fabric for a third ready to go, which I keep delaying thinking that maybe I already have too many of these in the cupboard. I should proably go down a size for the fit across the neck.. but I don't even care.  I love everything about this pattern - the sleeves, the buttons.. aaah, it all.

Archipelago Mathilde

2. Tessuti patterns: New York Cape & Tokyo Jacket

I had some great success sewing up some of the downloadable patterns available from Tessuti this year. These patterns are stylish and well drafted with very clear instructions. 

I made up the New York Cape with fabric from Addicted to Fabric and I wore this all through autumn and winter. While I could have done a slightly better job on parts of the wool binding, it was a big winner. In my opinion, the perfect match of fabric, pattern and personal style. 

In Spring  made up the Tokyo jacket in a stretch cotton which was against the fabric suggestions on the packet - but  I just love this jacket. It is such a great casual spring time jacket that makes me feel great everytime I wear it.. and I wear it ALOT!  

3. Gathered Spring Gathered Skirt with a hint of fluro
This is just a fun skirt to wear.  I love the fabric, the colours are so great. The skirt is simple, but it was self drafted skirt with an invisible zip, pockets and a fab aqua lining. I wear this skirt at least once a week at the moment to work and always makes me smile.

4. Pauline Alice patterns: Cami & Malvorosa
And to think I wasn't going to make up the Cami after I did the muslin! Pauline Alice is a new name in Independent patternmaking but she has a great style and already I am a loyal follower.  I love both the dresses I made from her patterns this year and I really need to get the Ninot jacket next.

Cami in Joy and Sorrow

Malvorosa in Ranga

5. Tiny Dancer drop waist dress by Pattern Runway

It wouldn't be a top 5 without mentioning this dress which I finished in June.  I wore this through winter and now I'm wearing it in Summer with bare legs. I adore the print and the drop waist dress was a real trend for me this year. 

I'm going to sneak in some honourable mentions now..

The Valentino silk scout
It felt like a real privilege to sew with Valentino Silk and I'm so glad I managed to sew it without stuffing it up!

Colette patterns Iris Shorts in Gabrielle's Giveaway denim

I am currently wearing these ALL the time on weekends. They go with every single top I own. I didn't do the best sewing ever on the waistband or zip so I could have put them in the fail list, but the fabric and pattern are a great combo for me so they get an honourable mention in the Hits!

I'm just heading off to buy the Ninot jacket pattern... see you with the FAILS next.