Is it just me or did 2015 whizz by? They say time gets quicker as you age but at this pace a year will be more like a month by the time I’m sixty. One of the culprits seems to be having school age children, we seem to be living term to term and counting down the weeks until we can have a break from the weekday routine and stay in our pyjamas until mid-day. Contrary to this (and thankfully) Christmas seems to be going by at a nice steady pace. I finished work on the 19th which gave me a whole week to get organised. I was actually settled down with a Baileys and Tia Maria by 7pm on Christmas Eve. As the New Year approaches I thought I’d have a look back and see where my sewing had gone over the past 12 months.
My main plan at the beginning of the year was to get rid of the plan. Like many, I had built up a huge ‘to sew’ list with no chance of ever getting to the end of it. I wanted a bit of spontaneity, to just go where the fabric took me. I also wanted to slow down a bit, spend time concentrating on finish and just letting projects take however long they took. I expected to be less productive but a quick tally shows I’ve made 38 garments this year which, strangely enough, is the same amount as last year. It’s been mainly dresses, 18 of them, closely followed by tops at 16, 2 jackets and 1 coat. I’ve only made one skirt which seems a little odd but probably very telling about what I’m drawn to.
2015 was also the year when people started to comment that everything I seemed to sew was blue! I’d never noticed before and I’m amazed as it was staring me in the face every time I opened my wardrobe. I have no idea why I am drawn to it. I’ve since become quite self-conscious about my fabric choices and it has become a bit of a running joke on Instagram. I’ve been making a concerted effort to choose other colours over the past few months but one look at my favourites indicates it’s just not working.
On the knitting front I’ve produced three cardigans and two sweaters (only one of which is blue you’ll be pleased to know) My favourite by far has been my Audrey in Unst which has had a lot of wear and I’m itching to make another.
Following in the end of year tradition I have a few favourites.
My number one has to be my Cascade Duffle Coat. I finished it at the end of November but haven’t managed to blog it yet as getting pictures in the dreary overcast light of recent weeks has been impossible. It has been worn constantly since I finished and exposed to both wind and rain. I can report that it has kept me snuggly warm and dry and is the best coat I’ve ever had!
My second is definitely my blue Liberty Carline Edith blouse, I can’t emphasise enough how much I love this. I wore it at every opportunity and have since invested in a few more metres of the fabric to make a very special dress.
My Liberty Summer M6696 is also up there, it took me ages to finish as it coincided with the summer holiday and a rather overwhelming bout of decorating. As I finished it at the end of the summer it didn’t get much wear but I’m really looking forward to getting it out once Spring raises its head.
My Spotty Plantain and Kimono tees were also easy go to’s as well, unfortunately the jersey wasn’t very good quality so they are looking a bit forlorn but I’m on the lookout for more polka dots to make replacements.
Lastly my recent Blackwatch Tartan Frankenpattern. It’s just the perfect me dress!
There have been a few things that have been left languishing in the back of my wardrobe.
The main disaster was my silk Sutton Blouse. It gave me such a hard time sewing it that I took an instant dislike to it. I thought time would soften my view but it hasn’t and I’ve only worn it once. It was only afterwards I remembered the can of starch I’d bought to tame tricky fabrics!
My next one was my Lemon Edith Dress. I’m a bit peeved about this as the fabric was from Louise at Notsewsimple at last years SewBrum. I should really have used it to make a skirt as the yellow next to my face makes me look a little washed out and ill.
Finally is my Rachel Wrap Dress. I liked it as a dress but just not on me. It was a little too clingy around my stomach and I felt like a sack of potatoes tied in the middle. Afterwards I found tying it at the side improved it vastly but I still wasn’t 100% sure about it.
Looking forward to 2016 I have a few ideas
- I need to learn to take things easy in general and take advantage of any downtime I can get. I tend to push myself so hard that when things quieten down a bit I’m absolutely knackered and it takes me all my time to get back to some semblance of normality.
- I’m definitely going to continue with the spontaneous sewing, it really has taken the pressure out of something which, in essence, is supposed to be enjoyable and therapeutic.
- I want to revisit old patterns that have worked well but been pushed aside by all the shiny new ones. I love the Deer and Doe Sureau and have only made two Emery dresses. McCalls 6696 is also a winner which needs another rendition.
That’s about it really, I think the best plan is not to have one. I’m also carrying this over to New Year Resolutions, if I don’t make them I can’t break them!
Wishing you all health and happiness for 2016!
Just Sew Therapeutic 
No plan is the best plan, I so agree! I love your favourites, especially the Blackwatch tartan dress. Happy new sewing year to you too!
It’s been so refreshing not having a plan, I still have a few ideas floating around my head but half the fun is to contemplate all the possibilities!
Love the duffle coat, Audrey cardi and blackwatch dress! If you ever decide that you can bear to part with your lemons dress I would happily give it a home, I adore the fabric. 😉
Hi Helena, I think the lemon dress is packed away with my summer stuff but I’ll let you know when I dig it out, be glad to give it a good home, you’ll need to take it in a bit though!😊
Your Audrey in Unst cardigan is gorgeous. You look great in blue so I say: go with what you gravitate towards and let it be your signature!
Thank you! I’m curious how long I’ve had this blue thing, I’ll have to dig out some old photos and see if it’s been a long term theme!
Wow you have had a good year. Love the duffle coat though. Well done you.
Thank you, I’m so pleased with how the Duffle turned out, it wasn’t as difficult as I imagined! Hope you have a happy new year 😊
Your tartan dress is beautiful! You have been incredibly productive – especially taking all of the knitting into account which is so time-consuming. A really thoughtful and reflective end of year post – thank you. Happy New Year – hope it’s full of spontaneity x
Thank you, I was really surprised by how much I’ve done over the year, I was sure it would be less than last year. I’ve loved seeing your creations too, I’ve bought myself the Mortmain dress pattern after seeing yours! Wishing you a fabulous new year! x
Happy New Year – I love your Cascade and the black watch dress! Interestingly I found a plan helped give me more structure this year – I find it easy to get distracted by new projects that I don’t need or don’t suit me and having a list to return to has given me focus.
I enjoyed making the Cascade so much, it’s the first coat I’ve had with sleeves the right length. Just hoping I can get some photos and blog it before I forget what I did!
I too, love the idea of spontaneous sewing. It really takes the pressure off. When I have a defined list I seem to avoid making the things on it. I love pretty much all the makes in this post, including your lemon dress ( maybe a brightly coloured necklace would help). I look forward to seeing what you make this year!