Hello 2015. Now what am I going to do with you?

Hi Guys,

I'm back again. I'm going to do a flying review of the past year before I move onto some aspirations for this coming one.

2015... when did that happen - 2005 is only just starting to fade! Ironically 2005 was when I got my first sewing machine (but more on that another time...)

I don't think the production level was particularly high this year but most of it produced pretty decent results. It looks like I made 20 items for me, and a few handmade gifts for Christmas and Birthdays. To be honest it's about the same as last year! But a but more fanCY (sorry, the song is on in the background. I can't help it, I love it).

SO... the winners of 2014 are quite unexpected (in terms of my feelings when I finished them); but I think that's how the cookie crumbles for a lot of us. What I do know is that I am definitely more in tune with my personal style, and what fabrics and cuts work for me and my lifestyle.

So lets look over some of the winners (in no particular order). Let's go Top 5, try something new :-P

Sew Over It : Betty dress

I adore this dress, I adore this fabric. If it wasn't gut-wrenchingly expensive I would have bought every colourway. I'm glad I added the extra 3 inches to the length, as that length of skirt makes me happy. A lovely dress in remembrance of a lovely day :)

Papercut Patterns : Rigel Bomber

This jacket has been worn constantly since it came off my machine. Like, constantly. I'm so glad I went for all black, it goes with absolutely everything. I hope to make a snugglier one for the next version, maybe lined with flannel or some-such goodness. 

Papercut Patterns : Coppelia Cardigan

I already have one of these babys cut out and ready to go. I was just trying to decide whether to service my overlocker and attempt to try actually use the overlocker to sew a garment up from scratch. This one was sewn up on my machine. I sort of didn't even finish the insides. SHHHHH! But now that I've reminded myself that I have some bits ready to go straight on the machine I may just do that. I love this cardigan. I really do. I need about 10. Maybe 11.

Sew Over It : Ultimate Wrap Dress

This was a surprise winner. Not because I didn't like the pattern, because I did! (or why would I have bought it!). But for some reason I was a bit worried that it was a bit short for me. However, as I mentioned, I normally wear it with boots and tights, and it has gotten a hell of a lot of wear. The next one will be Houndstooth - mark my words. Actually I think I will pre-wash it tomorrow. Plan!

Sequinned Party Dress!

Last, but by no means least (not by a long shot!) - The Sequinned Party Dress. The dress to end all dresses for me. If I ever get married I don't know what I'll do. I got to wear it again at the Sewist Christmas Party - Yay! When else can you sparkle, but at Christmas and New Year? (and I sort of don't do New Year so much)

Now, no one wants to dwell on crap things, so I'll skim over the misses.

A bit shorter than I'm used to and the fabric is quite stiff. Should have cut the circle longer by seaming two halves. Tried to do the easy way out by cutting in a complete circle. Never worn :(

Worn once in Vegas and then never again. Uh-Oh.

Denim too thick and stiff in the crotch. Also wrinkly crotch. Stiff, wrinkly crotch.

Lets see what visitors I get from that sentence.

Poor lighting - but as nice as it is, this top goes with nothing! The colours are just not in my wardrobe. And I need to handstitch down the facing as I seem to have trimmed it down short for some unknown reason and it keeps rolling out all weird.

Nice, but sticks to tights like a bugger - of course. Wrinkles like a bugger out of the wash - I don't iron, and the skirt for some reason puts my silhouette off balance in my eyes. Too slim or something on the bottom.

Well, let's forget about that business.

2015

Next year I want to make an all out tailored jacket or coat. Preferably both! I've picked up some beautiful coating fabrics lately. I seem to be obsessed with them. I think I should have gone into men's tailoring. If you want to see my inspiration Pinterest board, take a look here.

I want to sew up more vintage patterns, and I want to focus on more of a 60s wiggle silhouette this year

I want to attempt more bag-making. My mother is dragging around the one I made her last Christmas and it looks atrocious. And I'm not overstating here. I clearly knew nothing about bag-making.

I want to keep sewing more day-wear. Especially vintage inspired day-wear. What really slays me is the gorgeous ladies who can keep up the look on a day in-day out basis. 

I make the effort at the weekend (the changing as soon as I get into work thing sort of kills it midweek), but considering a collective of day wear separates would definitely facilitate me keeping up appearances. Gotta look sassy, and party dresses ain't always practical. Must start a pinboard for that now too :) I'm thinking lots of midi skirts, some comfortable pencil skirts, maybe some Bonnie's.... Preeeety.

I finally need to make a denim shirtdress. It's an absolute must.

I'm going to stashbust as much as possible, and socialise with you guys as much as possible (as ever!)

Ok, it's time for dinner, and my Brain is starting to go slightly doolally so I'm gonna leave you guys to ponder your own futures!

LYLT,

Emmie