new year, new plans!

Wow- what a year-


To remind y'all, I started really sewing garments only in March. Last summer I didn't know an FBA from a federal agency. I started blogging because it helped me so much to see what other people made- the newbies, because it gave me a way to track my progress, and the experienced sewists, because of all their great information, and inspiring creations. I thought I should pass on my own experiences in case anyone else wanted to google "hipsterish Built By Wendy pattern actually looks like a nightgown," and decide not to try that pattern out after all.

But I never dreamed of this! I've converted other sewers, met folks in faraway cities, and made virtual friends in far flung corners of the globe! The followers I dont know actually outnumber the folks I know and guilted into reading my rants! I've made lining, cute pants, buttonholes, and dresses I'm proud to wear. I even tried my hand at a coat! I've almost completely stopped shopping for clothes, knowing that someday, I'll make *that*, whatever coveted item it may be, and make it better! And I have a stash to put my mother's to shame.

Blogging made my sewing a daily concern, and a weekly project, instead of one more creative hobby that I picked up and dropped when things got too busy. The idea that you guys might see what I make and care that I finish helps me get there. Thanks readers!

Admittedly, I spent more time shopping than sewing. I spent more time blogging than sewing. I spent more time obsessing than sewing. But I did some sewing! and I made some stuff.
--2 A- skirts (Manhee Titus pattern)
--Coffee Date Dress
-BBW tunic dress
-leopard-print marie skirt
-wool tweed skirt, Diana Rupp pattern
-anda dress
-tara dress
-tie
-2 T-shirts from copied RTW
-Short pants- Diana Rupp pattern
-pj pants
-underwear based on copied RTW (total wadder)

And some costumes!
-ruff
-fuzzy legwarmers
-arm warmers
-skirt embellishment
-net top
-leopard top
-peacock jumper
-peacock jacket

And one Zafu.

Thats 23 things. Not quite as many as I'd hoped, but not too shabby.

My favorites for the year-

peacock costume- I self drafted this clothing refashion, and it came out amazingly well.





Short pants-these felt so current! and impressed all my friends:



Duds-in some sense, too many to count.



In another sense, nothing I started was a dud- becuase my skills improved with each slightly ugly project that I finished.




In the upcoming year, I think I want to let ideas go as soon as I know they aren't going to work out. I want to cut into some nice fabric, instead of dithering and buying more first.
I want to try to only do one (or two!)things at a time! My weekly lists will just include one thing- or if need be, two things- one to finish, one to start.
I'd like to only buy fabric for current projects that I'm starting that week.

By the time I hit the one year mark this March, I'd like to complete:
-a shell ( maybe the pendrell, if I get it in time!)

-a collared shirt


(along with the sew along! I cant decide yet if its going to be the JJ (which would require a self drafted collar, I realize), or a custom shirt for my man, maybe using the Negroni pattern from Collette.)
-an easy dress pattern-with my own twist maybe the danielle from burdastyle but with self drafted cap sleeves



-wrap dress (either the crepe or this knit dress in my pattern stash that I already bought fabric for- twice!)



-An LBD


...And I'd love to make some progress on that Lady Grey that is now languishing untouched for over a month. Its the Bay Area. I'll still be able to wear the *daymn* thing in July.

Is that too much? given my track record, it might be, but Im going to give it a whirl, anyway!