This post is inspired by Lindsay's post in which she looks back on her sewing in 2008 and goals for 2009. This is my looking back to the last sewing year, which was less productive as hoped. I checked which reviews I made this year on Pattern Review (25, wish it was more), I checked my blog to see what I sewed and didn't write reviews for, and added 2 or 3 things I made, and never wrote about at all (no time as main reason).
The next graph gives a picture of the pattern companies I use.
Not surprising at all, BWOF for the main part, self drafted is mainly due to my linge rie items. Knip has a larger share than I would have guessed, but there the clothes for DD are giving the number more emphasis.
The other chart I made was for the type of garments I make.
Well, what can I say. I'm not a dress or skirts person. Only 1 skirt this year, and 2 dresses! I do see nice patterns for these, but somehow other things come first. And even those in my closet, are not worn very often. Must be my in general casual life. Blouses and t-shirts are quite the main part of my sewing.
Most liked garments
Oops, all BWOF patterns.
- Summer jacket
Really nice and good fitting. Got a lot of compliments on that one when wearing this on a few occasions - My last pair of pants Worn several times already in three weeks, today including, it's so comfortable
- The famous wrap top from the January issue, absolutely a winner to me. Wondering whether this is one of the most reviewed tops on PR this year.
Failures
Both are too low in the front, and the fabric of the white Knip blouse is itching. I've worn the BWOF top on the right once with a cami, but it just didn't feel right.
Unfinished projects, not beyond muslin stage
This has been perhaps the most frustrating this year: starting something and not finishing. Sometimes I'm just so eager to start something, and then life gets in the way, and it just doesn't work. In that feeling I also count the pieces of fabric I bought with the intention of sewing "right away", but on which I didn't do a thing beyond dreaming of what could be. And that is not too bad, dreaming.
Goals?
I have no specific goals for next year. I'd like to sew one or two capsule wardrobes (5-6 accompanying items), and I'd like to sew a few more bags, though I've been thinking that I just don't have time to do those too and skip the idea of making bags. We'll see how it goes. I might do something completely different and adjust my plans to the latest BWOF issue each month!
Technically I just want to improve my skills. And I would like to knock off a few more garments.
Starting with this one: a Rick Owen top which was discussed in a thread on Pattern Review and for which I already made a draping of the front. Yesterday I finally found some great knit fabric with enough drape. First finish the sets I'm working on, then this is the next project.
I'm so glad I inspired you to write this post because it's very interesting. I'm like you, no need to sew skirts and dresses because they just don't work for my lifestyle. And I love that jacket you made; it's nice to see it again.
ReplyDeleteI really like yours (and Lindsay T's) idea of detailing what you sewed in '08. I might just have to keep that idea in mind for all the '09 sewing I plan on tackling. :):):)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lory
My goals too - just generally improve my sewing. Not organized enough yet to do capsule sewing but I can hope! that I will have courage enough to purchase fabric in coordinating ways.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you and Lindsay for showing your successes and your failures especially. I'm too shy to show my failures, of which there are many but wish there were fewer.
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ReplyDeleteI love this idea too. It's really gives you a sense of what you accomplished, or didn't. I have improved my fitting skills in the past few years, so number of wadders has decreased. I usually like what I sew these days, probably because I have learned what looks good on me. I want to just generally improve my sewing skills, sewing things that challenge me a bit too. Like a stand collar blouse. I can never find any that fit well in rtw, so I have to make my own. I plan on copying more rtw too. Like you, I don't really need dresses and skirts because they just don't work in my lifestyle. It's nice to have a couple, but kind of a waste of my sewing time.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a good post over on PR, for those of us who don't have a blog.
Great post. It is nice to do a review and see what worked and what didn't. And it is nice to see others around blogland following suit. I might have a go at this after Christmas. Too busy now sewing Chrismas gifts.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, what a great idea. Your favorites are really becoming to you - no wonder you love them so much! I like the way that you have goals, but are relaxed about whether you meet them or not.
ReplyDeleteNice summary! I really can't wait to see how you do that Rick Owens top. It is GORGEOUS and a complete mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful idea and great inspiration in preparation for the new year. I must get something posted as well to help to prepare for future sewing projects.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
C
Love your annual report and it's funny, but I love the way the failures look too. The Rick Owens top is absolutely awesome and I hope you'll explain how you drafted it.
ReplyDelete2008 has been a great sewing year dor you! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm sure behind in blog reading, but I love how you charted what you'd made over the year. It's really neat to see what patterns and different garments people are making. DH said he'd help me make a chart, but he's now too busy with the kids and their new Wii to help me! lol Beautiful garments, you always do such immpeccible work.
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