2017 Year End Sewing Review

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Simplicity 8292 flutter sleeve sheath dress in fuschia pink triple crepe
Vogue 8887 fixed wrap pleated front skirt in wool crepe – worn with silk crepe de chine sew over it pussy bow blouse
McCalls 7542 pleated sleeve cuff striped shirting cotton top

Hello Readers,

Today I wanted to look back over my sewing from the last 12 months. It’s been another great year of productivity and making clothes that I enjoy wearing. This was the year that I went back to work after a 5 year hiatus and it doesn’t seem to have slowed me down too much 🙂 I have said it before, but I so enjoy wearing clothes that fit me better than anything I could buy RTW. I am getting older but with that comes more confidence in my style choices and fabric selections. Before I started to make my own clothes, probably 90% of my wardrobe would have been polyester, but now I luxuriate in being able to wear more natural fibres.

Here’s a list of things I blogged about:

  • 10 dresses
  • 12 tops
  • 3 skirts
  • 3 pairs of trousers, 1 pair of leggings and 2 pairs of jeans
  • 3 jackets (1 blazer, 1 trench coat and 1 utility style jacket)
  • 2 coats
  • 1 sweatshirt
  • 1 Indian outfit
  • A dress and a top for Kezia and a pair of jeans for Philip

Not blogged about, there is still a boiled wool sweatshirt, a sweatshirt dress and yesterday I finished up a wool jersey jacket (you can see all of them over on Instagram if you can’t wait for the blog posts). There was also a baby quilt, a secret Santa gift, a couple of zippered pouches and I am sure other small things which haven’t made it to the blog.

Here are some of my personal highlights:

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Butterick 6384 red mohair wool robe coat with shawl collar

I feel amazing everytime I wear this coat, and believe me, I have already worn it lots. Its so cosy and warm and the statement red just makes me feel happy.

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Burdastyle Draped Dress (Plus Size) 08/2016#131 Red Wool Crepe Dress

The same applies to this dress. I wore it for a valentines day date with Philip and it was…ok…but then I wore it for a meeting at work and felt brilliant wearing it. Total confidence booster.

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Vogue 8849 and Butterick 6179 Indian Lengha Gown

My Indian Lengha Gown that I slaved over to wear to a wedding in the States. Best fitting Indian outfit I own.

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Simplicity 8295 linen tunic with eyelet and front lacing detail and stone coloured Closet Case Ginger Skinny Jeans

This linen tunic top: yes it rumples and creases but I just feel so cool wearing it, and it is perfect for (rare) hot weather spells. Also, I am just so happy that I have trousers in my wardrobe that fit me!

A couple of things which didn’t work quite as well:

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Vogue 8882 custom printed satin skirt worn with McCalls 6886 (modified) cropped fitted sweater

This whole outfit. I let the skirt hang, trimmed it, hemmed it, and then when I went to take it out of the wardrobe it had stretched out more….I have never worn the top either. The skirt has already been donated.

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Pauline Alice Aldaia Dress

You may be surprised to see this dress in my “misses” list, but hear me out. This is a great pattern and one which I definitely want to make again. I loved this dress but the reason it is on this list is because the instructions don’t make mention of, and I failed to do it myself, stabilising the waist to avoid over stretching. That’s a 6 gore skirt hanging off the waistline and I have found the dress has stretched out. So I will make another one, but will definitely add clear elastic to the waist. Sigh.

Other highlights from this year I have to mention:

  • Being featured in Love Sewing Magazine, modeling a blouse I had made, using the featured pattern that was included in that months issue. It was quite the experience visiting the studios and having a professional makeup artist and photography shoot.
08_05_17_Love_sewing17901
McCalls 7094 open back top
  • Being shortlisted as dressmaker of the year for the coat I made for Kezia last year. I didn’t win, but it was still an honour to make the shortlist. Just yesterday I took that coat out of the cloakroom and put it away (it’s too small now). I guess it’s one to pass on to the grandchildren 🙂
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Vogue 9043 DIY Linton Tweed Girls Flared Coat

 

All that remains for me to say is, as ever, thanks for joining me on the ride. I truly appreciate all of your likes, comments, questions and advice. I wish you all a prosperous, healthy, happy and contented 2018. May your bobbins always be full, your fitting challenges conquered and your dream handmade wardrobe achieved!

See you next year!

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Posted by

By day I work in the exciting world of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, registering medicines (!), but by night I turn in to a sewing diva, making all manner of clothes in my beautiful sewing space (which you can tour using the link at the top of this blog). I love how sewing and sewing clothes that fit my curvy body continually challenges me. I enjoy working with all different types of fabric, and whilst I don't like to put restrictions on myself and say I won't buy RTW, the truth is that I probably rarely do buy it, preferring the fit of my own me-made clothes. I love to use natural fibres where ever possible and colourful coats are an obsession of mine! Sewing is both my addiction and my therapy. You can contact me at sewmanju@yahoo.co.uk

29 thoughts on “2017 Year End Sewing Review”

  1. Happy New Year! You are very modest, as you had so many great makes this year. The floral twill jacket and suit made with Spoonflower fabric was very memorable for me. You previously stated it was unlikely they would be worn together. What happened there? Several viewers (myself included) thought the outfit as a whole was very chic. I hope you were able to incorporate both pieces into your wardrobe.

    Lastly, thanks for the sewing delights you presented throughout the year. I found myself inspired by many of your completed garments, and appreciate your willingness to share detail on construction.

    Reply

  2. You look so incredibly glamorous in that red coat! I always love seeing what you’ve made and its great to hear that you love wearing the things you make as much as you love making them.

    Reply

  10. Such a lot of great work! I especially love the Lengha gown and think you look great in it–good for you. Best wishes and happy new year to you and your lovely family–I LOVE that you all look happy in the photos.

    Reply

  11. You have made SO many wonderful items for 2017!! I know you will continue to make more! Congrats on your Love Sewing inclusion–I think I have that issue! 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Reply

  13. What an inspiration you are ! Ive loved sewing and dressmaking for some 40 years but I too, have experienced a few years of not really doing much due to issues in my personal life. But I’ve loved reading about what you’ve created and you have certainly fired up that spark in me again.

    Reply

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