February Wrap-Up and March Plans

Another month down, 2022 is a runaway train!! :)

This month I sewed 1 yard. Ah. I'm going to get my mojo back. I can feel it! 

I sewed Burda magazine 10/2021, a top in a deep brown silk. I also finally made some good progress on Simplicity 1325. I did not cut out anything for A Dozen Drafts. But also, it was a busy month. 

While on a trip to Vegas and the Phoenix area, I visited SAS Fabrics. They carry a lot of fabrics that I have purchased and have seen at Fabric Mart. The colors in this print ITY jumped out at me and the piece was 1 5/8 yard, at $3.99/yd. SCORE. I am thinking of making Vogue 1250 if I can get the pieces to fit (my size calls for 1 7/8 yd)

I had another set of goals for February: Finish 2 sewing projects, Finish 2 knitting projects, Read 2 books. 

• I finished one sewing project (the brown top) and added the bodice lining to my S1325 dress. I hand basted in a zipper and let the side seams out a bit through the middle back and waist:

I started this on January 26th. It stalled and it finally dawned on me that I wasn't fully feeling it. But I wanted to finish it to check the fitting process on my Beatrice (I'll talk more about this fit on me vs what I observed on my dressform when I review the pattern). I put a couple of tops that I'd layer this with on the dressform and got inspired to get back to it. 

CUTE! :)

• I finished THREE knitting projects! Wooohoo!! My hat and scarf, blogged here 

and I finally finished my grandson's sweater:

• I read one book: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

It was a really great read! An extremely moving story, characters that came to life on the pages, and it was a page turner. This was Ms. Wilkerson's debut novel and I can't wait to read more.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week. 

I did not meet this goal, but I did pretty well and lost 4lbs from Feb 1 to Feb 27.

I finished the month with a 1:1 with the biggest grandboy. Each time I see them, I can't believe how much they've changed. It's so wondrous watching kids grow up. 

It was a balmy 37 degrees in Minneapolis on Saturday. We went to an indoor playground, stomped the squishy snow, and went to lunch. <3

What's Next?

For March, I am setting more goals!!! 

• Swap out some closet items - Though spring hardly ever actually shows here, the body and spirit knows! :) I always struggle with my wardrobe around this time. so I will pull in some brighter/softer colors to get through the rest of this dreaded winter. 

• Finish S1325 - It needs skirt attached to bodice, zipper, and hem.

• Sew another garment for A Dozen Drafts - I don't think March will be the month I catch up, but want to definitely get another garment done this month.

• I’m managing the Upcycle Contest on Pattern Review this month! 

• Black cardigan - I have a very nice wool double knit, and would like to make a longer cardigan. I feel like that's a wardrobe hole.

• Finish one WIP - I have 4 WIPs that I really do want to finish and will get to at least one of them this month. 

• Make 2 machine knitted items - can be for me or for gifts. I just need to get myself in there using my machines more consistently.

• Read 2 books - Reading more is an important goal for me. The pandemic left me spending way more time sitting in front of the tube than I normally would. 

• Continue working on exercise, diet, and flexibility. 

Until later!

Updating the Sewing Plan for 2022!

I was discussing my Beatrice (EEEEEK! Blog posts to come!) and was going on and on about how excited I am to improve my fitting. While I do work toward a good fit, there are some things that I just accept because the "fix" is too complex to figure out with the muslin, trying to assess while twisting and turning or taking photos, having to remove the garment to pin/pinch out or add and BLEH! The dressform should really be beneficial for that (and it SO looks like meeeeee!)

I tried just a few garments on the form and the next time I wore that garment type, it's like the fitting issues lit up and jumped out at me! 

I have thoughts and ideas about which patterns fit me best. And often times, if I want/need a specific garment, I'll usually just go to Burda because I don't want to figure it all out. 

So I've decided to embark on a new journey for 2022! I am going to sew a dress from each of the pattern companies in my stash. 

The Rules 

• There are no rules because it's my challenge and my blog! :)
• The focus is on dresses as it's a better view of fitting the whole body - neckline, shoulder, front, back, bust, waist, hip, etc. I'm going to try to ensure that I choose some patterns with sleeves since I have large biceps and have issues at times with the relationship between the sleeve and the bodice.
• I have some one-offs that I purchased as a newbie/newish sewer and am not going to force myself to use any company's designs. I will focus on the pattern companies whose offerings I like.

• There is no specific order, just one per month (there happened to be 12 pattern companies I was interested in!)
• I'm inclined to make it wovens-only, but I'm not sure yet how to translate tissue fitting to knits when there's negative ease, for example. And if there was ever a time where fabric choice mattered, it's with knits. Which is why I don't generally muslin them. But, we'll see!
• I don't need to or plan to pre-select the patterns from each company. It will all depend on how the mood (or fabric inspiration) strikes!
• I will document my findings! 

I followed a tutorial to drape a bodice and EUREKA! My body always forces fabric into an armhole dart. I have definitely had garments where I went ahead and sewed that dart...but now I know that I need to make that adjustment! 

This has been a busy month, and I will confess that I was tempted to use a previously sewn pattern since there's only a week left in the month. But I'm going to actually go for it!

January's project will be a Simplicity pinafore dress from 1325. I've wanted to sew this pattern for FORVER! But at the time, with my thirty-four-5th-letter-of-the-alphabet measurement (I don't want to attract weirdos and spam to my blog), I didn't want to even consider working on that front pattern piece. I have a couple tie-neck tops with more planned (cause I love 'em!), plus I wear turtlenecks more often now that I'm a 3rd letter of the alphabet size :-p, and it's something I feel confident I can get done before the month is out. 

Helloooooo 2022!

The past 20+ months have been weird, in so many ways. On the sewing front, I hit this weird snag where I just didn't feel confident starting more complex projects. I really didn't understand it either! I would look at things I wanted to make and decide I just wasn't able. I've done the same thing with machine knitting and it's SO unlike me, it's been so hard! 

Sewing Goals

I have somehow gotten over that slump and am ready to dig in. I decided that this year, I am going to sew some wish list items:

Trench coat - Let's be honest, I will likely use a Burda pattern, but I also really like this new M8246 though I don't like the buttons in the vent...but that length is too long anyway, so I would shorten it to just above that vent opening. I am also a bit concerned about the volume in the sleeves. But otherwise, I think the details are so modern (it looks like it has inseam pockets and that would be a NO). 

The Burda 11/2012 (on the right) is a little outdated with the lapel size and shape and I don't like the pointed storm flaps. The vintage S8975 has really great details but if I'm not mistaken, I found that in a size 14 and would have to do some grading. 

I'm not willing to entertain Indie patterns for a coat aside from Style Arc (their current patterns aren't quite classic-trench style), Silhouette Patterns (it's beautiful but the lapel is a tiny bit on the large side). 

This is not a diss against anyone's trench made from any other Indie pattern.  

Burda blazer 2/2020

I have accepted that I love jackets and cardigans and blazers and I am not going to hold back any more! I'm embracing my love for toppers and will make/buy the jackets and toppers that I want. So, there! 

I also have plans to finish my WIP Burda 6/2019 moto style boucle jacket, soon. And my jacket wishlist is always long (Burda 1/2021, 1/2019, 12/2017, V1710, V8910, GAH!)

I did find two AMAZING deals on Poshmark recently. For a total of $48, I scored both of these Talbots jackets. The Glen plaid is unlined and is a size 14. I have another Talbots blazer in a 14 and it's nice to be able to actually wear sleeves underneath, which is not an option for most of my RTW blazers! It's a boxier style and the fabric is quite heavy. 

The other plaid jacket is new and was less than $17 with shipping so I couldn't pass it up even though it's a size 12. While it grazes the body nicely, you can probably see that the sleeve is snug. So I will only be able to wear this one with sleeveless tops. 

excuse my headless, dirty mirror COVID pics

Formal black dress - No patterns in mind yet. I attended 2 funerals this year and had to scramble both times to find something to wear and that happened to me last year too. There's no good reason for that now, is it? It will be solid black, no print (even tonal print), likely a higher neckline (I do love a boatneck), with sleeves and a straight skirt. 

Little black dress or jumpsuit - I made the Style Arc Mimi G Maya dress a few years back but I don't think I can fit it at the moment. One of my new VikiSews patterns (Iliana and Leora) may be a good fit here!

Corduroy blazer for my husband using Vogue 8890

I. Scored. A. NEEDLE BOARD!!!! Finally! I was typing this and listed the blazer as a goal, and I randomly went to search eBay. I found a new Dritz board for like $70 and hit 'buy' faster than you could imagine. 

So that's 5 specific sewing goals for 2022. I'm not making any goals around stashing - fabric or patterns, or even using up stash. Perhaps I'll reexamine that later in the year, but for now, it's just not important to me.

I also want to give energy to those projects that I just really WANT. And I don't have to justify if I need it or not. I want to find my creative freedom in the sewing room again. 

Machine Knitting Goals

I decided I have to just dive in here, as well. A sewing friend started machine knitting mid November and has cranked out a couple of sweater projects and really got me inspired. Getting my sewing mojo back too led me to a Just Do It! moment. I am looking forward to learning, experimenting, and developing my skills around this hobby. 

I do have some specific goals:

Make matching sweaters for the grandsons

Make St. John copycat pants (the woman I bought my machine from is sort of renowned in the MK world and worked as a knitwear designer for major brands, for many years. She's since retired but sold me her pant pattern that's used to create the $600-800 St. John pants!)

Complete 5 types of garments for myself:

• A raglan sweater or cardigan
• A sweater or cardigan with set-in sleeves
• A dolman sweater with some type of stitch pattern (garter, fair isle, lace, something!)
• Socks
• A wrap or poncho

I think these garments each represent a set of skills and I think completed full garments, will help boost my confidence, even if they aren't perfect (ha!) or even wearable.

Personal Goals

In my personal life, I have two primary goals:

• Begin graduate school
• Read at least 3 books per month

Best wishes to you all, for a happy, productive 2022!

2021 Goals and Plans

For whatever reason, I can't get myself to commit to an actual "Make 9" plan but last year, I liked my little box o' 9 goals (even though I only achieved 1.5 of them) and when I wrote out my main plans for this year, it was 9 things! Hmm. I still won't call it a Make 9 plan because it isn't 9 garments, it's moreso 9 goals (again!).

• I guess I don't need a trench coat but my old is dead and I really, really want one. I have the fabric, lining, and notions for it already!

• I have accepted that I just love toppers. Cardigans, blazers, other jackets...and since I'm not having to like, store garments in the linen closet or anything...I won't beat myself up over having "too many". So I have 2 for SURE that I want to make. Burda 2/2020 (in a red/white herringbone wool suiting) and 6/2019 (in an irregular striped cotton boucle)

• I thought I wanted to make bras then was quickly disillusioned by the expense (I mean, $50 for a kit AND I have to sew it!!?!). Then I decided I was going to try it anyway. Then I realized I didn't like any of the patterns all that much. Then I had my reduction surgery and figured I'd just live in bralettes. Here's the thing about reductions (without any other reconstruction or implants) - you have less tissue but essentially, the same boobs! So the bra that has the right underwire and fits in the band doesn't fit well in the cups (so-called sister sizing has never worked for me. I cannot trade off band/cup size). A 36C is a little too snug around the body (I've started using an extender adding just 1 set of "loops") and the wire digs. But a 38C is too big period. A 38B definitely has wires that are too small, and on and on. And I have shallow breasts that are fuller on bottom (demi or balconette works best). So I have to do some research. And I have lots of supplies that were scored for cheap (Surge Fabrics!!) so I won't feel so bad about the experimental phase. 

• Still aiming to sew some of the silk stash. No specific projects right now, Just get at least 2 pieces sewn this year. 

• At least 1 machine knit garment per quarter. I am an adventurer and I like learning new things. But whew! Machine knitting has a steep learning curve when you start talking about actual garments. I am very excited though and a commitment to just do it will help. 

I had dropped a stitch on my sweater's neckline and didn't know how to fix it. (thank you Renee! I got it done!). Then I excitedly sewed up the last raglan seam and started seaming the side seams. And in my infinite wisdom (or impatience), I went to do my usual trying on and holding sides and contorting and...OMG I CAN'T GET IT OVER MY HEAD! Doh!

But the beginner machine knitting group and others on IG reminded me that I can do a cut and sew neckline and salvage it. YAY! This method is often used when you don't want to bother with neckline shaping (it's tedious and prone to error!). So I'm going to give it a shot because, what's the worst that can happen!? I'll be unable to not wear it more? Hahahahaha!

machineknittingetc.com (nayy) has lots of old knitting magazines free to download. Okay, there's some kookie 80s stuff but so many of these silhouettes are a) still awesome or b) back in style. Here are a few that I got excited about. 

So my commitment isn't to any specific item aside from the fact that it has to be a fully completed garment (not a scarf or hat or blanket). 

• Okay, so maybe it's odd that I'm adding travel bags when...Covid...but it's something I've wanted for *ever* and, why not? It's not like they'll go bad while they're sitting in my suitcase waiting to be used. I want to sew a laundry bag, a jewelry bag/pouch, and 5 shoe bags (2 for flats/sandals, 2 for heels/bulkier shoes, 1 for sneakers). Yeah, I know, but I often take 3-5 pair of shoes on ANY trip. It's a thing. I haven't decided if I'm going to go super basic or what. I may also find an awesome print - or - a plain cotton and decorate the bags with the Cricut. We'll see!!

example from West Elm 

• A blazer for my husband. I was going to bite the bullet and pay $69 for the velvet needle board from Mood then *poof*, it was gone, and says it isn't reordable. WAH! The fabric for his blazer is a mid-wale corduroy in a nice, cool blue. I'm excited, I think I'm just nervous it won't turn out. 

• I also want to sew jeans for him! He already has a tough time buying them, and then the current style is usually for a slimmer fit than he'd like. 

• A quilt for Bert. I did knit a blanket for him and they use it all the time <3 but I want to make him his very own, special blankie. Maybe add some texture. If they didn't live in a tiny LA apartment, I'd be sewing up a storm for him!!!

Other, general sewing goals include:

• MORE Burda! I sewed 19 or 20 Burda garments last year and yes, most were from prior years (only 4 were from 2020 issues and 1 from 2021-- I've already sewn 2 patterns from the January 2021 issue y'all!), I have so many patterns marked off as wanting to sew and they work well in general (I do need to figure out the sleeve fit for me on woven garments). 

• Continue to limit pattern purchases (which goes hand in hand with the above). I had a goal of $50 on patterns for 2020 and spent just under $55 and purchased 25 patterns. 

• Continue to focus on sewing from stash. 70% of my garments made in 2020 were from stash fabrics. That's pretty good! But I still purchased a lot. I want to get that ratio to 50% or better of in vs. out.

• Complete the machine knitting classes I've purchased (knitleader, sock knitting, using the garter bar,  and intarsia). 

Personal, life goals include: 

• Practice stress reduction

I'm a homebody and have felt fairly fine throughout quarantine. On advice of my therapist, I need to go outside daily--even if it's just for a 3-minute walk. I also need to practice mindfulness and am implementing some routines to help with that. I'm on day 3 of yoga practice and have a nighttime (attempt!) meditation routine (my brain never shuts up!).

• Clean up my diet for relief from inflammation/pain. I swear to goodness, my body said, "40? are we 40?!?! We're 40 now?!!!!! TIME TO GO HAYWIRE!!!!!" Haha! I did an elimination diet for a couple weeks and WOW, I felt so much better with no dairy and very little gluten. So, I suppose this is what responsible adults do, or whatever. :-p

• Read more. In 2019 I surpassed my reading goal and forgot to track for 2020. I went to the bookstore (IN REAL LIFE!) and they were having a sale so I have lots of new reads. I'm going to aim for 24 this year. 

I hope that this year is ALL that you wish for and MORE! 

Next up on my sewing table is this topper from (dun-da-dah!) Burda 1/2021. I'm making one for my daughter and for me! This should be fun!!

2020 Wrap-Up

I won't wax philosophical on the dumpster fire that is 2020. And true to form, the final day of the year turned out to be a bear. Sigh.

Onward.

• This year, I sewed a total of 132.5 yards and purchased 105.5 yards. Geez! Those yards add up quickly! 
• Of that 132.5 yards sewn, 93.75 (70.7%) was sewn from stash (older than 6 months). YAY! Now, my in/out ratio isn't great, but I did sew more than I purchased so, WIN.
• This year, I sewed a total of 84 items and 54 (64%) were sewn from stashed fabrics. 

Of the 84 garments sewn, I had:

• 10 wadders/UFOs (I don't have any requirements for myself that I sew up my UFOs. Some things are identified as wadders and discarded easily. Others, I'm unsure about and they may become wearable, but I don't revisit old projects often, it just isn't critical to me. Just keep sewing!) 
• Aside from 1 garment, all of my wadders were due to fabric. The 10th was a Burda dress that was a combo: the fabric wasn't right for the pattern but something was really off for me with the raglan sleeve fit.
• 10 garments for my daughter She found out she was expecting late January so it was mostly Jalie Clara knit pants and some tops for nursing. I also made her baby shower outfit <3
• 5 baby items

That leaves 59 items for meeeeeee!

• 29 tops (always my largest category, LOL!)
• 15 dresses (REALLY!?)
• 5 loungewear items
• 3 skirts
• 2 pants
• 2 shorts
• 1 jumpsuit
• 1 cardigan
• 1 jacket

Photo break!

Burda 11/2018 * McCall's 6796 * Ottobre baby sweater * McCall's 6886 * McCall's 7976 *

Butterick 5760 (skirt) * New Look 6150 * Simplicity 2245 * Simplicity 2246

True Bias Ogden hack * Ottobre baby gear! * McCall's 6886 * Burda 3/2011 * Burda 11/2019 * 

More Ottobre baby gear! (5 babies were born in our family this year) * twist front of McCall's 7975

Of the 84 garments sewn (which includes the wadders and garments made for others (I didn't separate out)

• I sewed about a 60/40 split of knits and wovens 
• Primary woven fabrics were rayon challis, cotton sateen, cotton twill
• Primary knit fabrics were jersey (rayon, poly blends, cotton, wool)
• I sewed from 11 pattern companies. As you can see, only 3 "Indies". I'm just not into the vast majority that I see, and often times I try and it's a pattern fail, so I stick to Burda and Big4. And yes, Jalie is an Indie! 
• 1 Burda envelope
• 1 Jalie
• 1 Kommatia (now Studio Calicot)
• 1 True Bias
• 3 Vogue
• 4 New Look
• 5 Ottobre
• 6 Butterick
• 14 Simplicity
• 19 McCall's
• 19 Burda Magazine

Y'all know how I feel about my Burdas! 5 of the 12 "wins" in my last post were from Burda. I got my January 2021 issue and already have a completed garment from it (and 2 more traced). Ahhhhh. 

I promise, if you're on the fence, go for it. It isn't so onerous once you've done it a couple times. 

This top is done now but at this point, it was awaiting side seams, neckline finishing, hemming...but the shape is SO perfect and the sweater knit is *chef's kiss* with this pattern! 

And lastly, I never reviewed my dress from Vogue 1674 that I made it to wear to an engagement party. I had one in progress, things went bad, I tossed it but recovered...but not in time for the party. I ended up wearing a RTW dress. 

I swiped these from my IG stories archive

2/13 8:28 p.m.: Excitement! This is going to be so cute!!!

2/15 9:36 a.m.: After I'd gone round and round with following the instructions for the lining

2/15 10:56 a.m.: After I'd literally ripped it apart and threw it in the trash 

2/15 4:53 p.m.: Ahhhhh. But it still needed sleeves and a hem and we had to leave at 6 p.m. 

The saga! :-p

I still never got styled pics because, Covid. But I can't wait to have a reason to wear it! It's a great party dress!

Happy New Year to all!

2020 -- The Hits!

I mentioned in my last post on my misses that I made 1.5 of my 9-square: Loungewear and I made a jumpsuit:

Loungewear: McCall's 7061

All made from M7061 (I'm wearing the heart-print top RIGHT NOW!). This is SUCH a good pattern.  The heart cotton jersey was a great pick from Fabric Mart long ago. The unicorn print, not so much. JoAnn Doodle knits. Meh. I still love the garments and wear them so, so often.

I still need to make a "real" version of the cowl top. It fits so nicely.

Jumpsuit from McCall's 8028 in a distressed french terry also from Fabric Mart. I wore this a ton this summer. Especially since post-reduction I don't need a bra for support. 

Here are 5 garments that I'm most proud of this year:

1. Butterick 6183

I scored this bit of silk twill from a remnant bin at SR Harris. I bought it to use as the cuffs for my lace hoodie (posted below) and realized I could cut this TNT from the <1 yard of fabric. Once I realized it was silk, I decided to make it worth it! I added some decorative trim in the horizontal seam and an exposed zipper and really, really love this make for the care put into it. 

2. Burda 1/2020

I loved the idea of this woven hoodie and when I decided to make it from lace well...swoon. I also had that lovely silk twill that I used for the cuffs.

3. Burda 2/2020 

I thought I had more construction pics but, nope. I finished this up about a week and a half after covid cases started rising here and never wore it. But it's such a GREAT item! The construction is tops and I am so proud of it. It'll appear here soon!!

4. Burda 3/2019

this was technically before it was finished

While I haven't worn this much -- I ordered swatches of twill from Mood and then once during a sale, I jumped on this Rag & Bone twill and it isn't bad it's a bit too stiff. But the jacket itself is a piece of pride!!

5. Vogue 1507

This pattern is so cool!!!!! And I love this fabric (SR Harris). It's a lightweight sateen, it's a vibrant print, the construction was SO fun.

And here are my most favorite makes this year!

1. Simplicity 1945

I love this pattern. The first time I made it I used a loosely woven sweater knit and I was a new sewer and it was not well done. This hacci knit was well behaved enough to sew well and I have worn it a gazillion times!

2. Burda 5/2020

The day I got this issue, I traced this pattern off and started sewing it! I later made it in an Ankara cotton but love this black cotton voile version MORE. It fits amazingly well, it highlights my shape nicely, it has those interesting sleeves...ahhhhh.

3. Burda 4/2019

I wore this on my birthday and a million more times over the summer. I had a really fun time planning out the stripes and sewing up this large-scale plaid. It's a cotton voile from Fabric Mart. 

4. McCall's 7061 

It's such a basic but it was EVERYTHING to me this year! I have worn it more times than I can even begin to count. A basic for sure.

5. Simplicity 8389

I think this is mainly a winner due to the amazing Rag & Bone crepe from Mood. They're comfortable and practical but cute!

6. Butterick 6378

I just finished this up recently but this pattern is well-loved and this fabric is amazing and so yeah, winning combo.

7. Simplicity 9011

I just finished this dress this month but it was another pattern that I saw and immediately knew I had to have. I used a rayon jersey from Stylish Fabric in a *perfect* teal and I never want to take it off!

Ahhhhhh. Good year for sewing for me!

I'll be back to update with my sewing stats for the year :-D 

2020 -- The Misses

 Let's start with the failed, through no fault of my own, 2020 plans!

I sewed loungewear and one jumpsuit. Thanks Covid! :eyeroll:

I had a couple sweaters on the list in that blog post and then early in the year (*right* before Covid hit) I scored my knitting machine. I have a sweater that is mostly done (I dropped a stitch when rehanging for the collar and don't know what to do with it). I just can't hand knit anymore. My hands are unable. And machine knitting is an entirely hobby in it's own right and I am still learning. 

It's further along now!

Also, I set a fabric budget of $250 for the year. I spent $535! Obviously, "Failed" there but I am not too broken up about it. I spent WAY WAY WAY less than I normally do and even with my new Babylock serger, I spent less on sewing, overall, than the past 3 years. I'll take it.

I'll speak more on that in my "Hits" post because I sewed a good bit from stash (65% of my makes!)

So, the garments. Ahhhhhhh. I know it's popular to list 5 hits and 5 misses and I don't usually work to adhere to that. It's whatever the numbers work out to be! But this year, I have 5 misses to share.

1. Vogue 8772

excuse my dirty mirror and too-big jeans. LOL!

I usually muslin Vogue patterns because I find they fit a bit differently than the other BMV blocks for me. I muslined the bodice and fully intended to muslin the sleeve, and forgot. I added 1" (clearly not enough!) so while yes, the bicep is still too small, there's ALSO the problem of the relationship to the bodice (compared to my body).

I have finally accepted that I just don't care for chambray. I feel like I should but I have never really cared for any finished garments from it. I have one shirt that I really love now, after it's been broken in.

I still have the top because I want to love it - and think it would be a cute layering piece with some dresses - but we'll see. I may try the trick I use with denim garments that I don't wear often, washing the garment every time I do laundry, even if it's unworn.

2. Simplicity 8948

I actually completed it but never photographed it, so this is the best shot I have to show the style.

Sighhhhhhhhhhhh. This is a gorgeous pattern. The collar is beautiful! The pleats at the neckline, the front slit, the back closure (4 buttons, very elegant!), the loose sleeve gathered with elastic - love.

I used a polyester georgette. Why? Whhhhyyyyyy?!?! I can only surmise that I was done-in by the print. I sprayed it with Best Press starch and still had some issues with cutting out. Also, I did not adjust the hip and I should have known better. It goes straight down from the bust and my bust is a pattern size 14, hips an 18. Also, Covid-gain has made it too tight across the back. I am going to remake it!! I have a weightier rayon crepe and I know what adjustments to make. :fingers crossed:

3. McCall's 7476

I know I'm always gushing but, I was SO excited about this cardigan! SO EXCITED!!! And then I got near the end of the project and tried to topstitch the flapping facings and GRRRRRRRR. I don't know why I even faced it. I really should have known better and just bound it. This ribbed sweater knit was NOT cooperating. I've tried to fix it a couple times, with a couple of tricks, and now I can't be bothered to unpick the stitches again. I think about it ever so often because it's CUTE! But, ugh, I don't feel like it.

4. McCall's 7547

Another extreme disappointment. I saved this denim for awhile because it was the perfect yellow. Not too pale, not too "primary", not too bright...And then I didn't have enough for my TNT (Style Arc Sandra). I should have just held off but I went ahead and sewed it up. I had muslined this pattern before, intending to make the overalls from a black cotton twill, but never got around to it. 

The jeans were pretty tight when I finished them but fit fine a short while later. The rise was SO long. It was ridiculous. I don't remember my adjustments anymore, unfortunately, but I know I shortened the pattern in front because I always do. Also, I knew better than to use that straight waistband, that just isn't an option for me. 

5. Simplicity 8890

There's nothing wrong with it, I just don't like it and wish I'd sewn the Burda swing dress I was considering. The design choice -- relatively straight back piece with a sharply angled front piece doesn't work IMO. Also, the weight of the fabric kept pulling my drawstring, loosening the back! And the back is lowwwwwww. I didn't want to risk flashing people should it dip all the way down without me realizing it. It's in my wardrobe still but unlike to make the next cull. 

See how heavy it falls at the side seam? MEHHHHHHHHH.

I have 6 Hits for the year - favorite garments that were sewn this year, and another 5 Accomplishments - garments with construction that makes me so proud. So the next post will be a monster one where I discuss those 11 garments!

Then, I will dish on my overall sewing statistics (yardage in/out, number of garments sewn, etc) for the year and finally, my plans for 2021. 

I know many have taken to social media for their primary discourse around sewing but reading yearly wrap-ups and statistics are one of my absolute favorite things :) Hopefully people keep posting, even if this year was a quiet one on the sewing front. 

Until later!!! 

Welcome 2020!

Let me start quickly with my December wrap-up. I ended up getting one more garment in after posting my 2019 wrap up.

This month, I sewed 13 3/8 yards. I found my mojo a bit lacking during my vacation but still managed to sew 6 of the items in my "Sewcation" post!

• New Look 6644 pants - 2.5 yds
• pink cotton sateen, buttons, elastic
• New Look 6644 top - 1 3/8 yds
• grey rayon jersey
• Burda 6990 top - 1.75 yds
• light blue jersey
• Burda 2/2017 skirt - 1 yd
• painted cotton dobby, zipper
• Vogue 9210 - 1.25 yds
• black shimmer ponte
• New Look 6418 skirt - 1.5 yd (possible wadder; I'm not sure about this faux leather)
• black faux leather, zipper
• Simplicity 2700 pants - 2.5 yds
• herringbone cotton/linen suiting, zipper, hook & eyes
• Burda 4/2010 shirt - 1.5 yds
• striped cotton shirting, buttons

Sewcation results, L to R:

Finished bias binding the armholes of Burda 9/2018 dress

Finished bar tacks on Style Arc Sandra jeans

Sewed Burda 4/2010 shirt

Sewed Burda 2/2017 skirt

Sewed Burda 6990 top

Sewed Vogue 9210 leggings

Sewed Simplicity 2700 pants (not shown because they refuse to dry?!!)

Sewed a muslin for McCall's 7982 (not shown)

Welcome 2020!!

I cannot believe this year has gone by so fast, not to mention this decade! Decennial is such a weird word :)

Life is getting more and more expensive and I need to reassess *everything*. I need to spend much less the next year than I usually do including on sewing expenses. That means patterns, fabrics, notions, all that. And it should be doable because goodness knows I have the stash for it!!

Patterns

Back in August, Vogue released their fall patterns and I bought like 10. I have yet to sew any of them. Now, that's fine, I don't feel like I must sew every pattern I own. But I do feel like I don't need to rush out and add to the collection. There are at least a couple of these that I'm rethinking after seeing versions made up (like Vogue 1643). 

I purchased A LOT of patterns this year. I. Have. Sewn. 7. SEVEN! (This has been updated. I went purely off of dates in my PR pattern stash but after organizing my patterns and auditing them, there were a bunch that hadn't been entered. My tracking spreadsheet shows 89 but PR shows 125. Let's assume I purchased somewhere around 100!) :)

So I will be watching my pattern buying. I don't feel the need to put a limit on the number of patterns, but I am budgeting $50 for the year on patterns. Since I primarily buy Big4, this shouldn't be as difficult.

I'm going to keep my Burda sub (just renewed for all of 2020) and cancel Ottobre, Threads and SEWN. 

Fabric

Oy. I have a stash. I don't mind having a stash. I rather enjoy having a stash. I'll never become a per-project-basis type sewer. 

But I have a lot of fabric and it currently feels overwhelming. I don't like to feel overwhelmed. When I finally organized this year (after last summer's move), I got rid of some stuff then but need to cull the stash again and remove things that don't feel like "me". There are pieces that I routinely pick over and so they need to go. 

I am setting a low fabric budget for 2020 of $250. I will only be buying fabric if "needed" for a project. Because, while I have quite a bit that makes me feel like it doesn't belong, there's a ton that I love and want to see made up. So I'll be stash-diving in 2020!

I never include lining and interfacing in "fasting". I will include lining this year as I bought a TON during an awesome FM sale. I will not include interfacing because you need the right stuff for the job. 

Notions

I have so much stuff. So many buttons and snaps and hook & eyes and thread and, and, and. I'm going to designate this as an "as needed" category. I will shop the stash first and try to make existing stuff work.

Goals

• I really want to sew some stuff for my husband. I just took his full measurements and plan to sew his corduroy blazer early in the year and hopefully a pair of jeans at some point. 

• I need more outerwear! I have 4 coat patterns I really want to sew!  The 3 below plus a trench coat. I think I can commit to 1 outerwear piece per quarter with my output. 

center pattern is V1479

• I need more cold-weather loungewear and want to sew at least 2 long sleeved sweatshirts/tops.

M7061 has been on the radar for forever. I have really cute fabric for it too. 

• I am still floundering during summers and not feeling put together most days. I am really going to try to assess my style needs during the warm months.

• Pick up the Burda challenge again. I was going through my binder and reflecting on all the stuff I made. I really loved quite a few things that I ended up sewing because of the challenge!!

• I will continue blogging. I don't mind IG (though I despise the algorithm) but I just don't find it helpful for sewing as I don't want to interact so passively within the sewing community. Scroll. like. Scroll, Comment. Scroll. Scroll. Scroll. meh. I want to read about the process of sewing a garment! I don't want to have to try to remember who posted what; or have things disappear in stories that I was interested in. Blog content is "google-able". I like that. And, I am 110% an "to each their own" kinda lady but I don't understand the 'blogging is too much work' but will post a series of 8-10 pics and 4 paragraphs on an IG post. HOW is that any less work than blogging?!?! Me thinks it's preferable because it comes with the instant gratification and the instant interaction. But seriously, to each their own.  

So, I don't have a ton of goals for the new year and am hoping for a super chill, relaxed year.