2014 was a pretty fun sewing year. I contemplated doing a “Top 5 Hits/Misses for 2014” post, like I’ve done in past years, but I thought it would be better to go through some of my posts from this year and pull out highlights of things I did and/or accomplished in my sewing.
1. Made a tailored jacket
Is it the best/most perfect thing I’ve ever made? Heck no! But I’m damn proud of it and learned a lot about the tailoring process, what I need to do to get a good fit for next time, and sewed my first welt pockets.
2. Tried to make pants…again…
My quest for the perfect pants is still a bit out of reach. I learned that just because you’re using a stretch cotton/RPL/whatever, each fabric is different in it’s fiber content and will fit differently! Even in the same category – two stretch cottons will fit differently depending on its ratio of lycra to cotton, recovery, etc. I came pretty close to getting a good fit with my floral pants, but they bag out a bit after wearing for a few hours. I’m still going to tackle this in 2015, and have some updates to post soon on copying a favorite pair of jeans.
3. Analyzed my wardrobe and how I sew
Colette launched The Wardrobe Architect this year and it prompted me to take a long, hard look at what I have in my closet and identify my personal style. I even went so far as to try to sew around a color palette for the spring season. I didn’t stick to these plans 100%, but it gave me more focus when trying to pick out patterns that fit my lifestyle and fabric that will go with other garments I own.
4. Made bikinis! And wore them to the beach!
Holy cow, dudes, I made bikinis! Swimsuits are super easy to sew (thanks to my serger), quick to make, and I don’t think I’ll ever buy them from a store again. I made two for my trip to Florida in February and wore them quite a bit at the pool and beach during the summer.
5. Participated in #MeMadeMay14 and #Sewvember
2014 was the first year I tried to wear something “Me Made” for the entire month of May, and I did it for all 31 days! It was a lot harder than I expected, but I came up with some new ways to mix my handsewn wardrobe together. #Sewvember was a fun Instagram project in November to highlight what we do as sewists, what our creative spaces look like, and what we’re working on.
6. Interviewed for a TV show!
I didn’t share this earlier in the year, but I interviewed for a pilot of the American version of The Great British Sewing Bee. It was a pretty cool process! After I filled out my application, I had a Skype interview with a producer to share my sewing background, what I like to sew, and what I thought would be the biggest challenge about sewing under time-constraints and pressure. Unfortunately, because I didn’t live in NYC for filming the pilot, I didn’t move forward with the process, but I hope that someday a show like this is on TV for American audiences!
7. Met a fabulous group of ladies
Hands down, this was the coolest/most awesome thing that happened this year – I got to meet so many wonderful sewing bloggers in NYC – Lauren, Jennifer, Oona, Sonja, Trice, Amity, Fleur, Clare, Carolyn, and Devra. The sewing community is full of wonderful, welcoming people and I’m so glad to be a part of it!
Here’s to a happy 2015!
I'm so glad I got to meet you this year! And what a fun year you've had! All the best to you in 2015!
I'm so glad I got to meet you as well! 2015 will be an awesome year 🙂
What a good year! Since you seem to travel a lot for work, it's extra impressive to have got so much done. 🙂 Hope you have a great New Years!
Happy New Year to you as well! Honestly, when I'm not working, it seems like all I do is eat/sleep/sew lol!
Great post. I am a relatively new follower and am going to look into the Wardrobe Architecture series. Re your No. 2, I suggest taking a look at a new feature of Peggy Sagers' website, SilhouettePatterns.com. She has made some useful, brief Youtube videos and has also made available some segments from her PBS series, Fit 2 Stitch on her YouTube channel. The segment on pants fitting addressed the issues you pointed out in your comments. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KH3CQW3dj4Q
Enjoy!
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll have to check that site out!
Great idea for a round up post! Love that watermelon bikini! And how cool that you interviewed for a TV Show! Excited to see what happens round these parts in 2015 🙂 Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you as well!
What an exciting and productive year! I really enjoyed following along with your coat posts, and of course your swimwear was so much fun. I want to try both eventually. I hope you find some enlightenment on your quest for perfect pants… at least you can take solace in the fact that everyone else seems to be in the same boat! Happy New Year!
I know, right?! There's a lot of handmade tops out there but not a lot of handmade pants! Happy New Year to you as well!
speaking of, when are you coming back?