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Thursday, December 31, 2015

#sewingtop5

Gillian at Craftingarainbow.wordpress.com is hosting the Top 5 for 2015.


Top 5 of 2015

Here’s how it works: 
Post on your blog or IG feed about the following topics, and tag them #sewingtop5:
  • Top 5 Hits (favourite or most worn makes)
  • Top 5 Misses (projects that didn’t work out or rarely got worn)
  • Top 5 Non-Sewing Highights (What did you do this year besides sew? These could be big or small accomplishments – anything from “run a marathon” to “get new glasses”!)
  • Top 5 Reflections (Looking back, what can you learn about yourself as a sewist?)
  • Top 5 Goals (What would you like to sew in 2016, or what skills/attitudes would you like to learn?)
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Now on with the show - here are my top 5 lists:

Top 5 Hits:

I made a total of 17 garments last year.  Ten of those 17 were hits in my book (which still puts me at only a 59% success rate for last year which is a complete failing grade if I were still in school!). Anyways, here are the top 5 of those ten successful garments.

1. McCalls 6844 Cardigan.  This was so easy to make and I wear it all the time.  I still can't believe it took me so long to make this after seeing all of the wonderful creations and reviews on PatternReview.  I can see a few more of these cardigans in my future.




2. Frankenpattern of Simplicity 1607 (for the top) and New Look 6224 (for the bottom).  This turned out better than I had anticipated.  It's a fun dress created from a cotton purchased at a garage sale.


3. Vogue 8817 - turned into a dress.  I wear this all the time.  Super comfy and it's a knit - Win! Win!



4. Vogue 8979 - This is a great, unusual top.


5. And last but not least, another Frankenpattern.  Butterick 5353 for the top and New Look 6224 for the bottom.  I really like this dress and have plans to make a black one with white piping - I think that would look very striking.




Top 5 Misses:

Out of my 7 misses - here are the worst ones.

1. Vogue 8834 - a Katherine Tilton blouse.  This was a total disaster!



2. Origami Blouse - This was from the Twinkle Sews book by Wenlan Chin.  I had high hopes for this blouse, but it was yet another total disaster!


3. The traffic stopper skirt - Vogue 9031.  I've never worn this and just need to donate it to a charity shop.  Correct that - I just donated it yesterday!



4. Serendipity Studio's Monique Dress was a partial disaster.  I wore this dress only once (maybe twice?) and just didn't like it.  This has since ended up in the UFO pile as I plan to salvage just the skirt portion and make a blue blouse to go with it.  I think it's just too overwhelming with this much print going on in one garment (for me at least).


5. Butterick 5856.  I thought this blouse was fun when I first made it.  Wearing it though, changed my mind.  It was so fiddly (sleeve falling off shoulder, bra strap showing, etc, etc.), that I put it in the donate bin as soon as I got home that day.



Top 5 Non-sewing highlights:

1. My biggest one was the remodeling of our kitchen.  This was a seemingly all-consuming project that took about seven months to complete.  I am sooo happy it is finished and am very happy with the results!!!!

2. Oh - and the laundry room re-do - I guess that counts here too!

3. My tomato plants did really well this year!  Cucumbers - not so good.

4. Managed to stay on schedule with my workout routine - was a good stress reliever with the kitchen project!

5. Won $5,000.00!  Whoop! Whoop! I see some more fabric in my future!!


Top 5 Reflections:

1. Me and ruffles just don't get on which is sad because I understand they are going to be a big item in 2016.  I made two garments (these are my two remaining misses!)  both with ruffles and ended up not liking either one.
Vogue 8596 has already been donated:


And one of my last garments made - Butterick 5917 - I'm sure will end up in the donate pile soon too.


2. I seem to prefer asymmetrical and fitted garments and will concentrate more on those this year.

3. I was happy I participated in Me-Made-May and plan to do so again this year.

4. Surprisingly, I think I am beginning to enjoy hand sewing and making the inside of the garment look as nice as the outside.  It's like you are hiding a pretty little secret every time you wear something that is nicely finished on the inside.

5.  It is possible to survive a remodel when working with your spouse!  Who knew!

Top 5 Goals for 2016:

1. Make a pair of jeans.  I just want a bit of bling on the backside - is that too much to ask??!?!?  I have such a hard time finding jeans that fit me properly.  You would have thought by now I would have made my own custom pair!

2. Make my own workout wear.  I can't bring myself to spend $90+ dollars on a pair of workout pants when I know I can make them myself - Just Do It!

3. My September Sew for 30 concept was good, but I failed to execute it properly.  This year, it will be much better!  Social media involvement, posting daily progress, etc.

4. I sewed almost 70 yards from the stash this past year.  Now that our kitchen remodel is completed, I plan to sew alot more this coming year and at least match those 70 yards and maybe a bit more!  I still have a long way to go before I can start planning that trip to New York that the DH promised if I completely sewed my entire stash.  One garment at a time - I'll get there!!

5. Take better pictures. Period.  I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing my closet door in the background!

6.  Ok - I have six here.  Rid myself of those UFO's.  They are starting to take over my room!!!

That's it for me.  I hope this coming year brings everyone strong seams, easy pressing and alot of finished projects!

Happy New Year!

Star

2 comments:

  1. Good luck with all your New Year Resolutions and Happy New Year. Your makes are an inspiration. I always love to see what you have done next, even when you aren't too happy with the result (pity about the green dress though). But sewing the stash! Is that even possible! I know it's not for me..... Couldn't you wheedle that to half the stash, maybe three quarters? :-) Best of luck, Trish

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    1. Thanks so much Trish. I just confirmed with the DH - it's the entire stash! That's a lot of sewing!

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