2017 in review

As 2017 comes to an end, it is fun to look back over the year and see what I have done.

Or haven't done. I feel like I have been making less and less over the years. My output has shrivelled. In an effort to counter this, and use up my extensive stash, I started a system of setting a monthly sewing task for myself. Self imposed deadlines, if you will.

My monthly tasks involved making one thing for myself plus, ideally one thing for the girls and one alteration or mending project that I have been putting off. Did I achieve this?

The happy result is that 2017 saw my output jump. Not back to previous levels, but respectable nevertheless.

Here’s a nerdy chart…

Embarrassingly, the "Me" category is the highest it has ever been, but the girls and the gifts categories look not too bad compared to previous years, the dolls has shrunk and it appears that dolls made up a huge part of my output in my biggest years.

I got one thing made for myself in each of January, February, March, April (2 things), May (2 things), June (2 again), July, September, October and November. Holidays in August and Christmas prep in December took over the missing two months. 

I also got something made for the girls in each month of May, June, July, September, October and November.

The repairs/refashions were also great at getting me to actually get on and do those things that were hanging over my head. But the success was bittersweet: in attempting to peg my grey flannel dress, the seams stretched out so badly that the whole thing was ruined and is no longer wearable. A case of troublesome fabric made worse by overwork.

With all that preamble, how about we move on to the main business?

Top 5 of 2017

My Top 5 is actually a pretty boring list. I can almost squeeze everything I made into it. It looks something like this:

               1.      Suit Refashion

I got a completely wearable dress and a needed waistcoat out of one old suit. Delighted!

2.      Sew Over It, City Break pattern collection

Within a year, I have made 3 things from this pattern bundle. Admittedly, one of them is already in the bin, but that is the fault of the fabric, and not the pattern. I am already planning on my first make of 2018 being its replacement.

3.      Pyjamas 

2017 was the first year I have made some long-planned pyjamas. (0.5 down, 3.5 to go!) This feather fabric is one of my all time favourite prints and the Daydream shorts are the first time I have ever been able to say that I know the fabric designer. Actually know her, not just met her at a sewing event. Cool, heh?

4.      Karen Dress

Ahh Karen, my love for thee knows no end. My all time favourite dress pattern, in one of my most favourite fabrics. Long stashed and finally cut into, this dress is totally “me”.

5.      Costumes 

Is this my first time making costumes for myself? Such an oversight that I made two: a skirt for Eurovision and a complete outfit for Egyptian day. Plus a spider and a mummy for the child. While not being anywhere close to cosplay quality, they did the job on the day(s).

Now that I’ve made the boring list, how about a different one? How about…

My top 5 makes of all time

I went through my finished project spreadsheet and ranked everything on a scale of one to 10. Here are the 10s:

1. Karen Drape Dress in black
2. Karen Drape Dress in patterned wool jersey
3. Vogue Floral Coat
4. Hibiscus Dress
5. Megan Wool Dress

I'm pretty pleased with those makes, none of them are perfect but they are all perfect for me. A lot more of them reached the 7s, 8s and 9s, so that was a win too. I notice my newer things are scoring higher. Possibly because I am tired of the older items, but possibly also because I am getting better at choosing fabrics and making more of what I know I want to wear, rather than getting distracted by the pretty patterns and colours on the quilting cottons.

Now it's on to my sewing queue for 2018!