I’m waiting for midnight on New Year’s Eve and thought it was the perfect time to reflect on this year’s projects. I made fewer garments than in previous years. This is partly because I had less time at my disposal, as I was frequently solo parenting throughout the year which has been challenging, and we have had lots of happy family occasions and travels for which I’m very grateful. I also have made a lot of clothes in previous years which I am still wearing, so I deliberately chose to make some slower projects which took longer than than the quicker projects I’m used to making. That said, I’ve planned to do a lot more sewing in 2024, but will have to be realistic about how much time I have available!
- Jacquard skirt using the Kew skirt pattern
- Modern Saddle Bag from Bags And Pieces
- TPC29 by Trend Patterns gathered wrap dress in Fabric Godmother viscose
- New Craft House Everyday Dress in Fabric Godmother viscose
- Marilla Walker Bucket Bag in Rifle Paper co canvas
- Lysimaque Mariposa blouse in Liberty tana lawn
- Fibremood Nina dress in Storrs cotton lawn
- Ikatee Singapour trousers in viscose
- Quilted boxy pouch by Sweet Cinnamon roses
- Flora Child Leilani culottes
- Costumes for Just So Festival
- Merchant and Mills Mathilde skirt in Judy linen
- Tilly and the Buttons swimming costume in Blackbird Fabrics fabric
- Zadie jumpsuit in Sister Mintaka viscose
- Ikatee Sam coat
- Merchant and Mills Shepherd Skirt in linen
- Upcycled furniture using chalk paint
- Wallpaper project in sewing room
- Upcycled March top from a linen tablecloth with hand embroidery from Embroidered Botanicals book
- TPC29 in Rainbow Fabrics viscose
- Paul Klee sweater kit from Sonder Yarn co
- Bella Loves Patterns trousers in Rainbow Fabrics Tencel blend
- Papercut patterns Tula trousers for my daughter
- Merchant and Mills Harlene dungarees
- Knitted baby toy from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies
- Fabric Godmother Peony Dress in Rainbow Fabrics deadstock
- Fairisle jumper in progress
Looking back at my projects, there is a lot of colour and pattern there! I enjoy using prints and love the ones I’ve used here, but also realise I need to incorporate more solids into my wardrobe to make it easier to mix and match pieces. I didn’t make any coats for myself this year, but I made two for my daughter (one is a pattern test for an exciting release coming in Spring). There are a couple of projects which haven’t been photographed yet, and a few basics like t-shirts, so I made more than I thought.
My plans for the next year are to use some of my extensive fabric and pattern stash. I would like to make a few pairs of trousers for every day wear, such as the Billy trousers I made this year, and the Make by TFS Cass Pants. I have a few other patterns in mind too, including the Tauko Agapanto trousers and the Bisque trousers. I’d like to make more dresses in prints as well. I have some beautiful Borgo de Nor deadstock prints from Rainbow Fabrics which will be perfect for these. I also want to try using some of the more delicate fabrics and precious Liberty tana lawns and silks which deserve to be used.
I was a little disappointed with my knitting this year, I only finished one project which took me a lot longer than expected due to gauge issues. I have a few others which are near completion which I’m hoping to share over the next few months as well as some new jumpers I’m looking forward to making. As I’m a slow knitter, I don’t intend to add to my stash this year and hope I can stick to this plan. I’d also like to make more gifts and items for my children too.
That’s all for this year, wishing you all a Happy New Year, and most importantly, I wish for a permanent ceasefire (I’ve written more about this here).
