Top Five Goals for 2014

This one isn't going to be hard to write at all, as I've been thinking about these goals for a while!

Keep Better Notes

For the last couple years, I've been keeping notes on my sewing projects mostly in my blog posts.  As you can imagine, that makes it a little tedious when I need to go back and see what I did in a past project!

So I decided to make myself a notebook where I can keep track of what I did on each project.  This is going to be especially important for me going forward I think, as I'll probably start to make plenty of fitting changes.

I went and got myself a cute binder and some cardstock, and thought about what kind of information I'd like to keep track of.  Then I typed up a form and printed out a few copies.  I'm excited to use my new notebook!

Make Projects That Work for Me

This one is more nebulous . . . As I've been reviewing my past makes and cleaning out my closet, I've realized that there are some things I never wore because they just didn't suit my style or lifestyle.   

Some things I've made because I've seen them on other blogs and loved them on their makers, but didn't stop to consider whether they would work for me. 

I've made lots of cotton "day dresses," but find I have nothing appropriate for the few occasions when we go to "events."  But they also frequently don't work for when I go out for lunch or coffee with a girlfriend, as the weather can be pretty limiting here.  I'm not saying I won't make any more day dresses, because I know I will - even when I was still buying RTW clothes, they were my favorite thing.  But I'd like to start finding the holes in my wardrobe and working to fill those.

I've made plenty of items with fabric that is probably too "juvenile" for me, and thus I end up feeling self-conscious when I wear them.  I've got a Big Birthday coming up soon, and I've been feeling like I'd like to start creating more classic and timeless garments which will also be more age-appropriate.


Make Some Pants

As I did my Top Fives for Hits and Misses, I realized that I didn't make a single pair of pants in 2013!  Which is pretty ridiculous, because I wear pants all the time!  Now that I've gained some knowledge and lost some of the fear around fitting, I'd like to work up some trousers to fill holes in my wardrobe.

Make a Tailored Blazer

I've made simple, non-tailored blazers before, but this year I'd like to delve into making a real, honest-to-goodness classic tailored blazer.   I've got plenty of blazer patterns on hand, and I recently bought two tailoring books, so I'm ready to go.   I love tailored blazers but have never had one that fit me well.  (Now that I know how many fitting adjustments I need, I'm understanding why!)  So I'm excited to learn how to do this so I can create my own.

Do 80% of My Sewing from Stash

Last but definitely not least!  This one is so big, it's going to get its own blog post in a day or two!  Suffice it to say, I've got a LOT of fabric, but not a lot of space in which to store it, so I need to start working from that stash.

No, this is not all of it!

Last year when I wrote my list of goals for 2013, I was kind of nervous about a lot of them - I felt they would really be a stretch and wasn't sure I could accomplish them.   This year, a lot of the projects I sewed helped me accomplish those goals and at the same time, boosted my sewing confidence.  Some of next year's goals are just as challenging, if not moreso, but I don't feel intimidated by them - the last several months have made me feel like I can sew whatever I want.  It just might take some time and a bit of research to get there.  And I'm cool with that.  So come on, 2014!  I'm ready!

**UPDATE**  Lots of you seem to like my Project Notes page, so I've made it into a google doc to share.  If you'd like to download it for your own use, use this link:  Project Notes PDF

Top Five of 2013: The Misses

This one wasn't nearly as hard to narrow down as the hits!

1.  New Look 6071 in brown

The problem:  poor fabric choice

This was my third and final try with this pattern.  For the first two, the fabric I chose was a little too thin; on this one, the cotton/lycra fabric  was too thick, and incredibly, too stable.  As soon as it was off the machine it was too tight for me in the hip area.  I did wear it once with the sweater, but felt uncomfortable the whole time.  This one has already been donated.


2.  Burda 02/2013/#127

The problems:  inappropriate fabric, wrong style for my body

This project was fraught with problems.  First the fabric arrived mangled, thicker than I expected, and a yard short.  I thought I could save it with this pattern, but sadly it just wasn't for me.  I have seen so many cute versions of this pattern out there in blogland, and I have to choke back a tiny sob every time I do.  I don't mind having broad shoulders, but I don't want to look like a linebacker!  Not a good style for us broad-shouldered gals.  This one has also been donated.


3.  Burda Emily Shirt

The problems:  poor fabric choice, poor fit

I got really gung-ho about making shirts last spring.  At that time, I was still suffering under the delusion that I could get a perfectly fitting shirt if only I had the right pattern.  I chose this Burda download because I could have it immediately, and because I'd gotten a pretty good fit on the Burda coats I'd made. 

But this pattern was just really weirdly drafted.  The fit was wrong in so many places.  Added to that, I'd decided to try a fabric with a significant polyester content, thinking, "Lots of people wear poly - I can too."  Folks, I'm a natural fibers gal.  I tend to perspire easily at the best of times - this fabric didn't let me breathe at all and just made me really hot and sticky.  Such a pity, because I think hot pink dotted Swiss is a pretty great thing.  I wore it once and then donated it.


4.  Victory Patterns Anouk Dress

The problem:  poor fit

I know - it's so pretty!  Even with my funky fitting fixes!  After spending so much time planning this dress and then executing it, it was really a let down that the fit was so bad.  I did wear it once, but it was a pretty uncomfortable experience - the front of the armhole digs into my flesh.  I'd like to revisit this pattern now that I've taken the fitting class.  Next time we go to Turkey, I'm going to take this along with me; my sister-in-law commented that she really liked it, so if it fits her (she's smaller than I am) I will give it to her.  I couldn't bear to put this one in the donation pile!


5.  Midi Length Ballet Dress

The problems:  poor fabric choice, lack of correct undergarment

I liked this dress OK - until I wore it.  Because it's so long, and because I don't have a slip of a similar length, it kept sticking to my tights and getting hung up.  And I've already discussed how the fabric is too thin so it's not super flattering over the lumps and bumps.  Still, it's very comfy - this is the dress I wore when I did the three-hour drive to Michigan a few weeks ago.  I haven't yet decided what to do with this one.

When I look back over my knit projects, I feel like a lot of them have problems because the fabric I got in my online order isn't what I was expecting.  This one was listed as a heavier weight, but I would call it a light mid-weight.  I've gotten disappointed enough this year that I haven't been tempted to order from Girl Charlee for a very long time.  Which is probably a good thing, as my stash overfloweth.


Conclusion: 

No surprise here:  my major problems are with fitting and choosing the right fabric.  I've started to tackle my fitting problems; now I need to get better at picking the right fabrics!

And finally, as a special end-of-year treat, I leave you with this:

Remember to check your pattern placement, folks!

Top Five of 2013: The Hits

Gah!  This is so HARD!  I took a look through my 2013 Sewing FOs page to come up with a list, and even when I was trying to hone it down, I still had more than ten items I consider hits.  I think that's a great thing - I made a lot of stuff I really like this year!  It would have been even harder to keep my numbers down if I'd included knitting too!

And even though Gillian said we could change the numbers, I'm going to cheat a bit in order to fit (almost) into the "five" parameter, by listing three items under one heading.  So here we go!

1.  Coats!

Coat 1

Coat 2

Coat 3

One of my goals this year was to make a coat, and I ended up making three!  The pattern I had in mind when I set the goal was the one I used for Coat 3, but along the way I fell in love with the Burda pattern I used for Coats 1 & 2.  I think it's interesting that all three coats are Burda patterns.  I do love their outerwear patterns!

I love all three of these coats, and each one gave me a feeling of accomplishment.  I know I can refine my skills even further, but I think I've made a pretty good start on coat-making. 

The coral coat got worn constantly this spring.  The floral coat was only worn a few times - this one feels fancy to me so I keep it for special occasions.  And even though the wool coat is quite new, I have been able to wear it a couple times already.

2.  Photo Transfer Pouch

Every time I scroll through my FO list (which I do, regularly!) this little pouch I made for my friend Sally makes me smile.  I'd like to make more of these one day.  I think they make a fantastic gift, but I wouldn't mind having one myself!

3.  Floral Stripe T-Shirt Dress

I made this pattern a bunch of times over the last year, but this one is my all-time favorite.  Every time I put it on, I feel cute.  This fabric just makes me smile!

4.  Fair Isle Hazel

I made three Hazel dresses this summer, but this one is hands down my favorite.  I adore this fabric - so glad I got enough to make another item with it!

The Hazel pattern was a surprise to me.  I really didn't think it would work on my body, but it ended up being a pretty flattering shape for me after I made some fitting adjustments.  A lesson to branch out and try new things from time to time.

5.  Pink Victoria Blazer

It's hot pink.

That makes me happy.


Conclusion:
Dresses, coats and bags - apparently these are my favorite things!  Throw in shoes and lipstick, and I think you've pretty much defined me :-)