2015 Sewing Year in Review

I'm a little (okay a lot) late posting my year in review.  It seems my annual January cold came knocking right on schedule.  I was out for four days, but thankfully I am close to back to normal.  It's a good thing because after four days of drinking a year's worth of orange juice (for me at least), I really feel sluggish and want to work out.

"The Year of the Turtle" is how I describe my sewing adventures.  I sewed a total of 21 wearable garments.  There were actually a few more, but I don't consider them wearable.  Womp womp.

The Stats (includes wadders)

By garment:

• 11 tops/cardigans
• 6 skirts
• 3 pairs of pants
• 2 pairs of jeans
• 2 jackets
• 1 coat

By company:

• 6 New Look
• 6 BWOF/BurdaStyle
• 4 Jalie
• 3 Kwik Sew
• 3 McCall's
• 2 Simplicity
• 1 Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick

Favorites

BWOF 9-2006-104 (trench coat):  Wonky front facing notwithstanding, I am OVER THE MOON about this coat.  I love everything about it and feel good when I wear it.  Everything, and I mean everything, excites me about this coat!  I will definitely make another one.  Who says you can't have more than one trench coat??

BWOF 8-2009-107 (trench skirt):  Why not continue the trend with a trench skirt?  Again, Burda knocked it out of the park with the design of this skirt.  While it may be too small right now, I am still going to rock it.

Simplicity 2284 (jacket):  Having sewn Jalie 2559 a few times, I wanted to try a different style.  2284 proved to be the break from monotony that I wanted.  The fit is great and the style is simple enough to be chic and classic.  Love!

Wadders

The wadders were a-plenty this year.  From bad fit to bad fabric, the FAIL was strong this year.

New Look 6407:  Despite this pattern being a TNT, I hate hate HATE this version.  The collar band is wonky in the worst way.  I think I have enough fabric to re-cut the stand and add the collar.  If this shirt is to be saved, then that's what I'll have to do. 

McCall's 7254:  This was on my must-sew list as soon as McCall's released it.  The result?  Massive fail.  Fabric weight is definitely important for this pattern.  My acrylic sweater knit was too fluid and created this unsightly mess.  I tried steaming out some of the fullness and pressing aggressively.  Nothing.  In the donation pile it goes.

Simplicity 1523:  I liked how this top fit, but those side bust pleats (WTF!) are a major NO.  There is potential with this pattern; I need to take the time to fold out the pleats.

Nakisha, you've made this top a couple of times and loved it.  How did you handle those boob wings...er...pleats?

Butterick 5678:  I give up.  I tried this pattern three times and always got the fugliest fit.   I am moving the eff on.

UFOs carred into 2016
The McCall's trench coat (5525) is still a UFO.  Le sigh.  I do not know why I can't bring myself to finishing this damn coat. 

Stashbusting Challenge 2015

Last January, I made a pledge to use at least 50 pieces of stash fabric and 10 patterns.  I used 22 pieces of stash totaling 38.75 yards and 8 patterns.  Again with the womps.  The pledge is on for 2016. This time, I am setting a more realistic (hah!) goal:  use 30 pieces of stash and 10 never-used patterns.  Stash counts as anything on hand from 1 Jan 2016.

2015 Sewing Intention Results

• Sew exclusively from the stash and not buy fabric: Bwahahahahahahahaha
• Make a full-length and warm tailored coat:  Never got around to it.  Still need it though.
• Make a bra:  Maybe I should just stop adding this to the list.  
• Start from Scratch:  Good intentions, mediocre execution.  Even though I've become more aware of how to style my outfits, I still have a ways to go with the wardrobe revamp.  
• Sew one BWOF magazine per month:  That "per month" thing got me.  Hah!

2016 Sewing Intentions

• Make two wool coats:  I have A LOT of wool coating and only one wool coat.  O_o  I should do something about that.
• Just sew it:  Muslins are very useful, but they take time and often zap my sewjo.  I want to be more confident in the fit adjustments I need and make them right from the beginning - without a muslin.  For complicated or new pattern companies, I'll still do a muslin.  But for companies that I use regularly, I am going to make the adjustments I need, add just-in-case seam allowances and go for it.  
• Curb the fabric buying:  This is a never-ending goal.  Even though I bought fabric last year, the amount purchased is no greater than in recent years.
• Use more stash:  There is enough of it!
• Sew the 6PAC:  A few years ago, I created and sewed a couple of six-piece wardrobes.  This plan worked well and kept me motivated to sew.  I started my first 6PAC already and completed two of the intended garments. 

That's my 2015 sewing year.  As always, I am thankful to all that stop by to read and share their thoughts.  Happy belated new year to everyone! 

L