2022 & 2023 Sewing Years in Review

Since the start of 2023 wasn't smooth, I never got around to reviewing my sewing achievements from 2022. In this long, pic-heavy post, I'll summarize completed projects for 2022 and 2023.

 

~2022~

 

I made 26 wearable garments and 4 handbags (2 were given as gifts) for a total of 43.375 yards. I'm sure I had some wadders, but I don't remember what they were and my sewing space is in shambles right now.

 

 

Once again, Burda and Simplicity were my most made patterns. I have to seriously think about the patterns I have and buy because it's obvious I tend to favor these two brands.

 

 

I'm happy that I continue to sew more of the stash, though I still need to work on not buying as much. 

 

Favorites

Vogue 9299:  I made it three times almost back-to-back because I love it so much. It's a great tunic and I simply enjoy wearing it.

 

Handbags from Oro Rosa - Quilted Alice (left) & Catalina (right):

 

When I showed bae the Quilted Alice bag, the man took one look and said: "Gaudy." 😏

Oooof. He has other great qualities, I swear. And......he's kinda not wrong? I mean, I went all in with the gold hardware and it's unlike any other bag I have. I carry it ALL THE TIME - so much so that one of the rivets popped out. It's super comfortable, roomy, and easy to carry. I have plans to make another using the wool from the now-deconstructed Jedi Smurf coat.

~2023~

(not pictured:  two pairs of jeans and a pair of workout pants both from Jalie)

This year, I made a total of 25 wearable garments (20 for me, 5 for bae) and 5 handbags; I had 3 wadders. Overall this is consistent with the last two years as I struggle to balance home challenges with sewing. Sewing is my refuge and I do what I can when I have energy.

Simplicity and Burda win again. This time, though, I sewed far more tried-n-true patterns from both companies, so maybe this is a draw.

Definitely like that more stash was used this time! And I sewed 20 more yards this year compared to 2022. 

Favorite 

 

I only have one clear favorite this year and its the Closet Core Kelly Anorak. Despite encountering some problems with construction, this is the winner. I wasn't feeling it at first, but having worn it several times now, I really like it. I bought the fabric and hardware with this image in mind and I'm so happy it came together like I wanted.

 

Wadders

It's been so long since I discarded the fails, I don't even remember what they were. I know one was a Burda Magazine skirt that was giving big Aunt Lydia (Handmaid's Tale) vibes. The other two were a shirt and...hmm...something else. Out of sight, out of mind!

So how did I do with the 2022 Sewing Intentions?

• reduce fabric buying & use more stash:  Meh. I think I did better, maybe. I did cull around 30 yards - which is a major feat for me. We will not talk about how much is left.
  
• Make Nine 2022:  This time it was a success. I completed 8 of 9 with the 9th being a total fail.
• record all sewing-related purchases:  I continued with this endeavor in 2022, but kind of fell off near the end of 2023. I find that if I do not record what I bought the same day, I forget about it. I want to do better in 2024.
• just sew it & just let it go:  Always an intention.

2024 Sewing Intentions

• sew one handbag from each designer:  I have several handbag patterns from different designers and really need to branch out a bit. I like making Blue Calla and Oro Rosa bags, but there are other awesome designs I'd like to try.
• Make Nine 2024:  I think I have a good pick of patterns for this plane. Details to be shared later.
  
• clean out my closet:  I have a lot of clothes that I no longer wear because they don't fit or I am no longer interested in the style/color.
  
• rethink personal style:  As I get older, I notice that my interest in certain styles and garments changes. Ten years ago, I would not have given a second look at vintage patterns. Now, I quite like styles from the 60s and 50s. (Harpo, who dis?)
  
• ongoing intentions:  reduce fabric & pattern buying; use more stash; record all sewing-related purchases; blog more often / share in-progress updates
  
• commit to completing the Whole30 fabric challenge more frequently:  I started this a year or so ago, but fell off lately. I did really well a couple of times, but ultimately "ooooooh shiny" got the best of me.
  

 

***

 

Basement update:  Work on the basement is moving along. I've finished painting all of the major walls and am working to finish painting the baseboards, ceiling trim, and door trim. (Circumstances led us to doing the trim out of order.) 

 

My partner and I put in a new floor and it looks SO good! This was a lot of work and we were both sore for days. Despite the physical toll, I'm happy we went with it and like how it looks.

 

We still have quite a bit of work to do. I need to decide if I'm going to use the old quarter round or buy new. I also have to repaint the room where my machines are. I like the current yellow color, but it doesn't flow with the main room. Plus, part of the wall is stained from the burst pipe incident.

There is also a small area (not shown) that doesn't have any baseboard, so I'll need to add some there.  So far I am happy with how it's turning out. The space is much brighter and way more inviting.

Eventually, I will update the furniture and cutting table. For now, I want to finish the major work and restore my sewing space. When everything is complete, I'll do a big reveal or something. =)

 

That's all for now. Next post will probably be my thoughts on Make Nine 2024 and, hopefully, another basement update.

 

L

Make Nine 2023 Results & Basement Update

Edited to add:  I don't know what happened to the photos! Google is doing its random acts of weirdness again. I'll get it corrected.

 

Edit 2:  I think it's fixed...maybe. 

 

It's that time of my sewing year for reflection and updates on new year intentions. I'll save the 'sewing year in review' chatter for a future post. For now, I'm sharing the results of Make Nine 2023.

I had good intentions, as always, but did not get to everything on the list. I lost interest in most of the patterns early on and never went back to make any changes. Ah well. I managed to check four of nine items off the list.

 

McCall's 8286

 

Version 1 (blue & white stripes):  I completed this version back in August. I cut size 16 and made a 1/2-inch FBA. I forgot to copy the FBA to the front overlay and oddly it still fit. Perhaps this piece is supposed to have more drape. I also shortened the dress 6 inches; as drafted it was far too long for my short frame. For this version, I used the curved hem with facings.

I think the fabric I used, although nice, is far too heavy for this design. The sleeves can stand out on their own. Hah! Using snaps for closures made the front even more heavy.

I wore it once in September and felt okay in it. It wasn't fiddly and the heaviness didn't seem to bother me - or I don't remember it bothering me.

Version 2 (gray chambray):  For the second version, I used a lightweight tencel chambray; this fabric is much more appropriate in weight. I opted for the straight hem this time and added four inches to the ties. 

 

I should have used a heavier interfacing for the front band because it's a wee bit flimsy. I finished this in October and by that time it was too cold (for me) to wear it. We'll see how it goes in Spring.

Deep Stash > 8 years

I liked having this category as part of the plan as it encouraged me to use some older fabric. I bought this piece a long time ago after seeing an argyle sweater-vest made by another sewer and wanting a similar look. 

This fabric has been in and out of various donation boxes for YEARS. I pulled it back out earlier this year and there it sat, mocking me and wondering when it was going back in the box. Haha! This time I was determined to cut the fabric and I'm SO glad I did. 

 

Enter my TNT knit top pattern:  Simplicity 9385, sans collar. I used a scrap of wool knit for the sleeves, cuffs, neckband, and hem band. I didn't have enough to make the full hem band width, so I opted for half-width.

The neckband sits quite nicely.

This is certainly one of my favorite versions of S9385.

Closet Core Kelly Anorak

I shared my thoughts about making the jacket here. A clear favorite and I'm so glad I went through with it. It came out exactly as I had envisioned and I enjoy wearing it.

Oro Rosa Magdalena Circle Bag

Another winner from Oro Rosa. She makes great patterns and I enjoy sewing them. As soon as I get my sewing space back together, I have intentions to sew more of her collection. More details about this bag can be found here.

***

Even though I didn't complete the plan, I am happy with the things I made. I carry the handbag often and really love the anorak.

I've not given any thought to Make Nine 2024, though I intend to participate.

 

Basement Update:

In my last post, I shared that I started the process of doing small updates in my basement. I've primed all of the wood panels with two coats of water-based Kilz 2 and settled on a top color.

started with priming the grooves

one coat of primer

two coats of primer

This is the first wall I did. I learned later that feathering the paint in the grooves helped reduce the visibility of the paint lines.

much better

At first I thought I wanted a nice tan color on the walls, but then I quickly changed my mind when I saw how it looked. Having gotten used to how bright it was in the basement, the tan color felt suffocating.

 

So I've decided to go with a color by Glidden called Silent Smoke in an eggshell finish; it's the third color on the right (closest to the door trim). I'm going to take the sample jar back to the hardware store to see if they can add a teeny bit more tint to darken it just a little. The next color on the swatch card is called Whiskers. I want something in between, so I'll see if they can make that happen.

(paint chip on the right)

 

Next is to remove the floor trim, then clean and prime the floor. I wanted to put in a floating floor, but I think peel-and-stick is the way to go. It's a basement and if there is ever another pipe incident, I need things to be easy to clean and not too hard to replace or mend.

 

I also thought of tearing out the old ceiling tiles and painting the joists, duct work, etc. and redoing the lighting situation. But that's a major job and probably left best to when I have a lot more time. I know it's probably better to do the ceiling before the floor, but I don't have any clear vision for that right now. Plus I really miss sewing and want my space back.

 

That's all for now. I need to research compound mitre saws so that I can install new baseboard and ceiling trim. I've never used a saw or installed trim before so if you have some tips, please chime in! In fact, any tips or DOs and DO NOT DOs will be helpful and appreciated!

 

L