2018 review and 2019 plans

It might be getting a little late for a 2018 review - I'm nearly out of Christmas chocolate and I think I've removed all the pine needles (but I am sure the cats are harboruing some still), but I still find it appropriate to say Happy New Year to everyone I see, so I'm going to say I'm OK! 

2018 was quite a year for me… I got married, moved jobs, adopted a kitten and finally made myself some wearable garments - sewing and crochet!

2018 was also the year I finally dedicated some time to sewing (more on that in my previous blog) and I thought I'd run through the things I made this year.. And as I love a good stat:

I've sewn:

12 tops

15 dresses (including the 2 novelty Mario dresses and 2 which were unpicked by my mum because she said they weren't good enough)

1 pair of toile shorts

5 skirts

1 sweatshirt

1 playsuit (which never fit)

And about 60% of 8 dresses which I started as a batch sewing experiment which sort of didn't work (more on that in a future blog)

And a crocheted jumper and cardi too (more on my crochet endeavours on another post).

Aaaand a milllion things for the wedding including crochet flowers for my pillbox hat

Crochet Bouquet, crochet flowers on the hat and Mr Specks Crochet buttonhole - and a hand knitted shawl by @bearrye (Photo by Kevin Browne Photography)

I learned a lot this year - I started off simple, making a couple of cotton tops, learning how to fit a neckline, remembering how to use my sewing machine, buying duvet covers as a cheap way of getting novelty/quirky fabric  and finally learning how to use bias binding, how to sew facings, remembering how to sew skirt linings and experimenting with some basic pattern hacks. I've put in some photos of my favourite pieces and you can see them all on the instagram grid too. I'm so proud of how far I've come and although I have soooo much more to learn, I feel like I've really made good progress this year. I loved taking part in OWOP and can't wait to see where I am this time next year.

2019 started rather excitingly when I ordered a new sewing machine!! My lovely little John Lewis JL110 has done be proud but it doesn't have an adjustable width stitch so it does limit my options for stretch fabrics. And… one step buttonhole here I come!

For 2019 I have some big sewing plans, but its mostly to grow in confidence in my sewing, take on some more challenging projects, become comfortable with sewing stretch fabrics, replace the RTW items I never wear in my wardrobe with beautiful me-mades and begin to make clothes for other people.

I've picked out my #makenine2019 and #usenine2019 (see photos below - I'd love to know what you would make) and I Want to take part in #memademay and #owop I'm also keen to make a couple of sewing meet ups and would love your thoughts on which ones - I live in the south of England and can easily access London.

My #makenine2019 #2019makenine - details on insta

My #2019usenine #usenin2019

In other crafting, I really want to make myself staple cardigans now I've gained enough confidence that I think they will work out OK (thanks Dora Does!)  and I am starting a 6 week silver smithing course in May which I cannot wait for - I am so excited at the thought of making an outfit ofclothes sewn and crocheted by me and adding my own handmade jewellery! Now, I suppose I should start saving for a shoe making course... oh who am I kidding I can't save there's too mcuh fabric to buy!.

2019, watch out, I'm coming for you!