Happy New Year!

I have never written a New Year post…the closest I have come was this post in May after MMM… but this year I feel inspired by Gillian’s Hit and Misses series to reflect on the past year and share with you my thoughts on the year ahead. Gillian said that there are no rules…thank you Gillian!… so I’m going to hit this with just one post.

MISSES
As I looked back on my blog posts this year I realized that I only made 23 garments…. well 23 that I blogged about that is.
The first one of the year was this coat…oh how I loathed both the coat and the wasted time I spent making it! I couldn’t bring myself to post about it.  I looked like a figure skater in it and not in a good way….the only good thing about this coat was the bound button holes…they turned out pretty nice…if I do say so myself.
Next up is my First Renfrew. This is only on the list because it is too short for me and my long torso so I never wear it. Now that I look at the pictures though, I can see it worn tucked onto a high waisted skirt. There may be hope for it yet!
Sooo…. My next one is a pattern placement disaster. I was so disappointed with myself on this one but hopefully I learned my lesson and will not make this mistake again.
My Charlie Jumpsuit is one that I liked in the beginning but never wore again… not even once… so that deems it a miss in my book. It was a good exercise in pattern hacking but I won’t be wearing this anytime soon.
I’m including my beachy dress as a “half miss” only because after wearing it I found that it stretches in the length. I will have to get around to hemming it shorter before the warmer weather hits.
Now that the misses are behind me…lets move on to my favorite…

THE HITS!
My white moto jacket! I love this thing… that says it all.
Are you guys tired of seeing me twirling about in these skirts yet?! Well too bad… because I just can’t stop!
I wore this dress so much over the summer that I had to be careful not to over wear it. The print, color and pattern were all well suited to each other!

 

My running jacket may very well be my personal favorite make of the entire year! It is so practical in my wardrobe and was satisfying to make. I wear it many times a week…a sure sign of a hit.
My last hit just happens to be my last make of the year. I surprised myself by how often I wore this seasonal sweater. I am even looking forward to wearing it next year!
HIGHLIGHTS
I realize that I don’t share much about my non-sewing life here so I am still reluctant to do so now. An oxymoron for a blogger to want to be private… I fully realize this. Sewing related though…my best moment of the year was when Gillian emailed me to let me know that I was featured on McCall’s Pattern Company’s office fan board. I was elated!!


REFLECTIONS



1. Sewing Spaces
This year has been the year of new sewing rooms…hopefully I won’t be moving again this coming year as it can really wreak havoc on the sewing mojo. Although, I do feel that my current studio is well laid out and works nicely for me.
2. My Style
As I look back I can see that I really did wear a lot of what I made which is a good indicator that I am on track and making garments that suit my lifestyle. I also still wear garments from previous years as well. I know that I like what I make because I’m so disappointed when it mysteriously disappears (like this dress) or gets worn out. I don’t like sewing staples but I do like sewing things that I will actually wear.
3. Time..
Life this past year didn’t leave me with a lot of time or desire to sew… hence the measly 23 blogged makes.
4. Mysteriously Missing
I didn’t make any pants this year! What the heck is that all about?!! I know I like dresses but com’ on! Not one pair?!
5. Bad Blogger 
My frequency of blogging was half that of the previous year. Huh? I posted only 40 times in 2014 as compared to 87 in 2013. Pathetic.

GOALS
As for goals for 2015…let me get the first two out of the way…..
1. PANTS
Umm…. Duh!
2. More posts
…another Duh!
3. Stash Bust
Use up some of my stash. I know that I have talked about this last year and my husband doesn’t feel the same way about it as I do ( to refresh your memory)  but I do think that a “stash bust” is over due.
4. Expand My Skills
I would like to learn how to make jeans and more tailored clothes like coats or blazers..heavens knows I have a pattern for them!
5. Sew More Knits
I have a coverstitch machine that is sooooo under-utilized in my studio and I would really like to conquer the mystery of knits especially the more slinky, tricky ones.

So there you have it…my first (of many..hopefully) post of 2015! A new year on the calender always feels like a fresh new start.

39 Comments

  • Shame about the coat. All that work and that colour would look so nice on you, too. Is there anything that you could do to reduce the fullness at the hips? Maybe redoing some of the seams below the waist to reduce the amount of flare? Also maybe taking it to a dry cleaner to have professionally pressed? On coat weight fabrics its almost impossible to get a good press without professional grade equipment.

  • Happy New Year, Margo! You certainly look fabulous in red, and the red dress that was featured is making you so pretty. Although I understand that it happens that some garments match you and your life better than some others even though much was considered before making, I love all of your sewing and your taste of sewing. Thank you for the post, it is inspiring.

  • Get that maxi re-hemmed stat! Before you know it, it will be summer and that dress is definitely a keeper!

    You know, I've really been enjoying reading everyones' posts on hits and misses, and years in review etc. I'm consistently impressed with how often people post, and how much people sew! You as well! 40 posts is admirable, I say. I think my challenge is that I really am trying to keep my wardrobe down to a minimum, and since I've taken up sewing clothing again…well, you know.

    Happy New Year my Canadian friend! I'm looking forward to your beautiful makes this year!

  • The jumpsuit looks stunning, but they are just so impractical to wear and climb in and out of for necessary reasons every few hours :). Looks as though practicals work a lot for you, and lots of nice special things. I like to keep most of my private life private as well – just enough personal so I come across as a person. Happy New Year, Margo, to you and your family.

  • Your hits are fabulous, and even your misses are pretty darn amazing! Something I really admire about your blog is that it showcases just how well you understand your own style and what suits you. Very inspiring! Happy 2015 and good luck with all your goals!

  • Apart from the coat your misses aren't so bad. The Renfrew looks like a perfect length to me. And the dress with the large flower at the hem could be shortened to a tunic or top. And can the jumpsuit be turned into a top and pants? You look lovely in everything. Best wishes for 2015 sewing.

  • Margo, you have made some amazing garments! I love that moto jacket!! And those skirts are amazing! Looking forward to following along with you again this year classy lady! Happy New Year!

  • Happy New Year, Margo! I am so glad to meet you here in blogosphere, you are a very talented sewist and you have made so many pretty garments.
    I can not wait to see your 2015 garments and wish you the best of everything in 2015 🙂

  • You made some lovely things in 2014. It is a shame the striped dress 'grows' as it was one of my favourite things you made. I have to agree though that the running jacket is especially awesome with all the piping. Hope 2015 treats you well, I'm looking forward to seeing what you make this year!

  • Happy New Year Margo! I think that 23 garments and 40 posts is an excellent achievement. (Although I'm happy you are planning to increase your posts and makes because I love following your blog!). You should wear your renfrew, it looks great!

    I'm looking forward to another year of enjoying your immense style, impeccable taste and accomplished sewing skills 🙂

  • Love your review, you made so many fabulous things this past year! I’m really looking forward to reading your posts and envying your skils – so stimulating! Have a happy 2015!

  • All great suggestions. Thanks! Except that the coat is now long gone… if something is a wadder, it goes out the door of my studio pretty quickly. Maybe whomever found it after I donated it can fix it up. I didn't have it in me to do it. LOL

  • All I can say is that I wish my "misses" looked as good as yours turned out. haha but I know when you make something and know every flaw it's easy to see them differently. But at least coming from an outsiders perspective they seriously all look so good. I do have to say though that that white moto jacket is AMAZING. Holy cow it's beautiful, truly, sewn so well you can even tell from pictures alone. Great job Margo!

  • Thanks Vicki! Your suggestions are all such great ones but I'm afraid that I'll likely never get around to doing any revisions…my attention span won't allow. lol Happy 2015!!

  • Hi Margo! I found your blog this year through BlogHop. I quite like your style, but what I've been most impressed about is how "put together" you look. The clothes you sew not only get worn; they match your lifestyle and are incredibly versatile! Now if you would be so kind as to share the secret of your hair…

  • Hi Margo! I found your blog this year through BlogHop. I love your style, but most of all what I love is how "put together" your outfits are. It shows that you are sewing things that you do wear and are suitable for your life! 10 points for versatility!

    If you could also share the secret of your hair, that would be fantastic. 🙂

  • Hi Anna Katherine! Thanks so much for the compliments! As for the question about my hair… I will tell you that I hate doing my hair, so I use every shortcut possible and it doesn't always look very good! Old fashioned rollers are a great way to get volume and curl without spending a ton of time on it.

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