Firstly, I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. I can’t believe that a year has passed already! I took part in Gillian’s (Crafting a Rainbow) Top Five last year, and now it’s time to do it again. I still have a few more makes to share with you before the end of the year, but this post just feels so right for today!
I’ve never been one to set goals for a new year but I do find it fun to look back on what has been. I’ve had such a great sewing year that I am going to take a little bit of liberty and group a few favourite makes in together.
I’m pretty sure this hit doesn’t need any further explanation. I made my first pair of white gridline culottes at the start of the year. A few months ago, I added to my collection with a Japanese corduroy pair and my pleated green cords. I’ve been wearing them all to death.
It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention my Esther shorts, and not just because this was the pattern from which my best culottes originated. It was a TNT in it’s own right first. My skorts version is here.
It’s a more recent make but one that I’m super proud of. Admittedly, it’s a straight copy of a Dior design I found online, but I did draft this pattern completely on my own. It was also my first real attempt at tailoring. It’s not quite warm enough to function properly as a coat in a Kansas Winter, but it would be perfect for Sydney! It’s also still fine to wear as long as I dash from car to restaurant and back again.
I love this coat. It’s light, comfy, and super snuggly. It also has a very high wearability factor, especially since I lobbed off it’s tail. The pattern I used was modified from a short Japanese raglan jacket. I should also make a sneaky mention of the leather blocked leggings that I’m wearing with it in the photos. They have also been worth their weight in gold.
I made up two playsuits this year. I’ve worn the white one a lot, both dressing it up with a silk kimono and wearing it casually with sneakers or flip flops. I love my Oscar de la Renta silk version too, but I’ve been reserving it for special occasions.
I discovered Simplicity 1366, a Cynthia Rowley pattern, several months ago. Since then, I’ve made versions in white gridlines, a white fleece, sweater kint, neoprene and cord, Nani Iro, and white denim. I also used the pattern to make a black gridline drop waist dress. I wear all of these makes a lot.
Finally, I’m going to give an honourable mention to this leather trimmed tunic. I made it with scraps and I never really intended for it to become as handy as it is. I like it, but I still don’t love it the way I love some of my other makes. Nevertheless, it’s still become my trusty Winter LBD. It’s the dress in my wardrobe that I turn to when nothing else seems suitable (or warm enough) to wear.
This was a lovely dress. It fit me well. I wore it a few times, but it wasn’t really me. I turned it into something better.
Over the space of a few months, I knitted my first ever beanies. I also finished a couple of scarfs for my little peeps. I then tried my hand at a little dress. It’s a red hot mess, rife with all kinds of mistakes, but it is pink, and surprisingly, a big hit Miss Three.
Alas, knitting and me are not meant to be. I tried Jillian, I really, REALLY did, but it’s time for me to admit defeat. I do, however, have a new set of eyes for admiring the amazing skill that does go into beautiful hand knitted garments. That’s right Gail. I’m also talking about your speedy fingers and those sweaters and scarfs you’ve been showing us lately.
That dior coat knockoff of yours is my personaly favourite from your shortlist… alongside the OdlR playsuit! So gorgeous. And I did actually gasp when I saw that leather skirt was at the top of your miss list. Just. Devastating. It does look absolutely stunning in your post on it… but if it's that uncomfortable…. well I suppose I can forgive you. Maybe.
Merry Christmas to you and yours 🙂 x
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poppykettle has somehow managed to write my comment for me – that's everything I wanted to say!
So I won't repeat it except to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Spud.
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Merry Christmas Debbie! That Dior coat…. Pure gorgeousness. Can't wait to see more of your amazing makes in the year ahead.
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Nooooo! Not the leather skirt! I don't care, I still LOVE it! It's still going in my fave makes of the year! You had a wonderfully original and fabulous year of sewing. Very inspiration. Happy Christmas from Australia xx
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Like everyone else: what?! Leather skirt?! Anna dress?! But you know what works and what doesn't. You've had a great year for sewing…long may it continue!
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Thank you! And a big Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you to! x
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Merry Christmas to you too. And best wishes for next year! x
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Thank you! And a Merry Christmas to you too!
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Haha! The better at sewing I get, the more exceptionally ruthless I get too. I still love the way the skirt looks – I might have to save up to make a more wearable replacement for next year 😉
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Haha! Yes, the more I sew and the more I learn, and the better I get at sewing perfectly comfortable and fitted clothes just for me, the more ruthless I get with my makes. I won't rule out making a new and improved skirt replacement in the future though 😉
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What a great post – I love all your hits – on you – they would be big misses on me. Which makes me agree with you, it's so right to know your style and stick to it – I agree, Anna is just too twee for you. You wear the wonderful dramatic lines so well with your figure.
Happy New Year to you and your lovely family – wonderful models, all of them 🙂
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Oh thank you for the warning. It provided me with the opportunity to regroup and prepare myself!! (:)) The amazing thing about you Debbie, is that you do refashion your makes and they always turn out superb – even if I really loved the original piece (boo hoo – wiping the tears away). You've had a great year of truly inspiring sewing. As the leader of team culottes you've inspired all of us!
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You have such a fabulous untque style – I love that you don't follow the sewing trends and beat your own drum. I agree with the others regarding the leather skirt, it photographs beautifully, but then sometimes photos don't always tell the truth do they? Happy New Year!!
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Even your misses are fabulous! I love that Japanese coat & the leather trimmed winter LBD. I can't wait to see what you make in 2015. Happy New Year!
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I love your makes. Here's to a fabulous 2015!
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