Let's start with my favorites! One of the reasons that I returned to sewing is because I couldn't justify spending boatloads of money on clothes after I left the workforce in 2005. I looked at everything that I love and was out of my price range and said, "I can make that!" I almost always take some sort of inspiration or detail from luxury brands. But other times, I look at a garment and want that exact piece, so I create as close of a version as possible for a fraction of the cost of the original. So here are my favorite "Designer Doppelgängers" from this year!
When I was review the spring runway collections and saw this gorgeous Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2016 dress, it was just too easy to not replicate!
I was on a serious grommet and eyelet binge this year. So when I ran across Australian design house Ellery's Utopian Dress, it was another that I knew I had to have. The best thing about sewing is that you get to make adjustments and modifications to make things work for you!
Dramatic sleeves, the bigger, the better were a major trend this year. And the queen of the sleeve is Roksanda Ilincic and her gorgeous Truffant Blouse. And I paired my version with my version of TIBI's Slit Detailed Pants.
And my latest is my R.E.D. Valentino Scalloped Edge Cape.
Also this year, I made my share of jumpsuits!
From l to r:
Last year, I gave myself permission to repeat an item if I love it.
And that's exactly what I did with Simplicity 1887! This is my favorite short's pattern and I'll probably start again on it for Summer '17!
And I also enjoyed Simplicity 8058. Okay, enjoy maybe an understatement. I wore the red pants last week and questioned myself on why I haven't made more versions?
Here are this year's coats, jackets and a vest!
My tops:
McCall's 7360 (Modified) Yellow Top
McCall's 7155 Orange Top
Simplicity 6061 Vintage Ruffle Top
Vogue 7604 Pussy Bow Blouse
McCall's 2353 White Button Down
Vogue 9151 Striped Lace Up Top
Vogue 9204 Black Sheer Blouse
Simplicity 3835 Black & White Gingham Off-the-Shoulder Top
Skirts:
Vogue 8882 Red & White Floral Skirt
McCall's 5430 Black & White Gingham Wrap Skirt
New Look 6418 Faux Suede Skirt
Dresses:
These are my favorite ensembles for this year!
Well, this was my 2016 Sewing Year! And I'm already working on 2017! Happy New Year!
These are my top nine from Instagram account.
Last year, I allowed myself to do something that I've rarely done in the past and I did it often. I sewed patterns multiple times. I use to give the cliched line at the end of a pattern review post that there's way too many patterns I want to make and will probably not sew that pattern again. I'm over that! If I like, I'm going to keep making it!
I've made Vogue 9032 four times this year. So I have a total of five pairs and I'll probably make more. This is officially my TNT pants pattern.
I loved Vogue 8956 and gave both versions kilt-like details with leather buckle closures.
Vogue 1465 is a great layering piece. I am always reaching for these two tops and I'll be making another one in white soon.
During the cooler weather season, I love a long-sleeve dress. And Vogue 1460 is pretty awesome to me. It's delivering easy-to-wear style and will look amazing in every color under the rainbow.
The possibilities and iterations for McCall's 6886 are endless. I've made three versions. I even used the pattern to create a two-piece look. I haven't made the v-neck version YET, but it's coming too.
I'm looking forward to seeing what amazing patterns will catch my eye this year and become TNT members of my arsenal!
Let's start with the worst of the worst...
This early March make... sigh. I knew this was F'd up when I made it. Sometimes you just have to own your own mess. I was in a sewing funk and said as much in the post. I wanted to make something... and I had bought this crappy-assed fabric. It was Carolina Herrera for Godsake! That meant it was supposed to be fabulous, right? Wrong. This fabric was like cardboard. It must've been used for home dec. It was beyond stiff. And my slit was way too high. When I sat down, all of the lady bits were almost on display. It's been gone...
This skort? Another case of horrible fabric AND design. Contrary to belief, I do post failures. And this is definitely one. This style was clearly drafted for someone that lacked any sort of curves. It would've looked perfect on Mikaela with her long, lean, athletic build. This is a "You Live and You Learn" project. Everything ain't for everybody and this wasn't for me. #SheTriedIt though...
Next...
The dress that sparked a life change...
I absolutely love working with neoprene and I loved this red dress. It's fabulous to wear and one of the easiest fabrics to sew. It's like a beefy power knit. But when I tell you that the super duper Spanx, plus this amazing fabric did me NO favors... NONE! I knew it was time to get my ass in the gym. Pronto. Stat! I still have this dress. I like to try it on because it now hangs off me like a sack. When I have days that I look in the mirror and my dysmorphia kicks in and I can't see the changes that I've been working towards for almost a year? I try on that dress. It's become a mental savior. And this picture is a reason to keep pushing forward on days I'm mentally drained, tired and sore.
Now, onto the favorites...
Favorite top!
Vogue 1387, has been one of my favorite tops. Even though I made it in a larger size than I would sew today, it's still very much wearable and I've been wearing it! A lot! I made this top in an amazing silk crepe de chine. It has an elastic waist AND a drawstring. You couldn't ask for a more perfect (figure) transitional garment.
I really like these Simplicity 1366 pants. They make me so happy. Maybe it's the print. I don't know... But I do know that I like them a lot. I find myself reaching for them often. I don't want to wear them to the point of getting sick of them. That happens more than not with me. So I decided to let them be until Spring. Even though they'd look really cute with a sweater. But I'm going to leave them alone. Because I'd quickly overdose on that print. I still plan to make this pattern again.
The Vogue 8939 black turtleneck midi dress is something that I could and would want to wear everyday. It's not only chic, it's easy dressing and comfortable. It's an amazing version of the LBD.
Favorite Project for Someone Else...
My kids ask me to sew them things all of the time. I literally laugh them out of the room. As if I have time... Girl, bye. But when it comes to special occasion sewing, I am all in for that. This is Mikaela's last high school homecoming. Of course I was making her dress. Whatever she wanted. This dress was a more mature look for her, but still youthful at the same time.
And favorite projects of the year...
They're two amazing coats, what more is there to say...
The Worst
Fabric, fabric and fabric were the offenders in these projects. For the first one, I tried to be overly authentic in my version of the runway garment for the Chado Ralph Rucci. It was shown on the runway in suede, so I wanted suede too. Bad decision. This was the stiffest dress EVER! It would've been so great had I made this in something like a stretch wool crepe, ponte knit or double knit.
Number 2? Just no... I wore this to a fashion event. Even though I received a lot of compliments, I just felt the print is not me. I could live with the style of the dress had I used a solid crepe de chine in a bright color. But this print? Maybe it would've worked better in something like a skirt.
And the last one. See... I'm really not a lace kinda girl. If I'm going to do lace, I'd prefer to keep it simple in a basic color like black. And a more "polished" looking lace like guipure. This dress almost caused me to hate peplums after looking back on it.
Things I Learned...
Self-Drafting
Self-drafting has always been something I've wanted to do. I've been studying commercial pattern pieces as I've sewn for years; understanding how all of those different shapes go into forming pieces of a garment. But let me tell you that it's still something I'm struggling with learning. There are certain aspects that I can't wrap my mind around. And if I had a class in my area, I'd be currently enrolled! But nevertheless, I'm going to keep trying and keep learning!
Most Worn Garment of 2013
Every year, there is always one garment that I wear to death. Vogue 1248 is the piece that I've worn more times than I can even count. These are just the documented times on the blog. I had no idea when I made this cute little top that it would be in high rotation. It's a great layering piece because it's sleeveless. And fits perfectly under sweaters and jackets!
Other pieces I reached for is the leather and ponte sweatshirt. The black sleeveless blazer was worn a lot. And I haven't put down my bomber jacket since I finished it!
Most Controversial Garment!
I had to laugh aloud as I typed that! This cotton/spandex machine-washable white maxi dress sparked the most ridiculous "controversy" over the occasion in which I would wear such a dress. Sigh... In case no one remembered, I wore it to eat at a Tex-Mex restaurant with my husband.
The Favorites!
These are the garments that I made this year that really made me proud that I can sew my own clothes!
Happy New Year!
Through all of the sewing, a couple of days a week I managed to get myself dressed! Here are a few of my favorite looks from throughout the year.
Here's to wearing what I sew in the new year!
I made dresses galore!
Colorful dresses
Dresses with cutouts
Skirts
Then I took my dresses and skirts to the MAX!
Maxi Dresses
Maxi Skirts
Tops
Gingham Style
Pants:
Colorful Pants
Fancy Pants
Everyone's Favorite Trend:
Peplums
Sewing for Mikaela
Everything else!
And my most worn garment...
Simplicity 2250
I wore this a LOT more than what was photographed!
Sometimes... well, most of the time, I feel overwhelmed by life and all that I have going on at home. I really didn't feel that productive sewing-wise. But when I look at it all -- here together, I did a lot and I'm proud of myself!
I hope you guys feel just as accomplished in your sewing.
Here's to a brand new year of making everything you want!
