Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 – A Year in Review


Last December blogging was rather new to me, so a year-end review seemed a bit silly.  But this year I have added quite a few self-made garments to the closet, so I thought it would be fun to take a look back.


First,  I want to thank Mena of The Sew Weekly for allowing so many of us to tag along this year as contributors.  While I did not complete a garment every week, I did finish quite a few projects for the themed challenges.  I believe my final count was thirty new projects.  I have to take my hat off to the handful of ladies that completed a new project each and every week.  Yikes!  That is commitment!

Row 2:  Rose Print; Tapestry; Macaroon Medley; Lilac Silk
Row 4:  Checkered SilkFloral; Blue Roses; Hollyburn

My main objective for the year was to make more separates, and I succeeded.  I love my dresses and will always want to make more, but skirts and blouses are so much more practical.


Most of October was spent working on my Gala Gown, which distracted me from some of those fun challenges - but it was worth it in the end!

Row 3:  I Love Lucy; Bubblegum Pink

While compiling all of these pictures, a clear trend emerges - most of my projects fall into two categories:  vintage patterns, and vintage reproductions.  Perhaps I should stop purchasing all of those contemporary Vogue patterns!?

Row 3:  Carmen Miranda;  Birthday Frock; Anti-Valentine

I did make my mom a blouse, so I am not a completely selfish sewer.


And there was Tino’s Mad Hatter costume.  But I have neglected his wardrobe dreadfully this year - he is in desperate need of a new sweater, so that is on the to-do list.


I also had the opportunity to test two new patterns for Sewaholic Patterns which was fabulous!

Row 2:  Hollyburn; Cambie

There were a few other contemporary patterns used, although one has serious vintage influences, and the others might be hard to pick out as modern.  All I can say is, I know what I like!





I also managed to finish four sweaters this year, one of which I have yet to wear.  I really must stop making separates that do not match back to anything in my closet!


There you have it – a very busy year, indeed.

My sincere thanks to everyone for reading along and all of your lovely comments and support!

12 comments:

  1. That's an great overview! Well done!

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  2. Lovely! I'm looking forward to your next projects.
    All the best for the new year.

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  3. I love your style, and you made a lot of really exquisite projects this year!

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  4. What an incredibly productive, inspiring, gloriously fashionable year! I've truly enjoyed reading your blog (and swooning over each stunning creation you posted) throughout 2012, and am so looking forward to seeing what you share with us in the coming year.

    Have an amazing New Year!!!
    ♥ Jessica

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  5. Oh, boy I love the red number!!

    You made so many beautiful things this year. I look forward to seeing what you do next year.

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  6. Laura, you are such an artiste with a sewing machine! I love your feminine style and exquisite finishing details. You are one of my sewing inspirations. I look forward to seeing the 2013 projects.

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  7. What an amazing prolific sewist you are! And always such beautiful things, both inside and out! Best wishes to you this new year and I hope to always learn something new from your posts. Take care and enjoy this coming year, may it bring all that you desire.

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  8. Happy New Year, Laura! I love all the glamour you bring to your sewing :)

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  9. Dear Laura,
    I have been "lurking" on your blog for almost a year now and I love everything you make. These exquisite garments and your blog have become a HUGE deal of inspiration to me. I am teaching myself how to sew and I refer to your posts all the time for tricks, visual clues and ideas on how to make things work in garment construction. Also, the tutorials you kindly posted have been invaluable as well.
    The love of vintage fashion made me want to learn this great art of sewing. My sewing is very slow and painful at times - learning is not easy- I only made six garments this year, but I will persevere lol!It is getting easier with every piece.
    I also live in San Jose, CA, and visit San Francisco museums on regular basis and I loved reading your posts about visiting them.

    Happy New Year and thank you!!!

    Maria

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  10. Wow! What great additions to your wardrobe!

    Happy and productive) New Year to you too!

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  11. OMG! How do you get time for the rest of your life! You have made an amazing number of garments this year! Yet every garment you produce is carefully constructed, with great attention to detail, and often accessorised as well! I love reading your post, and watching the stages building up to the final garment. I had to check your blog every morning (UK time)before work when you were making your ball gown as each stage was a learning journey for me. I have learnt so much from reading all your posts. Sadly, the most useful tip of seam binding, is one I can not achieve as the wonderful 'Hug Snug' seam binding is not available in the UK! I think, by my calculation, you could possibly have a different outfit for every day of the month by now! Wishing you Happy Sewing and all the best for a creative 2013.

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  12. Hi there. I've been watching you on sew Weekly for ages and finally subscribed to your blog when I realised I was missing stuff! I am like the previous comment, been reading and learning from you since I started sewing for myself again after a gap of 20-odd years, your work was one of my first amazing online discoveries. So thanks from me as well for the inspiration, the glamour, the humour, the great photography, the excellent posture (you make me stand up straight and pull my shoulders back, even in still photos you look like a dancer, I just love it) and of course, the amazing resource of information. I don't always get a chance to comment but I'm reading/devouring every post.

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