December 26, 2013

Top 5 Hits of 2013: Selfish Sewing

Happy Christmas/holidays everyone! Hope you all had a great time. I am filled up with mince pies (no meat in them, Americans!), 1,000 cups of tea, and currently, a head cold. But there’s no place like home to veg out, so that’s no problem.

And now that every magazine in the house has been read (along with Gyles Brandreth’s secrets to happiness and the latest Bridget Jones – high end around here, darlings), I thought I’d jump on the sewing blog bandwagon and do some highlights of 2013.

2013 was really the year that I got into full swing, sewing-wise: able to make things that I can leave the house in and don’t look homemade (although of course I’m always DYING for people to compliment me on my outfit so I can show off and say I made it). Looking back over my blog posts, I can see that I also improved a lot during the year – hence most of my favourites are in the second half of 2013. Here are my top 5 garments that I made for myself, in chronological order:

1. Parisienne button-down Archer

I was very pleased to complete my first button-down shirt –  and to get it looking reasonably good first time. This has had a lot of wear, as it goes with all manner of coloured jeans and cardigans. It’s definitely baggier than something I’d usually wear, but it looks good cinched in with a belt or cardigan. I want to make some more button downs in 2014, and in fact just got some more fabric sent over from France from Atelier Brunette.

Am I a bit boring, wearing wrap dresses 90% of the time? Probably. But they suit me, and in 2013 I finally nailed it! A great Christine Jonson pattern, slightly adapted by removing the waistline seam and making it an even quicker make. In fact, I originally started sewing with the explicit aim of making them, so this is particularly satisfying. And while this dress isn’t the most exciting in the world it has got a *lot* of wear this year. Plus, on three occasions random strangers have come up to me and asked me where I got it, leading to great opportunities for quiet smugness.
 
A TNT pattern! Simplicity 2343 which fits like a dream. My first two attempts were thwarted by over-fitting, but I finally got it down and made this one out of dotty quilting cotton from DryGoodsDesign in Seattle.
Liked it so much, I made it twice (Ok, four times if you count the two wadders….). This time, with Nani Iro linen. I’ve been wearing this tons!
And finally… a non-wrap dress! Yes people, it has been done. I made it a bit on the over-roomy side, but it’s *super* comfy as a result, so I’m resisting the urge to serge up the sides and make it smaller.
A good sewing year! Up next: the top 5 things I made for other people, mostly very small people.
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10 thoughts on “Top 5 Hits of 2013: Selfish Sewing”

  1. Rory Franklin says:
    December 26, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    What a great list! Thanks so much for sharing all of these and they’ve given me some great ideas. The outfits just look gahw-juss on you!

    Reply
    1. Jenny says:
      December 26, 2013 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. sew rachel! says:
    December 26, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Those are fabulous! I think the Archer is my favorite and I totally want one. that fabric is great! I have yet to make a true button-up blouse… maybe in 2014?

    Reply
    1. Jenny says:
      December 26, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Rachel! I was actually surprised by how straightforward the process was – but definitely do a muslin and see if you need to shorten the sleeves (and maybe make them narrower) – mine swamp me a bit so I have to roll them up at all times. Good luck!

      Reply
  3. gMarie says:
    December 26, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    What a wonderful list! I love the wrap dress and I’m so glad to see that pattern info. And no, wearing wrap dresses 90% of the time is not lame – if it works, work it! g

    Reply
    1. Jenny says:
      January 2, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks! I have a few more wrap dresses in the queue to be made – I’ve found some *amazing* silk jersey on Emma One Sock… Just need to get this coat done first 🙂

      Reply
  4. Gail says:
    January 2, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Beautiful makes! I’m in love with your Archer too – great fabric choice!

    Reply
    1. Jenny says:
      January 2, 2014 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks so much Gail! I love your blog 🙂

      Reply
  5. Fabric Tragic says:
    January 4, 2014 at 5:04 am

    Gorgeous things! They really suit you. And your selfless sewing is great too – wish that stripey bebe top came in adult sizes!

    Reply
    1. Jenny says:
      January 4, 2014 at 10:58 am

      Thanks! Yes I often wonder if I could scale these things up… One day when I don’t have a crazy queue of things to make I might give it a try 🙂

      Reply

Let me know what you think!