.. and reset!

It’s been over a year since I posted and that isn’t for want of sewing and knitting.

Personal moment: I have chronic fatigue syndrome. When I started this blog I was at the mild end of the scale; working full time and able to do some crafting and socialising around work. In June 2020, I had a relapse back to moderate/severe, and I’m still in moderate territory. That has meant that a lot of things slipped by the wayside, especially when I started trying to increase the amount I could do. But lately I’ve found myself wanting to blog and feeling that I have the energy to use some downtime to think and write. I’ve found other places to be reflective, but ultimately, I still want my own space to write freely and somewhere to look back on my sewing.

So I feel a good place to start is maybe to recap on the projects I’ve already shared, and maybe then summarise where I’ve got to with everything in between.

1. The white broderie anglaise Maya top

This got donated recently. I hadn’t worn it in about a year; initially I wore it a lot out of maker pride, but once I had more makes to choose from, it was neglected. I think this is a byproduct of developing my style as I learn to make things. I’ve found that with the freedom to make anything, I’ve experimented more with colours and patterns, and I now make things I wouldn’t have thought twice about a year ago. It was well made though (French seamed throughout) so I hoped that by donating it, it would get a new lease of life with someone else. I still love the fabric though and would consider a sundress in it…

2. The BHL Hannah in floral print

This hasn’t been worn a lot because I realised quickly that I still wasn’t happy with the fit. At the time, I didn’t have the knowledge to see what I could do with it. A few months ago I altered it again to address some of the issues I wasn’t keen on, but it really needs to go back to basics with a whole new bodice and using my evolved fitting knowledge. I still love the fabric and style – it’s one of my proudest makes still because the pairing is *chef’s kiss* – so I plan to work a new bodice and attach it to the skirt.

3. Liberty Marilla Walker Maya top

I wore this a few times but I was squeezing into the largest size, which was a bit too tight in the back and underarm. I still love the fabric and it’s a well made garment so it’s still in my wardrobe (metaphorically – it’s in storage) in case either my body measurements fluctuate, which often happens, or I work out how to repurpose the fabric. If the pattern sizing was expanded I’d make this top again – it’s a good basic woven top.

4. Liberty Ogden camis

This is another example of poor fit sadly making a lovely garment unwearable. My toile was finished with bias binding facing, which meant it was much more flexible than the version made with a facing. Unfortunately the version with a facing was unwearable as it was so tight in the bust and upper bust. As with my Maya top, that one is in storage in case my body measurements fluctuate. I donated the bias facing version, as the bias facing was affecting the lines of the cami. This was my first time grading a pattern and I think I was working from old measurements, which didn’t help, as well as grading up a B cup block when I have a 6″ bust differential. The pattern has since been expanded and I’ve made more (with varying degrees of fitting success).

5. Peppermint peplum top

I wore this a LOT. Surprisingly so. It was my first garment and my finish wasn’t great (although I French seamed – I’ve always loved a French seam!). The fabric was super cute (Atelier Brunette Bye Bye Birdie) and it was a great light top to chuck on for round the house. I’ve since donated it as I hadn’t worn it in 6 months and again, I hope it gets a new lease of life. I’ve got another peplum top cut out in my WIP pile.

6. Sew House Seven Underwood tank dress

This was, objectively, a disaster. Poorly made, poorly finished, and it didn’t fit great. It was an early knit garment and I hadn’t learned how to work with stretch fabrics. It never got worn and I scrapped it. It put me off knits for several months…!

So that sums up what happened to the garments I’d shared on here, and the lessons I’ve learned with each garment.

Next up: sharing the projects I’ve made in the past year – the good, the bad, and the ugly. As always, I want to show the real side of being a self-taught beginner sewist. I know that it can often seem very daunting when everyone posts perfect makes and your early makes either don’t fit or have construction issues. Everyone has to learn somehow and it’s OK (and entirely normal) to make mistakes!