Top 5 Reflections on 2020 and Goals for 2021

I thought I would do a few fun posts the end of this year.  The Sewcialists came up with a fun #SewingTop5 and I will play along.  I have already posted my top 5 Hits and Misses of 2020 as well as my top 5 non-sewing highlights.  So here I am at the last post of 2020 – my Goals for next year and my reflections on this year.

Goal posts are always hard for me.  I used to be a person with a lot of goals.  I was a “go-getter”.  Then I became ill and my goals were put on hold. As the years went by and I stayed ill I started letting go of my goals.  Due to my chronic health issues I am completely unreliable now days.  I never know when I will be stuck in bed for days on end or if I will be able to get up and go somewhere.  I don’t make plans, I don’t set anything for the future because I just don’t know.  Its easier to avoid making plans than to disappoint myself and my family.  I will attempt to set some goals for next year, but I can’t promise I will stick to them.

Goals for 2021 1. Use much more of my fabric stash, do not buy more fabric!

Ok, this goal I’ve had pretty much every year since 2012 when I started sewing. I really intend to stick to it this year though.  I have more than enough fabric and plans to use it.  Also, if we intend to move in the next 1-3 years I don’t want to hear my husband complaining for 6 months after about all the sewing stuff he had to lift and move. So, use it up and don’t buy more!

2. Use the patterns I have, do not buy more patterns!

We all get tempted by the latest awesome pattern that everyone seems to make.  I get sucked into that too.  I want all the patterns. I want them just “in case” I might need them down the road, or I want them because I want to make them now!  I have way more than enough patterns and magazines to last more than a lifetime! I currently have 3 drawers of a legal cabinet stuffed full of pdfs and Jalie. I have 3 drawers of a regular file cabinet stuffed full of Burda and Ottobre magazines.  And then I have 2 drawers of my simplicity pattern cabinet stuffed full of paper (big4) patterns.  I need to get sewing them up.  I have spreadsheets that list things I want to make and with what fabric; I need to use this and start making!

3. Be content with the sewing machines I have, do not buy more machines!

Ok, you see a theme going here.  I need 2021 to be a year of use it up, make due, do not buy more.  I am actually putting us on a spending freeze starting Jan 1. We have too much stuff.  I have moving on my mind and we need to move less this time.  Back to the sewing machines.  I am a bit obsessed with collecting them.  I either buy a machine and then a new one comes out and I’m all “oooh that’s pretty, I want it” or I see a vintage machine and my heart just screams “buy it, fix it up, don’t let it get thrown away!”  I have a serious problem.  There is nothing wrong with my machines both new, and old.  I cannot get any more until we move.  Right now I have my main machines from L to R: Babylock Presto 2 as main, Babylock Celebrate as main serger (brother 1034d that I just can’t get rid of as a backup.  He has been such a workhorse), Babylock Coverstitch2 as my coverstitch, and my Babylock Flourish2 as my embroidery machine.   In addition to these that I use almost on the daily, I have my vintage “fun” machines that I pull out whenever I get the itch.  There are 2 Kenmores, 2 Whites, 1 Elna, 2 Singers I’m fixing, and a Montgomery Ward.  I love working on them and making them run in tip top shape again.  We also have Miss K’s Brother sewing machine in my room.  So that is 14 freaking machines we have.  That is enough for a lifetime of sewing. I need to stop. Here are just some of the ones I have.

4. Take pictures and post my makes within 30 days of making them.

I am really bad about this.  I generally make something up and it sits in the closet waiting for photos because I’m just too tired to put on my “face” and take pictures.  I like having my blog posts for reference when I am done with makes, but it is super time consuming to write the blog posts.  I am so backlogged on makes right now that I don’t feel like posting at all because I feel overwhelmed, like I won’t ever catch up. I need to make the time and just take the pictures and write the posts.  I use my posts quite a bit.  I re-read them before re-making things. I look back at posts when I’m feeling down or frustrated if things aren’t working out on a current make. I use the posts for the information and for motivation.  So in 2021 I would like to catch up on all backlog and keep up on current make posts.

5. Enjoy my sewing.

I want to take the time to enjoy what I’m making.  I want to enjoy the process and be in my Zen mode when sewing. I don’t want to feel rushed or frustrated or unhappy.  My sewing is my happy place.  It allows me to enjoy a part of life and it lets me feel like I accomplish things.  I feel productive and that makes me happy.  I love the sewing community and I love being  a part of it.  I like connecting with humans because sometimes just talking to the dogs isn’t enough for me. I am so thankful to be a part of the sewing community and I get so much joy when people read my posts and enjoy them, get inspired by them, or get useful tips from them.  2021 needs to be a good year.  A productive year.

There are my 5 goals for this next year.  Use my fabric, patterns, and machines. Get my blog posts up, and enjoy my sewing.

Reflections on 2020

This is hard for me. There isn’t too much to reflect on in 2020.  We stayed low-key.  We didn’t do much out of the ordinary.  I sewed some, but not as much as I wanted.

1. Most proud make? Any of the 3 pairs of pants that I made this year that fit amazing.  I am so proud that I was finally able to get a decent pant fit.  I worked extremely hard researching and testing different alterations.  I was relieved and happy when I seemed to finally crack the code on my lower half fittings. (McCalls M7061 in red, Burda 11/2007 #122 in gray and Greenstyle Brassies in Black) 2. Most challenging make? This is most definitely my Ottobre coat.  That thing was a beast to sew and make. The fabric, the amount of pieces, the buttonholes and buttons.  Everything about it was work, but I am so glad I did make it and I love the coat. I haven’t had much opportunity to wear it since I finished it late fall; so I look forward to spring when I will wear it often. 3. Most enjoyable make? I think my most enjoyable make was my Burda 12-2010 #140 apron.  I don’t sew much with woven and it was a fun project to make something I actually needed.  It turned out super cute and it always puts a smile on my face when I wear it. 4. Most important thing I learned?

Don’t give up, keep trying even if you fail many times if it is something you want.  Don’t be afraid to use that favorite fabric – there is always more fabric that will become a favorite.  If something doesn’t work, try a different way until it does work. Here is the alteration that most helped me in my pants fitting. I learned about it a few years ago but never really tried it.  This year I tried it and it was the biggest help.  It is the knock knee adjustment. So I would say this is the most important thing I learned to do this year for better fitting.

5. Did I end up making everything on my 2020 sewing plans?

We can start with Spring/Summer.  I completed only 5 things off these plans.  I have 3 things currently in progress as well. So 8/24.  I still want to make everything on this list and will get to it in my own time.

Closet Core Ginger Jean Shorts; Jalie 2908 Jean Shorts (not yet blogged); Ottobre 02/2017 #7 Spring Coat; Closet Core Ginger Jean/Jalie Mash up in grey; Jalie 3248 Drop Pocket Cardigan

And now for the Fall/Winter plans:

I have completed 3 of these so far and have 2 more in progress as well as 3 with the fabric prewashed (that counts as in progress, right?).  These are my plans for fall and winter so I have until the end of Feb to get the list knocked out.

Sinclair Harper; Lekala 1653 (unblogged); Jalie Jeanne (unblogged)

That about sums up 2020 and what I hope for 2021.  Thank you so much for reading and being here with me on this journey. I love following along with so many other sewists journey's as well. I hope we all have a wonderful 2021.

Kristin

Top 5 Non-Sewing Highlights of 2020

I thought I would do a few fun posts the end of this year.  The Sewcialists came up with a fun #SewingTop5 and I will play along.  I have already posted my top 5 Hits and Misses of 2020. Now it is time for my top 5 non-sewing highlights.  Then I will post reflections, and goals.

2020 was a crazy year for everyone.  For us it was pretty low-key.  The kids were home, the husband’s job requires almost 80 hours per week of his time now so he is gone often. Miss K and I are very high risk so we didn’t enter anywhere for over 6 months+.  It felt so eerie to go into the doctor’s office after all that time. We still do not go anywhere unless it is deemed necessary (doctor, dentist). I spend most my time at home anyway, so it wasn’t a huge change for me.  I’m also a huge introvert so again, not much change except most our groceries went out of stock and the kids had unruly times of boredom and frustration.

The top 5 non-sewing highlights are pretty mellow for 2020.

1. I have other hobbies besides sewing.  I spent quite a bit of time on them. They include video games, reading, puzzles, painting, canning, watching movies, pretty much anything low-key or creative.

I worked on my fox painting some this year (I think I started it in 2017. it’s taking a long time as my hand gets tired easily).

I also put together a bunch of puzzles.

I tried to watch a bunch of shows I had backlogged.  I am not a big TV person so I can only handle maybe an hour or two of the tv screen a day.  Many days I go without any TV; it is just not my thing, really.

2. We spent time in the kitchen (also, not unusual).

I canned a bit this year. Not as much as at our old house, but a decent amount.

We baked cookies, muffins, breads, etc.

3. We spent time outdoors.

Walking the dogs.

Walking in general, just to get out of these 4 walls.

Playing in the snow, in the pool, and in the tent. Trying to keep busy and not bored.

4. We found a friend who kept wandering in our yard this summer.  This was a super exciting event that kept us entertained for about a week. She seemed to like our pool stuff. After a week Mrs. Turtle moved on. My husband thinks she was looking for a place to lay her eggs. (she was not harmed, we picked her up 2 times to put her by the edge of the fence by a hole so she could leave; she just kept coming back to the middle of our yard!)

5. and the biggest non-sewing event this year was that Mr. T graduated high school. Unfortunately due to covid he had no party, no graduation ceremony; he was accepted to UW Stout but then didn’t go due to covid closing down most the school stuff.  He’s pretty bummed and I’m sad he wasn’t able to enjoy these important events in his life.  He isn’t a fan of online schooling.  Its a nutso time for everyone, but I feel especially bad for the Seniors this year and last year.  they missed out on so much.

I also worked on house projects a ton.  I re-did all the trim, we carpeted the stairs, I replaced all window screens, touched up paint, finished the kitchen backsplash, etc.  Just an absolute ton of things.  We will live here 1-3 more years and then move to a more “forever” home closer to my husband’s work. I look forward to moving.  This in-town living is difficult for all of us.

Other than that, we spent a lot of time laying around and such. We’ve been blessed in that it hasn’t been too bad of a year for us besides my cruddy health. I feel bad for others who are deeply impacted by the virus.

Top 5 Misses of 2020

I thought I would do a few fun posts the end of this year.  The Sewcialists came up with a fun #SewingTop5 and I will play along.  Yesterday I posted my top 5 hits of 2020. Now it is time for my top 5 misses.  Then I will move on to non-sewing highlights, reflections, and goals.

The timeline I’m using is from June 2019-June 2020  that got the least wear.  I chose to include Middle 2019 to Middle 2020 because I usually don’t know about a make being a hit or a miss for awhile and a lot of my recent makes I won’t know if they are misses until 6 months or so goes by.

So here are my least worn makes from June 2019- June 2020

1. Helen’s Closet – Blackwood Cardigan

Made Sept 2019. Honestly it is no surprise this is on the list.  I love the fabric, but the fit from the start was not comfortable.  The sleeves on this pattern are excruciatingly tight. Needless to say it hangs in my closet unworn since it was made. I might like the pattern a lot better if my arms could breathe, but I have other patterns very similar that I can use with no adjustments (P4P grandpa cardigan, Sinclair Harper Cardi to name 2 off the top of my head).

2. Jalie – Alex 3907 Made Oct 2019. Another make that never really enjoyed was my second sewing of the Jalie Alex.  This fabric just feels all wrong on my body.  Comfort wins with me and this one isn’t comfortable.  The double fabric folds and bunches thickly and the weird arm folds feel gross. I do love this pattern, however, and I actually stole the one I made Miss K in fleece Llamas – which I wear all the time. In fleece this pattern is awesome. 3. Deer & Doe – Plantain Made Sept 2019.  I’m not even sure why I do not wear this top.  I loved my first plantain but then changed sizes and cut it up, so I re-made that first plantain and I find I just never wear it.  I have sewn this pattern 4 times now.  There isn’t any good reason as to why it’s not worn.  4. Jalie – Marie Claude 3667 Made Sept 2019. Here is another pattern I’ve sewn before and loved, yet when made this time I find I don’t like it as much.  My other one in a sheer sweater knit is amazing and I love it; I also loved it when I used a french terry knit.  This one in rayon spandex, not so much love.  I haven’t worn it or given it a chance once.  I find rayon spandex shows every lump and bump and I just don’t like how it feels on the body. 5. 5 out of 4 Nancy Dress Made Nov 2019. This one is no surprise to this list.  It was a dud straight away.  The fit was awful.  I liked the fabric, but not with this pattern.  It went to the “no way” bin just after blog photos. Most of the time my choices come down to comfort. Does it feel comfortable on me? Do I get too hot or too cold in it?  Is it soft enough?  Does it fit right? I find that many of my “misses” aren’t really the fault of the pattern, but usually a bad fabric choice to pair with the pattern. 

Top 5 Hits of 2020

I thought I would do a few fun posts the end of this year.  The Sewcialists came up with a fun #SewingTop5 and I will play along.  First up will be my top 5 hits of 2020, then top 5 misses, non sewing highlights, reflections, and goals.

These are things I made in 2020 that got the most wear this year.  (Also, to put things into context, I rarely leave the house so my wardrobe reflects that).

1. Pattern: Burda 01/2009 #125 “polo shirt”

Made: 08/28/20  When I made this I really wasn’t sure about it.  I love the design, but my fabric was a bear to work with so I was just done with this top. However, I found myself reaching for it often.  It is dressier than a plain tee, but still casual.  I like how it fits and the fabric actually feels nice to wear.

2. Pattern: McCall’s M7061 Pajama set

Made: 08/16/20 I loved these from the moment I made them.  I wear them together, I wear them separately.  I wear them as often as I can.  I love how they fit, I love how they feel, I love being cozy and comfortable in them. I don’t wear the pants outside the house but I do wear the top when we randomly leave to pick up groceries! It is a definite winner of a pattern and I need to make more.

3. Pattern: Burda 11/2007 #122

Made: July-Aug 2020 I knew I would love these pants when I made them because I love my other 2 pants sewn from this pattern.  My weight fluctuates a lot with my health so my other 2 didn’t fit anymore. I made these and have worn them about 50% of the time outside the house and sometimes at home too.  I have gained weight again the last 2 months here and the waistband is now too tight to be comfortable.  I realized last night that the elastic in these are in a casing! So I can just seam rip open a small spot and exchange out the elastic for a bigger size. Yay!  I look forward to having these favorites back again! They are easy to throw on, feel great on the body, and go with almost everything.

4. Pattern: Greenstyle Brassies

Made: Feb-Aug 2020.  You may be surprised to see these on the top hits list since I talked terrible about them after I made them.  I started sewing them around Feb 2020 but had so many issues I stopped and left them until Aug 2020 when I finished them. I made umpteen adjustments to these pants to get a fit that was acceptable. I hated this pattern by the time I finished. I made more adjustments in these pants than any other I’ve made to date. However, after they were finished I actually started to reach for them quite a bit.  Then as more time went on, I reached for these more than any of my other pants.  They are fast to throw on, super comfortable, and black matches a  lot in my closet.  So now they are one of my favorite pair of pants and besides the above Burda’s, I would say I wear these the other half the time.  I do find myself flipping the 1.5” waistband over as the rise is too high for my liking, so if I make these again I would reduce the entire front and back rise by 1”.  The front crotch is still weird feeling – not sure if its meant to have a dropped crotch or its just weird for me.

5. It was hard to pick a fifth.  I have a few things I wear a ton but they were tested patterns I can’t share yet.  So I settled on this:

Pattern: Jalie 3462 Cora Leggings

Made: May 2020  I made these leggings to help with swimming in our pool.  The water is usually very cold (we live in Wisconsin), and I am terrified of bugs, and bacteria, and germs touching me.  I also started having a reaction to all sunscreens so I wanted a way to cover myself. I wore these leggings quite a bit this year, almost every time we went in the pool (which was almost daily).  They worked well and were very comfortable.  I like them a lot.

** health note ** I have been sewing a little, but haven’t taken pictures yet to post on the blog.  I have struggled quite a bit this year with my health.  My last post I let you know I somehow got a C. diff infection.  I finished my first round of meds, waited 6 weeks and retested to find that I didn’t get rid of it.  The second round of meds was super harsh on me.  In addition to this, my mental health has taken a huge toll and I have been working on that.  Top top it off, I have lost about 2/3 of my hair thorough all this.  I’m not sure if it is the meds, the infection, or the stress. My hair keeps falling out in gobs and it really affects me.  I had to cut off 10 inches because it was so scraggly.  I miss my hair.  I know its just hair to some people, but to me it is another piece of me I have had to give up due to my crappy health.  I am tired of giving up pieces of me.  I really hope 2021 is a much better year for everyone.