All the things I made for myself in 2023!

This year, like every year, I set myself the task of handmade presents. However, they included more complex garments than I’ve made before and it was a lot of work!

I made the New Craft House Everyday Waistcoat and it’s a great little winter layering piece!

Thinking about the seasonal additions to my wardrobe that I can make using my existing fabric stash.

The Papercut Nexus Blouse, understated but lovely…

Looking forward to some warmer weather with this Wrap Jacket by The Assembly Line

The biggest bestest comfiest slouchiest thing I have made in a while. Plus the quickest…

I made the Dylan Coat from Sewing Basics for Every Body by Wendy Ward.

The Killian dress is a pattern that didn’t grab me initially, but I came back to it when I was planning my summer wardrobe. I knew I wanted to make a button down gingham dress, and was originally thinking about the Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges. Killian is similar to Darling in lots of ways, but has a bit more ease through the body and also has a member bonus of a gathered puff sleeve, which I couldn’t resist.

Celia - the perfect easy, breezy shirt dress. Long enough to ensure no knicker flashing occurs, even in a windy city!

The Elizabeth Suzann Florence Trousers - wide legged, speedy pants perfection!

So, the Myosotis dress. I am so late making this pattern. It’s one of those that I liked the look of, but thought it was a bit trendy, a bit of a fad and it didn’t grab me initially like it seemed to grab the rest of the sewing community.

I don’t often want to share my sewing fails (or misses, maybe fail is too harsh…) but we all make things that don’t work as we hoped, even when the sewing is great!

This is the Merchant and Mills Ellsworth shirt in a spotty linen viscose blend from my stash. It’s the first time I’ve made this shirt and overall it was a really enjoyable experience. The shirt has lots of traditional shirt details like a collar and stand and cuffs. I love the pop over placket, it’s one of my favourite features on a shirt and this one came together really nicely.

I knew I wanted to make something really wearable out of this beautiful Robert Kaufman flannel, so I opted for the Deer and Doe Bruyere shirt. It's a pattern that's been around for a while, but I love the shape of it with the fitted waist and the flared out bottom half.

The Arthur Pants by Sew Liberated and Specks and Keepings are definitely my favourite make of the last couple of years. I bought the pattern the day it was released, after waiting eagerly from the moment the first teaser was dropped.

So I’ve made 4 Norma Blouses now from Fibre Mood. This pattern seems to have been very popular within the sewing community and I completely understand why. It’s a fab pattern and comes together really well.