2023 - A Year of Making
I love reading other people’s roundups of their years, what they have made, what has worked, what hasn’t… so here is mine.
To start with the statistics, I made 24 items for myself and 26 for other people. These statistics shocked me. Once I added it all up I was amazed that I had made more for other people this year than for myself, because it didn’t feel like I had. These 26 items were for a total of 13 people, with the most items made for one person being 4. Some of these makes were quick, simple things, like the lunch bags I made my children, but others were much more involved like the fully lined bomber jacket with welt pockets I made my brother. Anyway, I’ve spoken about the presents I made others in my last blog post, so head over there if you would like more details about them.
To focus on the 24 items I made myself:
1 - The Assembly Line Cuff Dress
A pattern I had been wanting to make for ages, I finally bought it and made it from some lovely slub linen from my stash. I really like the finished dress and I wear it a lot. It was great through Spring and summer, easy to wear, relatively easy to iron. Win Win.
2 - The Modern Sewing Co Jesse Jumpsuit
I bought this pattern as soon as it was released. I love everything about it, the elasticated waist, the shape of the legs, the collar. I made it in a striped linen fabric and it is amazing to wear. The only downside is if I wear a coat or jacket over it the legs look like pyjama bottoms.
3 - By Hand London Tamzin Dress
I had had this pattern for a while before I made it. I used an orange cupro from Rainbow Fabrics, which is lovely and soft and has a nice 2-tone effect in some lights. I made this straight out of the pack, with no alterations. I think it is slightly big, I notice I lose the square-ness of the neckline sometimes as it droops. But the style is supposed to be big because there are no fastenings. I wore this on a river cruise with a bunch of structural engineers and had a great evening!
4 - Stlye Arc Bobs
Not my first Bobs and won’t be my last. But these were the first pair I had made for a few years. I needed to reprint the pattern in a size larger, but so glad I did because now I have some really wearable black linen Bobs and they do get worn all the time. Great for work, for weekends, for everything. The only issue is chilly ankles in the winter, but all my trousers seem to be ankle length so I’m used to that!
5 - Megan Nielsen Hovea Jacket
A quilted jacket was on my Make Nine this year, and I made Hovea in the spring from this fabulous headstock quilted cotton gingham. I made the cropped version for this and it is a great, lightweight jacket. The gingham is black and white so it goes with pretty much everything!
6 - White Anthea Blouse
My first Anthea blouse, and I loved everything about it. I was putting off making this (as I do with a lot of hyped up sewing patterns - because often they are really disappointing) but I’m so glad I finally did.
7 - Black and white Anthea Blouse
I made the second as soon as I finished the first. I love this fabric and wear this version more than the white one.
8 - Fibre Mood Nellie Dress
My third pair of Clydes, my first in this bright a colour. I actually love them and wear them a lot, despite feeling nervous when I first finished them that I would look like a clown! This fabric is washing and wearing really well, my other Clydes have both disintegrated but this linen is sturdy!
10 - Fibre Mood Afra
Another one from my Make Nine list - just a useful wardrobe staple. My second one of these, quick and easy to make and looks great in stripes.
11 - Tilly and the Buttons Lyra Dress
This is another fail, but down to fabric rather than pattern. The fabric was too cheap and has basically disintegrated now. I have chopped the buttons off and thrown out what was left of the dress. I used a viscose fabric and it was too fine for this. Shame, because I loved the style and wearability of this. I have some nicer, Lady McElroy cotton lawn to make another one in 2024.
12 - Megan Nielsen Opal Trousers
Love this fabric and love this pattern. Match made in heaven. Perfect for cycling to work as tapered legs and stretchy fabric, but still look smart in the office. No pictures of me wearing them unfortunately. But think I might make another pair in a different colour of the same fabric.
13 - Tilly and the Buttons Stella Joggers
Made for working from home in a cold house. Simple, not much to say about them. Useful wardrobe staple that are worn a lot. They are from Tilly’s book, Stretch. The fabric is cosy colours jersey, which I think I got from Fabric Godmother a few years ago. I know that Guthrie Ghani often stock this fabric, its very good and I have bought it in a few colours over the years.
14 - New Craft House Everyday Waistcoat
I had been wanting to make this waistcoat for a while and I made 2 this year (one as a gift). I have written a full blog post about this, so go check that out if you would like more details.
15 - New Craft House Ava Bra.
I don’t have any photos of this Ava Bra, it was a sort of wearable toile. I need to size down on the band for my next version, which I am planning to make soon!
16 - New Craft House Everyday Trousers
Maybe my favourite thing I’ve made for myself this year…? I added darts to the back of the trousers to create more shape in the lower back and to help grade between my hips and waist. As a result I have trousers that are comfy and that fit me well. I used a pinstripe linen that I have been hoarding for years, so I’m really glad these worked out. They get worn a lot, as they look good for work.
18 - Gingham Style Arc Bob Pants
A summery pair of Bob pants, I was inspired by a few ready to wear trousers like the ones from Beyond Nine. I made these a bit too close to the end of summer so unfortunately they didn’t get much wear. I love the cotton gingham though so I’m hoping to change that this summer!
18 - Fibre Mood Mabel Sweatshirt.
Love everything about this red sweatshirt apart from the sleeve length. I will add a few inches to the length next time as I find them awkward like this. Fabric is lovely lightweight cotton sweatshirting.
19 - Fibre Mood Didi Sweatshirt.
This Didi Sweatshirt is a massive win for me and has been worn almost daily through the cold parts of winter. Absolutely amazing cotton fleece fabric that makes this soft, breathable, warm and snuggly. Plus, it’s orange, which fits into my wardrobe brilliantly!
20 - New Craft House Party Skirt
I managed to snap up a party skirt kit after missing out on the first batch. I just gathered the full width of the fabric into the waistband then chopped it to the desired length. This meant I had enough to make another skirt (with a plain black elastic waistband) for my lovely pregnant colleague who was struggling with what to wear over Christmas.
21 - Closet Core Pauline Dress
I can’t actually find this dress, I must have packed it away for summer. Anyway, I debated over buying this pattern for a while, but decided after my Tamzin dress that I wanted another square neck dress that was more fitted in the bodice. I managed to stretch the neckline slightly as I was sewing this, which I’m gutted about as I love the dress and the fabric so much. I’ve tried steaming and ironing it back but it hasn’t worked. Any time on how to fix a stretched neckline gratefully received. I’ll dig it out and take some proper photos.
22 - Closet Core Mitchell Trousers
I made these at the Crafty Sewing Camp. They are quite involved, with welt pockets and a fly and a faced waistband. I love them. I love them so much that I haven’t worn them. But I will change this next year. I think they feel quite corporate and I haven’t been dressing particularly smartly for work recently, but I’m aiming to step up my game next year! Again, I don’t have a photo of me wearing them, but I do have this photo of me sewing them at the Crafty Sewing Camp!
Proof that I enjoy sewing :)
23 - Black Jesse Jumpsuit
Another make from Crafty Sewing Camp, my second Jesse Jumpsuit. I used a linen blend from Fabworks, which was one of their fabrics of the month so was half price. It’s great for this jumpsuit. I’m slightly obsessed with the idea of only wearing black jumpsuits to work, with bright red shoes and red glasses. I haven’t had the confidence to try this yet, maybe 2024 will be the year… Again, can’t find a photo of me wearing this, I will aim to rectify that!
24 - Paper Theory Olya Shirt
My 4th make using this pattern, it’s a favourite for me. I adore this fabric, I’m planning to buy another colour way because the combination of stripes with this pattern plus the gorgeous modal fabric base is unbeatable! Also, Olya is just an absolute joy to make.
So there are all my 2023 makes for myself. I didn’t manage to sew all my Make Nine, but I didn’t do too badly and it definitely helped shape my plans for the start of the year. I have had a busy year with starting a new job and moving house, so I’m impressed I managed to make that much for myself!
I will be sharing my 2024 goals and my Make Nine soon :)
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