Top 5 of 2019

I'm joining in the annual sewing Top 5 sewing-related navel gazing exercise hosted by Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow (via Sewcialists this year)!

2018 #SewingTop5 Hits and Misses

It's that time of year: wrap-ups, top 5 lists, top 9 lists, make 9 lists, best of lists, worst of lists... lots of thoughtfulness, a bit of navel gazing, and some fun rounds-ups!

2017: Top 5 Hits and Misses

It's that time of year again! Gillian's hosting her insightful Top 5 sewing round-up again, in which you look at what you've made over the year and take stock. 

I am going to do hits, honorable mentions, misses, an update on my 2017 sewing goals, and a few 2018 plans. I'm not sticking to 5 in all cases, because I can't follow instructions, apparently.

Mid-Year Update on 2017 Sewing Goals

At the end of 2016, I set a few 2017 sewing goals for myself as part of Gillian's Top 5 sewing round-up.

Halfway through the year, here's an update on my progress! I've made a dent in some of my goals, but others I haven't even touched yet. At the same time, some of my plans have changed due to my move. The swimsuit, for instance, is less of a priority since I've just moved away from S.E. Asia, whereas the coat project seems more dire! Sewing sweaters and flannel things has also become a priority. Returning to knitting and crochet should be on the list, too.

1. Bras and undies!

Negligible progress on this goal. I made a couple of pairs of cotton/spandex undies from scraps of other project, but really haven't really settled on a favorite pattern yet. And I haven't tried bras yet, either. I pulled out the Watson bra kit I have and almost cut into but panicked and put it away again. For some reason I find the bra-making materials intimidating. No idea why.

Trying my hand at sewing undies tonight and coincidentally I just learned that @katiemakesadress @teaduststitches and @idlesunshine are hosting a panty party! #knickerswithatwist 🎉These are the #burdastyle plus size sloper in #artgalleryknits (#scrapbusting) with stretch lace. #sewing #sewinglingerie #curvysewing #curvysewingcollective #handmadewardrobe #imakemyownclothes

A post shared by Meg (@megret79) on Jan 13, 2017 at 4:20am PST

2. Sophie Swimsuit!

Nope, not yet.

3. More pants and jeans! 

This one is going well... Curvy Pants Month at the Curvy Sewing Collective really pushed me on this one. I've made a whole bunch of pants, including the Style Arc Margaret, Named Alexandria Peg Trousers, Style Arc Georgie Jeans, Style Arc Lazo Trousers, Named Ninni Culottes and a couple pairs of not-yet-blogged jeans.

4. Sew a coat!

I made an unlined wool coat, the Style Arc Riley, which I love and think will be perfect for fall. I've also made a Hampton Jean Jacket, which will be great for layering, but I think I'd still like to make a legitimate winter coat, lining and all.

5. Try new-to-me pattern companies!

I've tried several new-to-me pattern companies, including The Sewing Workshop, Kommatia Patterns, Chalk and Notch Patterns...

6. Make a vintage pattern!

I've got a dress pattern in mind, but haven't delved in yet. I imagine I may stumble upon more vintage patterns now that I'm back in the U.S. and have access to more thrift stores, yard sales and the like.


So, there's my update, a mixed bag of meeting and not meeting goals, a bit of goal post moving and circumstantial changes! I'm unlikely to make substantial progress over the next few months, as my sewing equipment is on the slow boat from Asia until early September. I did borrow a machine from my mom, as well as some tools, and I brought a few things to work on, but I don't have a serger or anything, so I won't do too many complicated projects.

Did you make any sewing goals this year? How are you progressing on them?

2016 Top 5

It's that time of year! Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow is hosting her Top 5 sewing round-up again! Here's my take on it...

Top 5 of 2015

I know it's cliche to say this, but, wow, where did 2015 go?!! I meant to post this before year-end, but my Aussie holiday was all-consuming. Meaning I consumed everything in Australia: caramel slices, flat whites, sausage rolls, etc. But I digress...

It's time for the Top 5 Sewing Hits and Misses again, the brainchild of Gillian at Crafting a Rainbow. I'm not adhering to her format exactly, but she loves a good hack, so I think she'll understand!

Top 5 of 2014!

Hey all! A belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to you!

I'm jumping on the "Top 5" bandwagon. I followed along last year, but didn't post my own. This lovely idea, care of Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow, is both a look back at 2014 and a look forward. 

Top 5 Hits: What have you worn or loved the most?

This one I am dividing into 2 lists... top 5 hits for me, top 5 hits I made for others. 

So, really it's a Top 10:

Top 5 hits for me*:

(* I feel like this list might need to be amended to include the Thread Theory Camas Blouse I just made, but perhaps I should give it time to marinate. Also, I am super proud of my Ginger jeans, but maybe need to work on the fitting a bit more before calling them a top 5 hit.)

1. Plantain, for sure. A TNT pattern for me! It works in jersey, it works in sweater knit, I love it... these three (green heather jersey, neon striped jersey and tan sweater knit) are big wardrobe winners:

  

2. Stretch denim Meghan dress from Love at First Stitch: I wear the crap out of this one. The only thing I would change next time is to add a bit of length. It seems to have shrunk lengthwise with wearing/washing.

3. Simplicity 1666/Lisette Attache peplum blouse: great pattern! I love both versions I made. The leopard one, in particular, was a surprise for me... out of my comfort zone, but I love it!

4. Black jersey Moneta: What a staple piece! This dress is comfy and simple and the perfect backdrop for all sorts of accessories: crazy necklace, bright scarf, loud blazer.

5. A tie: my floral Sureau and my southwestern Emery: I love both dearly, but the Sureau definitely gets more wear because I can rock it at work. The Emery feels a bit loud for the office, so I haven't worn it as much as I would like. But I still adore it!

Top 5 hits for others:

1. Plantain: gah, flattering on everyone!

2. Strathcona t-shirt: a TNT pattern for Timmy:

3. Soleil dress: this pattern is so freaking adorable. Looks like Miss Z and even Anna got lots of wear out of it last summer. Must make more for next summer!

4. Chambray McCall's 6044 for Tim: he likes it, he really likes it! I was super proud of this shirt and Tim seems to really dig it. He wears it regularly. Must make more!

5. Elephant MC Hammer pants: these toddler MC hammer pants I made for my nieces are pretty awesome... paired with matching Lola tops? Cute overload.

Top 5 Misses: What went wrong or never got worn? 

Most of my misses are no fault of the pattern, but rather one of fabric choice. I gotta pay better attention to stretch recovery with my knits! Live and learn.

1. Liesl and Co Weekend Getaway Top: I really wanted this one to work for me, but it just didn't. I never wear either version I made...

2. French terry Mabel: I love the Mabel pattern. My ikat print ponte Mabel just barely missed making the top 5 hit list, but the french terry Mabel is a bust. No stretch recovery = terrible skirt. After an hour of wear, it is basically falling off me.

3. Neon popcorn Plantain: another knit recovery fail. This damn fabric will not bounce back. It was stretched out even before I finished sewing the shirt! Unwearable. Boo.

4. Lady Skater peplum top: also not much in the recovery department for this old-school knit fabric. Also, I think my peplum is too full. Have only worn this make once.

5. The Staple Dress... I liked this one at first, but I am not feeling it after wearing it several times. It bunches up at the hips because of the pockets, the waistband is always traveling upwards, and I feel like it's just not that flattering on me.

Top 5 Highlights: Tell us about 5 non-sewing highlights of your year!

Most of my non-sewing 2014 highlights are travel-related, 3 of them from my trip to New Zealand:

1. Helicopter ride and landing on Fox Glacier:

2. A waterfall full of baby seals north of Kaikoura... haven't blogged yet, but check out this sneaky peak on Instagram, or my GIF below:

3. This passion fruit-filled donut, from Picnic's Bakery:

4. Scuba-diving in the Andaman Sea in Thailand, particularly seeing these awesome, enormous squid in all their iridescent glory:

5. Cambodia's Angkor Wat (our tour guide knew all the best photo poses):

Top 5 Reflections: Looking back, what have you learned about sewing or yourself?

1. I learned how to sew a zip fly when making my Ginger jeans! And it works!

2. I learned I have to alternate my sewing projects to keep my sanity... one complicated, then one simple project.

3. I learned never to cut fabric at night when tired.

4. I learned I need more me-made pants.

5. I learned that I need to figure out how to do a swayback adjustment and make it happen regularly.

Top 5 Goals: What do you hope to achieve in 2015?

1. Pants! I need more of them (see reflection above) and I need to learn how to fit them. First on my list are a) more Ginger jeans, b) Colette Clovers, c) Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers, and d) the pedal pushers from Gertie's new book.

2. I have to be more conscious when choosing knits (see misses above). Recovery is key!

3. I must go back and make a second version of many of the patterns I tried this year. Lots of "wearable muslins" were made (see: Bruyere, Comox, Anna, Yaletown, Ginger), but now I have to bust out the good fabric! 

4. Zipper perfection... I needs it. Lots of my invisible zippers still show at the waistband. Must fix that. Any tips from the peanut gallery?

5. Gotta work on making my way through my substantial pattern and fabric stashes. They are getting out of control!

Phew, that was a long post!  Can't wait to read your Top 5 lists! Thanks to Gillian for masterminding this fun tradition.

Happy new year!