Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely restful festive holiday and feel refreshed for a new start. I’m leaping on to the yearly trend and reviewing my 2022 makes for my first post of 2023.
Yes, I know everyone does these posts so I hope you won’t be too bored by my musings, but I find it to be a useful exercise, for assessing my choices and style direction. So let’s dig in!
I made 25 main items of clothing plus several bras, two bikinis and two beach kaftans. The kaftans were a success and the bras were mostly, except I’m still fine-tuning my pattern. My bikinis were great apart from the fact that both clasps that I used turned out to be inferior quality and broke when I was wearing them! On one occasion on holiday I had to walk out of the sea holding my bikini top together at the back!
Anyway, back to the task at hand… I’m now going to go over the main pieces that I made which comprised of:
3 Cardigans
2 pairs of trousers
15 tops/sweaters/blouses
4 skirts
1 coat
Reviewing My 2022 Makes: The Details
Cardigans
I made McCalls 7476 in a lovely burnt orange chunky knit, the True Bias Marlo in mustard sweatshirting and a self-drafted cardigan in merino wool. All of these pieces have been much-loved and worn a lot. A big thumbs up from me for all 3.
Original posts: Orange cardigan, Marlo, Merino cardi
Trousers
My first make of 2022 was the Adeline pleat-front wide-leg trousers by Vikisews. These didn’t last long in my wardrobe I’m afraid. Something was a bit off with the fit and I disliked the baggy volume around my thighs. I much prefer my Tatjana trousers so I donated the Adelines.
My second trouser make was Simplicity 8701 in cream denim. Love them! They’ve been worn a lot.
Original posts: Adeline trousers, Cream wide-leg trousers
Sweaters/Tops/Blouses
This is by far the biggest category of makes, so I won’t go through them all as this would turn out to be a very long post.
I donated only one item and that was the emerald green top embellished with eyelets. I realised that the colour was just way too saturated for me and it also didn’t go with many other pieces except for white jeans.
The only other item with a slight question mark over it is my sheer Delano blouse. I really love the colours in it and I won’t donate it but it’s only been worn once, so I need to work out new ways to wear it….maybe I can layer it somehow.
As for all of my other tops, I love them all and can truly say that they’ve all been a success.
Original posts:
Skirts
I made a total of four skirts. I started to enjoy maxi skirts and made three of them all using the Style Arc Indigo pattern as a base so I guess that’s now a TNT for me.
The fourth skirt was the Laetitia wrap skirt by Just Patterns and after I made it I realised two things…one was that I feel constricted with a very deep waistband that sits on my high natural waist and the other was that my go-two skirt lengths are either just above the knee or maxi length. So I ended up removing a few inches from the length to make it above my knee and I altered the waistline to have a very narrow band and ties, as a result of this change it got worn a lot during the beautiful summer weather that we had in 2022.
The only skirt that I haven’t worn much is the cream version of the SA Indigo, purely because I made it relatively late in the Summer and I never did get around to playing around and styling it for Autumn. Other than that my skirts have been a success too.
Original posts: Laetitia, Cream Style Arc Indigo, Orange Style Arc Indigo, Ponte Maxi
Coats
I can’t believe I only made one! It was a hacked version of a Burda design I’d made in leopard wool once before. My new quilted orange coat is fabulous. Worn a lot already. I absolutely love it!
And finally, as I mentioned at the top of this post I also made quite a few bras and some swimwear.
Overall, I couldn’t be more pleased with what I sewed in 2022. So many items were a success and they mix and match beautifully with other pieces. I discovered a love for some new colours too, namely burnt orange and mustard/ochre.
Sew what next?
Glad you asked! 😉
Well, I’m going to donate one or two much older wardrobe items to make way for new makes. I’m also going to clarify where I’m at with my colour palette. I’ll be starting to add some chocolate brown, and continuing with more golden mustard and orange tones, plus more olive, camel and blush.
I had a little play in Canva and because I’m an Autumn complexion and tend to wear typically Autumnal shades, I found a suitable photo and had a bit of fun creating a palette, which contains all of the brown, rust, orange, cream, blush, denim (as in jeans) and olive colours that live in my wardrobe. This is more what I wear in Autumn, and Winter and in Spring and Summer I switch out some colours and add a bit of coral pink and maybe some minty tones too.
I’m also going to address the lack of coat makes and I’ll be replacing a couple of very old coats plus I’ll add a further one in faux leather…all will be in slightly looser silhouettes to allow for easy layering underneath.
I really enjoyed thinking about my style and colour preferences as I wrote this post, I think it helped to clear my mind. But what about you? How did your sewing year go? Tell me all about it in the comments.
Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
What a good sewing year for you. I made a few things but not much. It was a busy year sorting house before my big move interstate.
Author
Thanks, Vicki! Ooh yes,that sort of thing really eats up your time. I hope 2023 is a more creative and resful one for you. Happy New Year xx
Beautiful makes Diane, you know your colours. I enjoyed going back and reading more about more of the makes. The Zita top with the braiding is lovely…I might try something like this in the summer. Happy New Year! xx
Author
Ohhh, thanks, Suzy. That braided Zita is up there in the top three of my favourite makes from last year. You should definitely try something like it in your signature shades 🙂 Happy New Year! xx
What a fabulous roundup and what beautiful makes. Very little got donated which is a real bonus and you finished up really improving your wardrobe. A triumph!
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Thanks Sue! Yes, I’m glad about how little I donated last year…it must mean that I’m getting my style and colour choices right more often than wrong.
I had lost my “sew-jo” there for a while and when I returned to it somewhat half-heartedly in the spring I had 2 epic fails that really annoyed me. It was $$$ fabric and had to be thrown out. I stopped again for a few months – really through the whole summer. I honestly wondered if my sewing was done forever (I’m 68) but then BOOM! it returned with a vengeance. I started with house dresses that don’t need to fit and will never be worn outside the house. I had a blast. I am sitting here wearing one I adore. Navy cupro, couched silk yarn around the neckline. My husband even said it looked amazing on me. A total win. I made 2.
Then I made another out of a gorgeous Macelroy rayon crepe using a different pattern. It swishes around me like a breeze. I made an error with the bias tape which I’m now fixing. I know it’s going to be okay because it will never be seen outside so it doesn’t have to be perfect. Overall I would say 2022 was a great learning experience with my sewing! We’re never too old to learn 🙂 Now I’m making a beautiful top (Grainline Studio Hadley) out of what was left over of that crepe. I have several projects ahead including 2 full outfits (long sleeve top – Ebony by Closet Case) and longish skirts (Jalie 2681 l- Knit Gored Skirts) out of upf fabric that I ordered from a fabric seller here in Canada that I love. I’ve decided that upf fabric is the only knit fabric I’ll make to leave the house in summer. Some shops are selling bathing suits that feature long sleeve tops and leggings. Very sexy colours!! I think they would look great on a beach 🙂
I’ve always been sun avoidant. Truthfully I hate the sun. Yes I know this isn’t a popular view 🙂 My husband calls me his little vampire. I’ve always slathered on spf, worn hats, dashed for the shade etc. I’ve noticed in the past few years that the sun’s heat has increased. I’m sensitive to the sun (always have been even as a child), so I do believe I can feel this nasty shift. It hits my skin like hot needles and feels like hot coals on my eyes (yes I always wear sunglasses!) Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the world and nothing (aside from smoking cigarettes) will age your skin faster. In Asia, they have always considered it ugly to have a tan and/or burn. They have it right in my opinion 🙂
At one time we had it right too! Women always wore big hats and carried parasols to protect their beautiful skin from the sun’s rays. Whenever I see someone with a burn or tan I cringe. It’s so ugly! Cooked meat is all I can think of and I’m a vegetarian so that’s understandably not a good look to me! So one of my primary sewing goals for 2023 is upf clothing! It’s very expensive rtw so it’s a practical project as well.
I wish you all the best in your year ahead Diane! Thank you for so many inspiring posts 🙂
Author
Hi Kathleen! Happy New Year to you too. I’m always grateful for your lovely comments.
I don’t know about you but when I lose my Sewjo I feel off-kilter like a part of me is missing, but you can’t force it back can you? I’m so glad to hear that yours returned in full flow eventually and it sounds like you made some gorgeous projects once it did (sorry about that one project that had to be abandoned earlier on in the year). I especially like the sound of your navy cupro dress with the couching detail at the neck.
I’m also liking the sound of your next few planned projects and you’re very wise to protect yourself from the sun with some specialised knits. I really do think the sun seems stronger these days and I get dreadful prickly heat if I don’t protect my skin properly. I’ve never had a poor[er tan in my life and the older I get the less bothered I am about it.
Enjoy your sewing and have a great 2023 xx
I really enjoy these reviews, so I’m glad you did it! Lots of lovely garments, and your colors are close to matching mine. I especially like orange. I enjoy every post!
I think you could wear the Delano blouse with any of the colors in the cardigans! If the fabrics work.
I did more sewing than in the past, because I retired April 1 2022, and am revamping my home wardrobe. I had right shoulder surgery Dec 2021, so I couldn’t sew for a couple months in early 2022. I spent almost 2 months perfecting a pants / shorts pattern. I’m working on sewing from my “fabric pantry” with a goal of 30 yards per year, and sewed 28 1/4 of wearable garments, plus a couple small charity baby blankets; gave away or used as dog bed 6 yards. Only 4 1/4 yards was new, but I bought more yardage which I haven’t sewn yet.I had a gap in cotton and will utility type fabric, despite my large fabric pantry.
Today I finished my first ever leggings, a kit from Guthrie and Ghani of Helen’s Closet Avery leggings. I definitely needed the hints video as I have limited knits / stretch fabric experience – and do not enjoy it! The kit had (lovely) supplies for 2 pair, so 1 to go. Then on to revamping my winter pants and cold weather wardrobe. I hope to make a “dog walking” Closet Core Kelly Anorak, I now have all supplies and am thinking about underlining to give the soft herringbone wool more body. I have most supplies for another dressier jacket – purple boucle, for which I’ve had difficulty finding a pattern with front closures, as I have limited yardage and need space for sweaters underneath.
So no lack of projects! Happy New Year to everyone. Wishing you peace, not and health for 2023.😊
Spell check is not my friend! Wishing you peace, joy and health in 2023!
Author
hehe, no worries!
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Glad you enjoyed my post, Heather. Thank you!
I love the sound of your ‘fabric pantry’. Great that you used some of it up making what sounds like a great collection of garments last year. Like you, I’ve tried to be more realistic about what I like to wear and need in my wardrobe. Well done on tackling knits…they aren’t easy that’s for sure! Good luck with the Kelly anorak and I hope you find what you’re after for the purple boucle project. Happy New Year!
I always enjoy reading your blog Diane. My sewing out put is no where near yours! It’s fun to check out your pattern choices, looking forward to seeing what pattern you choose for your faux leather project. Have you decided yet? All the best for 2023
Author
Thanks so much for the kind words, Barbara.
I’m thinking about the Vikisews Madison for my jacket but as it’s quite oversized, I’ll size down to get the look that I want.
Happy New Year, Diane!
I’m a bit late to the party, but nonetheless, will add my 2 cents: I am always struck by how different your thoughts and feelings are about the garments you’ve made and how they appear on you. Feeling good (whether that means comfortable, attractive, put-together, etc.) in one’s clothes is always the bottom line, but I loved your Adeline trousers, style-wise on you, and the roomy thigh was elegant on your figure in that supple fabric. I also loved everything about your emerald sweat shirting top (except the seam down the sleeve and its topstitching, which looked a bit structured and straight in contrast to the wonderful curvy grommets). Despite your being an Autumn in coloring, at least in the photos, this color looked so fresh on you. But I am a high contrast Winter w/ yellow undertones (half-Chinese) and I wear a range of deeper oranges that I shouldn’t ;-} I love deep orange!
You made some truly inspired garments last year (your quilted jacket and your white trapeze tank w/ applied braid among them), but two items that I LOVED were your long burnt orange chunky knit cardigan and your self-drafted merino short cardigan: both of these resemble garments I have purchased and are long-time keepers in my wardrobe, and it is inspiring to see what can be sewn with the right combo of skills, fabric and design — aspiration, which you very kindly foster, is what keeps me hopeful about my sewing!
I spent December working on a silk satin faille crop top (deep orange!) to wear with a fabulous foil-printed floral on black scuba knit full skirt to wear to a holiday wedding. I got sick right after Christmas (partly due to stress from the deadline) and we had to cancel the weeklong trip — so disappointing! I think despite becoming ill and being only 90% finished with these special garments, I chipped away at some of my sewing hangups, of which I have many, so I am happy about that.
To treat myself to some easy, no stress sewing, I have purchased and preshrunk a couple of terrific colorful cottons to sew new aprons, something I’ve been meaning to do for the past YEAR+. My daily-use apron is over 20 years old and threadbare, so a fresh apron is long overdue.
No firm sewing plans except to get to my sewing room regularly and often!
Author
Happy New Year to you too Joan! Lovely to hear your thoughts on my post as usual. I always appreciate it.
Agreed, it really is about how we feel in our garments that’s the ultimate crux of the matter and I don’t regret donating the items I did. Granted the emerald may have looked fine in the photo (tons of make-up and good lighting 🙂 ) but when I wore it I felt as though the colour was wearing me and I looked pale (it also looked completely at odds with the other colours in my wardrobe…too jewel-like and saturated). As for the Adelines, there was a fit issue too, not evident in the photos, but there was some imbalance with the crotch seam and inside leg.
So sorry to hear that you got sick…that sucks when you’ve looked forward to something too. Your project sounded gorgeous! Anyway I hope now you’re back to feeling better, that you enjoy your sewing time.