It’s end of year navel gazing time. Let’s see what there is to be learned on this "Optimistic New Plans eve". First, the tally of the projects by wardrobe category:
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| Burda shirt dress with a sort of fitted waist |
Dresses
1. Shirt dress with fitted waist – Burda
2. Shirt dress with gathered skirt – Burda
3. Hope – Style Arc
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| Seychelles - loved this pattern |
1. Simple top – Burda
2. Second simple top – Burda
3. Third simple top – Burda
4. Boat neck Tee – Burda
5. Seychelles - Itch to Stitch
6. Vikos - Itch to Stitch Made this twice. One was a rayon linen blend that fell apart after two washings. I don’t think I’m buying any more of that kind of blend. It drapes beautifully but doesn’t wear well and looks sloppy because it grows.
7. Knit tank – New Look 6449
8. About Town – Pattern Emporium. Made twice
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| About Town - another pattern sure to be made again |
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| Ottobre jacket |
Jackets/Coats
1. Swim cover up/bathrobe using Burda jacket pattern
2. Jeans Jacket – Burda
3. Bomber Jacket fail – Burda
4. Short Trench – Ottobre
5. Smitten – Pattern Emporium
Pants – I did make pants, although I don’t blog them because it is so hard to get a decent photo. Maybe when there’s a nice sunny day I’ll do a huge pants photo shoot and review the patterns all at once.
1. Pleated trousers – Burda
2. Kew barrel leg pants – Style Arc
3. Easy Ageless Cool elastic waist cargo pants – Cutting Line Designs
Total = 21 pieces!
Patterns:
Burda easily was my most-used pattern company, with 10 items.
Itch To Stitch and Pattern Emporium tie for second place with 3 each.
Style Arc - 2
1 each from Ottobre, Cutting Line Designs and New Look.
The biggest surprise is that I made so few Style Arc – I would have guessed more! Pattern Emporium and Itch to Stitch were both new pattern companies for me this year, but I’m pleased with both of them and will be watching their styles.
I did buy patterns from Simplicity, Butterick, and McCalls, mostly to have paper copies of classic patterns on hand when it seemed like they might be going away. I didn’t make any this year. I also bought a couple of new Style Arc patterns that I haven’t made yet, but plan to.
Failed Project:
My biggest fail of the year was the Burda bomber jacket. I’m still convinced that there was a rare error in that pattern. I accept the occasional failure as something that just happens, but this one still bothers me because the fabric was so, so nice. I ordered more, so I still have some, but am not sure how to salvage the material in the jacket. A bag seems like the most obvious solution, but I’m not much of a bag maker. I’m not throwing it out, that’s for sure.
Fabric:
Speaking of fabric…I did buy a lot this last year. In 2024 I got a little unexpected cash and earmarked it for fabric purchases.The money is all used up now; I just made my last fabric order. This year I shopped mostly with Califabrics, with a few purchases from Fashion Fabrics Club. I would have ordered more from overseas, but the tariffs made the cost too unpredictable.
I fairly successfully limited my purchases to fabrics and colors that I actually wear, resisting the lure of pretty colors and prints that are lovely but don't work in my wardrobe. This is not the path for everyone, to be sure, but it’s left me happy with a stash of quality denims, other cottons, and linens in the colors black, white, natural, and a range of blues. There are some stripes and some fun woven-in textures that liven things up enough for me. I can feel good about my stash because it's going to be so useful. There are still some older pieces in colors and prints if I decide I want to use them.
Next Year:
Really, who knows? I would like to refine the fit of a few basics, mostly tops. I have pants patterns that fit. I've saved the vintage patterns from the 50s and 60s when I've found them in large sizes, and would like to make up at least one of them. Other than that, I'll try to think in terms of outfits rather than one-off items. That's ambitious enough!
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