2015 - Brought to you by the colour blue, the number 37 and a whole lotta stripes.....

Whoop here it is! The year that was at Chez Tragic. Let's all ignore the fact it is now February.  It's been a good one, with more successes than failures. I've had an awful lot of fun collaborating with Helene and the other girls at Stitch 56, meeting other seamstresses in real life, and tumbling into the time-sucking world of Instagram. I've actually read a few books, yet failed for the third year running to make a welt pocket (oh the laziness and SHAME). Now more than ever I rely on my sewing for stress relief - watching that sewing machine needle go up and down is extremely therapeutic and meditative (until I force it over a pin). Our elderly kitty is still with us despite kidneys that give me nightmares and the kombi is still with us merrily sucking away at our bank account with a new engine (replacing the old one that gave us nightmares). 

My overlocker acquisition has been life changing - it gives me an inordinate amount of pleasure to have no zigzags, and I do love me a rolled hem. I was also able to track down a walking foot for my regular machine and it's been fantastic. My beloved gave me a magnificent old Singer for my birthday which I'm still get to get up and running - soon my precious, so soon! 

Last year saw me make lots of repeats, this year not quite so much - lots of new patterns! And sack dresses! And a jumpsuit! Really I just don't know who I am anymore (kidding!). This year I tried to only buy quality fabric, and only slipped up a couple of times. The stash is reassuringly out of control, full of beauties that mostly have their futures mapped out. I started using Evernote to catalogue my patterns, stash and sewing plans - meaning I can look up what I have or need or am planning either on my phone or iPad.  I had heaps of fun planning for a tropical island holiday - what started as a bit of a pisstake of myself ended up as an enormously fun holiday wardrobe I nicknamed the Resort Collection (no actual outfit photos I'm afraid). 


Lots didn't make it to the blog - either repeats, or refashions or meh makes not really worth sharing or abject failures. Ain't nobody got time to write about those anymore. I did a little sewing for others - the husband scored a few things, my mum got some Hudson pants, Bebe gifts etc etc. Of about 60 things at least 25 remain unblogged, and of those 60-ish things probably 10 have been ditched to the opshop or given away or languish in my Ironing Basket of Shame awaiting a refashion or tweak. Here's some of the more successful that at least made it to Instagram...


My knitting has slowed due to a chronic tendinitis that nearly 15 months hasn't settled. So my pattern choices have to be far more considered due to the extra time it takes me now. I've learned that A-line skirts just really aren't my bag and am in the process of slowly straightening out those garments that I still wear that can be straightened. I've learned how to do a forward shoulder adjustment in simple kimono-sleeves garments and this has helped enormously with tops and dresses falling backwards off my shoulders and choking me! 

My favourite garments of the year are probably not hard to pick. I love them because they are unique, wearable, finished well and are the perfect combination of pattern and fabric. In no particular order...


Ninja Jump Suit / Check Me Out Granville / Olivia Wrap/
Maya-Inari Mashup/ Saunio Cardigan/ Kwik Sew twist top
Barrie undies

Honourable mentions go to a few garments that I love but don't get worn that much due to limited seasonal suitability or events - my Elisalex skirt I made for Frocktails, my Woodland Stroll cape and my Liberty shift. 


I had a couple of real stinkers that didn't get blogged. I made another Style Arc Fiona cardigan (such a success last year and worn all winter again) in the most luscious drapey red merino from the Fabric Store and it was terrible choice for the pattern (despite drapey knits being a recommended fabric choice). Flaccid and limp, it didn't hold the collar shape at all and looked like a haemorrhaging jellyfish. Lesson learned. I bought some lovely Cloud 9 cotton from Spotty and in a fit of insanity tried to make a self drafted beach cover up - carnage I tell you! I managed to salvage it into a wearable version of M6751 but felt a bit trashy with my back flashing (I kind felt like I was showing off a non-existent tramp stamp). It might be ok for pyjamas but it'll probably get moved on. That stripey little number below is causing me the most heartbreak - it might be saveable.... Watch this space.....


I continue to adore reading sewing blogs - for me the sewing blog is definitely not dead. This year I've added more fab new-to-me sewing blogs to my list. Liza Mae's blog Sew It or Throw It is fantastic - she makes me cackle with laughter with every post yet also swoon over her mad skills honed as a professional costume maker. I love Lori's sense of humour on Frivolous at Last (but damn her blogging platform HATES my iPad making my comments very hit and miss -sorry Lori!). I love the simple chicness of Tomatoes and Jasmine, only just the other day discovered Maya's beautiful blog The Minimalist Hypothesis. And local Melbourne ladies at Bombazine have me wishing I could be as stylish and put together as they are. 

I do of course have massive, likely over-ambitious plans for 2016. Those fabrics sit there, crooning at me. I'll share my ideas with you soon.... maybe.... I'm already 6 garments into the year!

Comments

  1. Fantastic post!!! So many great makes :) I always get a real kick out of reading your blog. Long live sewing blogs!

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  2. Excellent post! And I'm off to look into kimono sleeve forward shoulder adjustments RIGHT NOW!

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    1. Thanks Jo - I used the Maria Denmark tutorial!

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  3. 1. 60 makes! Holy crap, you're on fire!
    2. What is this forward shoulder adjustment? Please point me toward a tutorial, it sounds very useful.
    3. I just found Bombazine. Love it.

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    1. 1- I know but feel slight comforted in knowing about 10 were failures, about 10 were gifts or for others and 4 were underpants!
      2 - I used the Maria Denmark tutorial. I've not attempted one on a garment with sleeves as that involves fiddling with the sleeve cap which scares me a little!
      3 - yes I can see how you'd love their style - it's always such a pleasure to find a new blog and go right back through their archives!

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  4. I love your 2015 wrap up - so many makes this year!! I'm with you though - only some of my makes get blogged, because for most of them I just think I don't have time for repeats or meh makes (or just basics) anymore. I've loved reading your blog this year, and I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store!!

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    1. Thanks Katie! I'm thinking I might every now and then just do a repeat round up post - because most things get tweaked on repeat versions and it's great to see how one can reuse a pattern over and over!

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  5. You made some beautiful things this year - here's to another fab year of making stuff!

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  6. I have to say, I thought that the resort collection was genius and I had a good chuckle every time you mentioned it! If I ever go on holiday to a tropical destination I'll follow suit and resort collection it up.

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    1. I had such fun with it! If only the husband would have indulged me in an island photoshoot!

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  7. Love a good Round Up post in February. When everyone least expects it!
    I'm delighted to be mentioned here! Thanks for laughing! And I'm totally impressed with your six already this year, you are on Fire!

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    1. Hey thanks! You know I really should have waited until at least April - THAT would have been a surprise!

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  8. Such a great year! How do you sew so much on top of career and hubby and life in general?? Are you one of those revolting people that need to sew like an alcoholic needs a drink, meaning you'll squeeze it in any time of day or night? Nicely done though, my friend, nicely done xxxx

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    1. It helps to have an RDO each week, and odd shift hours! But yeah I probably do too much and neglect other interests - reading books is probably the biggest casualty!

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  9. You've had a brilliant year; so many gorgeous creations! Sewing blogs are dead? where did that come from?! also thanks for the new blog recommendations too gotta check those out :)

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    1. Thanks so much lovely lady! Oh that's just some waffly rubbish people are spouting - but I DISAGREE! Love em!

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  10. Just finished my own thoughts on 2015, so you have the dubious honor of getting yours in before me? ;)

    You really had a spectacular year of sewing, and I'm grateful to get to read about it regularly! And I'm glad you joined Instagram for all the stuff that just doesn't make it onto the blog. Please keep the stripe inspiration coming! And maybe share the failed haemorrhaging jellyfish cardigan...? You can't just use that kind of illustrative language and get away without showing a picture!

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    1. Oh thanks lovely lady! As for the jellyfish, he was delivered to an op shop a very long time ago.... Hopefully making someone happy!

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