Top 5 of 2012

I’ve loved reading everyone’s 2012 recap posts and thought it is high time I do my own before it gets any later in January.

What’s funny is that when I remember seeing these recap posts popping in December I was thinking “Wow, everyone is really early this year!”  When in fact I just lost track of time as I was sick between Christmas and the cruise.  (Everyone was not early!!!  I was just that out of it and had no concept of time.)

Without further eloquence these are my 5 favorite projects of 2012.  (Click on any of the images for the full blog post of each item.)

Project #5, the Double Collar Blouse

While I don’t think this ended up being the most worn of my blouses, I love that I took a risk and changed up the collar since it is what “makes” this blouse in my opinion.

Project #4, the Quaker Oats Dress

This dress was an utter beast to stitch up and the fit never ended up being 100%.  But it’s my #4 project because I still love the design and I managed to conquer it once and for all which makes me happy.  :)  I’d love to make a second one some day…

Project #3, a Peplum Blouse

Again, this wasn’t my most worn blouse in 2012 but I love the shape of this blouse so much that it’s one of my favs.  I was able to match the pattern wonderfully in the back (and mostly in the front) which was an achievement. But the one biggest lesson in this blouse is learning the additional steps I have to take to make the bodice and shoulders narrower to fit my petite upper half.

Project #2, my Nautical Dress

This dress is so special to me and was such fun to make and plan it all out!  It’s not a dress that I get to wear often but fits me perfectly.  Plus who couldn’t love the extra surprise in finding out that this dress is 100% silk instead of the cotton sateen I had originally thought!

Project #1, the 40’s Embroidered Dress

It was difficult picking my #1 project since it’s a close call between this dress and my nautical dress (#2).  I feel like this dress is the culmination of everything I learnt in 2012 and it fits like a dream.  This project was started in 2011 but I had set it aside for quite a long time since I had cut the skirt too small and it didn’t fit.  But luckily I found more of the same fabric (Wooot!) and was able to re-cut this beauty.

I learnt about altering bodices to fit my narrow shoulders from my peplum blouse and applied it to this dress, and adding the embroidery on the neckline makes this dress a winner in my mind.  I love 40’s designs and adding special touches, outside of the pattern directions is what makes me love this dress even more.

What I learned in 2012:  Less is more.

I realize that I started to get distracted with starting new projects that I have left too many others behind, unfinished, which resulted in Project CPR.  While I love the concept of Project CPR, my hope is that I learn from my bad habits and focus more about finishing what I start before beginning more projects out of boredom.

Also…  I’d rather have 1 knockout dress than 3 so-so dresses.  My #1 pick in 2012 is the result of this line of thinking and I’d like to keep that going in 2013.  Adding special details and making things more “me” is what I aim to do with my sewing and knitting in the upcoming year.

Goal for 2013: Refine, Refocus, and Conserve

Continue to learn from my mistakes (is always a constant goal of mine).  But what I really should be aiming to do in 2013 is to work with what I currently have.  I always buy fabric in mind of a certain pattern in my stash, and I’d like to shrink my stash before purchasing more fabric or yarn.  Plus my fabric closet is getting a bit stuffed and I can’t fit much else in there.  heh  The physical restrictions of my apartment is a pretty good reason for not buying more fabric or yarn!  Basically refine, refocus, and conserve will be my motto for 2013.

Happy new year to you all and good luck to you all with your 2013 goals!

In: Knitting Miscellaneous Sewing

Blogger for 6 years and counting, I am a passionate creator who loves to tinker.

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