2011 Year in Review

Seriously, didn't I just write one of these??? This year flew by so dang fast. That may have had something to do with the insanity of having a new baby, moving across country, starting a fellowship (for the hubs) and basically completely rearranging my whole life. Or something.

Anyway - the sewing. So, 2011 was a pretty darn good year. When it began, I had a fresh newborn and wasn't sure how he was going to effect my sewing, so I didn't make any really firm goals. I think that was a good thing, since it let me feel like I could sew (and knit) as pleased me.  As it went, I sewed 123 items and knit 10 items. That is less than last year, but there was a lot of upheaval, so I'm still pretty pleased. I don't feel like I tackled any particularly huge projects, but by letting myself "just sew" I feel like I learned a lot about the way that I sew and gave myself permission to enjoy the process. I also learned a lot about fitting, particularly pants.

I've noticed that this year a lot of bloggers have been posting their favorite sewn items from the year rather than a big 'ole list of stats. I love this, so I think I'm going to adopt it, in part. Since I sew both for myself and for my family, I'm going to break up my faves into categories.

My favorite sewn item for me was...
a tie:

my Vogue 1250 maxi dress was my go to dress all summer long. It is comfortable, flattering and easy to wear. I love it so much.

and my Vogue 8330 jeans. These have rapidly become my favorite jeans and I wear them pretty much daily.

My favorite baby item was...

Duncan's Simplicity 4711 romper. Seriously, does it get any cuter??

For Myra...

the New Look 6926/Style 2687 outfit. Cuteness factor is through the roof, but there is no pink and she still loves it. I also have to give an honorable mention to her Jalie gymnastics leotards. I was nervous about sewing what is essentially swimwear, but it went very well and she is definitely the best dressed little girl at the gym.

For Logan...
This is a tough one, since most of my Logan sewing is pretty utilitarian and he fortunately wears everything I make him, but from my perspective, I am most pleased with

his Thomas the train PJs. They are his favorite pajamas, but I'm quite proud of my frankenpatterning job to make them work.

And poor neglected Mitch...
I admit that the sewing that I have done for him has been only quasi successful. On the one hand, he loves the scrubs I've made and the athletic gear I have sewn, but in the dress shirts and slacks department I haven't made made much progress. So my favorite made item for Mitch has actually been a knitted one.

He has constantly worn the cowl I knitted him, so for Christmas, I made him a hat and cowl to match. They have not left his person since they came off the needles.

So, for next year, I do have a few goals...

1) Make a tailored coat and jacket. This one is actually already in progress. The coat is cut out and the tailoring has begun. For the jacket, I am planning to pull out one of my SISC projects and make Vogue 8601.

2) Complete (yes, complete!) my SISC projects. Believe it or not, I have actually already made 4 of them, but I seem to have stalled. The coat in progress will be SISC #5, and then I will get back on track with them.

3) Keep better track of my fabric ins and outs, with the goal of sewing more fabric than I buy. I have been keeping track of what I sew, but not of what is coming in. I'd like to actually sew up some of this beautiful fabric that is filling my sewing room!

4) Sew an LBD. This goal has been on the books for 3 years now. I think the time has come...

5) Knit socks. I have conquered sweaters, mittens, gloves, scarves, hats and cowls. It's time for socks.

Other than that, I really just want to work more on enjoying the process. To that end, I may spend more or less time on specific projects. If posting gets a little random, you can just assume I'm sewing up something fun.