2017 Sew Down

As 2017 draws to an end, I've decided to have a look back on my sewing projects from the past year. Now that I have all my sewing recorded in one place, It's really fun and also interesting to be able to look back through. I'll be sharing my top 5 favourite makes next week (it was too hard to choose just one!), but I also wanted to create a few more categories to be able to see exactly what worked well for me. I've loved every minute of sewing in 2017 (except for the unpicking!), and I'm looking forward to doing lots more stitching in the new year.

Proudest make: Fairfield Button-Up Shirt

When I started sewing, I never would have imagined that one day I would be able to sew a garment with button holes - never mind a mens shirt for my Dad! This shirt has everything, from button holes to collar stands and cuffs. I'm so proud of it, and it feels very special to see my Dad wearing it.

Most-worn make: Burnt Orange Cleo

I'm not sure if this is strictly my most worn make because I don't keep a tally of every time I wear a garment (but then, who does?!) but I have definitely worn both my Cleos a lot. Other much worn makes include my linden sweatshirt, my pineapple top and my coco dress. I love the colour of this needlecord so much, and I always enjoy wearing this.

Least-worn make: The Day Dress

This hasn't been worn as much as I would have liked, but definitely not due to the pattern. It's a shame I don't wear it because I do really like it. I find most dresses hard to wear unless they are quite casual (like my coco dress). Because of this, I would love to make another Day Dress out of a different fabric, and maybe with a ruffle on the sleeve?

Most unexpected make: Black Denim Button Skirt

I really love this skirt, but it is definitely unexpected - It's made from a pair of my Dads old jeans! Creating something from an old garment is yet another thing that I would never have expected to be able to do when I started sewing. 

Most worn by others: Teal Linden Sweatshirt
My family are very lovely and wear the things that I have made them often. I made my Mum three tops this year, and I think that her teal linden sweatshirt is the one she wears the most. It's such a great pattern, and it looks especially nice in that fabric.

Most used pattern: Tilly and the Buttons Coco
It was close between the Coco top/dress and the Linden sweatshirt for my most used pattern of 2017, but the Coco won purely based on the number of hacks I've made from it! It's such a great base for changing a pattern. My favourites are my dress, my pineapple top, my stripy top and my raindrop top.

Favourite fabric shop: Frou-Frou Mercerie Contemporaine
I fell in love with this Parisian fabric shop when I came across it in Paris, and would urge anyone who goes to Paris to visit it! The fabrics are quite expensive, but are absolutely stunning and the presentation is stellar. I wrote about what I bought here. My Frou-Frou makes include my mustard and navy top, my Mum's blouse and my mustard skirt.

Favourite fabric: Aime-Comme Marie Ananas
I love this fabric so much, and have made two garments from two colourways, although I think that my favourite is the lighter blue that I got from Faberwood. The projects that I made are my pineapple top and my trousers.

Most exciting sewing event: The Great British Sewing Bee Live and Suzy Magazine Feature
I couldn't choose just one thing for this category. The sewing bee live was an incredible event and I absolutely loved going. You can read about my day there here. Being featured in a magazine was also a definite highlight of 2017, I still can't quite believe it!