So it’s been a while since I blogged, and I wanted to round-up a year of my sewing progress in 2018 – for me it’s been an incredibly clarifying experience. I have discovered that:

I value quality over quantity. My sewing priorities change with the seasons and I am drawn to dress patterns, above separates. My head is easily turned by that exciting new sewing pattern release or a new fabric I fall in love with. Ultimately I want to look at the finished garment and think “Wow! I made that, it looks amazing and fits so well”.

Before 2018 my sewing was never really quantified, I rarely thought too much about setting challenges. I picked up a pattern and made it, and often disregarded the skill level. I now understand that what is most important to me, to be spontaneous – sewing should be fun and I don’t feel I want to be tied down to my sewing wants six months ago. For me, sewing is a hobby and it should not feel like a chore.

To that end, I have decided to set myself some Sewing Intentions – a list of five areas I want to focus on to grow my sewing skills in the new year. You can also join in on Instagram by using the hashtag ‘#sewgoodintentions2019’. Simply set yourself no more than 5 priorities for your sewing, so that you can focus on making an improvement and take the time to finish your garments to your best standard…

My #sewgoodintentions2019 are:

1. To improve the finish of my garments inside and out by learning new techniques (linings, interlining, finishing hems and sewing french and princess seams) – conveniently to include watching the ‘Great British Sewing Bee’ and taking notes;
2. To sew and fit a pair of trousers, so that I have a pattern that suits my body shape which I can sew on repeat;
3. To sew a skater style coat;
4. To improve my topstitching accuracy on all my me-made garments;
5. To sew a jersey project with a twin needle.

I hope that this will be a great challenge for sewists at a range of skill levels, to identify their priorities for the year ahead, share their progress whilst working on them and to review them at the end of 2019.

Looking at my #makenine2018 projects pictured above, I made 1) a Sew Over It Molly dress, 2) an Ultimate shift dress in Fox print Crepe from Minerva Crafts and 3) the Tilly and the buttons Margot pyjamas from my original list.  I also made 4) another Cleo dungaree dress (I live in my denim version) – a kit from Tilly and the Buttons and 5) Delphine Skirt whilst watching Stranger things btw (instead of the Deer and Doe Chardon).

I  almost finished the 6) Great British Sewing Bee Tea Dress – rather than the full-skirted dress (just a concusion-related zip issue to rectify!) and a hem to sew in the new year. The Cocoon coat was not really my style on reflection, the excitement of making a coat ran away with me, but I would love to find the perfect skater style coat pattern to make.

By the summer I had gone off list and made a 7) Simplicity K6459 in cream and black polka dot fabric given to me by a lovely lady who sold me my Singer Overlocker. Followed by 8) an Origami Shrug with fabric and pattern from Make at 140, Plymouth. Finally, I made a Sew Over It ‘Silk Cami’ for my sister for Christmas and cut out another for me!

What a year – I am certain that the new year will include more sewing for me, probably with fewer patterns and possibly making some of the more successful patterns again! (a coat and the Cotton and Chalk jumpsuit are definitely high on my list).

Wishing you a very happy year of sewing, and please tag me @shelovestomake.uk if you’ll be taking up #sewgoodintentions2019!

Emma x