I've been enjoying Sewstainability’s One Year Sewn blog series so much that I decided to shamelessly copy it. Each season, Vicky and I look back at the makes we made this time last year and assess what is and isn’t working in our wardrobes.

Here’s what I made last Autumn…



Tilly and the Buttons Freya dress from Stretch book
Dashwood Studio rayon from the Soirée collection

You can read more about my first Indigo dress here.

I made this on the day the pattern was released and wore it a lot last Autumn/Winter. I didn't wear it during Spring/Summer due to the longer sleeves, and whileI love it, I have to admit that the features and fabric feel a little at odds with each other. The long sleeves and dark coloured fabric make it feel quite Wintery, but the lightweight fabric and longer length make it feel Summery! I prefer to wear longer dresses and skirts with bare legs in the summer, and shorter hems with thick tights in the Winter. Layering it over a shirt (as shown here) makes it a bit more seasonally appropriate, and I may shorten it a bit.

The fabric is beautiful and feels lovely, but it did snag a fair amount while I was making it, and I got a HUGE snag down the skirt the first day I wore it. My friend Mel made a dress in a fabric from the same collection which unfortunately disintegrated after the first wash, so I have always been very cautious and washed this in a laundry bag. I haven't had any issues with the integrity of the fabric but it has faded a bit. It also creases VERY easily. 

Tilly and the Buttons Indigo dress
Deadstock fabric from Sew Me Sunshine

It didn't take me long to make a second Indigo dress! I managed to squeeze this version into 1.5m of fabric by shortening the hem and sleeves, and I much prefer them this length. I added waist ties again and made the same adjustments as last time.

The fabric was horrid to work with but I love the design and I am a big fan of anything that doesn't need ironing! Despite (probably) having a high poly content, it doesn't feel too sweaty and this is by far my most worn Indigo. The fabric has pulled a little in the areas where I did French seams, but it looks fine from the outside. 

Tilly and the Buttons Freya dress from Stretch book (hacked, obviously!)
Black cotton jersey from Escape and Create

This is one of my most involved pattern hacks and I had tremendous fun planning and making it. I had a lot of requests for a tutorial last year, but had awful tonsilitis for most of October and never got around to writing one. Maybe this year...

I love this dress but I must confess, I've only worn it twice. It's VERY hot to wear because of the turtleneck and extra fabric at the sleeves, and it's impossible to wear a coat over it, other than draped over your shoulders. I guess I'll have to sew a cape this year!

I might remove the turtleneck and replace it with a crochet collar like the one I used on my Sabrina dress.

The fabric was a basic cotton jersey and is lovely and soft, but having not worn it much, I can't confirm how well it's worn!

Tilly and the Buttons Frankie tee and Stella joggers from the Stretch book
Ghost jersey from Stone Mountain Fabrics
White cotton jersey from Escape and Create

You can read more about my love of me made pyjamas here.

I made these for my Halloween trip to Edinburgh last year, and they were lovely and cosy and comfy to wear. I wore them all Autumn/Winter and the fabric has worn really well. The neckband is pretty terrible (why are the pattern pieces for neckbands always way too long?) so I might unpick and re-sew it this year, if it's as bad as I remember!

Tilly and the Buttons Freya dress from the Stretch book
Cat jersey from Like Sew Amazing

Oh what a surprise - another Freya dress hack! I managed to squeeze this out of 1m of cotton jersey, and while it's not my absolute favourite dress and hasn't had a lot of airtime on Instagram, it's a super comfy basic that gets worn year-round. The fabric has held up really well too. 

Grainline Studio Linden Sweater
Skeleton French terry from My Fabrics
Grey jersey from Escape and Create
Seamstress pin no longer available in pink, but now comes in black here

I know the Linden is considered something of a sewing community essential, but I wasn't a huge fan of the wide neckline as I always wear my jumpers over T-shirts. I finally succumbed and did a little hacking: I extended the front, back and sleeve pieces but ended up having to pinch volume out of the raglan seams and add a tiny dart to make the shoulders sit flush. It was a lot of trial and error and I think I ended up making it a bit too tight at the neckline. I like it but I haven't worn it a huge amount, as I mostly wear tights and dresses in the Autumn/Winter.

Tilly and the Buttons Freya dress from Stretch book
Daisy jersey from 1st For Fabrics

My 18th Freya! There's more details about this and my 17 others here.

This was a godsend last Winter as I got so cold at work! It's comfy and cosy and the fabric has worn really well. I actually have a bit left I keep meaning to make a t-shirt out of. I love this combo with the mustard tights and I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of wear out of it this Autumn/Winter too!

Tilly and the Buttons Indigo dress
Moda Christmas cotton from Escape and Create
Seamstress pin no longer available in red, but now comes in black here

Another Indigo, using the shorter sleeves and hem from my last version. This was my Christmas dress but I deliberately went for a fabric that was festive and wintery rather than actually Christmassy so that I could wear it for longer. I know there's a bit of snobbery about sewing garments with quilting cotton, but I'm a big fan! Moda cottons are lovely quality and wear and wash terrifically.

I could do some cropped jumpers to wear over my gathered dresses this Autumn/Winter.

Total makes: 9 (if you count the pyjamas as two!)
Still in wardrobe: 9!

DING DING DING! First time that's happened! It was great to see that I slowed down my sewing this time last year. It's clearly paid off as it's my best retention rate so far!

It's also really strange to see that all but one of the patterns I made last Autumn were by Tilly and the Buttons, as I haven’t made any of theirs since.

Please feel free to join in if you'd like to! You can share your #OneYearSewn reviews via Instagram or on your blog. It's not a sewing challenge and there's no prizes, its just a fun way to review our own wardrobes and give practical feedback on patterns and fabrics to other makers. I think we're all a little guilty of claiming that our latest make is our FAVOURITE EVER but I'm excited to hear about what really stands the test of time!

Thanks so much for reading my blog! While you're here, why not check out my range of sewing-themed gifts, accessories and stationery?

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