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 Summer…

Hey June Handmade Union St Tee
Peppermint Magazine Spring Shorts (free pattern)
Fabric from Like Sew Amazing

I've worn these SO MUCH and they are so comfy. Alas the lovely baby pink background has discoloured ever so slightly, either because of the black neckband or because I've chucked them in with the darks wash once or twice. It's only really noticeable when comparing them to the original fabric though.

You can read more about my princess kittyjamas here.

All Well Workshop Box Top
Both cotton linens from Sew Me Sunshine

This was my pattern test version, made with the offcuts of my daisy dress. The cotton-linen blend was a bit heavyweight for a top, and I re-purposed the fabric. It was my first time doing a bound neckline, and it wasn't as scary as I thought so I must try making another in a lighter fabric.

Tilly and the Buttons Romy Top/Dress
Fabric from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

I started by making the dress version, which was a disaster! Luckily I was able to salvage the gorgeous fabric and make a top instead. I wrote a blog post about it for Sew Me Sunshine, and you can read more about it here.

I hacked the back into this pretty bow, which I really love:

But I must admit, even after my re-fashion, this doesn't get a huge amount of wear. The neckline is quite bulky, and the shoulders aren't sitting right on me as I hadn't learned that I need a narrow shoulder adjustment at this point.

Fabrics Store Paola Jacket (FREE pattern)
Perfect Match fabric from Selkie Patterns (no longer available)
Peppermint Magazine Spring Shorts (free pattern)
Blue fabric from Escape and Create (no longer available)

This jacket was probably my favourite and most worn make last summer! You can read more about it here. It still gets a lot of wear and I'm so pleased I opted to use my fancy fabric for a casual, everyday garment.

The shorts were another hit: I'm actually wearing them as I type this! Super easy, so comfy and perfect for summer. The fabric was offcuts from a pattern test toile and was super cheap but has worn amazingly. It's sort of like a cross between a chambray and crepe, if that's a thing.

Friday Pattern Company Joan Trousers
Fabric from Escape and Create (no longer available)

I absolutely loved my first pair of Joans, but the fabric didn't wear brilliantly. I used a much higher quality viscose-rich ponte for these and its worn a lot better. I find that the knees stretch out of shape more quickly, but I don't know if that's the fabric or the slimmer cut. Maybe a combination of both!

I have worn these so much as they're so comfy but look smarter than joggers. I didn't bother with the belt loops or faux button on either pair as quite frankly, I couldn't be bothered to add features I wouldn't use! They're currently sitting in my mending pile as the waist elastic stitching has snapped in a few places. I used a wide zigzag, as recommended, but I'll be using a three-point zigzag next time for extra durability.

Patterns for Pirates Wiggle Top/Dress
Black ponte from Escape and Create (no longer available)
Self-drafted jacket
Teal crepe from Escape and Create (no longer available)

I made this outfit for the Secret Cinema Casino Royale event. I had to wear something teal but it's one of my least favourite colours! I wore this jacket a couple of times as I loved the cut and drape, but I actually just handed it down to my tweenage niece and she LOVES it.

I felt SO self-conscious in this bodycon dress, and immediately cut it into a top as I loved the scoop back:

Again, I wore it a few times like this, but the ponte was a bit thick for a top, and bobbled badly so this hit the fabric scraps bin.

Alice and Co Patterns Mary Quant Mini Dress (FREE pattern)
Fabric from a swaps table (originally from Mauritius)

I made this version to go to a meet up at the V&A for the pattern testers. I'd originally made the long-sleeved view but I knew I'd be too warm in it. I LOVE the fabric but I had to make it very short to fit the pieces in. I'm thinking of cutting this into a top, as I think it'll get more wear that way. I'm not sure if it's the way I'm standing, but it doesn't look like it fits me brilliantly around the shoulders/armholes.

"Frandy" top (TATB Freya + Tessuti Fabrics Mandy Boat Tee neckline)
Stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)
Burda 6319 Skirt
Polka dot tencel chambray from Escape and Create (no longer available)

I made this outfit to wear to the New Craft House Italian Riviera-themed party last year. I absolutely LOVE both items and have worn them loads. The stripe jersey has worn so well: no colour-bleeding or bobbles!

I didn't let the skirt hang before I hemmed it, and it dropped very unevenly so I've since trimmed and re-hemmed it. The fabric is lovely to wear, but the back seam frayed and stretched out quite badly and has had to be repaired a couple of times.

True Bias Ogden Cami
Fabric from Liberty, via a friend's de-stash

I needed a vest top to wear to Elisalex's Bodice Fitting Masterclass and didn’t own any, so I whipped up this Ogden cami from a Liberty scrap donated to me by a friend. It’s not a style I would ordinarily wear so this got relegated to pyjamas. It's a bit on the small side too. Eep.

Faces fabric from Like Sew Amazing, no longer available
Albstoffe textured jersey from Sew Me Sunshine, no longer available
Organic cotton jersey on reverse from Like Sew Amazing

I tend to stick to reviewing clothes in these posts but I thought it might be helpful to share a pic of my reusable cotton pads, nine months on. For context, I use them to remove make up - I don't wear much, and not every day - and to apply toner.

They're rather stained but not so much so that they can't be used, and I imagine they'll last me another year. The cotton lawn-backed ones have stayed a little neater than the double-jersey ones, but there's not much in it.

You can see more details about how I made them in my original Instagram post.

Self-drafted robe
Fabric from Like Sew Amazing, no longer available

I love this and wear it every day after my shower in the warmer months. I made it up as I went along, but it would ideally be longer and provide a little more coverage at the front!

I really took my time over it, and used French seams and bound seams, so I hope this will last me for years to come.

"Friggle" top (TATB Freya + Patterns for Pirates Wiggle Top/Dress)
Fabric from a friend's de-stash

I made this at the Sewing Weekender last August. I loved the neckline from the Wiggle top and added it to my favourite top pattern. Unfortunately, the fabric has gathered a bit where I've added the elastic, but it's still very wearable and it's nice and cool to wear during the summer.

If I were to make something similar again, I'd use the Nathalie top/bodysuit pattern from Untitled Thoughts. That would also solve the issue of it bunching up visibly under my skirt!

Total makes: 15
Still in wardrobe: 12

I suppose technically this is more like 9-11 months sewn, but I thought it would be useful to share these posts at the beginning of the season.

I'm very pleased to see that more of the items I made last Summer are still in my wardrobe, compared to my Spring 2019 makes. I made a lot of garments that I really loved and it's always nice looking back rather than just trying to power through my To Sew list!

Please feel free to join in! 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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