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 Winter…

I Am Patterns I Am Joy top (heavily hacked)
Bark tencel from Sew Me Sunshine

This top was the result of two doomed projects! I bought the fabric to make a dress for my boyfriend's work Christmas do, but my initial attempts at both the French Poetry Pleiades and the Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress were absolute disasters and resulted in me wasting a lot of this gorgeous (and expensive!) fabric. Luckily, I managed to squeeze this top out of the leftovers.

In my infinite wisdom, I removed the darts from the pattern to avoid sewing them in such a slinky fabric but I don't love the way it hangs without them. I also cut it WAY too short and later added another panel to the hem:

It doesn't sit perfectly, but it has made it a lot more wearable as I could only wear it with very high waisted bottoms before. While it wasn't a total success, I do love the puffy sleeves and how the fabric feels and have worn this a fair amount.

Nathalie body suit by Untitled Thoughts (pattern test)
Viscose jersey from a destash

This was my pattern test version which unfortunately wasn't wearable due to the very wide shoulders and low cut armholes - these were altered on the final version. I've been intending to make another one and can't believe I haven't got around to it yet! That's 2020 for you.

Fabric Store Paola Jacket shirt hack (free pattern)
Fabric by Rico Design, via the swaps table at Sew Cam!

You can read more about this garment here. While this was made as a last-minute fancy dress costume it's become one of my most worn and loved garments! Double gauze is my best friend on hot sticky summer days and I've been wearing it layered under a jumper for autumn/winter. The double gauze has worn really well, although I must admit I usually wear it un-ironed.

The pattern didn't lend itself perfectly to being a shirt, and I think if I were to make something similar again, I'd use the Helen's Closet Gilbert top.

Total makes: 3
Still in wardrobe: 2

I think this is the least garments I've ever sewn in one season! I did also sew a couple of other bits and bobs for other people (slippers for my sister, a top for Baby Sunshine and some Australian animal pouches) and I got quite into knitting over Christmas. My sewing has slowed down a lot since last year, and while I may be hankering for the items I don't have the time or sew-jo to make, I firmly believe it's a good thing overall!

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!

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