Above: a year’s worth of sewing projects (plus about a million views of that blue wall!) I think the wall may be the true star of the blog – you would not believe how many requests I have gotten for the paint color (it’s Sapphire from Ellen Kennon paints, a semi-expensive line of full spectrum paints that are totally worth the money – look how different it appears in different lights!)
It’s fun to see what colors I gravitate towards – I like blue the most, followed by emerald green (there would be more green if I could find good green fabrics!) I wear a lot of black, gray, and navy, but almost no brown at all… funny, since I used to own a ton of brown clothing! I like to mix in a shot of red or magenta to brighten up the neutrals. I find that my homemade closet coordinates together very well!
A year and a half ago I decided to take up sewing on a whim. A year ago I made my first skirt (Collette patterns’ Beignet) and I haven’t stopped sewing since! I am so grateful to have found sewing – my tendinitis will no longer allow me to knit or crochet very much, but I can sew with almost no problem. I actually didn’t realize how bad my wrists were until I stopped – amazingly enough, I can now lean on my arm without pain, something I couldn’t do for years. My endurance on the piano is also far greater. I do miss knitting (and especially crochet for some reason) and would like to take up some projects… if I can force myself to not obsess about finishing things and take it slowly, something that isn’t easy for someone who could be called obsessive (I say focused, but obsessive is pretty close!)
2010 has been a great year – thank goodness, since the year before was… not so good. I’m at a good place in my personal and professional life. I finally feel as though (for the most part) the face I present to the world is who I really am. As someone who has always suffered from chronic shyness and self-doubt, that’s a pretty big deal! I’m not apologizing for who I am, and I find that (for the most part) other people seem to appreciate that. I have made new friends, and reconnected with old ones. I do not think I would like to go back to my 20s. I have friends who are sad for being over 30, but it makes me sad that they cannot see how beautiful they are now!
My sewing skills have grown tremendously – I’ve even conquered sewing knits, which I was afraid of for quite awhile! I combined my passion for thrifting with my passion for sewing to continue with my goal (and 2010 resolution) of finding my own personal style. Last summer I started taking photos of what I’m wearing – not every day, but most weekdays. After Self-stitched September (which was a trans-formative experience in itself!) I’ve kept it up – and in the process I’ve finally discovered what styles I like. It’s an ongoing process, but posting the photos here and to great flickr communities like Wardrobe Remix has been fun!
So… happy new year to all my readers! I am (as always) so very grateful that you read my ramblings. In August I will have been blogging for five years, if you can believe it! The blog has morphed along the way, and I thank those of you who have stuck with me, and welcome new readers. As always… happy sewing, knitting, thrifting, or whatever makes you fulfilled in the new year!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Thank YOU for sharing sewing, and otherwise. I am about to head into my 31st year (tomorrow!), and whilst I too had moments of regret that my 20’s were over, I really am learning to be more comfortable in my own skin as I get older, and I don’t think I would trade one day of that for a whole month of my 20’s.
Wow! It really shows off what you’ve done when you put it in a collage like that! Next year was going to be my dress making year but now I’m pregnant maternity dresses don’t seem as exciting as my vintage 50’s patterns!
I much prefer my 30’s to 20’s. Too much went wrong back then!
I have enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the beautiful clothes you sew and refashion. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful clothing. Happy 2011!
Wow, definately an inspirational year!
I’ve loved finding and reading your blog this year, as you sew the clothes that I wish I was brave enough to sew – mostly lovely dresses!
And while I do love the blue wall too, the real star of the blog is YOUR style and your willingness to take us on the journey with you 🙂
Wowzers! You’ve made 32 items of clothing in one year! I knew you were productive but seeing them all together like that is amazing!
Have a very happy new year x
It is so inspirational to hear that you’re a knitter turned sewist. I’m struggling to find a way to sew some of my own clothes right now and I’m having a really hard time. Did you have someone who helped to teach you or did you struggle with it and learn on your own? I haven’t had any kind of instruction ever and there’s no one around me who sews so it’s really hard to even figure out how to change a needle or how to attach a new foot. I hope to be making clothing before too long, but I’m so scared it’s never going to work out. lol
I’ve just started sewing too, and I’m doing Gertie’s Crepe Dress sew-along (http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/). It’s been very helpful for learning the basics (we’re still at the fitting stage right now). You could join in at any time and catch up as you have time, but no reason to be scared of sewing clothes! I don’t have anyone around to ask questions of either, but I figure I’m smart (so are you), I can measure (so can you, I see you’re studying math), I can read and follow directions, and women have been making clothes for hundreds of years. If they can all do it, then so can I, and so can you! We just need practice. I’m not buying expensive material yet, but am trying to find inexpensive stuff that I won’t be too sad about if I mess up and can’t fix it. Another sew-along is coming up with Tasia’s new shirt pattern (http://sewaholic.net/) and I’ll be doing that one too. It should be less complicated than the dress, so hopefully it will go faster (and requires less fabric, so it’s a cheaper project), so that might be a good one to try too!
I taught myself – there are mostly quilting classes in my city. I got a good beginnger’s book (I recommend the first SEW U if you are wanting to make clothes.) There are also video tutorials on youtube that are helpful for some things. Sewing has a learning curve, but after the first few garments it gets much easier. I hope you are able to get started – and feel free to ask any questions!
I love your blog and thank you so much for all your support to me as I set out on this journey. Looking forward to sharing 2011!
You’ve been so busy this year! Your sewing has inspired me to try my first skirt and a more complicated bag pattern, and I’d really love to follow your lead and start making even more of my clothes. Happy New Year!
You were productive! It’s fun to see everything in one collage. I love that blue, too.
What a year of beautiful garments! I am excited to see what you do in 2011!
I came across your blog earlier this year when I was researching the Colette Rooibos and enjoy all the beautiful, feminine pieces you sew. You choose a lot of fabrics, silhouettes, and colors I don’t use, and I appreciate the diversity that adds to my own sewing/ creating experience. Glad 2010 was a great year for you! Hope 2011 is even better!
You’ve had an amazingly productive 2010! Sewing is a big deal, but coming to accept and love yourself as you really are is even bigger. I wouldn’t go back to my 20’s either. Yeah, I’m almost 35, but I feel better about myself than I did back then. Way better. It’s liberating.
When I think of you, I see you standing in front of the blue wall modeling some wonderful creation! I can’t believe you’ve only been sewing for 18 months…you are a natural at it! I look forward to reading about your sewing adventures in 2011 and Happy New Year!
You’ve definitely been an inspiration for me to start sewing. It’s so fun to watch your progress, and I’m hoping that 1.5 years from now, I’ll be as proficient as you are with a sewing machine! I’m still in the “google every step to be sure I know what I’m doing” stage. 🙂
That was a great year-end wrap! with interesting philosophical touches. I’m approaching 60 (in 3 1/2 years) and would like to be as confident & creative as you seem to show! (I admire your unabashed ability just to talk about what you consider when you decide how things look.) Also, I admire your dressform and your serger as evidence of your professionalism in this endeavor. Lastly, have you ever considered dyeing as part of your do-over processes? I have a tan jacket whose lining I just repaired and I’m thinking of dyeing it, maybe green, to cover up some stains and give it a fresh look, to me. Happy New Year to you.
Thank you for sharing your sewing and your growth through your blog. I found you hen you were just learning to sew, and lurked for a long time before commenting. I used to sew for myself and my family, making creative and fun additions to our wardrobes. When I sewed as a business for a number of years I lost the inspiration and zeal I once had. Watching you grow and expand and create has played a part in getting me sewing again – and it may not have happened again without your cheerful, colorful, and beautiful sharing.
And I had a room painted that blue color in a Victorian house I redid a number of years ago. Every time you show it I smile.
You have great style. I’m so glad sewing has helped your creativity. It really shows in the garments you make, and in such a short space of time. Congratulations.
You’ve been an inspiration this year! A lot of the patterns I want to sew have been sewed by you 🙂 In the new year, I’m hoping to get to the Rooibos.
And for someone who’s fairly new to sewing, I’m always in awe of your craftmanship.
You craft such beautiful items! I love them all and it’s such fun to see all of your garments in one post. Well done! 🙂
Happy New Year! It’s been fun to watch your blog evolve over the past few years. I do miss the knitting projects but enjoy seeing how you put your sewing and thrifting together. I’m glad for you that you feel more confident about who you are and where you are in life, a precious gift!
Wow! I’m glad you’ve had a great year, I’ve enjoyed ‘meeting’ you through your blog! Your very first Beignet was the one that sold me on the pattern, I loved the yellow. You’ve made so many beautiful garments, it’s hard to believe you’ve only been sewing for a year or so!
Hope you have a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2011!
I have your blog saved in my favorites and I love how you mix your thrifting bug and sewing bug together. You have made me look more closely at my own thrifting! I look forward to another year of sewing with you!
Good for you! And Happy New Year!