Like last year, I am reviewing my sewing year! And what a year (and I’m not even talking about the pandemic)!

Indeed, this year,

• I became a tester for the brands la Petite Frambise (Vanille and Elsa) and for Urban Fairy Patterns (Alanis)
• I started working as a self-employed person 
• I took part in the Burda contest and was able to walk the runway for the final in front of everyone, proud in my hand-sewn dress 
• I created my online shop c'est du joly!
• I became a sewing teacher... 

And besides all that, I also sewed a lot! Come on, here are my favourite pieces from 2020!

My two favourite pieces of 2020 are those I sewed during my pattern making training at IAM patterns. 

Indeed, during module 1 dedicated to skirts, I made a pencil skirt. I chose to make it in red and cream wax fabric bought in Matongé, the African quarter of Brussels. I had already made a trench coat in this pagne and I still have some left to sew in 2021.

During module 2 dedicated to bodices, I wanted to push the challenge even further and I drafted an origami top, with a ruffled peplum. I really love both the pattern and the dashwood fabric with delicate unicorns which comes from my shop. 

Building on my training, I continued on my path and drafted other skirts and tops.

I made a half-circle skirt in dragonou fabric, available in my shop. I had sewn it in support of the cancelled 2020 doudou event. I also made a few pieces to order. I will definitely bring it out again for the 2021 doudou!

And then, I also made men’s and women’s sweatshirts in the colours of Belgium. The drache nationale fabric features Belgian emblems: beers, chocolate, mussels, black, yellow, red raindrops...

Another highlight of 2020 was the long dress I sewed for Burda’s 70th anniversary contest. I didn’t choose the easy path by sewing a devoured velvet which I lined with mesh. It was a great experience both for the sewing challenge it represented: choosing the pattern, the fabric, sewing all the finishes before the deadline... and also for the final which allowed me to meet wonderful people like Astrid from Pois, Auriane the tall redhead, Rémy Penant... and it was my first participation in a fashion show.

On the men’s sewing side, my beloved was not left out as he got a lovely rust coat from the Gentleman des Beaux Gosses patterns. Originally, it was a toile, and a final version in a better quality woollen fabric was to be made; but he loves it so much that the toile ended up becoming the final project. 

We’ll see how this wool and polyester mix holds up over time and then there will still be time to make another one. 

He also got a few shirts including a blue one with a contrasting white collar that he is quite proud to wear. I always use my Japanese book by Ryuichiro Shimazaki which is my little bible when it comes to making shirts. 

For myself, I also made several sewn items but two are dear to my heart. These are the Divina dress from Maison Victor that I made in a Japanese fabric from my shop which is no longer available in black but is in emerald green at the time of writing this article.

It is dear to my heart for two reasons. First because I made it from one of the first coupons of fabric from my shop; it therefore has an important meaning for me. Second because it was selected by Maison Victor to be published in the "Made By You" section. I was very proud of that. 

I also bought the pattern for the Ségur top from Little Cozy World. I had been eyeing this pattern for a long time and I gave in during the summer holidays and treated myself. I also fell for a double gauze with mimosa patterns from my shop to make my first Ségur with front buttoning. I know I will make new versions in 2021 of this lovely pattern which can be made into several versions of tops but also dresses. 

Finally, in terms of challenges, this year was rich. I had decided not to buy anymore; only what I knew how to make and when t-shirts ran out... well, I had to keep my word.

So I made t-shirts based on the book "Sewing Stretch" by Marie Poisson (a true bible which I recommend) and Wanted t-shirts by Vanessa Pouzet. I love the square neckline of this feminine and sexy model without vulgarity.

Another big challenge is that I became a tester for two brands including Urban Fairy Patterns for which I tested the blouse Alanis and its pretty Lavallière collar. I made it in a pretty peach and raspberry striped cotton available in my shop. I love the geometric effect it creates!

So here is the review of my year; ultimately very rich in experiences and various sewing projects. 

And you, have you reviewed your sewing year? What did you enjoy sewing and wearing?