Like last year, I’m reviewing my sewing year! And what a year it was (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 freelancer
- I took part in the Burda contest and was able to walk the runway for the final in front of everyone, proud in my handmade 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, let me show you my favorite pieces of 2020!
My two favorite pieces of 2020 are the ones I sewed during my pattern making training at IAM patterns.
Indeed, during module 1 focused on skirts, I made a pencil skirt. I chose to make it in red and cream wax fabric bought in Matongé, the African district of Brussels. I had already made a trench coat in this pagne and still have some left to sew in 2021.
During module 2 focused on bodices, I wanted to push the challenge even further and drafted an origami top, with a ruffled peplum. I really love both the pattern and the delicate unicorn dashwood fabric which comes from my shop.
Building on my training, I kept going and drafted other skirts and tops.
I made a half-circle skirt in dragonou fabric, available in my shop. I sewed it in support of the canceled 2020 doudou event. I also made a few pieces to order. I will definitely bring it back for the 2021 doudou!
And then, I also made men’s and women’s sweatshirts in the colors of Belgium. The drache nationale fabric features Belgian emblems: beers, chocolate, mussels, black, yellow, and red raindrops...
Another highlight of 2020 was the long dress I sewed for Burda’s 70th anniversary contest. I didn’t choose the easy route by sewing a devoré velvet 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 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 time participating in a fashion show.
On the men’s sewing side, my boyfriend didn’t miss out as he got a nice rust coat from the Gentleman pattern by Beaux Gosses patterns. Originally, it was supposed to be a toile, and a final version in a better quality wool fabric was planned; but he loves it so much that the toile ended up becoming the final project.
We’ll see how this wool and polyester blend 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’s 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 sewing projects but two are dear to my heart. One is 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 as I write this article.
It’s dear to my heart for two reasons. First, because I made it from one of the first fabric coupons in 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 by Little Cozy World. I had been eyeing this pattern for a long time and 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 could make myself, and when the t-shirts ran out... well, I had to keep my word.
So I made t-shirts based on the book "Sewing Stretch Fabrics" by Marie Poisson (a real bible that 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 that’s my year in review; ultimately very rich in experiences and various sewing projects.
And you, have you reviewed your sewing year? What did you enjoy sewing and wearing?
