Just like last year, I'm looking back over my year of sewing! And what a year it has been (and I'm not talking about the pandemic)!
This year, I:
- became a pattern tester for la Petite Frambise (Vanille and Elsa) and for Urban Fairy Patterns (Alanis)
- became self-employed
- took part in the Burda competition and walked in the final in front of everyone, proudly wearing my handmade dress
- created my online shop, c'est du joly!
- became a sewing teacher...
And alongside all that, I also did plenty of sewing! Let's get started: here are my favourite makes of 2020!
My two favourite pieces of 2020 are the ones I sewed during my pattern drafting course with IAM patterns.
During module 1, which focused on skirts, I made a pencil skirt. I chose to make it in a red and cream wax print bought in Matongé, Brussels' African quarter. I had already made a trench coat from this fabric, and I still have some left to sew in 2021.
During module 2, which focused on bodices, I wanted to take the challenge a step further and drafted an origami top with a ruffled peplum. I love both the design and the dashwood fabric with delicate unicorns from my shop.
With my new skills from the course, I kept up the momentum and drafted more 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 Doudou 2020 celebrations. I also made a few pieces to order. I'll definitely bring it out again for Doudou 2021!
I also made men's and women's sweatshirts in the colours of Belgium. The drache nationale fabric brings together Belgian emblems: beer, chocolate, mussels, and black, yellow and red raindrops...
Another highlight of 2020 was the long dress I sewed for Burda's 70th anniversary competition. I didn't choose the easy option: I sewed a burnout velvet and lined it with mesh. It was a wonderful experience, both for the sewing challenge it presented—choosing the design and fabric, and completing all the finishing touches before the deadline—and for the final, where I met lovely people such as Astrid de Pois, Auriane la grande rouge and Rémy Penant... It was also my first time taking part in a fashion show.
As for menswear, my partner certainly wasn't left out: he got a lovely rust-coloured Gentleman coat by Beaux Gosses patterns. It was meant to be the toile, with a finished version to follow in a better-quality wool fabric, but he loves it so much that the toile became the finished project.
We'll see how this wool and polyester blend holds up over time; there will still be time to make another one later.
He also got a few shirts, including a blue one with a contrasting white collar that he is rather proud to wear. I still use my Japanese book by Ryuichiro Shimazaki, which is my little bible for shirtmaking.
I also made several things for myself, but two are particularly close to my heart. One is the Divina dress by la Maison Victor, which I made in a Japanese fabric from my shop that is no longer available in black, but is still available in emerald green at the time of writing.
It is close to my heart for two reasons. First, I made it from one of my shop's very first fabric remnants, so it has a special meaning for me. Second, la Maison Victor selected it for publication in the "Made By You" section. I was very proud.
I also bought the pattern for the Ségur top by Little Cozy World. I had had my eye on that pattern for a long time, and during the summer holidays I finally treated myself to it. I also fell for a mimosa-print double gauze from my shop to make my first Ségur, with buttons at the front. I know I'll make more versions in 2021 from this lovely pattern, which offers several variations of both tops and dresses.
Finally, it has been a year full of challenges. I had decided to stop buying things I knew how to make, and when I started running short of T-shirts... well, I had to keep my word.
So I made T-shirts using the book Coudre le stretch by Marie Poisson (a real bible that I recommend), as well as Wanted T-shirts by Vanessa Pouzet. I love the square neckline of this feminine, sexy design that never feels over the top.
Another big challenge was becoming a pattern tester for two brands, including Urban Fairy Patterns, for whom I tested the Alanis blouse with its lovely tie-neck collar. I made it in a lovely peach and raspberry striped cotton available in my shop. I love the geometric effect it creates!
That's my year in review: full of experiences and all sorts of different sewing projects.
And you, have you looked back over your sewing year? What did you enjoy sewing and wearing?
