Friday, November 23, 2012

TWO Year Blogiversary and Giveaway!

Two whole years!  And I'm still enjoying sewing?  Wow!  The past year has been really good, sewing-wise.  I branched out from 50's style dresses and made a lot of different types of garments.  I didn't make quite as MANY as I did last year, but I feel like what I did make, I like and wear frequently.  Here's my yearlong tally:

8 Dresses
5 Blouses
3 Jackets
2 Pairs of shorts
2 Knit sweaters
1 Pair of pajamas
1 Dress refashion
1 Halloween costume
1 Coat

24 garments total!  Let's not include my disastrous Amish maternity Alma blouse or the blue and white floral skirt that ended up sized for a child, okay?

My favorite thing I made all year is definitely this Alma blouse.  It's one of my newer projects, but it has already been worn to death.  I made it to wear with jeans, but 99% of the time I end up pairing it with my favorite pink Gap capris.

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This self-drafted tank was also a summer favorite, and I'm definitely going to try to "winterize" it this year with a cardigan.  There's so many great colors in it.  I could go basic black or white, or add a little color with blue or lime green cardigan.  It's such a pretty, girly top, and I always feel cute when I wear it.

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Colette Patterns Sencha has been a staple of my sewn wardrobe since the start, and this pretty floral rayon one is no exception.  Good thing this pattern has three different necklines!  Otherwise I'd be that weirdo wearing the same shirt in different colors every day.

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2012 had something new for me, which was shorts!  I made two pairs this summer, but only one got any play.  I wore these several times, mostly with a solid tank and a cardigan.  I didn't want to get too wild on top, considering my butt is basically upholstered.

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I made a matching jacket just because I loved the fabric so much, but I promise I did not wear them together! That would just be too much. I wore the jacket this spring/summer with a tank and jeans, and I think I can probably get away with wearing this through the end of the month before I have to pack it away for winter.


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Speaking of jackets, I made two others with the same pattern, but they never got any love. My readers hated the black and pink bow-print one (as did I) and the solid black one never got finished, probably due to boredom. I like sewing fun, whimsical things! I'll stick to buying the basics in stores.

Another first for me was sewing an item for someone else!

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I love my Hunger Games Reaping dresses on the hanger, but I never took them outdoors. The neckline is too low-cut for work, and every cami combination I tried looked bad. I tried wearing the white one on a lazy summer day and felt like it was too dressy. I'll try the blue one again this fall, maybe with a navy cami? Tights and boots? I don't know. They fit too nice to abandon and I really like them on the hanger, but maybe there are just not my style. I never even took a picture of me wearing them.

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Earlier this year, I went around knocking off dresses I saw online.  It's great to be like "$198? Are you joking?  I bet I could make that for $20!" and actually do it. I wore both of these a lot this summer, not surprisingly.  I love a good summer sundress.

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The Paris dress looks cute on a hot day AND doubles as a drink holder for my sister!

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I also knitted a couple garments! I made two of this sweater, which was a free download from Ravelry. It was really easy and each took about two weeks. I'm very happy with how they turned out, and both have gotten their fair share of outings. For my next knitting project, I want to do a long-sleeved sweater or a cardigan!

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My favorite thing I made this year had to be my Halloween costume! This outfit was definitely the hardest, most complicated thing I have ever made. It turned out fantastic and really boosted my sewing confidence.

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Boosted it enough to tackle a coat! I LOVE this coat, guys. I have been wearing it a ton. It brightens up every outfit and it's just what I need on these dreary November days.

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So, that's it, guys! I didn't churn out a bazillion garments like I did last year, but I definitely made some lasting additions to my wardrobe. Now, for the good stuff. For sticking with me the last two years, I'm offering up a Sewaholic pattern of your choice. I know we all love Tasia's gorgeous patterns, so if you haven't sewn one up before, here's your chance!  Just leave me a comment with you email address and which pattern you would like!  I'll pick the winner on Tuesday.

Thanks for being such great readers for another year!  I really appreciate all the feedback and encouragement I get from my fellow sewers.  Here's to another year of sewing!

Love,
Amy

29 comments:

  1. Please don't enter me in the giveaway (I already have all the Sewaholic patterns - LOL), but I just wanted to say a massive congratulations! I literally love everything you've made this year and this round-up has reminded me that quality is way better than quantity! Hope you keep going strong for another 2yrs and more ;o)

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    1. All of them? Lucky! I only have Alma but I've been coveting Cambie and Lonsdale. I might ask for them for Christmas.

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    2. Do put them on your list, they are both so beautiful and would look amazing on you!

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  2. I love seeing your sewing progress throughout the past year. You've accomplished so much.
    I love the sewaholic patterns but have yet to splurge on one.
    buttonhole at charter dot net

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  4. This is the first time I've seen your blog. You've made some really nice things! Since I'm obsessed with making pants right now, I'd love to have the Thurlow Trousers pattern.

    swimwiththesharks@hotmail.com

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  5. I LOVE your bicycle dress from the minute you posted it! And all your Alma's - if I was lucky enough to win that would be the one I'd choose!

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  6. I think that sounds like an impressive amount of projects! And the fact that so many of them are worn frequently is great.

    I would like the Sewaholic Renfrew pattern if I win - since I've just (last night!) finally found the best combination on my basic machine of how to get the right kind of stitch that works for knits.

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  7. I found your blog from the comment tou left over at sewaholic. I love her patterns and have thought many times about getting several af them. The alma or thurlow are on top. Or renfrew... Sooo hard to know Which is first on my list... I think Alma...
    Tanja dot valsgard at yahoo dot com

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  8. Wow, that's a lot of successful projects for one year. I would like to have the Sewaholic Cambie. I have the Alma and it really worked out well for me. saramayo(at)shaw(dot)ca

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  9. ooh lovely. you have done brilliantly - i can't beleive you have only been sewing for 2 years - the quality and fit you achieve are amazing! if i win i would love the renfrew pattern!

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  10. Wow Amy, you've made a ton of (beautiful) stuff! It's kinda crazy to do an actual tally and see where all your weekends went... As for the giveaway, I wouldn't kick the Lonsdale dress out of bed.

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  11. You have done many beautiful things, I love the Paris dress and the blue coat! =)

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  12. Congrats on 2 years! I've only started following the last few months but I always love seeing what you make. I've made 2 almas now and I'd love to tackle a thurlow - never done pants yet! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. Your projects are an inspiration! If I'm the lucky winner, I would love the Thurlow shorts/trousers.

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    1. I have never seen your blog before.. despite trawling sewing blogs all the time! I love all the items you have made in this post, especially the bicycle dress! I would love the Cambie dress, have been coveting this for a while now and its just coming into summer here when it would be perfect!

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  15. I also came across your blog through Sewaholic. You have made many lovely things this year. I would pick either the Thurlow trousers or the Alma blouse pattern.
    hayleyjoh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. What a productive year! Well done!
    I'd love to enter your giveaway... I've had my eye on some Thurlows for a while now!

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  17. So many great projects! Thanks for the inspiration! The blue coat is fabulous!

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  18. amazing giveaway! i've been coveting the renfrew top pattern (:

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  19. Woohoo to two years of sewing!!! Mymy you've been a productive sewist over the past 12 months. I only wish i was that good!!! Here's to the next year :)

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  20. I love the type of write-ups with feedback of what has been worn and loved. Congratulations on two years of sewing! I think I would go for the Thurlows.

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  21. Love reading your blog and seeing what you make :) I can't believe you made 24 garments in a year, that's great!!! Look forward to seeing what you make next year. Oh, and if I win, could I please have the Minoru jacket pattern? Would like to make that for our autumn (I'm from Australia) :)

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  22. Congratulations on a fabulous second year of sewing!!

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  23. Congratulations on a great year of sewing!!! I love looking at everyone's favorite makes from the year.

    Please enter me---I would get the Thurlow pattern. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  24. Congrats on the blogaversary! I'd love to win the Pendrell pattern. So classy!

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  25. Happy anniversary! You have made some amazing things, I really like them all!
    I would love to own the Thurlow pattern, many thanks for the giveaway!
    katalinfidel@hotmail.com

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  26. Congratulations on your blogaversary! You've made so many fantastic things this year - can't wait to see what you come up with next!

    I'd love to have at making the Alma blouse - I've had my eye on that pattern for a while :-)

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