Saturday, January 2, 2016

2015.. the good and the bad

2015 has been a pretty good year all up.  I started the year participating in the Wardrobe contest on Pattern Review, but didn't keep the momentum up so didn't complete it.  

After that, a real highlight of the year was attending a PRDU get together in Tamworth. I enjoyed that week-end very much and caught up with on-line friends again and met some others for the first time.

What I have sewed has varied greatly and the posts that seemed to generate the most interest highlighted that.  The highest hits were for my ball gown and for a Jalie top made as gym wear.  From one extreme to the other.


I think this might have been the year of the pant as I made a pile of casual pants and a lot of them were for another major highlight of the year - our road trip/ camping / kayaking holiday in North Queensland.


I felt refreshed from the holiday and it fired me up to join the Pattern Review Great Sewing Bee.  I was chuffed to make it through 3 of the 4 rounds.  I really enjoyed this challenge.  It made me do more research and planning than I have for ages.  I also made some items at a higher difficulty rating than I usually would.  


The blouse has been worn quite a few times, but not the dress (need an occasion) or the jacket (need the cold weather), but I am happy that the pieces I produced will get some use.

Nothing bad happened this year but something sad.  My little dog unexpectedly had to be put down at the end of October.  It was a complete surprise as even though he was 15 years old his health had been really good to that point.  However he passed peacefully and had his family all around him.

Cosmo the wonder dog

Now to 2016.  I have my first make under my belt (finished today) and plan to join in the active wear contest on Pattern Review which starts in a few weeks.  I plan to make some more bags this year (got the bug!) and hope to keep the momentum going from the PR Sewing Bee to keep improving my fitting skills and pushing myself to try new techniques.  I do plan a denim jacket and will see what else hits the radar.

Happy new year kittens, Ciao for now.

15 comments:

  1. I love Tamworth - but I guess I went to boarding school there... and it does have that fabulous fabric shop!
    I really like your ball dress - I need to make myself a fancy frock...

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  2. Sue, I'm sorry about Cosmo the wonder dog. Around the same time our family dog died too... not quite as old but nearly. I've loved reading your blog all year again. Thanks. Sofie

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    1. Sofie, Sorry to hear about your dog. They do become so much part of the family that it is hard when they leave us.

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  3. A variety of great garments there - the ball gown especially. You did a lovely pattern justice.

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    1. Thank you Paola - I am trying to make good fit a priority. :)

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  4. Lovely to meet you in Tamworth Sue and always admire your sewing and impressive fitness! That ball dress is spectacular.

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    1. Thank you Sandra - I loved meeting you too and hope we can get the opportunity to meet up again soon.

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  5. Happy New Year. Sorry about your beautiful little dog. I remember your ball gown . It is stunning.

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    1. Thank you Janine - it was a bit of a fitting challenge, but I enjoyed making it.

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  6. Sorry you had to lay Cosmo to rest; what a lovely photo. I too have the bag bug! It is fun for me to deviate from apparel sewing, but I'm ready to start again with this new year. You had some really great makes over the last year Sue!

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  7. Happy New Year! A nice variety of sewing in 2015. Best wishes for 2016.

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  8. I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Our pets are so precious to us. You definitely had a varied year when it came to sewing. I loved seeing your recaps. Have a wonderful and productive 2016!

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  9. I am so sorry to hear about your little pup. Always enjoy your makes and seeing the variety of your sewing. Look forward to seeing what you'll be making in 2016! :)

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  10. Happy New Year Sue, here's to another great and varied sewing year like 2015. Sorry to hear about the loss of Cosmo, it's always difficult when we lose our pets, it sounds like he had a good long life.

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