I know it’s not the end of the year just yet but I’ve been feeling quite reflective over my first year of sewing. Had I not taken up sewing I would be struggling with SAD as I did last winter. What a turn around! My anxiety has lessened and sewing is my therapy. The thrill I feel when a garment is coming together, when it’s finally completed (and fits), like no other. Sewing came into my life at the perfect moment, really. When you have the blues your confidence suffers quite the beating. But now my steps are lighter and I laugh a lot more easily. Don’t get me wrong, I still have some SAD days but I am so much better.
Sewing taught me to be courageous again and to stop doubting myself. Can I just say how afraid I was to cut my first fashion fabric? Very. I kept buying fabrics and not doing anything with them, too scared that I’d fail at constructing something. But how else was I to learn? So I took the scissors to the fabric and I’ve been having fun ever since. Not all projects have gone perfectly (I’m looking at you, Rooibos). But I feel more confident in my skills to re-visit my past mistakes and try to fix them. I’m actually looking forward to it.
So here’s a look at all my 2011 makes. You’ll notice my initial fear kept me sewing easy peasy stuff. It wasn’t until I successfully constructed Colette’s Sorbetto pattern (and so my love affair with Colette patterns began…) that finally felt comfortable with garment making.
I’m quite proud of my sewing growth so far and I’m looking forward to gaining more skills. My sewing hopes for 2012 are to make some dresses, use up some of my fabric stash, less fabric buying (although this might not help with that so much), play around with mixing patterns to create new looks and finally conqueror my nemesis, the Rooibos dress!
I am happy to say that sewing and I are definitely in a committed relationship. I’ve even bought 150 meters of tracing paper to celebrate!
So what are your 2012 sewing goals?
P.S. Thank you, sewing community, for being *so* freaking welcoming, inspiring and so golly nice.
Pincushion Treats 
Wow, it must be such a great feeling to look back and see your progress! I’m pretty proud of you!
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Thanks Mandy. So when are you getting yourself that vintage Singer and getting back to it?
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I didn’t know you’d only been sewing for a year! I had you down as an expert with years of experience behind you.
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That is crazy flattering! You’ve made my day.
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Maybe I’ll be in a few more pictures next year!
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Definitely, babe. You definitely will be. I have a few ideas in the bag for you.
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Wow, I can’t believe you’ve only been sewing a year – that’s an amazing achievement. You’ve made a Negroni as well, which in my book is definitely intermediate plus level! And well done for getting to grips with your SAD, I’m so pleased sewing is helping. Here’s to another successful year. x
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Mela, thank you for being the pioneer — I’m following your lead, and slowly but surely I’ll get beyond cutting and sewing straight lines. It’s so helpful to see how your path was laid; and that you were nervous of that first cut, too; and that you eventually stormed through clothing projects like they were nothing. It gives me confidence!
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Sometimes you really do have to just jump in there! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
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Congratulations! You have sewn a ton! I can’t believe you’ve only been sewing for a year. I’m excited to see what you make in 2012!
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Yay for you Melizza. It’s great that you’ve found Your secret weapon that not only builds your Confidence, makes you feel good, but also stocks your wardrobe ( and mr pincushion’s) with lovely clothes. Hurrah for you! ( still loving your circle skirt the most)
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I’ve just started sewing this year as well. It’s so much fun. You’ve made some really beautiful things this past year and you should be very proud of yourself!
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You’re a super beginner as well? Amazing because the finish on all your garments had me think you were definitely at an intermediate level. I mean, that cowboy shirt is well awesome.
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Congratulations on an amazing year! It’s been my first sewing year too – and it’s been a blast. Love all your makes – especially your negroni which is something I’d like to attempt next year. Here’s to 2012 makes!
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Wow, you’ve only been sewing a year? You made a lot of great items in those few short months! 🙂
You’re right, sewing is great therapy! I always get cabin fever during the Winter months (and now living in the North East, where the Winters are longer than in the South). Sewing is a great distraction to those things that you almost don’t want Summer to come (OK, that’s a lie, I always want Summer to come, but you know what I mean 🙂 ).
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You’ve only been sewing a year??!? You are so talented!
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Thank you so much. I think I owe it all to all the time I am able to invest in sewing. Being employed part-time leaves me wanting to sew sew sew 🙂
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Hiya, recently came across your blog. You’ve done a lot more sewing than I have, and I’m hitting my year anniversary too! I really struggle with sewing dresses too, but I am planning on sorting that out next year too, so good luck with your mission. Love your schoolhouse tunic BTW and that Negroni shirt, wow! I’ve only managed to make my man a pair of boxers.
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Hello and thank you! Good luck to you too in the new year. Hopefully we’ll have a few dresses under our belts 🙂 this time next year.
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I’m so glad that you found me on Ravelry because I, somehow, missed your sewing blog before. Your projects are wonderful and, from the looks of your list, 2012 will be a very productive year! I have many of the same patterns on my to-do list so I’m looking forward to seeing your versions.
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I’m so glad you commented on my blog so I could find you! You really made so many gorgeous things this year, I couldn’t even begin to pick a favorite! I’m excited to follow your progress in 2012!
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