Soooo. It’s the last day of 2016. Cheers! and here’s to the year that was… *chinks champers flutes* Mwah, mwah, darlings!
Kicking off with my favourite ootd/blog pictures, just one for each month… Apart from January, well obviously I did not make January’s outfit.. I am wearing a full traditional kimono in Tokyo! but it was definitely a highlight for my year! spending the day with my dear friend Yoshimi and with Cassie and Kelly, getting dressed in kimonos and having a Japanese lunch together. So very interesting and so much fun!
Apart from this one picture, I made 100% of what I am wearing in every other picture…
December
Oh dear, oh dear; looking through all my old pictures to compile this post has been a little sad, Sienna features in so many of them. yes I miss her so much, in fact everyday. We’ve still been quite down here. But I will not get all maudlin now…
Ever onwards. So, my year in making:
I made a total of 101 things this year. I don’t think this is too bad, considering it included a fully embroidered Alabama Chanin skirt, and 19 pairs of shoes. Yep! NINETEEN pairs of shoes… ahem, some of them are just a tad better than others, and several of the earlier, shonkier pairs have already winged their way to that big eternal shoe box in the sky…
Da breakdown… 13 dresses, 1 doll with a full wardrobe, 12 skirts, 5 lingerie sets, 5 prs of bathers (1 binned without blogging because it was an abject fail), 1 knitted cardigan, 5 jackets/anoraks, 2 prs thongs (flip-flops), 10 prs oxford/lace-up shoes, 1 pr winter boots, 2 prs desert boots, 2 prs slippers, 20 tops/shirts/blouses, 2 prs sandals, 5 prs tights, 1 pr jeans, 1 pr hand warmers, 13 bags/pieces of luggage. Phew!
Selfishness vs. virtuous brownie-point earning: 63 plays 38. Maybe a little tipped towards selfishness, but since that figure includes all the shoes, and practise shoes! that I needed just so I could lead a self-shod, but functional life, well I don’t think it’s too terrible. I think I make just enough things for others that I’m not a pest about it, you know?
Costs… dunno. Haven’t been keeping track. Probably a small fortune?! 😉 No really, I did 3 refashions, and also 24 items were made from free “old” fabric being tossed out by others, or using leftovers, or scraps. Really could improve upon this though…
Most worn items: ah, this is my favourite bit… For four years now I’ve kept track of what I’m wearing, three of those years via my ootd blog.. I keep a spread sheet that I update every month, so I know just how often each and every thing has been worn. I know I know, super nerdy stuff. But, real talk; it’s been an eye-opener I tell you… someone who tells you they’ve worn something hundreds of times…? well, if you actually add it up, for real; you may not have worn it as often as you think! Truth! Anyway, my most worn clothing items for this year can be summed up in the following outfits:
The obvious basics were my black winter boots (70 wears), black tights (109 wears over 4 prs), white LS woollen winter tees (30 wears over 2 tops), other white beige/ivory Tshirts(41 wears over 5 tops); my staples are all 4 of my coloured Miette cardigans, my little mini skirts for winter, and all my loose linen, cotton and silk dresses for summer. For the most part I stick reasonably well to my autumnal palette but I’m not strict about it
Favourite creations:
I would have to say, topping of the list are my winter boots!! so unbelievably proud of these things!!! and which as mentioned have been worn a TONNE. I can still hardly believe I managed those things!
Followed closely by my Magdalena Dusk Alabama Chanin 3-piece ensemble. I’ve worn it twice this year, not very much! I think I suffer from might-ruin-it-itis. Gottta snap outta that. This thing deserves to be paraded about more, not just for the several months worth of hand-embroidery it represents, but of course for its connection to my lovely friend Lisa of Lisa’s Carolina 🙂
I’m also pretty pleased and proud of my Tosti jacket... 🙂
Goals for 2017; Mainly, I want to see out the end of my 100% handmade challenge of course! I have just 53 days to goooooo! But in making goals, well I don’t need anything, so my creating is going to be aimed at maintaining a useful wardrobe, and concentrating on higher quality, and more interesting things. I would like to occasionally make some more fun and frivolous things too. And to continue making shoes, and improving my cobbling skills.
Finally and most importantly of all, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads my blog and who takes the time to leave a comment, I am grateful for each and every kind thought. Thank you so very much, and I’d like to wish all the best to everyone for a safe, happy, peaceful and creative 2017! xxx
I have enjoyed every one of your posts this year, and been super impressed with your creations. I think my favorite was the Vogue pattern, jean re-fashion dress. Thank you for taking the time to share and have a happy new year.
Good summation of 2016 Carolyn. Wishing you and family a prosperous 2017 and especially for you much sewing joy. I always look forward to reading your new posts to see what you are pulling out of the hat next.
Wow Carolyn what an impressive year. Thanks for sharing . All the best for the New Year may 2017 be a wonderful year and I look forward to seeing what you can create . Sue
AH….March. That photo is, hands down, my favourite photo of you and Sienna.
Happy New Year Carolyn. I know that in many ways 2016 was a difficult year for you. I hope that 2017 shines brighter for you. xo
That is a very, very impressive year! Congratulations and thank you for sharing all your inspiration and knowledge. I got sad myself seeing Sienna in your year-end pictures 🙁
Happy New Year and my best wishes for a great year!
Happy New Year, Carolyn.
Thank you for another wonderful year of blogging. You are an inspiration to me and I often refer to your blog for sewing tips and pattern additions.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading about your makes in 2017.
I am in such awe of your skills…. beautiful clothes! And yes, many of us will miss Sienna’s smiling face in your pictures 🙁 obviously I never met her IRL, but adored her none the less.
Thank you so much for continuing to be such a source of inspiration to the beginning sewists out in the interwebs (me included!) I always look forward to your next posts, and I’ve been sewing with my MiL over the break. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Happy New Year! Can you tell more about your clothes spreadsheet? I’m wanting to do something similar in the coming year and am wondering about the best way to go keeping track and tallying. Thanks in advance!
I always look forward to your posts with anticipation and I’m never disappointed. You definitely inspire me with your creative adventures. Your year was very impressive, I’ve loved everything and I’m really impressed with your shoe making adventure. Thanks for sharing little tidbits of your life with us and it was especially sad when Sienna had to leave us (I shed a tear for her too. I know, but I get emotional when our fur friends have to leave us). I will miss her so much!
Happy New Year to you and your family and I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store.
Happy 2017 Carolyn! I have really enjoyed reading your blog this year – I love how experimental you are with such a wide variety of makes + you just seem so laid back and relatable 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing the round-up of your handmade year and which (if any) rtw you are missing most!
What a year – all the best for 2017, but I honestly don’t know how you could improve on the quality of your sewing any further – it’s always exquisite and so aspirational. Xx
You’ve had quite a year! I’ve loved following along on your shoe making journey, that has been pretty awesome. I know I don’t always comment but I’m always reading and gathering inspiration from such a creative soul! Thank us for enhancing my 2016 creatively and I look forward to your adventures in 2017! Happy New Year!!!
I got a bit teary too seeing beautiful Sienna in a lot of the pictures. But we must notice how clever you have been with all your creativity in 2016. Look forward to seeing what you come up with in 2017. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year Carolyn. I really enjoy your inspiring and creative makes and your lovely sense of humour which shines through the writing. I too am looking forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for your wardrobe.
Happy New Year, Carolyn! Your energy, skills, and curiosity are so inspiring! Where on earth do you find the time? Seriously, where? You must not sleep much. I admire your fashion sense and your daring so much. Thanks for sharing your journey with me!
Have a wonderful New Year celebration and ring in well 2017!! Looking forward to your posts next year.
Happy New Year 2017, Carolyn. You are amazing, you made so many great garments 🙂 Looking forward to see your 2017 makes.
What a creative year, Carolyn! You have really made a lot of very interesting garments- and shoes!!- making wonderful outfits. And quite a lot of unselfish sewing. Your explanations of your sewing or shoemaking experiences are always lovely to read and clear to understand. Thank you for sharing your thoughts (and statistics). Have a lovely year 2017!
Even tho you miss her its still good to see the pics, I love to see pics of previous dogs because I get to love them all over again. I always enjoy your blog posts and all your makes. I’m super impressed that you even made your shoes and tights.
Happy New Year Carolyn. You have had an amazing year of output, I just can’t fathom how you manage it, everything is a work of art, yes I did see the disaster in the bin, but we all have those. So lovely to see Sienna she is missed by many.
2016 hasn’t been a great blogging year for me, but wanted to thank you for inspiration you always give. Your Totsi jacket is a thing of beauty.
You’ve had another great year Carolyn! Each of your outfits are a treat to see and you always unselfishly share your knowledge with the rest of us. You picked up shoe making skills so quickly you make it look easy….. and we all know it is not. Those boots are absolutely the best!!! Aaaaaand I always wondered how you track your outfits as it’s interesting to read your stats. You are a very special and dear friend. I cherish our long-distance friendship. So looking forward to seeing what you create in 2017! 🙂
You are truly amazing, and honestly I consider you to be the best home sewist on the planet!!! I also enjoy your sense of humour. Happy New Year to you!
Swooping by Carolyn’s always puts a smile on my face (except twice when it was a tear.)
Thank you for another inspiring year of blogging. You cover all the bases: the successes and setbacks, the hows, the whys. You experience the discouraging things all craftspeople do, but it never holds you back for long. Irrepressible.
A happy and healthy 2017 to you and your family. I look forward to seeing what you get up to next.
PS Ruinitphobia?! Oh yes, that. Hard to know if it’s a matter of preserving painstaking handiwork, or, waiting for the right occasion that too often never actually comes. The suite is so grand & regal that it might feel almost like formalwear, right? Would it feel easier if you took parts of the ensemble out separately for a spin? Chanin skirts would look swell with a cropped denim jacket, moto leather jacket, or your handknit short cardigans. A blue or silver or black silk blouse. The tank top? Easy peasy: a stealthily elegant staple. Once the parts have gone out a few times, you might feel ready to don the whole suite.
How impressive is this retrospective! Your style is unique, flawless and always coherent. You’re an inspiration, you know. Now, wishing you a wonderful new year. Sienna will be missed!
My gosh, 101 things? I’m in awe of your productivity! Especially that you taught yourself to make shoes. I’m not sure how your sewing could improve, since you’re honestly one of the most inspiring bloggers to me, both in technical skill and having such a strong personal aesthetic Reading this always makes me want to step up my game! But we all need goals, right? 🙂
Sienna was so lucky to have you as her “momma”. I know you will cherish your memories always.
Loved the summing up. Keeping a record of what you wear is a really good idea & I plan to give it a go for 2017.
Sorry about Sienna – I’ve looked out for her in your photos over the years & enjoyed seeing her.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing your sewing life with us. Your posts are inspiring, fresh and sometimes funny. I would like to meet you in person!
Your one year of 100 percent handmade shows that everything is possible! Please continue!
The world needs more people like you.
Greetings from Germany!
Happy New Year Carolyn! And thank you for inspiring me a whole year through 🙂 I enjoyed reading the summary and decided that I need some mini skirts for winter 😉
Happy New Year! I love coming over to see your creations they have made me improve the quality of my sewing and strive for more complicated items with just the addition of a little more time. Thanks for the inspiration, my 2016 one to make a bra was directly from you you and I did it AND they are getting better each time. Best Wishes. Jo x
Happy New Year Carolyn! I so enjoy reading your posts and following along with your journey to create a 100% handmade wardrobe. I still can’t believe you made those boots, they’re amazing! I never did leave a comment to say how sorry I was about Sienna, it must be such a terrible loss for your family. Thanks for sharing all your creations with us. Kathryn x
I’m quite late to the party, but I wanted to mention that Alabama Chanin garments get even nicer the more they are worn; I have one skirt that I was hardly wearing because it was ‘too good for everyday’. Once I forced myself to bring it into rotation, I noticed the fabirc softens up and the edges roll in a lovely way the more it’s washed and worn. I really do need to start on a new project…