It’s the last day of 2017… and what a year that was! we made it, hurrah. Thank goodness for that, eh?!
So, in these end-of-year retrospective thingies I usually like to pick out some of my favourite photos/outfits/memories, just one for each month of the year… Not all of these pictures appearing here made it to ye olde blog at the time, some are just happy memories of a happy day, that I decided to include them just because Of course I am still wearing my handmade clothing in each one though…
January
ringing in the New Year at Eagle Bay, wearing my red gingham dress and ivory hat
February
wearing my totally local, hand-dyed and -knitted outfit
March
as Queen Rutela, for ComicCon… making this costume was a ridgy-didge marathon! LOVED EVERY MINUTE!
April
sunrise at Eagle Bay in my apricot top and boyfriend jeans
May
that time I made a jean jacket using 3 pairs of Tim’s old jeans.. worn with striped skirt and white oxford shoes, all made by me
June
Wonder Woman-ing … in pink skirt, raincoat, roll neck sweater
July
camping and trekking in Alaska! I wore an almost totally handmade wardrobe for our trip, details here
August
camping and kayaking off Vancouver Island! my handmade travelling wardrobe stood up quite well to the test
September
we got Clara!! wearing my yellow “dog bed” dress
October
…out to lunch in the city, in a tee, skirt and shoes all made by me
November
my Lisa Carolina dress and handmade clogs
December
today, in fact!! in shorts, top and cardigan made by me
So, what happened this year, handmaking-wise? Well, I suppose I should mention it again though it seems so long ago now… was it really only February?!; but a huge thing was finishing up my Year of Handmade. That crazy year-long project in which I wore only clothing that I had made myself, for one whole year… including of course all shoes and underwear, in fact everything. Wow, what a ride… I can hardly believe I did it, even now! I was happy and so pleased and proud to round that up successfully ! The year in total can be viewed in my Year of Handmade album here, and my final summary of the year can be read here… and just updating with a post script: since I finished I have continued to wear my handmade clothing of course, since I have very few pieces that are NOT made by me! but have allowed myself to go back to wearing rtw shoes.
What did I make?
This year I made 70 clothing items; including 17 items for others and 3 prs of shoes. Yes, it seems like a lot! but it is definitely less than in previous years… see, I am really trying to be more careful with my time and resources, to work slowly and surely, to not be wasteful with materials, to finish things as neat as I am capable. But I guess there must have been quite a few quick and easy ones in there too!
I also discovered bookbinding and made a few little hardback books. I can’t really see this overtaking my interest in making my own fashion and clothing, though!
What did I wear?
I’m still faithfully keeping up my ootd blog, and noting what I wear and how frequently, which hopefully alerts me to what I do not wear! in an attempt to be more, I dunno, “mindful” about the things I’m adding to my wardrobe…. Here in a nutshell are my most worn clothing items for the year:
Apart from shoes, most of which are worn a heckuvva lot more that any of my clothes.I suppose because I have less of them?… my most worn clothing item for the year by far is my pale pink Kelly raincoat! It has been worn a total of 52 times, which is pretty outstanding for one year. Coming in second and third place is my ivory corduroy hat (21 times) and my navy blue Miette cardigan (also 21).
Favourite creations:
hmmm this is a toughie, I don’t know if I really have just one favourite this year? I feel like this has been a very sensible year, in that I’ve been adding mostly useful and nicely thought out items to my wardrobe. None of which are inherently “exciting” but which I tend to reach for over and over again. I’ve been uncharacteristically prosaic, actually. Maybe I can chalk this year up to “the year of being sensible” #yawn oh dear…
Oooh, no wait; I’ve just remembered my Queen Rutela outfit, which totally destroys any claims I might have to sensible wardrobe planning, obviously. You don’t get much less sensible than that ensemble! And gawd, it was fun! It was terribly involved and there was lots of nutting out how on earth I could even begin to make bits and pieces of the costume?! but I really do love a challenge and enjoyed making that so much. Plus Cassie and I had a blast at ComicCon! she isa already halfway though her costume for next year, so I’d better get cracking on mine. What am I going as this time? ooh, wait and see!
What are my plans for next year?
I think I just want to mostly continue along the same path that I set for myself this year; namely; to make everything that I can, and to make things that are useful, and well made, but additionally; maybe to loosen up and have a bit more fun with my wardrobe,, make some things that creatively stretch me a little bit more,
On another note; I’ve recently sorted through my fabric stash and done a HUGE tidy up and organization of it all… but I will save the specifics of that for its own blog post because I think it deserves it… but I’ll just say for now that another tentative goal for this year is to buy as little fabric as possible and to make from what I have, IF I CAN.
Aaaand thirdly, and I don’t want to jinx myself, but I am sooooorta thinking about making a pattern, hopefully early in the year #fingerscrossed
That would be called… a resolution? ooh the R word. Sorry. Other, things I’m aiming for this year, is to make something for someone else, at least once a month, and also to also refashion something at least once a month.
Any other thoughts?
Just the most important one, which is that I’d just like to sincerely THANK everyone who takes the time to read my blog! and most particularly to those who write a comment every now and then, thank you so very much, *mwah* I am so very grateful for each and every kind word. And I’d like to wish for all a safe, happy, prosperous and peaceful 2018; above all I hope the New Year brings you much joy and happiness! xxx
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Happy New Year to you and your family. I rarely leave comments but I sincerely thank you for sharing your sewing adventures with us. So inspiring.
That was a fun ride! Thank you for continuing to blog and share your talent with us.
Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing your sewing adventures with us. I know that they inspire and challenge me to sew better and dream bigger! Can’t wait to see what the New Year brings you!
I am always so impressed by everything you do.
Happy New Year!
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year! I love reading your blog and seeing your progress. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind wishes – they are most certainly reciprocated! I think this marks year #5 of following your blog. I remember being initially intrigued by your unique sense of clothing creations – I still am! If you’ve ever wondered, after a time consuming and photo laden post, if it makes a difference, please let me assure you the answer is YES!! Personally, I’ve picked up handy tips to improve my technique and/or sew more efficiently. So, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking forward to 2018, what it brings for us all, with total optimism – Got nothin’ but luv…..and a few new patterns!!
Wow, 70 items in one year is quite a lot! You certainly are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing what you make in 2018. Happy new year!
Thank you for letting us into your sewing, making and crafting world! I really look forward to reading your posts each time, and continue to be blown away by what you do. (I want to be like you some day!). Looking forward to seeing what you do in 2018! Happy New Year,
Others have said it before, but thank you so much for taking the time and effort to blog your handmades – you are so inspiring and have made me look anew at patterns I wouldn’t previously have considered! You have expanded my Sewing world. Happy New Year to you and your family, and long may you continue!
I must THANK YOU for all the joy and happiness that you bring to my life each and every time I read your blog. I am so thankful that I stumbled across your blog because I look forward to each & every one. May you have much love and happiness in the new year and please keep the wonderful posts coming as they make my day every time I read one . So again Thank You. From your friend Cheri in Auburn Washington.
Carolyn – I’m in awe of all your creations, particularly now I’ve picked up dressmaking in a small way. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you so much, Carolyn! You are very inspiring. You have beautiful ideas, your makes are extremely well made and your pictures are always so beautiful. I am so glad that you continue blogging your informative and lovely to read posts. Years ago, you have inspired me to begin sewing my garments and now my wardrobe is well filled. Thank you!
You and your family a peaceful and happy year 2018!
love every single post you do – such a pleasure to read about what you make and all the details. plus your fantastic photography. Happy New Year!
It’s always an inspiration to visit your blog and see what you are exploring! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Your monthly photos are so fun, and 70 items sounds like a lot to me! And I’m rather intrigued about this pattern. 🙂
Your posts are always inspiring. Hope 2018 is a great year for you.
Happy, happy New Year, Carolyn!
What a wonderful year of sewing you’ve had. I look forward to more inspiration from you.
You have certainly had a productive year. I love all of the garments you have made. They are all fit you so well and are so stylish.
Happy New Year! I love end of the year posts, and yours is great! I’m completely amazed at your sewing productivity and I look forward to what you make in 2018, sewing and otherwise!
Thank you for taking us along on your blogging journey. You are so creative. Happy New Year to you and your family
Ilse
Happy New Year and what an amazing year you have had. I love seeing what you have made, and need to make the time to comment more, but not sure my life will be getting any slower next year.
Oh and I can’t wait to hear about your fabric organisation as this is something I badly need to and have been delaying getting fully back into my sewing room until I can work out a better way to do it.
I love your wonder-woman-ing pose. You are such a sewing inspiration! Thank you for all that you share on your blog. Best wishes on your new pattern!
Thanks for continuing to do this blog for so long. It must take quite a lot of work to photograph and write, and we’re very lucky you’re so dedicated. Happy 2018, may it be the best yet.
Each post is a pleasure to read, so thank you for writing them I know how much time it can take. Best of luck with pattern making, Happy new year.
Happy new year! Happy sewing! I love reading your posts!
Happy (belated) New Year. This post only just showed up on my Bloglovin feed. Not to worry. You had a great 2017 and best wished for 2018!
Happy New Year Carolyn! As ever, it has been an absolute pleasure to read your blog this year. I have enjoyed looking at everything, especially your shoe making journey, although I don’t think I will be following you there! Apologies for the late greetings, for some reason your last few posts have just all popped through together, must be the time delay 😉
Looking forward to what you have in store this year!
Mindful is how I would describe my year as well. I would not describe your makes last year as boring at all and look forward to seeing what you come up with for 2018.
It’s been great fun reading your blog this year. Thanks for sharing the results of your enormous talent.
Oh, the idea of you releasing the pattern is just too exciting! Your style is always a huge inspiration to me, I’m sure whatever you come up with will be awesome. Best luck with your plans and Happy New Year!