Half-year check on sewing goals

June is over, half of 2018 is over, and I am always up for some wordy reflections. Remember how six months ago, we were all super optimistic and excited about what this year would hold for us? Our sewing goals for the year, all the challenges we signed up for, the spending bans…?

If you may remember, I posted five resewlutions:

1. V-Necks
2. Linings
3. a well-fitting bra
4. Embellishments and Details
5. Getting more involved in the sewing community

With the exception of 3, I’d say I’m making pretty good progress on these goals. I’ve made a couple v-necks, inserted a couple linings, focused on some pretty details with the embroidery on my Rumana coat, and I’ve been way way more involved with the sewing community! Bras? I’ve made a couple. Well-fitting? Okay, ugh. I’m like, working on it. Small bobbins don’t make it easy!

…and I also posted my Make Nine choices:

So… as of last week, I’ve managed to finish one of these. Maybe 1.5 if I count the lingerie I’ve been working on. But the one I’ve made so far is my Ginger jeans, so that’s a pretty big achievement! I’ve found that if I don’t explicitly put a Make Nine project on my monthly plans, then it just ends up out of sight, out of mind. For July, I’m working on the Maisa denim jacket.

…and actually I have an unpublished post all about how pumped I was to take on every single sewing challenge that I could get my greedy paws on. Sew My Style, Project Sew It, sew a dress, sew a shirt, sew this pattern, sew that pattern, sew an outfit for a virtual party; I was ready to do everything!

Ehhh… In reality, I very quickly gave up on this idea. I have kept up with Sew My Style. My Sunny Dress (January) is still worn often; the shape and my fabric choice make it super versatile for all but the hottest weather. Obviously the Rumana coat (February) is packed away for now. The Kalle shirtdress (March) is disappointingly off, it’s a bit tight across the back, the length is just a bit too short, and I’m reminded of my not-so-great construction every time I wear it. The Marigold jumpsuit (April) has not yet been worn in public! It needs warm weather for sure, but I just don’t find myself reaching for it, even when it’s peak summer like it is now. I skipped May’s pattern to focus on other sewing goals. And June’s Suki Kimono is on my body nearly every morning and evening; I looooove it. For the rest of the year I’m pretty set on which months I’ll definitely join in with (July, October, November), and which ones I’ll skip (August, September, December).

I also joined the Facebook group for Project Sew It, which is a monthly challenge to sew one type of garment each month. So, January was a tee, February a sweater, etc. It’s an easy challenge, and there are monthly prizes, but my plans just never seem to line up with the theme, so I’ve mostly abandoned this… oops!

(I did sew a tee in January though, it’s a mash-up of the Toaster Sweater and the Basic Instinct tee that I haven’t otherwise blogged about.)

All other sewing challenges…? Similar feelings. I’m just in love with my own sewing plans too much to change them!

…spending bans?

I didn’t make any specific fabric-buying bans. I considered committing to a pattern-buying ban, and I’ve mostly stuck to it anyway. If it wasn’t a Sew My Style pattern or something that I received as a gift, then I only bought two patterns so far this year.

In general, I’ve tried to be more mindful of purchases and try to avoid spontaneous purchases. If I’m on a fabric website or planning to visit a fabric shop, I always make a list ahead of time of not only what I need for specific projects, but also what I might like to find. Fantastic prints (that otherwise don’t fit my plans) still make their way into my stash, but having specific “wants” in mind helps me to stay focused on buying stuff that I’m more likely to wear.

And my style evolution? Lately I’ve been having some big thoughts on dresses. I am reaching this point, as I discover my personal style, where it has hit me that while dresses are so cute and fun to wear, I don’t reach for them first and they’re not entirely suited for my lifestyle. I bike nearly every day, I work in a casual office, I have to pick up kids and move around, and I live in a country where I’m likely to need warmer clothes for 3/4 of the year. If I want a wardrobe that I love and that makes me feel comfortable and stylish and confident, then I’ll need to focus on separates and layering pieces. Dresses aren’t entirely off the menu though, but I need to make sure that they’ll have a fuller skirt and could be worn over tights, over pants even, over t-shirts or turtlenecks, under sweaters, etc.

Phew! As we go into the second half of the year, I’m thinking more and more about how I can focus on my plans and how to make the most of my precious free time! I’m trying to blog more consistently and even (gasp!) start vlogging! (erm… stay tuned)

SO! How’s your sewing year going so far?