Saturday 2 January 2016

That's that and what next

Wow, I've just had a look through my photos for the year and I've counted one hundred and five sewn garments. Considering I've counted pyjamas as only 1, and I do keep on making pyjamas, there's probably half a dozen more...

I'm not going to rehash everything here, and it's hard to do a winners and losers post when you sew for small kids. Who's opinion matters more? theirs or mine? I'm running with mine when it comes to the idea and the fun of making it, and theirs only if they're enjoying wearing it. So, every kid's garment was a winner!

I do always like to put together some collage photos of my Oliver + S sewing, so I can litter some pictures throughout my ramblings...



What about me? Well, a lot was sewn. Not everything was successful, but considering that I am dressed every. single. day. in something I've made then one of two things must be true: I'm dressed really badly, or I'm beginning to get around the idea of sewing for myself. Possibly both are true at once. I'll keep working on it. :)


What's on the plans for 2016? Let's start with P. I've just handed his School Days Coat down to his nephew, so he'll need a new winter coat. Undoubtedly there will be more navy school pants/shorts throughout the year. First up though, I found a boys euro style swim trunk pattern in an old issue of Ottobre which I'll try to get around to before summer is over.



And A? Well, she is about to outgrow the first of the Oliver + S patterns which only go up to size 5. There's a couple that I really want to revisit before bidding them farewell. She needs navy skirts for starting school and could do with some shorts. Odds are I'll sew pretty dresses too! I also bought an insane costume pattern that I'd like to make her for her birthday. We'll see how time allows for that plan....


For Flipper I really must make the shorts I've been mulling over for years. I have two pants patterns from Thread Theory and it's just a matter of finding the exact, correct weight of fabric, then adding all the cargo elements and tabs that he likes. I reckon I can nail it, if only I could be motivated to bother. Sorry, honey, you may get bumped to the back of the queue again.


For me? Well, as I'm typing I really should be working on my frocktails dress. Then, if time allows I've decided I need to make my own leather clutch bag to go with it. I'd love to squeeze in a summer knit dress or two and then I've been buying coat patterns like nobody's business. I love winter dressing and I've certainly been more successful in my winter sewing, so here's holding out for colder weather dressing.



And for everyone else? Well I can never resist making gifts. I love Sanae and Ute's valentine exchange and hope to be apart of that again. I've really enjoyed learning some cross stitch, and now macrame, so I'll be inflicting that on anyone who cares to be a recipient. I'm sure I'll sew for kid's gifts as well. Of course I'm also still planning to sew things for my monthly Oliver + S blog guest posts. Not much of an idea yet as to where that will take me this year.



For the blog I need to get around to adding the free cycle bootie tutorial and pattern that is more than 18 months over due now. The blog remains a place to document what I've made and as much as I wish my IT guru would build me my own domain, I'm happy to keep this an ad free, simple place to babble on, an on, and on...


So that's 2016 looking every bit as manic on the making front as 2015 was.

Yee ha. Saddle up!! I love having you along for the ride.
Shelley xx

9 comments:

  1. I feel like a shorts for a website build would be a fair discussion to have at your house soon!

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  2. As always, I'm in awe of your amazing output. And I'm very curious about the insane costume pattern! Hope you're enjoying your summer holidays and that A is looking forward to her first year of school :)

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    1. Cheers Marisa, I think I'm in a manic making phase. The ideas are coming thick and fast and I need to be writing them down. The costume pattern is classic princess but with a queen Elizbeth I vibe. Starting school is super exciting. For both of us!

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  3. Yup. You are incredible, Shelley! So many great makes this year! And I would be disappointed if 2016 wasn't as manic as 2015, not necessarily meaning manic in output as in the variety and fun of your sewing. You have a whimsy and style that is all your own. Great year!

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    1. Aw thanks Inder. As much as I enjoy the challenge of making everything my kids wear, I think my favourite annual "traditions" are the Film Petit gatecrash, and the mental haute couture knock off. I have to include those no matter what!

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  4. How do you manage to sew all the things? What is your secret?

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    1. Honestly, I think I go looong into the night. I only get to sew after the kids have gone to bed. I sew 3-4 hours, most nights of the week. I should probably sleep more, exercise more, read more books.... I guess life balance will come when the sewing ideas dry up! :)

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  5. That is a whole lot of sewing! Well done!

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