New year re-sew-lutions 2019

As tradition goes, January is the month when we make New Year resolutions and for a month or two try really hard to stick to them. Or are you one of those people who actually manage to go through the entire year without a fail??? If you are, I’m so proud!!!

Last year I didn’t have any specific projects in mind so decided to work more and expand my sewing skills. I divided my re-sew-lutions into two categories:

first time
space for improvements

In each category I had picked six different skills I want to learn or improve and for most of them I did pretty well. The first category included french seams, piping, fabric covered buttons, snaps, bound buttonhole and zip with lining. I use french seams in majority of my makes now and had a go at practicing snaps attachment and bound buttonhole. I also made a skirt and dress with a zip and lining. What I failed to learn in the past 12 months I am hoping to learn this year (fingers crossed).

The second category included improving already known skills such as: collar corners, sewing darts, inseam pockets, top stitching, buttonholes and welt pockets. I can say that apart from making welt pockets I had successfully practiced and got better at on all other skills. So happy!

Re-sew-lutions 2019

This year I want to do something a little bit different. As I already talked in my previous post I had picked nine ambitious projects to make in the next 12 months, so I decided that my sewing resolutions will interplay with those plans.

1. Use that fabric stash

I had chose at least two out of nine projects for this year based on my fabric stash. I will finally use this lovely boucle fabric for Chanel jacket and brown stretch denim for Erin skirt by Sew Over It. I had made a conscious decision to use as much of the fabric I already own as possible, so hopefully will not make any spontaneous purchases for the next few months.

2. Different fabric

My second new year resolution is to learn and understand the difference between fabrics, how they behave, sew, drape, their quality, structure etc. I believe with more knowledge will come easiness to pick the right fabric to the right pattern. This way I will reduce the number of makes that will end up in the FAIL pile and saves me a ton of money, time, effort and disappointment.

3. Draft a dress

Pattern cutting is something that I want to expand my knowledge even further this year, so I will draft my Dressmaker Ball dress! This is something new to me, as so far I only drafted shirt and a jacket. I need to start this as soon as possible as the time is ticking fast!

4. Male fitting

With each new make and each new pattern I try I have a bigger understanding how to better fit for my body, but with one of my projects being a classic male shirt I will have to learn to fit for a different body type entirely. I want to widen my horizon a little bit more this year and I think this is something that will teach me and surprise me a lot!

5. Use that pattern stash

Every month there is a number of new patterns available on the market that I would really love to try, but sadly there is not enough time to sew them all up. Similarly to ever growing fabric stash, I have a bunch of patterns that are waiting to be used. Instead of buying a new pattern ( no matter how gorgeous), I want to use my existing collection as much as possible! Out of my nine makes that I am planning to do, I most probably will only purchase a pattern for Trench Coat, as there are so many little details that I think it would take me forever to draft them myself.

6. New techniques

With all the drafting and fitting out of the way I really want to carry on improving and expanding my sewing skills wherever possible! My main focus for this year is to learn and try some couture methods and techniques. I have a number of books that am currently reading to educate myself on this subject. Planning on sewing Chanel style jacket and Trench Coat will definitely give me plenty of opportunity to try and experiment.