A Sewing Year in Review

Let's get right to it:

I've made 44 garments this year.  I used 97 yards of fabric...I'm sure that I bought 3x that much!  *LOL* 

Garment breakdown:

21 dresses

1 Vest

9 Cardigans/Jackets

2 pairs of pants

2 tops and 9 skirts

Clearly this was the year of the dress and the year of the TNT pattern since 10 of the dresses came from my TNT dress pattern. The pants and all except the last skirt were also made from a TNT pattern. Dang what happened to all those new patterns I purchased!?! *LOL*

When I look back at my review for 2008, I realize that dresses have remained in the forefront of my sewing consciousness since I made 16 last year.  I did not enter any contests or competitions this year...but I did do the Lucky Skirt Challenge with three of my blogger friends.

I was most influenced this year by two things - "The Michelle Obama Effect" and Michael Kors designs.  I've written several posts on how Michelle Obama's style of dress reflects many aspects of my professional life...her simple sheath dresses coupled with a cute cardigan or a skirt and twinset combo so resonated with me.  And as I said previously, Michael Kors just knows how to dress a woman...and I have shamelessly interpreted his designs and elements from his garments.

However, I didn't meet all of the goals that I set last year.  I continue to purchase fabric...slowing down at the beginning of the year...and then later at the end of the year when I realized that there is ALOT of inspiration abiding in my apartment! *LOL* 

However, the one goal that I did meet this year was that I took my time.  I enjoyed the process more.  I thought out what I wanted to make and how it worked in my life and I made what I imagined using my TNT patterns...I really was on a creative flow especially in the last quarter of the year...

I also met quite a few of my sewing friends this year...and plan to have a few more sewing salons so that we in the NY/NJ/CT/PA/MD area can get together and discuss what we are sooooo passionate about.

I've decided not to set any sewing goals for 2010.  It is the beginning of a new decade and I want to see where my creative juices take me. 

January will begin my 4th year of blogging and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who've come by to read my ramblings...who leave a comment...who question my sanity *LOL*...or who just plain understand my need to put needle and thread to fabric to create something new.  I truly hope that I have encouraged you, inspired you and caused you to look at this creative process in a different light.  I also hope that you will continue to travel along with me as I discuss my aspirations, my goals, and my dreams regarding this all consuming passion.

May the New Year bring each and every one of you, peace, love, joy, happiness and good health.  I also hope that all of your needs are met...whether they be for a new job, a new home, a baby, a mate...or just your own sewing space.

See you in 2010 where I will definitely share more of my sewing with you!  Thanks again and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!