My update consists of three things - my health, sewing, and books I've read this year. Let's get into it.
My health:
First can I say get you a primary care physician who specializes in aging adults. I changed to one three years ago and it was the best decision I've ever made. She is a Black, female doctor, who doesn't allow me to make excuses. She's worked with me to insure that my diabetes, hypertension and vitamin D deficiency is under control. We're still working on my sugar addiction but I can proudly say I haven't had a Mountain Dew in 15 months. Y'all that's huge because I use to believe that was the hill I was going to die on. Anyway, all of my health markers are not only in range but low. She fought the insurance company to get me on Ozempic for my diabetes and not only is that now within range but I've also lost 50 lbs.
Losing 50 lbs was huge. I was of the mindset that gaining weight as I got older was a given. My PCP said not so fast. I'm forever grateful for her and for changing my mindset. Moving around is easier now, my joints no longer ache in the cold and it's even changed my eating habits.
Sewing:
With losing weight came changes in my sewing. First anything I made from 2015-2019 now fit and fit well. Since I moved in the middle of the pandemic, all those clothes moved with me with very little given away. I essentially had 2 wardrobes in my closet - pre-Covid and post-Covid. The garments made in 2021-2024 are now too big for me. Some will be altered and some have been packed away. I need to stay this weight for 2-3 years before I give those away!
This also opened up new avenues of sewing for me. Y'all know I love a TNT pattern and I was so prolific with my sewing during 2015-2020 that I'm rewinding it back and using some of those patterns again.
Here's what I made in 2025. Let's start with blogged items first.
The Water Lilies Mysostis Dress - updated
While this wasn't a new sew, I did add ties to make it wearable now. I just couldn't give this dress up.
I started this in late December 2024 but finished it in July of this year. It was part of my travel wardrobe to the Cape.
I made several Vogue 2947's - a tunic (also part of my vacation wardrobe) and 2 dresses:
And this dress which was the more successful fit out of the two dresses...
Another dress from 2019 - New Look 6340
An Inspired by dress made from the Myosotis bodice and the Style Arc Nova tiers:
This Myosotis Dress made in a smaller size was my favorite dress/make of 2025.
An adventure that started in 2024 and ended in 2025 was this shirt.
My final sew for 2026 - was a Style Arc Hope that I made using eveningwear fabrics.
There were several pieces sewn that haven't made it to the blog yet.
- A maxidress that I finished, tried on and realized it was too big. So it needs to be ripped apart and resewn. That is a spring/summer project.
- A cardigan & pair of black denim trousers.
- I started a jellyroll Myosotis in the spring that I lost interest in. Hope to pick it up again come spring/summer.
I bought hundreds of yards of fabric in the last half of the year. My sewjo came home and it needed new raw material. I definitely went overboard so I'm not buying fabric for a minute.
Also, I'm sewing during the Holiday break. I've completed a UFO set that was hanging out. I've updated a top. Worked on a new vest that has worked my last nerve and hopefully another pair of denim trousers will be completed. They will probably come to the blog this month.
Reading:
I read 249 books this year beating my goal of 225. Reading is the balm to my soul. I start every day reading, read during my commute to and from work, sometimes during lunch at work (especially if the book is good!) and when I come home in the evenings. My TV watching time has greatly diminished because I'd rather curl up on my couch and read.
Here are my top 15 books of 2025:
- Reformatory by Tananarive Due
- All the Sinners Bleed by SA Cosby
- King of Ashes by SA Cosby
- Grown by Tiffany Jackson
- Memphis by Alexandra House
- Cutthroat by Octavia Grant
- Call Me Mrs. Taylor by Shae Sanders
- A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis
- Dominion by Adele Citchens
- An Imperfect Truth by Leigh Carron
- Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen
- Maybe in This Lifetime by Asia Monique
- The Love Syllabus by Lauren Lacey
- Bitter & Sweet by Rhonda McKnight
- The Last Man on Earth by Shae Sanders
I will be reading into 2026. Already completed my first 2 novels for the year.
Finally...
Completed garment posts will be up next. Thanks for hanging with me in 2025 especially since I've been blogging and sewing less. The fact that you're still here thrills me to no end!
*I know Blogger has made it more challenging to sign in but would you kindly sign your name if you use anonymous. It makes it easier to talk back to you. Thanks so much!
...as always, more later!
