This past Friday I discovered something that changed my entire weekend – the Happy Fabrics UK website!

A special ‘secret’ project, Christmas, followed by a lingering New Year cold has had me running a bit behind posting my end of 2018 makes, and since my motivation to photograph my makes is generally terrible I’m even further behind than I had hoped! I thought I would try and catch up quickly, showing you these three lovely ladies, before those exciting 2019 projects start stacking up too!

My final make of 2018, this Christmas version of the Fancy Tiger Crafts Sailor top was originally planned for Christmas 2017!

I have loved my sewing journey over the past year; looking back I know I can be proud of everything that I have achieved, and I feel in a better position to make informed choices about the things I want to make in 2019. I have so many ideas and plans, if only there was enough time!

Since the looming New Year is traditionally a time for reflection I decided I would take a look back over my first sewing year and see how far I have come before I start making those fresh, new and exciting plans. 

Jack-o-lanterns, ‘guising, apple bobbing and trick or treating are all recognisable as Halloween celebrations, and conjure up excitement and nostalgia for this time of year – crisp cold evenings, autumn leaves; bonfire night followed quickly by Christmas…the start of the cosy season!

These past two weeks I have been incredibly lucky to have been able to attend the short course ‘Introduction to Customised Pattern Cutting and Fitting’ with the London College of Fashion, UAL... 

With the autumn weather creeping up fast, and with so much vlog, blog and Instagram chatter about winter wardrobe planning I started to think about what might be missing from my own wardrobe. I love winter clothes; layering up and snuggling down…

Ok I admit it – the Mandy Boat tee by Tessuti is only on my radar because I listen to the Love to Sew podcast. But I love a boat neck, I love a t shirt and I’ve listened to Caroline tell me how good this pattern is for a year now…I had to check it out!

I am always looking to challenge myself when sewing, and for this reason I tend to overlook simpler patterns. Especially as new relatively new sewist – I have so much to learn that it seems wasteful spending precious sewing time making simple garments. I often have to remind myself that I’m sewing to create a beautiful wardrobe for myself, and that wardrobe should be wearable no matter what it’s level of complexity!

OK, so maybe I’m a little late to this party!

Despite coveting (and subsequently buying) the Tilly and the Buttons book Stretch! on sewing with stretch fabrics since its launch, I have actively avoided any type of knit! But in the interest of upping my sewing game I decided it was time to at least have a go….

Going (swiss) dotty for the Deer and Doe Datura.

So way back in May (ooops) I was hopeful to cross off a third pattern from my #2018makenine challenge by making the Deer & Doe Datura top to take away on holiday. In fact, I actually managed to sew three quarters of the pattern in a lightweight khaki cotton, but time and body shape were just naturally not on my side.