So it’s time to look back over 2014! I have sewn a lot this year so it’s really useful to look back at what worked and (always more interesting?) what didn’t work so well. Looking at my 2013 post I am pleased that I have continued to wear three out of the five hits – the Hawthorn dress, blue Anna dress and the Hemlocks.
The 2014 Hits
This is a mash up of Kitschycoo’s Lady Skater and a Burdastyle ‘Princess’ dress. I absolutely love this dress, love the colour and style and it has been worn at least weekly since I made it. I think it is more special to me because I had to put two patterns together to create exactly the look I wanted, which I haven’t done before.
This is Grainline Studio’s Archer View B, which I haven’t seen as much as View A. Although I was pleased with my very first Archer in the classic button up style, it hasn’t been worn nearly as much as this second version. I really love the ruffled back when wearing the shirt both over jeans at weekends and at work over trousers. I feel as if it is a little bit more dressed up and the extra length covers all the bits I prefer to hide!
The Hepworth dress is a Sinbad and Sailor pattern. The picture is of my second version which is my favourite. I did wear this and the original lilac version a lot over the summer. The pattern is a classic shape – princess seams and flared skirt.
This pattern was part of my hits last year and this year I used my many versions for One Week One Pattern. My clear favourite is the latest version – this is the A line version and it is the fabric which makes this one special – Echino Decoro – Soaring in black, which is now sold out. The fabric is a lovely slightly silky cotton sateen and I wear this regularly.
Capital Chic Bellini. I jumped into the sew-along for this pattern about half way through and managed to make two blouses by the end. This is a really perfect woven top pattern – once again my two versions work well both in and out of work. I think this blue version is my favourite as I love how the stripes lined up across the collar and front.
The 2014 Misses
I am arguing with myself about whether this is really a miss or just a dress that doesn’t yet have a purpose. I love the fabric, the design and the bodice fit was good – but I haven’t worn it because it feels as if it belongs at a garden party or a wedding rather than in my day to day life. Maybe I will wear it more in future or maybe it is just a dress for a special occasion?
Nascha skirt that made me go hmmm
Named Patterns Nascha skirt. Once again this isn’t a complete failure – I have worn it since I blogged it and I think I that it will be worth trying again with the pattern (though even lengthened considerably it still feels a litle short for me!) Ultimately this is a fabric fail – the grey wool mix fabric gets baggy with wear, the waist got particularly loose and the lining got twisted up as I had to unpick it from the hem facing.
Unblogged – Poly Anna
I have struggled with the By Hand London Anna dress – my first version was one of last year’s fails as it ended up too tight. This version was another fabric fail – the fabric is a navy blue polyester. It was shifty to cut, horrible to press, snagged on everything and when I finally wore it was incredibly clingy and full of static. Since then I have been very cautious about sewing with polyester! On a positive note I have made a ponte version as a Christmas dress which I am really happy with!
This is Victory Patterns Lola dress. For me it was a fabric problem again – I used quite a thick sweatshirt type fabric with four way stretch and I didn’t have a walking foot at the time so I ended up with a lot of very wavey seams and also the pattern wasn’t the most flattering for my shape. Despite these issues I do wear this quite a lot around the house over jeans as it is super comfortable so it isn’t a total fail!
I have worn this one several times so it isn’t a total fail but I don’t love it – the fit is slightly off and I need to completely revisit it to make a more successful version. This is my first version and the neck is too wide, so it slips over my bra straps, it is slightly too baggy at the chest and I cut it slightly too short. Recently I have come to realise that IÂ need a forward shoulder adjustment and I think that might help here as a starting point. I tried sizing down with a second version but that wasn’t the solution. I got as far as reprinting the PDF for another go and I may revisit it next year.
There are a number of things I could have included in hits – including the costumes I made for my daughter, but I focused on things I have worn regularly that fit my style and make me feel happy and comfortable. Most of the misses are wearable so they aren’t complete failures which is a pretty good place to be!
How about you – what have your successes and failures been this year?
not sew simple 
Love the Archer. I’ve had a mild obsession with making the flounce back version lately… it’s even more tempting now!
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Thankyou! I wear it a lot so I completely recommend it. Mine is getting a bit frayed in places after so many washes so I may need to make another soon!
Louise
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Wow I loved reading your round up post! Like your Lady Skater mash up and the Archer so cute 🙂
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Thankyou! I love my pink skater mash up a lot – i have worn it so mich sinxe making it! Louise
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Great round up, Louise! It’s too bad about the Nascha – I had high hopes for that one! Perhaps the real fatal flaw of that pattern is that it’s so unbelievably short, making lengthening a necessity on a complicated pattern. I still say your Flora is absolutely gorgeous and looks fantastic on you. Hopefully you’ll find a few more occasions to wear it in 2015! 🙂
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Thankyou! I have worn Nascha now so it may grow on me – the style is a bit different – it would look great on you i think! I love the Flora too but i just haven’t had an occasion to wear it so it doesnt really fit my lifestyle
Louise
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I hope you find a use for that blue floral dress, because it’s lovely! I haven’t tried the Archer yet, though I bought fabric to make one at the end of last year. I just never got around to it, so maybe in 2015?
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Thankyou! I do love the Flora dress – the fabric is so pretty so I will just have to find an opportunity to wear it. I can absolutely recommend Archer – it is a really enjoyable project. I made mine quite loose so I didnt have to worry about any fit issues!
louise
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Dang it, I like that Belcarra!
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Thankyou! I really like the fabric but when i wear it I feel as if the fit is not quite right – it is slightly too loose on top so I end up adjusting it a lot. I want more woven tops though and I know a bit more about fit adjustments so I suspect I will have another go next year!
Louise
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Loved reading your roundup and I too hope the next year is a Flora year for you. I’m not surprised your raspberry dress is in there. It was lovely to see it in real life at the brum meet up.
My hits are the things that make me smile when I wear them and that I’most proud of – like a coat, bag, swimming costume, running gear and sweatshirt.
My miss projects are invariably blouses! I still haven’t got the fit sorted and they end up being disappointing.
2015 should be the year I perfect the art of fitting.
Have a good Christmas!
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Thankyou! I have also struggled with blouses this year – it took a few goes to get my Bruyere right and I have had some challenges getting the shoulders right on a current shirt I am making! I feel as if I learn a bit more each time though which is good!
Louise
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Your “misses” all look very wearable! It must have been a successful year of sewing! 🙂
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Thankyou! They are not really disasters – but when I have worn them I don’t feel confortable. I try to be practical about what I make, but there are inevitably things that don’t work out!
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I love your skater dress. So pretty! I also love the Flora. I hope you find the opportunity to wear it more in 2015!
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Thankyou! I wear the Skater dress a lot but the Flora feels a bit too dressy for everyday – fingers crossed for next summer!
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Your Princess Skater dress is a definite winner, the colour and fit look great on you. I really like the Hepworth dress too, very tempted to get the pattern. It’s a shame you haven’t worn your Flora dress but at least it is there for when occasion arises! X
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I absolutely love the Skater princess dress – it is definitely my favourite this year because I improvised the pattern. I have fabric for another one if I get time over the holidays! The flora is very much weddings and formal summer events but I don’t have a lot of those in my life!
Louise
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What a great selection of hits, and pretty good misses too. I’m about to embark on my first Archer (view B) so I especially enjoyed seeing yours.
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Thankyou! I found I preferred this to the classic version – it has had a lot of wear! Louise
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