Rounding up favourite makes 2022 – another year of a lot of garments sewn up! As well as my own things there was also made a bunch of things for both friends and the kids which didn’t make it to the blog or my Instagram. I didn’t do an items count this year though … mostly because it doesn’t affect how whether I’m likely to make more or less things next year or if I’m more or less likely to wear the things I make. There was probably less this year (more full-time job, less sewing work) but I’m ok with that.
Before I start … a short disclaimer: I work as a freelancer and Fibre Mood is one of my clients, i.e.I don’t buy Fibre Mood patterns myself. Links to Fibre Mood are either to my previous blog posts or affiliates (if it takes to their webshop). I am not obliged to write this blog post. Of course, my opinions are my own but as you can imagine there is always going to be subconscious bias.
Instagram Top 9
Let’s start with Instagram… it comes as no surprise that usually new makes/new patterns/repeats of statement clothes generate the most attention. As sewists I suspect many (all?) of us are looking for inspiration, how different patterns and fabrics look on different bodies … and seeing as it is social media we also want to be entertained with statement stuff and fun videos (hello reels). My reels are more finished makes to show how garments/fabrics move with the odd WIPs/tutorials/styling; my page is here in case you’re interested. Providing dancing or acting entertainment isn’t my thing, sorry not sorry!
Here the IG top 9 of them are my favourites.
- Top row (L-R): Fibre Mood Alix skirt in poplin close-up (a favourite pattern but not this particular iteration, colour isn’t my fave); old Nani Iro tank dress in patchwork linen offcuts; Fibre Mood Simone dress (also a favourite, see below).
- Middle row (L-R): Just Patterns Helena in wax print; compilation of summer outfits (reel here if you want to see everything in it); Just Patterns Helena dress (again) in peaches print.
- Bottom row (L-R): Fibre Mood Giselle (see below); white Fibre Mood Sienna top (favourite) + cockatoo print Peppermint pocket skirt; Fibre Mood Nellie.
Favourite makes 2022
Three of the Instagram top 9 are my personal favourites but I also had some others. Here my general top 5 for 2022 in terms of favourite makes:
Fibre Mood Sienna blouse (IG top 9) – perfect white blouse that’s interesting, can be layered, dressed up or down. Worn here with an old Fibre Mood Betsy skirt in wax print I made in 2020 and I still love the stars.
Fibre Mood Simone top and dress (IG top 9) – all occasions top and same again for the dress. Can’t go wrong with the double gauze in gingham, and the Atelier Brunette colours means they don’t scream beach or casual only. See this link for the green top version.
Style Arc Hope dress – a sewist favourite pattern. I just realised this is 2021 make but never mind, still a favourite. Super fun eggs print in a Ruby Star Society cotton but the black base tones it down a bit. I wear this to work, on holidays and everything in between during summer. This picture gives me happy holiday memories!
Fibre Mood Rya (click link for blog post) – quite possibly the best thing I made this year. Neutral colour, great style, wear it all the time when it’s not Dutch summertime.
Of course I have a collection of fun t-shirts to match with my kids for fun because we all love that in this family! The ice cream fabric is from Jinny and Joe (their own design) and I adore that their prints are guaranteed to be smile inducing.
Other stuff I wear
After 10+ years of sewing, me mades are still sometimes hit and miss. My wardrobe is a 50/50 mix of RTW and me-made. Summer tends towards me mades, in winter more RTW. Winter I find more difficult because…
- A strong preference for knitted sweaters over sweatshirts. So I don’t sew sweatshirts anymore unless it is to match my kids. Like I did here … watch till the end to see the matching.
- I wear RTW jeans 80% (or more) of the time. Might have turned a bit Dutch here… I have heard the level of denim obsession is so high that wedding invitations occasionally state “no jeans”.
- Preference for puffer or fluffy coats with warmth technology in the fabric/filling department. So I don’t make that many wool (or other) ones, although Fibre Mood Giselle was an exception! I loved that until I managed to get it caught in my bike wheel because I didn’t zip it up <cue the crying>. Now I have to cut off the bottom by about 10cm and redo the bias binding but motivation is low.
A shift for 2023?
Back in the day, I talked a lot about sustainability on this blog. But I’m quite disillusioned by the fundamental sustainable fashion conversation and attitudes not shifting much after some years. And a lot of sustainable fashion journalism still takes a simplistic view of affairs which, whilst understandable, feels at times repetitive and uninformative.
Finally, even if sustainability remains in my mind, I do know some things about myself for sure. I’m not interested in growing my own flax or natural dyeing for the sake of sustainability experiments, nor do I want to wear patchwork/vintage/ recycled 100% of the time. I also know that I enjoy clothes, I work in sewing as well as having a full-time corporate job + 2 kids, and for me at least style is an evolving matter.
All that to say: I think I need to hit pause on taking on much new sewing work & hobby sew and/or buy some neutrals (hopefully not boring ones!). Add some outfit accessories whether handmade or RTW – you can see here I dipped my toe in it already by sewing a leather bag and belt. Perhaps a little more knitting as well. So perhaps the blog in 2023 will be more about trying to get the best outfits out of my me-mades with a sprinkling of other crafts.
Thanks for sticking with me so far, hope you’ll be here also for future adventures!
Till 2023,
Kate xx