Thursday, December 20, 2012

Top Five of 2012: Favourite Creations


OK, in the spirit of cataloging, I've decided to try Gillian's Top Five of 2012 series. The idea is to talk about my:
  • Top 5 Favourite Creations (most worn, or most loved)
  • Top 5 Sewing Fails (UFOs, worn once, or complete disasters) 
  • Top 5 Lessons Learned (either practical tricks and techniques, or life lessons) 
  • Top 5 Blogs and Bloggers that Inspire
  • Top 5 Goals for the New Year
The truth is, I'm particularly bad at this sort of thing. Once I start thinking about it, everything seems unbelievably relevant (or irrelevant). But I really like the concept and I've enjoyed everyone else's similar musings.

I'll start off, in this post, with my Top Faves of 2012:


That Ubiquitous Jalie Blouse 2921
The Cablicious Chuck Sweater

Bettie's Pullover

The Tailored Suit aka That Which Tested Every Fibre of My Being
Vogue 8323 - The pic is cute but you can't see the full blouse...
FYI, I wrote in detail about everyone of these projects, so - if you'd like to know more - look them up by keywords from the captions here. (Generally, I write multiple posts on each project...)

Here's what I'll say with hindsight:
  • I made many fewer projects this year than in 2011 but I like most of them much more. In fact, I used these projects as my top 5, though I might have swapped them up with others, without difficulty.
  • The Jalie Blouse is great and it ALWAYS gets compliments, but I will make it with a less stretchy fabric next time. It is cleavage-plus and the drag of the tie leaves my decollete rather on display.
  • The Chuck Sweater is very easy to wear, especially on weekends. I feel so sassy to have made a cable knit sweater that fits so slimly.
  • The Bettie's Pullover, well that was quite an intense project... I manage to wear it at least once a week and, despite its errors, I am tremendously proud that I completed something of such complexity.
  • V8323 has been worn a lot and I feel fantastic in it. It's sexy but appropriate. The colour suits me well - even if it doesn't cry out for attention. It works with jeans and skirts. I love it. Mind you, it doesn't fit well. When first I made it, I thought it did. And, Lord knows, I still wear and love it. But the next time I pull out this pattern, I'm going to have to fix the fit in the shoulders. It's just too wide...
  • And finalement, my tailored suit. Ah, this holds a special place in my heart though it is the least worn of all these projects, by far. I think I've worn it 3 times since I finished it in May. What can I say, I don't wear suits unless I go to fancy meetings. And the weather has to be right for this outfit. I love this suit for so many reasons: it cemented my friendship with my fitting friend S, it taught me so much, it's beautiful and fits very well, I was able to use the most phenomenal Italian silk (gifted by Mardel) as the lining. The colour is fantastic. But man, what a nightmare project. I really learned the value of a well-drafted pattern during the construction of the jacket, about which I wrote at length.
So that's my Top 5, at least today.

Which do you like best?

34 comments:

  1. All five deserve bragging rights, but my favorite is Bettie's Pullover.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh that suit still just takes my breath away! You look absolutely amazing in it, and of course the workmanship is stellar. I really love your Chuck sweater too :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks G! I can't believe I made that suit. Notice how I haven't yet made another :-)

      Delete
  3. Oh my gosh, that suit! I'd forgotten about it, but as soon as I saw it I remembered all the work you put into that sucker... and it turned out just so fabulously! Really, really great work. I like that you included a mix of knitting and sewing into your list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gillian. And this really is a terrific idea. I need to spend more time reflecting on my accomplishments rather than rushing to the next thing!

      Delete
  4. I love the black cable knit sweater the best - I want to nab it right off you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Katy. The Chuck really is a lovely thing to wear. Go on and make one :-)

      Delete
  5. The suit. You look fabulous in it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My faves are the suit and the Chuck sweater. Both just have that little something that set them apart to my eye. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Chuck sweater is very practical, gotta say!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thanks Catherine. It was quite a production to make :-)

      Delete
  8. Hi, my name is Maddie Flanigan and I am the blogger behind Madalynne (www.madalynne.com). I came across your site a couple of nights ago when I was researching bra making. I can't thank you enough for your posts about the bras you made. It helped tons! I wanted to reach out to you, introduce myself, and say thank you! Oh, and happy holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madalynne: Thanks so much for your comment. I'm thrilled to know my bra-making skills can help someone - even if I haven't finished one that fits me optimally (as yet) :-) Happy hols to you too...

      Delete
  9. I love the Bettie's Pullover and of course the suit. Both are so gorgeous and classic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They seem to be the front runners here! Thanks, K

      Delete
  10. If I had to choose the one item that I would steal off your back in a flash, then it would be the Bettie sweater, no contest! But in terms of workmanship, tailoring and just plain 'wow', then it's the suit all the way! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane: I manage to wear the pullover all the time. It's bizarre how much play you can get out of a bright orange tie-neck sweater that's kind of see-through :-)

      Delete
  11. I love the suit but for me it's the Bettie sweater. So very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It may be fewer projects, but that suit needs to count like 27 Renfrews and a pair of pants.

    I have a hard time picking a favourite of the group. I'm in awe of the knitted sweaters and I love how you pick slim fitting sweaters (I don't like drown in sweaters). But that suit... I love the colour, the sexiness, the practicality (even if the need isn't often, when you need a suit nothing else will do).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! That suit was like 27 renfrews and a pair of pants :-) Hilarious. Thanks Sera.

      Delete
  13. Wow! That's a really impressive line-up for one year. Even more amazing that you managed that in a year that was so marred by illness. Brava!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks F - what's really amazing (I just realized) is that I made 13 knitted projects and 10 of those were sweaters. So, I might not have done much sewing since the spring, but I haven't been a slouch on the knitting front. :-)

      Delete
  14. I love love the suit and sweaters!! You are rocking the knitting front for sure - what an inspiration -not to mention where your bra search will lead you next!

    I'm trying to decide what to do with my EOY posts - my knitting has taken off while my sewing has stalled - but, like you, my sewn items are better in terms of fit for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam! It's great to have 2 crafts so that one is always ready to go while the other can have a break...

      Delete
  15. I'm still in awe over what talent you have for knitting and sewing! I feel rather proud, as if I had anything to do with it :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aja: You are so sweet! You've known me since before all of this crazy crafting started so I can see how you have a broad perspective on this trajectory. Thank you so much. xo

      Delete
  16. The suit was such a labor - I can't helopbut love it best, despite how much I think your knitting rocks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I know. That suit tested my every brain cell. Thank you for your lovely comment.xo

      Delete