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?