2017 has just passed by in a blur!

I felt like I was constantly wondering where all the time had gone. Days and months seemed to just disappear! Where did it all go??!

I thought I’d do a little round up of my year today. I wanted to step back and appreciate what I’ve actually achieved rather than worry about what I haven’t been able to get round to do!

I set myself a few sewing goals at the beginning of the year by taking part in the year long sewalong Project #sewmystyle and also the #makenine target.

For the #sewmystyle challenge, I completed 10 of the 12 items (one is still yet to be blogged!). I skipped out 2 which I didn’t feel suited my aesthetic and body type. Of the 10 I made, my favourite was probably the gold sequin By Hand London Anna dress I made for my friend!

I made 5 of my 9 #makenine target. Not too bad in my opinion! Three of the remaining four, I’ve really just changed my mind on and I don’t think I’ll be making any of those dresses anytime soon. The Grainline Studio Cascade duffle is very much still on my to do list though!

This year I also tried to take part in as many Instagram community challenges as I could! That kicked off with the Moneta Party at the beginning of the year where I made this velvet beaut!

Fashion Revolution week in April had a photo challenge set by In The Folds to change thinking on how we value our clothes. We saw the return of Me-Made-May in May and a new challenge An Orla Affair in July and SleeveFest in August.

House of Pinheiro’s #SewPhotoHop came back in September and I also took part as one of the bloggers in Portia Lawrie’s Refashioners 2017 Suits You challenge.

Through all that, I created new makes for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network, Sew Essential, Fashion Formula and Spoonflower.

I also created a free downloadable PDF pattern of my self drafted Ruffle Tee and also some printables designed to help organise your sewing plans.

I didn’t blog every item I made. I found some patterns I’ve loved and I ended up making a lot of duplicates this year for once (and what seemed like a 100 Linden sweaters).

I was lucky enough to pattern test a lot of patterns this year as well! I did a fair few for Tilly and the Buttons, Cocowawa Crafts and Nina Lee. I always find it a lot of fun to try out new patterns and it’s even better when I’m helping out sewing friends too!

My other sewing achievements include:

Making jeans! I’ve never had jeans fit so well – my Ginger jeans have completely changed my life!

Making coats! I’ve undertaken a lot of big projects I would’ve been too scared to attempt before now. My favourite has to be the Harriet Lunberjacket! It’s proof that it’s worth taking your time and doing things well. I love the finish on it!

I really enjoyed meeting my fellow sewcialists in real life this year!

I organised a fabric swap in London back in February which kicked things off for me. I met so many lovely people who I continued to see at other meet ups throughout the year.

I went to the Dressmakers Ball in Leicester.

I was lucky enough to snag a ticket to the Sewing Weekender which was amazing!

I went to both of the New Craft House parties this year too!

If any of you are worried about going to these things alone, don’t be! I went solo to almost all of them! The sewing community is just so lovely that every single time I’ve left with even more friends and feeling like I’m truly surrounded by such amazing and warm people!

Going into 2018, I’m hoping to keep going with the blog and to do even more! Starting with…

• Starting a vlog!
• Practicing more drafting techniques and creating new patterns
• Developing more tutorials
• Improving my photography!

The dream will always be to find a way to make my love for sewing and creating into a career. Who knows if this’ll be the year for that to happen?

What I do know is that I am looking forward to everything that 2018 will bring!

Happy New Year everyone!

Wishing all of you the very best for 2018,

Love Emily x