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It is that time of the year again where we all feel compelled to reflect – I had told myself I wasnt going to do this but after reading others I started reflecting on my makes and suddenly realised that I have some things to talk about. I guess there is something inside all of us that wants the new year to better than the last.

I think I dont like the term ‘miss’ – as if its a target – I always think in terms of lessons learnt – no experience is ever worthless IMHO. I dont see failure as a step backwards. Everytime I fail, I learn something new; I feel less anxiety when I do it again. To me thats a step forwards in the right direction. I have experienced, discovered and achieved much during the last 12 months.

But first a few stats presented in an infographic..

In addition I have learnt how to create an infographic :-).

Top 5

Ok here we go; my top 5 hits as decided by the easiest accessible metric of all – InstaGram likes :-). I also like IG because its a record of how I wear my clothes on a daily basis.

Colette Wren Dress made in John Kaldor wool Jersy (463 likes)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLXxbfUBGhU/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

 

Moneta Lady Skater Hybrid (417 likes)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHlqavlhjDZ/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

 

Vogue Skirt and Simplicity Top (415 likes)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHo0Zx8BUHr/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

 

Moneta Gabriola Hybrid Dress (373 likes)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG5AJ9aNXKb/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

 

McCalls M6696 Shirtdress (358 likes)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIJvVRIhhYF/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

 

Here is my top nine collage according to instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNsDA1VBRXE/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch

I’d say this accurately reflects my favourite makes.

However IG doesnt take into account the clothes I make for my kids and hubs. My favourite hit was this M6044 shirt for my hubs which he loves to wear (I am so proud of that pocket matching). Thank goodness it’s made out of a really great quality Cotton and Steel fabric because it’s washed every week.

The other hit I’d say are the New Look 6423 foxes dresses I made for my girls. One of my twins basically wears it every other day – its her most favourite dress. The fabric is still as vibrant and has held up so well despite the many washes it’s had (about 3/week on average).

Lessons learnt

On to the lessons learnt – I cant really use IG for this because I don’t tend to wear things that didn’t work out. There is only one I can think of that I dont actually wear and that’s the  Oakridge blouse (blog post here). I cant get my head around this top for some reason.

Though I love my garments – each one has its highs and lows of the project and I learn from those. Through these highs and lows, I have learnt the value of patience, optimism and commitment. I also have come to understand how I can remain positive and calm in the face of short term setbacks.

 

I felt that my reflection would be quite superficial if I didnt compare it against what my written goals for 2016 were…..however…I cant seem to find the post in which I loosely categorised my goals. But I did

• enter the PR Skirt Contest
• enter the PR one pattern many looks contest
• all 4 weeks of Indie Pattern Month 2016
• make another pair of jeans (S8222)
• McCall Pattern Company shirtdress sewalong
• Finish all 5 of my knitting WIPS
• I also participated in some IG challenges (MeMadeMay & SewPhotohop & BPSewvember & One Week One Pattern)
• I signed up for a pattern drafting class. Through it I met some lovely sewing ladies who are just as mad about sewing as I am though they dont have blogs – which made me realise that there are so many of us out there who dont blog.
• started my YouTube channel
• complete my Burda Challenge

Fabric

Now for the elephant in the room – Fabric or more specifically buying fabric…here is a snippet of a conversation in my head between my Ideal Self 1 and Ideal Self 2….

“Did you hear about Hila?  She has so much fabric she could sink a battle ship!”

“REALLY!?  Doesn’t she know that enough is enough?”

“Evidently not!  I heard she just signed up for the Spoolette fabric shopping meet up in February!”

I had made some sort of a vow to be on a fabric buying moratorium. Well…….I was good for a while, then I fell off the bandwagon in a spectacular way and I have bought a lot of fabric – quite possibly a lot more than if I hadn’t tried to go against my nature by caging myself in. I am sick and tired of my laments and complaints.  So I accept it – I love buying fabric.  I love my fabric.  I honestly seriously do.

In some ways, my resolution was a triumph of hope over experience. Perhaps that’s because I was too ambitious and then judged myself too harshly when I failed to meet that impossibly high standard. My guilt had an ironic impact on my behaviour which led to me scuppering on my broader goal of getting the stash under control. I have come to the conclusion that enjoying the occasional indulgence can help recharge my self-control.

The moral is that, for now, I will make sure to leave room for a little bit of vice amid all my virtuous intentions. So in conclusion…..

I LOVE BUYING FABRIC! I LOVE FABRIC!

When I buy fabric I am not just buying something tangible, I am buying dreams and possibilities of what this item can become. It holds out the intoxicating promise of a Pinterest worthy wardrobe. I love to pet and fold the fabric and daydream about what it could become one day.

I’d also add that it’s not “JUST” a piece of fabric –it’s a piece of who we are, or who we want to be.  Our individual fabric stashes are as varied as each of our personalities and interests.  No two stashes are alike! Think about it – our stashes are like our fingerprints : unique.

I have children who I hope one day will love sewing as much I do and perhaps I can leave them some sort of a legacy. I know I can’t use it all – but you can bet your top dollar that I will try my darndest to sew up as much of it as I can. Because I love creating and making. I am lucky enough to have a big home in which space is not as limited as with our previous home.

There is an energy inside of me – that spark that ignites the fire. Sewing gives my life a sense of joy – a sense of fulfillment.

And fighting it is useless. For now I shan’t make too much of a fuss – until I have so much fabric that it becomes a hindrance to my creativity or I can’t organise it.

Come 2017, I will keep pushing my limits and raising the bar; and yes, I will make mistakes and feel awkward, stupid and dumb sometimes but thats okay.

And so I sign off 2016 by sharing a quote from Neil Gaiman

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.

Happy New Year chums,

Hila

XoX