Gosh but a year is a long time. We often don't even realize how much we've made in just 365 days, so it's wonderful to look back. I started a lot of things, even finished a few, and enjoyed every minute, even the struggly bits. Here's what I made in 2014:
January
A Cape Mantle Thing for a very chilly trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I did everything wrong on this, but that's how I learn. :-)
A fur muff. I used recycled sable and it worked a peach. Kept my hands warm too.
One very tall and bodacious wig, thanks to the instructions in Kendra's book "18th Century Hair & Wig Styling"
February
The LACMA Sacque-ma. This was the first Robe a la Francaise I attempted and another project where I did everything wrong but learned so much. I wore this for a photo shoot, at Colonial Williamsburg, and to the Costume College Gala, but now it's time to refashion the beautiful blue silk into something new, and try try again with a new sacque.
1740s/50s Riding Habit Waistcoat and Shirt. I'm really happy with how this came out, and its overall function, which was to make one of my favorite costumes, the powder blue and silver riding habit, wearable again. I had a couple false starts on the waistcoat, but accomplished it in the end, and the riding habit shirt went together very nicely.
May
A 1950s Dress. Sometimes I make more modern clothes, like this simple 1950s frock. It was from a pattern I used before, and went together easily, thank goodness!
June
A blingin' pair of custom Pompadours. I'm including these because they went kindof above-and-beyond a normal tutorial, and I can't *wait* to pair these with my future 1740s yellow English gown.
July
My first 1830s Dress. It's ridiculous and incredibly fun to wear. I've only worn it once, but this one will definitely be making another appearance. I'm hooked on 1830s now!
August
Wearing History "Smooth Sailing" Trousers. I made these in 5 hours and wear them *all* the time. Comfy, dressy but casual. I freaking love these pants.
September
Steampunk Ball Costume. A bit of a throw-together, using pieces I already had, but I made the corset and some "arm bustles" out of copper wire, and managed to win the costume contest!
November
An 1860s Day Dress. I made this from purple silk I bought in China, and love how it came out. I anticipate it will be worn quite a lot in the future, as my go-to Civil War gown.
1919 Winter Suit. A coat and skirt, using a whole bunch of new techniques, including tailoring, working with faux fur, bound buttonholes, and working soutache braid.
December
An 1860s Ballgown Bodice, to go with the purple skirt from the 1860s day dress. I'm super happy with how this turned out. It's one of the rare gowns I've made where I feel genuinely elegant while wearing it.
And last but not least...
The 8-Day 1930s Half-Norfolk Jacket. I made this just before we went to England, and tried to fully tailor it. It was so cold in England I hardly got to wear it, though! I made plenty of mistakes, but now understand tailoring much better, and look forward to the next jacket or coat project.
Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to all the projects planned for 2015! I have some fanciful things in mind...what to make first!?
How was your 2014? Post links to your sewing year-in-review in the comments below!
January
A Cape Mantle Thing for a very chilly trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I did everything wrong on this, but that's how I learn. :-)
A fur muff. I used recycled sable and it worked a peach. Kept my hands warm too.
One very tall and bodacious wig, thanks to the instructions in Kendra's book "18th Century Hair & Wig Styling"
February
The LACMA Sacque-ma. This was the first Robe a la Francaise I attempted and another project where I did everything wrong but learned so much. I wore this for a photo shoot, at Colonial Williamsburg, and to the Costume College Gala, but now it's time to refashion the beautiful blue silk into something new, and try try again with a new sacque.
1740s/50s Riding Habit Waistcoat and Shirt. I'm really happy with how this came out, and its overall function, which was to make one of my favorite costumes, the powder blue and silver riding habit, wearable again. I had a couple false starts on the waistcoat, but accomplished it in the end, and the riding habit shirt went together very nicely.
May
A 1950s Dress. Sometimes I make more modern clothes, like this simple 1950s frock. It was from a pattern I used before, and went together easily, thank goodness!
June
A blingin' pair of custom Pompadours. I'm including these because they went kindof above-and-beyond a normal tutorial, and I can't *wait* to pair these with my future 1740s yellow English gown.
July
My first 1830s Dress. It's ridiculous and incredibly fun to wear. I've only worn it once, but this one will definitely be making another appearance. I'm hooked on 1830s now!
August
Wearing History "Smooth Sailing" Trousers. I made these in 5 hours and wear them *all* the time. Comfy, dressy but casual. I freaking love these pants.
Steampunk Ball Costume. A bit of a throw-together, using pieces I already had, but I made the corset and some "arm bustles" out of copper wire, and managed to win the costume contest!
November
An 1860s Day Dress. I made this from purple silk I bought in China, and love how it came out. I anticipate it will be worn quite a lot in the future, as my go-to Civil War gown.
1919 Winter Suit. A coat and skirt, using a whole bunch of new techniques, including tailoring, working with faux fur, bound buttonholes, and working soutache braid.
December
An 1860s Ballgown Bodice, to go with the purple skirt from the 1860s day dress. I'm super happy with how this turned out. It's one of the rare gowns I've made where I feel genuinely elegant while wearing it.
 |
| Photo by Nevada Live Magazine |
The 8-Day 1930s Half-Norfolk Jacket. I made this just before we went to England, and tried to fully tailor it. It was so cold in England I hardly got to wear it, though! I made plenty of mistakes, but now understand tailoring much better, and look forward to the next jacket or coat project.
Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to all the projects planned for 2015! I have some fanciful things in mind...what to make first!?
How was your 2014? Post links to your sewing year-in-review in the comments below!
