What a year, huh? It managed to be both better and worse than 2020 was. Looking back on 2021, I feel like I barely did any sewing at all, but that's not true. I did a decent amount of sewing up until September (hello promotion with a higher hour requirement). But let's dig into my sewing this year.
Goals
I had three goals this year: stash busting, making an 1890s corset, and making Regency headwear.
The corset and Regency headwear goals were both very well accomplished, if I do say so myself.
Stashbusting is a bit more complicated. On the one hand, I only bought two new cuts of fabric, and they were both used immediately for a project (the corset and some shorts). On the other hand, I barely made a dent in my stash, and even inherited some more fabric from my grandmother. So I think my net stash bust/gain is about zero.
Project Round-Up
18th century pieced pockets (all stash materials, mostly hand sewn with some machine work on the binding)
Blue brocade reticule (machine sewn with less than stellar results)
Light blue Regency bonnet (millinery kit with stash fashion fabric, hand sewn)
Hair and clothes for Adelaide, a cloth doll (stash fabric, hand sewn)
Disassembled & reassembled a #gaptothepast blouse (machine sewn)
Sheer drapes for the living room (a big chunk of my stash, machine sewn)
1890s corset (bought fabric, machine sewn)
Red Regency ribbon bodice (bought ribbon, hand sewn)
Blue Regency ribbon bodice (bought ribbon, hand sewn)
Decorated a straw Regency bonnet (ribbon leftover from bodice, hand sewn)
"Boardwalk Duet" top and shorts (stash for the bodice, bought for the shorts, machine sewn)
Olivia's 18th century pockets (stash fabric, machine sewn)
Fall dress for Adelaide (stash fabric, hand sewn)
Alterations to green/black double-knit dress (thrifted dress, machine sewn)
Mini work smock for Oscar (donated fabric, machine sewn)
Altogether, I managed to knock a whopping four (4) projects off my project goal list for this year, which is... not a lot. Five if you count my chemisette wip. But I did give myself a very aspirational 15-project list. My project goal list for next year will just have to be shorter/more realistic. If I set the bar lower, it should be easier to reach, right?
That's not to say I'm not proud of my work this year, though. I made a corset for the first time ever and it turned out well! I actually wear it as back support when I know I'll be at my desk at home all day. I got into millinery for the first time too, with much success. I went from having no Regency headwear to having two lovely bonnets!
So what will the next year hold? I can't know for certain, but that won't stop me from making plans!
I hope that, whatever happened this year, you find some joy to take into the new year. Take care of yourself.
Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
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