5 Things I've Learned This Year


One
That making a muslin really is worth it.  Before I took up sewing again I had never made a muslin, in fact I’d never even heard of a muslin.  Maybe that’s why I had so many sewing fails in the past. 

I’m not so good that I now make muslins for every garment I sew, but those that I have definitely fit better than those that I didn’t bother for.  I’ve also got to muslin stage in a couple of garments and realised they wouldn’t suit me at all, saving me from wasting pretty fabric.
 
My Tigerlily dress (from the Burdastyle Danielle pattern) fits perfectly, thanks to the muslin I made.
 
Having said that, I still find making a muslin very boring when all I want to do is sew the pretty stuff. 

 

Two
That bound button holes aren’t “impossible”.    OK, I’m sure some people would look at the bound button holes on my coat and find plenty of faults, but I’m pretty pleased with them. 
 
 
 
They took time and patience, but weren’t actually anywhere near as difficult as I thought they were going to be. 

 

Three
That I often like the process of knitting more than the finished garment.  Wow, it’s taken a lot for me to admit that.  I do love the rhythmic, sometimes almost hypnotic process of knitting a garment, but I’m beginning to realise that many of the things I’ve knitted aren’t actually worn that often.  I’ve got a beautiful shawl I made 2 years ago that is yet to be worn and sits folded nicely in a drawer. 
 
A gorgeous shawl thats never been worn!
 
Several cardigans have had very little wear, while a couple of others I sling on all the time.  One of my goals for next year is to try and knit more things I really want to wear.

 

Four
That simple is often better.  As I mentioned in my post What I learned from Valentino the garments/outfits I loved the most in the Valentino Master of Couture exhibition were the simplest designs. 
 
 

 
Five
That blogging is much, much harder than I thought it would be.  I’m in total awe of those bloggers with beautifully photographed finished projects and eloquently written posts.  Definitely something else I need to work on next year.
 
 
Thank you so much to everyone that's taken the time to read and comment since I started blogging earlier this year.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and receive lots of lovely crafty goodies.
 
I'll be back after Christmas with some stitching goals for next year.  
 
 

6 comments

  1. Great lessons learned. I need to remind myself how useful making muslins is. I hate making them, but it's so worth it. And that shawl.... you must wear it!

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    1. Muslin making is definitely worth it, if you can bear the boredom factor!

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  2. What a lovely list of lessons learned! (That blue dress is beaitiful, btw!) I agree that knitted shawls can be hard to wear sometimes.. I have two beautiful ones that my sister made me, but I'm too afraid to ruin them by wearing them - and I just don't know how to style them! Maybe you could give yours away for Christmas? It's got to be perfect for someone!

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    1. Thank you Gillian. Sadly none of my friends or family are shawl wearers. I'll have to make it my new years mission to find a way to wear it.

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  3. I love your list, I 've seen your bound buttonholes and was very impressed. Have a super Christmas.
    Jacq
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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jacq. Hope you have a lovely Christmas too. x

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