Year in Review - 2010

I've tallied the items that I've made this year and this year's number is 80, give or take a few.  That's about average for me, as I'm sewing for everyone in the household, except for the cats, and I think my son and I made some catnip mice for them, too.  That's a lot less than 2009 (107) and a little less than 2008 (88).  I know it sounds like a lot, but do some of the pieces were pretty easy - knits, of course!

Here's the break down by type:

Tops: 28
Skirts:  14
Pants:  4
Dresses:  12
Jackets/Coats/Sweatshirts:  10
Other (including beaded things, accessories, etc.):  7
Knitted Items:  5

I did not add in the 6 small 3 Studios Challenge Quilts, nor the Ben Hur costumes finished early in the year. 

With the exception of some of the shirts made for the Great Vintage Shirt Project, I'm pretty happy with everything I've made.  I've already discussed that project in a post earlier this month.  Out of all the projects, I've picked four top winners, each for different reasons. 

1.  My son's vintage coat.  I really love how this turned out!  The style is very old man, but I think it still works today.  The contrast collar and welts really add something to the simple, clean lines of the coat.  I also am very happy with the finishing, too.

2.   The monogram vintage shirt.  You can't go wrong with a white shirt and the monogram, while not probably not so much in style today is still a bit classy.  I couldn't resist doing the embroidery in red. 

3.   The wedding suit.  I'm really happy I put the time and effort into making the black suit for my brother's wedding.  I've worn it several times since and it will remain in my wardrobe, as a nice black suit is nice just have for all sorts of events.  The skirt pattern fits so well, that I've used it to make other skirts, too.

4.   Teal hoodie.  I know this doesn't seem to be on par with the vintage patterns and other winners that required more advance skills in sewing and fitting, but this is a piece that I wear a lot.  While I enjoy making garments that are a challenge, they generally are pieces that I don't wear everyday.  Since I'm not teaching, my lifestyle is more casual - not pajama pants and logo t-shirts casual, but jeans/cords with knit tops and hoodies or sweaters sort of casual.  I wear this with corduroy pants or with with a corduroy skirt and along with those sometimes with a brown tweed jacket over it. 

I'm not sure what 2011 will hold for sewing, but I suppose we'll see in the yearly review next December!

Parting Shot:  Puzzle.  I love puzzles, but rarely get a chance to work them.  Since I've had a fairly low key week, I was able to work this one, which I had on the shelf, but had never done.