2014 Year-End Review!

 Let's start with the worst of the worst...

This early March make... sigh.  I knew this was F'd up when I made it. Sometimes you just have to own your own mess.  I was in a sewing funk and said as much in the post.  I wanted to make something... and I had bought this crappy-assed fabric.  It was Carolina Herrera for Godsake!  That meant it was supposed to be fabulous, right?  Wrong.  This fabric was like cardboard.  It must've been used for home dec.  It was beyond stiff.  And my slit was way too high.  When I sat down, all of the lady bits were almost on display.  It's been gone...

This skort?  Another case of horrible fabric AND design.  Contrary to belief, I do post failures.  And this is definitely one.  This style was clearly drafted for someone that lacked any sort of curves.  It would've looked perfect on Mikaela with her long, lean, athletic build.  This is a "You Live and You Learn" project.  Everything ain't for everybody and this wasn't for me.  #SheTriedIt though...

Next...

The dress that sparked a life change...

I absolutely love working with neoprene and I loved this red dress.  It's fabulous to wear and one of the easiest fabrics to sew.  It's like a beefy power knit.  But when I tell you that the super duper Spanx, plus this amazing fabric did me NO favors... NONE!  I knew it was time to get my ass in the gym.  Pronto.  Stat!  I still have this dress.  I like to try it on because it now hangs off me like a sack.  When I have days that I look in the mirror and my dysmorphia kicks in and I can't see the changes that I've been working towards for almost a year?  I try on that dress.  It's become a mental savior.  And this picture is a reason to keep pushing forward on days I'm mentally drained, tired and sore.  

Now, onto the favorites...

Favorite top!

Vogue 1387, has been one of my favorite tops.  Even though I made it in a larger size than I would sew today, it's still very much wearable and I've been wearing it! A lot! I made this top in an amazing silk crepe de chine.  It has an elastic waist AND a drawstring.  You couldn't ask for a more perfect (figure) transitional garment.

I really like these Simplicity 1366 pants.  They make me so happy.  Maybe it's the print. I don't know...  But I do know that I like them a lot.  I find myself reaching for them often.  I don't want to wear them to the point of getting sick of them.  That happens more than not with me.  So I decided to let them be until Spring.  Even though they'd look really cute with a sweater.  But I'm going to leave them alone.  Because I'd quickly overdose on that print.  I still plan to make this pattern again.  

The Vogue 8939 black turtleneck midi dress is something that I could and would want to wear everyday.  It's not only chic, it's easy dressing and comfortable.  It's an amazing version of the LBD.  

Favorite Project for Someone Else...

My kids ask me to sew them things all of the time.  I literally laugh them out of the room.  As if I have time...  Girl, bye.  But when it comes to special occasion sewing, I am all in for that.  This is Mikaela's last high school homecoming.  Of course I was making her dress. Whatever she wanted.  This dress was a more mature look for her, but still youthful at the same time.  

And favorite projects of the year...

They're two amazing coats, what more is there to say...