Sunday, December 30, 2012

2012: The Year of Big Projects

Given that 2012 is almost over, I thought it would be nice to take a look back at my sewing projects from the year.  I'm calling 2012 my 'Year of Big Projects'.  If 2011 was my 'Year of Prolific Sewing', 2012 saw me take on even bigger sewing and sewing-related projects!

January to March 2012

January started off with a bang!  I began by making my 1937 'Birthday Dress Suit' and by exploring my favourite pattern company (McCall's) through a series of blog posts (with the help of genealogical sleuths Mikhaela and her mum).  I also co-hosted (with the lovely Kristen and Kerry) the Crafters' Ceilidh meet-up in Edinburgh and got to hang out with some lovely ladies:


In January, I was also featured in Sew Magazine (so exciting!!):


February saw more cold weather sewing with me making David some tartan pjs and a matching nightcap.  I also hosted my annual 'Sew Grateful Week' which saw a flurry of sewing projects, giveaways, tutorials and reflection posts from lots of bloggers (catch up with all the posts here..):


March saw a bit more sewing action when I co-hosted the 'Sew Cinematic' challenge and made one of my most worn makes of the year, my 1950s 'Betty Blouse' inspired by a Betty Draper blouse worn in Mad Men. I also participated in Tilly's 'One Week, One Pattern' challenge and made another rendition of Simplicity 3688 and wore my four versions of these 1941 trousers all week!

April to July
7. My 'Black Forest Meringue' skirt; 8. My 'Marlene Suit'

April ushered in my first me-made of spring, my 'Marlene Suit' complete with jacket and matching trousers, inspired by Marlene Dietrich's fabulous suits.  I absolutely LOVE this suit (jacket is from a 1939 McCall pattern and the trousers are Simplicity 3688 again).  I also made my 'Black Forest Meringue' skirt from the Colette patterns book.  April also saw a series of post on Edwardian Scotland (inspired by Downton Abbey and the Titanic anniversary).

The following month, I participated in my favourite Me-Made-May to date and managed to wear me-made outfits all month (weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4).

June saw my biggest sewing project to date:  I made David a Bonnie Prince Charlie kilt jacket, a white tie vest and matching kilt flashes for his graduation.  Phew! What an undertaking.  It was exhilerating, exiting and panic-inducing all at once.  The jacket and everything turned out great but it definitely took a long time to mock-up and sew.  Though, I must say, it has piqued my interest in menswear tailoring...hmmmmm.....

August to December:

September saw the start of a series of posts called the 'ABCs of Vintage Sewing' which have run throughout Autumn and which I'll be continuing in the new year.  It's been a really fun series to do, that explores the ins and outs of vintage sewing on every topic you could imagine (from A to Z....).  September also saw the creation of my 'B is for Border Prints' dress, a really fun early 1960s pattern using a fabulous border print I got during the Crafters' Ceilidh meet-up.

That wasn't all that was happening in the summer and autumn, I was working hard behind the scenes to launch a social enterprise called 'Weaving Destination'!  My social enterprise partner, Javita and I will be launching several fabric collections in 2013 (my 'Weaving Destination Launch Dress' is made from one of the fabrics from the spring collection).  The social enterprise bit is that all of the fabric is ethically made and all profits go to support an indigenous women's weaving collective in Assam, BTC, India.  This collective is important because it provides financial independence, support services and sustainable employment for women that have been victims of trafficking, that are living with HIV/AIDS or that are female migrant returnees.  Weaving Destination is really the culmination of my two passions: working to address the root causes of violence against women and children and being creative through sewing!  We were very lucky to have received the Melting Pot's Social Innovation Incubator Award for 2012-2013:


Wow, 2012 was a very busy year.  I'm looking forward to delving deeper into some of these projects in 2013 and in seeing what lies ahead!  Thank you all so much for reading my blog and being part of my journey! 
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16 comments

  1. What a great - and busy! - year you had! Best wishes for 2013!

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  2. Congratulations on another fabulous year... X

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  3. What a wonderful year.  Can't wait to see what 2013 brings to your doorstep.

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  4. My goodness, you have been busy! It's been a great year following your adventures, I look forward to reading more of them in 2013. Happy New Year to you and David, I hope it's an amazing one for you both

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  5. You have made some beautiful things this year! the birthday dress is so amazing....Something must have been in the air because I sewed more than ever in 2012 too. Happy New Year!

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  6. What a great year for you!  You really made some great garments, but I have to say that the Dietrich-inspired suit is my favorite.  It's just so unique and flattering!  Happy New Year!  Looking forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for you (and for Weaving Destination)!

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  7. I would call this the year of great projects! Looking back it is amazing that you were able to accomplish so much, so nicely in only one year! Many of us struggle to find the time to do a fraction of what you have done. You have great vision, not just for the future but also for the past with reverence and style. Thank you for sharing all your hard work.

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  8. You've accomplished so much this year, it's awe-inducing! I can't wait to see what amazing things are in store for you in 2013. Happy New Year! :)

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  9. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:25 PM

    Thanks Tasha! Happy New Year to both of you, too!!

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  10. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:26 PM

    Your comment brought a tears to my eyes! Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful 2013!  Thanks so much for your lovely comment!

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  11. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:27 PM

    Thanks Ginger! The Dietrich suit is one of my favourites too!! Happy New Year to you!  

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  12. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:27 PM

    Thanks so much Marie!  Happy New Year!

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  13. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:28 PM

    Thanks so much, Tors! We both wish you a happy New Year!!

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  14. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:28 PM

    Thanks Elizabeth! Have a fabulous New Year's!!

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  15. Debi_myhappysewingplaceDecember 31, 2012 8:29 PM

    Thanks Clio! Happy New Year's!!  

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  16. Good luck and happy sewing next year!%)

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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