My 2020 Sewing Year: A Review Part 2

Here is part 2! These projects were done between September to December 2020. Anyway, let's get straight into it!

18th-Century Stays

I finally understand how a mock-up is used and how to edit a pattern from a mock-up, Yay! I knew this one was going to be tricky, but I don't think I was really for how long this one would take. I actually didn't finish this until around Christmas despite starting it in early October. I did put it down for about a month after Halloween, but still. It was a bit tedious sewing all the boning channels, but once it was done, it was worth it. I love the fabrics I chose for this. The duck-egg blue is such a nice soft colour but pops compared to the rest of the undergarments I've made before and after this. I also got a poplin that was white with roses on it for inside. No one can see it, but I know it's there. Binding the edges was where I had the most issue. On my first attempt at doing the binding, I was trying to backstitch along it, but it just wasn't holding onto the edges. That is when I put the project down for a bit. When I returned to it, I was armed with a bunch of knowledge from looking at different patterns and youtube videos. A whipstitch would be my best friend. So I got to work and finished it off. I'm very happy with how the stays came out. I think I've gotten smaller in my measurements since I started making them so they are on the smaller side nowadays, but that's okay in my books. They still get the job done.

Rating: 10/10

1940's Shirt

So I made this shirt at the same time as the Jumper Dress (Project below). I wanted to wear this to a friend's birthday but I also had a massive essay due the day before the birthday so due to some questionable organisation on my behalf, I only had two days to make these. I had prebought the fabrics for these a couple of weeks beforehand. I had got some soft white cotton for the shirt. This fabric was my main issue with the shirt as a finished product. The fabric is quite seethrough. This is an issue I'd never run into before so I'd never thought to check it. If the shirt is under something such as the Jumper dress, it is okay, but it can't be worn on its own. The other main issue is that the facing keeps coming out from underneath the shirt collar. It is quite annoying. I also am just not a big fan of the collar ruffles. On the pattern, it looks nice, but it is quite big in real life and I'm just not that into it. I do have to say, the darts to shape the shirt to the body, french kiss, pure perfection. I often find modern shirts to be quite frumpy so this was a BIG win in my books. Overall, it was a good first look at how shirts are made, but I've only worn this once or twice due to its issues.

Rating: 6/10

1940's Jumper Dress

I loved this jumper dress on the pattern. Unfortunately, with the two days, I gave myself to make it, I had to cut some corners which left some issues. These are things like having different coloured visible bias tape and the zipper being sewen in with black thread instead of red as I ran out of red thread. I also made it out of linen which means it creases. I know some people like that linen look, I just don't. I also can't be bothered having to iron it every time I want to wear it. It makes me not want to wear it because of that. In saying all of this, I have actually worn it a couple of times in summer and quite enjoy how flowy and breezy it is. I ran into a big issue the first time I washed it though. All the raw seams started to come undone. I'd never worked with linen before so I didn't realise it would do that. I started putting bias tape on all the edges and unfortunately haven't finished. For now, this is in my UFO pile. I really do want to finish this as I do really like it. Once I finish my costumes, I think I'll do a big finish of all my UFO's.

Rating: 7/10

1950's Shorts

These shorts had everything going for them. I made them in an afternoon and it was all going well. I loved the style of the shorts and the colour of the fabric. Unfortunately, when I got to the hemming point, I thought I'd try them on to see where I wanted them to stop on my leg. These could not fit over my butt and were so tight on my thighs. I quickly went to look at the pattern when I realised that they were a size 14. I then remembered that when I bought this pattern a couple of months prior, I bought it knowing I'd have to size it up. However, I had forgotten all about that when I started making them. I never did finish these shorts as I didn't have enough fabric to remake them. One day, maybe next summer, I'll remake them. For now, they will remain a reminder to always check your pattern size before starting.

Rating: 0/10

1940's Skirt

I had been wanting some more skirts for a while. When I saw the pattern for a 1940's skirt on Etsy, I bought it and was off to the fabric store. I got some check patterned 100% virgin wool. Once the pattern had arrived, it was quite quick to make, only taking me a day. I did have to do a bit of resewing seams to get the pattern to line up as best I could. Honestly, I really like this skirt, my only issue is that I wish it was longer. I didn't really know much about 40's hemlines at this point, but just assumed it would be longer. There is a good two to three inches in the hem so I'll probably let it out at some point to make it just that bit longer. I also probably used a fabric that was a bit too thick. It can make it look a little frumpy at times, but after a good steam, it's back to its nice shape again.

Rating: 8/10

Thanks for joining me on this adventure of reviewing what I made last year. I learned so much and can't believe how much I made. I look forward to doing this next year for this year's projects. I can already see how much better my projects have come out this year compared to a lot of these. It is always exciting to see how you have progressed. 

I'll talk to you soon. Have a swell day!

-Maysie