Now that 2013 is officially over, I thought I would take a minute to reflect on what the past year has held. The year started out with lots of excitement when I traveled across the country by myself to attend a 3 day sewing workshop with Gretchen Hirsch and Heather Ross. While there I made quite a few friends, in particular Lauren, who started her own blog not long after the sewing weekend. She and I worked on the same pattern so we were able to give fitting assistance to one another. I also got to visit the brick and mortar Hart’s Fabric, which has become one of my favorite places for fabric shopping.
My next trip took me to Washington DC for work-related business but I managed to squeeze in a little time to shop at G Street Fabrics.
I participated in Me Made May for the first time and surpassed my expectations by not repeating any items for over 2/3 of the month.
I attended a local sewing workshop with Sandra Betzina and made her pattern Vogue 1291. I also got to enjoy a lovely dinner party at a friend’s home with Sandra.
I participated in the Spring Sewing Swap hosted by Kestrel. I was paired up with Shelly of Shelly’s DIY Style and got some great goodies all the way from Australia.
I reviewed a pattern for one of my favorite indie designers — In House Patterns — and ended up with a gorgeous, breezy Blossom top. I currently have my next pattern to review cut out. Will be making a muslin soon.
I participated in a garment sewing competition on the Hart’s Fabric website and thanks to all my wonderful readers, I won a $50 Hart’s gift certificate!
In August I made an evening ensemble to wear to our hospital’s charity gala. I ventured into couture sewing with a lace bustier with spiral steel boning and self-drafted a silk charmeuse skirt.
The last major sewing of the year involved creating dresses for my nieces to wear in my sister’s wedding — sewing for little girls is so much easier!
I did squeeze in a quick sewing project right before Christmas — 10 infinity scarfs from my stash fabric to give as gifts to all the girls in my family. I used this tutorial but didn’t snag any pictures of my finished products before giving them away. Maybe one of the recipients will send me a picture so I can post it…
Top 5 Recipes
Bourbon and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Goat Cheese Spinach Dip (most searched post of 2013)
Top 5 Sewing Projects
Knit Maxi — McCall’s 6559
Bustier Top Simplicity 1664
Lace Bustier — Vogue 8849
Date Night Dress — New Look 6457
Belle Bow Blouse — In House Patterns
Top 5 Things I Learned
New binding for knit necklines
Underlining to create neat seam finish on vertical seams
5 Goals for 2014
Post my backlog of completed sewing projects
Learn how to match patterns on fabric when creating a garment
Make some good basics for my wardrobe (knit tops, specifically)
Sew a jacket
Fess up that I have learned to knit in the last few weeks!!!
Dulce Neck Cozy — free pattern on Ravelry
Susie Homemaker, MD 
You had a magnificent year! Goodness – classes, contests, travels, sewing celebrity dinners … combined with the beautiful clothes you made! Congratulations!!
Thank you so much! It really was a good year. Happy New Year to you!! 🙂
Wow – all those great clothes, and you learned to knit too! Great year!
Thanks — it has been a good year. And you inspired me to learn to knit! 🙂
I think you should add a seminar of how you accomplish ALL of this to your goals for 2014. I’m pretty sure you could make a whole lotta moolah. 🙂
You are funny Polly! Have a happy new year and see you soon!!
Well done, girlfriend! Happy new year!
Thanks! Happy new year to you, too!!
What a great year!! The sewing workshop at Asilomar continues to be one of my favorite things ever. It was so wonderful sewing with you! I’m looking forward to seeing all your goals come to fruition. Happy New Year!
Same to you, Lauren! Maybe one day we can have a sewing reunion! 🙂
nicely done! I love the red polka dot blouse- but then again- I swoon over everything polka dot!! xoxo You did so much this year!
Thanks! Polka dots are my favorite too. I hope you are doing well!
Love your blog! You had a great year, and your dress for the hospital gala was gorgeous! I guess I will have to keep up with you here now since I am retired! I’m gonna tackle the knitting next. Regards, Rosa
Thanks, Rosa! I’m glad you stopped by and congrats on retiring. Maybe we can sew together sometime 🙂