2024 roundup

 Happy New Year 2025

It's been a busy 2024 for family, for work and for non-crafty projects. For instance, I refreshed my schoolgirl Spanish to accompany DH to an event in November. And to be honest, when I look at my clothing, it generally serves it's purpose better than when I "retired" six years ago.

I have about 50 indoor items of clothing now, that is tops, bottoms, dresses and cardigans, mostly me-made or altered to fit better. I like all the colours and most of the styles. However there are a few gaps, some are getting ready for replacement, and the jury is still out on whether to keep, say, more than two skirts or short sleeved tops. Overall, though, it's about the right amount for my lifestyle.

And how did I do with 2024 plan?

Cycle shorts in bright yellow as an underlayer and a cami in Monet jersey finished, a constellation-print shirt S9210 for H. Adapted a charity shop denim skirt to fit me, however I find the walking slit cold so it may not stay long in my wardrobe. The woven shirt/top has had a couple of attempts, but still nothing finished that I'm happy with. Formal dress, woven shirt, office trousers, summer joggers and my mouse-fabric waistcoat didn't get to the top of the list. I've started dreaming of a coat, however a sewn cardi and/or jacket would be good practice.

As well as the planned items, in 2024 I sewed one pair of stretchy trousers in antique gold ponte, one tee in  Monet jersey, and two rectangle skirts one in mustard and one burgundy. Knit one Hermia cardigan in Mallard merino, a Manx loaghtan yarn hat, and brown merino wrist warmers all for me.  Some extra knitting for  presents: merino legwarmers for H, a beanie for K, a mustard aran hat for E.  Community arts contributions: poppies, granny squares, and cafe decorations. Plus the usual hats and booties to give away. Fails? The chicken-print Betty neckline was not a success, nor the L shaped scarf due to fabric choice. The usual ongoing repairs have been done, and some rarely worn garments brought back into use, mostly be letting out at the waist and high hip. DH's old work wear fleece was delogo-ed and is in use again. Some small knit items were reknit or extended and are better now.

I've bought a number of charity shop items to try, of which a couple have been altered, the white floral shirt significantly refitted. Several garments were donated back as too far from my own shape or other needs, but that's ok occasionally - it's been interesting to try. Unfortunately I've had to part with some old favourites, either worn out or because they've become too tight at lower shoulder blade height.

The fitting programme inches forward. I have trouser and tee patterns, cami and cycle shorts, however the joggers still need a better waist treatment.  I'm  actively working on the woven top again, having abandoned B8957 for the Betty, then found S6144 is better (tighter scyes so more movement ease) at the shoulders. Over the last week, I've unpicked the 2021 Talvi jumper ready to reknit up from the underarms.  

What else crafty? Reading blogs. Watching historical and fitting videos. Clothing and stash sifts. Two lots of inherited stuff sorted and absorbed or rehomed. 

FFFF directions: A long essay in my diary about Function and Fit by garment type is in my November/December diary. I think my Finishing is improving - certainly my cutting and marking have*. Not so much Fun added to the clothing because the chicken print failed. And because I need more plains to balance the prints I have. Does it count that I've had fun trying or rediscovering techniques?

* I'm starting to be confident to use decent yarn for myself, but need to do the same with decent fabric now that Fit and Finishing are better.

Overall, I can definitely count myself a Crafty Little Mouselet for 2024. 

Wonder what will happen in 2025?