I spent much of the year not making things and often made things in bursts. I’m not much of a planner so I make things when I feel like it. The rest of my time was spent reading (I finished 102 books), mending/altering clothes, and hanging out with family.

Patterns I Purchased in 2023

I’ve never really documented my use/purchase of patterns very well before. This year, however, is pretty easy to break down since I cut back a lot. I didn’t purchase a lot of new sewing patterns and pulled from my library of patterns for most of this year’s makes. I’ve consciously limited new patterns for the last several years and think I’ve gotten a pretty good handle on impulse buying. Instead, I try to only buy patterns when I am ready to start them. I’ve found that helps decrease the chance of stockpiling patterns and then forgetting about them.

Sewing Patterns

I did well limiting my sewing pattern purchases to what I could make and ended up completing all but three. Letting those uncompleted ones slide has been good and I’m glad I didn’t make something just for the sake of it.

• Reynolds Top and Dress from Helen’s Closet: I bought this pattern to make three garments: two tops for me and one dress for Isabelle. I completed the makes in record time for our Japan trip and proceeded to wear them all summer long. I will use this pattern again. All details on these makes can be found here.
• Overland Cloak from Twig + Tale Patterns: I purchased this to make my hobbit cloak for Halloween, but then I realized I didn’t have the energy to take on such an extensive project.
• Dino Nugget Plushie from Patterns for Pirates: I told myself I didn’t need another holiday project, but then I discovered the perfect fabric for it in the remnants section and decided to just go with it. I made the T-Rex plushie for fun which prompted Isabelle to start making her own for her teachers and friends.
• Evie Knit Top from Style Arc: I only purchased this so I could get the other pattern I wanted for free. I believe they were doing a freebie with any purchase so I chose a staple that I didn’t already have in my library. I have yet to make it although I admit I forgot about it until compiling this list.
• Byron Woven Top from Style Arc: This is the pattern I was lusting for to make the previous purchase. I made it, but had a whole slew of fit issues. I do not recommend this pattern unless you’re ready to do a lot of mods.
• Book Nook Quilt from Pen + Paper Patterns: This isn’t the first quilt pattern I’ve purchased, but it is the first one I’ve made. It took months after I finished the quilt top for me to finally finish it off. This was my first foray into quilting and I both loved and hated the process.
• Playful Placemats from Cedar Quilt Co.: Freebie. I started this quilted beginner project and have all of the HSTs done, but have yet to decide how I want them to be placed.

Knitting Patterns

All patterns are from Petite Knit except the last two. I made or started 3/5 which I think is great considering the two left are smaller projects or freebies.

• Sophie Scarf: I completed this one toward the beginning of the year, but I have yet to wear it.
• Stockholm Slipover: Started it and have some of the body done.
• December Bow: I purchased this thinking it would be a fun holiday project, but I never started it.
• Holly Bow: Freebie that I thought would be fun for the holidays, but I never started it.
• ‘Hop to it’ Bunny Bonnet from Lauren Aston Designs: This was an impulse make and I made a couple after I saw it on Instagram. One was gifted while I still have the other to gift in the future.
• Chunky Knit Crown from Lauren Aston Designs: I made several of these that the kids and I ended up wearing to the family Easter egg hunt.

Embroidery Patterns

Both of these patterns are from Lady Scrib and fuel my obsession with a book series that I started in 2023. I have yet to get started on either pattern, but she was having a sale and I wanted to support her.

• I Will Not Die Today
• Fly or Die

Patterns I Made Again

I love reusing patterns whenever I can and find comfort in the familiar. I also like to go through iterations with the same pattern to see it in different variations.

• Free Range Slacks from Sew House Seven: These are my favorite elastic-waisted pants. I’ve made them so many times that I know what to expect with the process and fit. I also like that I can make a pair with 1.5 yards of fabric. Check out my first four versions here.
• Persephone Pants from Anna Allen Clothing: I’ve made this fitted wide-legged pant several times as well and like the ease of making it. It doesn’t need a ton of pieces cut or use a lot of fabric either which I appreciate.
• York Apron from Helen’s Closet: I’ve made the original pinafore version of this pattern a lot, but this is the second time I’ve used this apron expansion. Both times I’ve made the apron has been for gifts although I’d love to make one for myself one day.
• Bardon Dress from Peppermint Magazine: Pay what you want. I made two more dresses this year from this simple pattern. See them here. See my first version of this pattern here.
• Traveller Cape from Twig + Tale Patterns: I modified this one for my daughter’s costume cloak. I made it once before as part of their ambassador team.
• Fennel Fanny Pack from Sarah Kirsten: I use the first one I made nonstop and made two more as gifts.
• Holiday Slipover from Petite Knit: I’ve made this countless times and completed a new gray one.

Fabric I purchased in 2023

This is a hard one to track, but I have to admit that I did not do as well with making the fabrics I purchased as I did with patterns. This is especially true because I came home from Japan with a fabric haul that I have yet to cut into. I plan on starting on those now that the holiday madness is over, but I find this to be a common problem with precious fabrics or with fabrics I buy on impulse.

I may have bought more fabric than I could get through this year, but I am happy with most of my purchases and know I’ll be able to use them soon. I’m glad that the fabrics I purchased with very specific projects in mind were put to use and that I was able to pull from my stash for other projects too.

Year Recap

In total, I made three tops, three dresses, three pairs of pants, a costume cloak, an apron, my first quilt from a pattern, three bags, quilted coasters, and a ton of corn comfort bags. Some of this was for me and some were for gifts. I also sewed a plushie, started a new embroidery, and crocheted things that I haven’t documented yet. I didn’t make a lot of things in 2023 as I have in previous years, but I’m happy with the progress I made.

Thanks for reading! I hope the new year treats you well.