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May 26, 2011

Reflections on My Second Year of Sewing



Friends, this is the week that, two years ago, I bought my very first sewing machine.  Those of you who've been with me since the beginning know the story; those who don't will find a brief synopsis here.  It's an anniversary I like to acknowledge, taking a moment to reflect on where I've been before moving on. 

First years of anything are bound to be full of excitement -- everything is new, every accomplishment feels huge.  Second years are inevitably less dramatic.  You're still doing many things for the very first time, but many steps are beginning to feel familiar, especially if you're sewing constantly, as I have been, since sewing is the focus of my life right now. 

The last year doesn't break up neatly into quarters as my first year did.  It's more of a single progression, albeit with its inevitable moments of regression.  Shall we take a brief look?

Reflecting on the last twelve months, I see good things and not-so-good things.  A few projects never quite got off the ground (that suit), or fell flat -- or baggy, as the case may be.

This year I decided to leave the drop-crotch pants to others who know how to pull them off.  I think it helps to be a hunky Australian.



This year I have occasionally been accused of stunt sewing.  I won't lie: I'm a showman at heart.  Remember The Ugliest Pattern Ever?





Then there was last fall's BurdaStyle Westminster Fabrics competition tunic dress.  Guess who won the popular vote on BurdaStyle?  Sadly, this was never acknowledged by the sponsor, perhaps uncomfortable with something about my creation.  I've put it behind me.



Then there are those leopard-print velvet pants, still unworn, alas.  I've learned I'm not really a leopard person; I'm shy.



I'm proudest of my wool toggle coat -- but I love my new seersucker pajamas too!



 

Cathy certainly came into her own this last year, with a little help from Maybelline.  Hello, Fresh Face!

 





We've had sew-alongs, and and serge-alongs, and let's not forget the Ken-alongs...





The Male Pattern Boldness chug-along continues too.  Many people think it's hard to blog every day but after a while it's just another morning routine.  A cup of coffee to get things moving and then hope something comes out -- and it does!  Light a match and it's on with the day.

There is still so much to do, though honestly, I couldn't even tell you what I'll be doing tomorrow.  Not buying a new sewing machine, that's for sure...or pretty sure.



And so, my friends, please join me in welcoming Year Three of my (our) sewing adventure.  I hope you'll hang around for the next act as well as the post-curtain Ask the Cast.



Have a great day, everybody -- and thanks for being there!

45 comments:

  1. Reading your posts each day is an utter delight! Best of luck to you Peter.

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  2. Congratulations on your second year dear Peter....And maaany moooore!

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  3. I found you 9 months ago, and have enjoyed every post. You inspired me to have a go at Jeans (pattern & fabric bought, courage not yet found), I laughed and laughed at the dressed up dog post, followed your duffle coat progress and joined you for the shirt sew-along.
    I look forward to your next years sewing adventures and wonder what's in store for Cathy.
    Keep up the good work Peter, blogland wouldn't be the same without you xx

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  4. Happy sewiversary, Peter! I hope there will be many more :)

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  5. Thank you so much Peter for 2 full years of fun.

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  6. Happy Anniversary Peter!

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  7. congratulations on year 2, peter!

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  8. Congratulations on 2 years of accomplishment! Thanks for the daily blogs.

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  9. Happy Anniversary, and thank you for your inspiring posts!

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  10. The interwebs and sewing community at large would not be the same without you!

    BTW The harem pants - casually styled - have kinda grown on me. LOL

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  11. Happy anniversary-- and I love Cathy in the mod outfit!

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  12. Maybe you could give the leopard print pants to Cathy. I'll bet she is not too shy to wear them.

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  13. Happy anniversary!! I enjoy you daily musings.

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  14. Can't wait to see what the next year brings ! And what's BurdaStyle's problem ? I have a love/hate relationship with them. I'm tired of the fixation with wee, young things in little dresses. What's their problem with a more mature woman like Cathy in her Boho outfit?

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  15. felicidades Peter! And many happy returns. You're an inspiration!

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  16. Happy anniversary! Keep it going!

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  17. Woo hoo for Year Two! I've enjoyed every single post. I adore sharing my morning coffee and blog reading with you each and every day. Thanks so much, Peter! Cheers!!

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  18. Happy 2 year anniversary! Reading this post I just realized that I am at my 2 year anniversary too (or, well, in about a week. I got my sewing machine during a Memorial weekend sale, so not really stitching until start of June). I totally agree how the first year everything feels like such an accomplishment, but the second year things are a little more high and low in terms of excitement. By the way, the wool coat is fabulous! Wool coat and jeans - definitely on my list of goals for year three of sewing.

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  19. Congratulations! I am with Sigrid, what the hell is Burda's problem?
    Considering what you write here it would seem that those leopard pants are perfect for you, but we've met and I was surprised at how shy you are. Now, it's really too bad that those leopard pants aren't in my size, cause we know I love a good leopard print!

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  20. Congratulations on two years! I've been coming here for so long, I've forgotten when I started -- I do remember seeing your one year blogiversary, so it's been a while!

    I really appreciate all you do to push people to the next step in their sewing. In fact, I've discovered so many blogs through you, I found out I could sew jeans, and I kind of miss your weekly nagging post! Keep up the good work.

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  21. Is there a pattern for that vintage short set? I love the whole look and just have to have it. lol.

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  22. YAY! Congrats on year 2!!! So exciting...I'm looking forward to year 3. Your blog is definitely one of my favourites!!

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  23. Happy 2nd Anniversary, Peter!! I can't wait to see what year three brings! I love your blog posts daily - I try to blog daily, but since I still do the "work" grind, I miss a post here and there. Keep up the great work!

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  24. What a year of accomplishments. Congratulations!

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  25. You should wear those leopard pants, they are so HOT on you Peter. Happy third year !

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  26. Oh Peter! That you for providing me with the necessary impulse to force large volumes of oxygen deep into my temple (my body).
    With, you know, the belly laughs.

    You have accomplished wonderful things and I look forward to many more years of sewing fun.
    xoxoxox

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  27. Hey man, I'm not far behind you! Are we almost teenagers in sewing years?

    You have done amazing things this year - I especially love those leopard pants. Srsly, pls. wear them. They are fab!

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  28. Happy sewing-machine-anniversary - hope the next one is as much fun as the last two!

    This has me worried though: "I couldn't even tell you what I'll be doing tomorrow. Not buying a new sewing machine, that's for sure...or pretty sure." I've been reading your blog long enough to know that this means a new machine will be announced sometime within the next week...!

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  29. Happy 2 years Anniversary! Thanks for the sewing fun; I look forward to your blog every day. And I wish I could sew for myself half as well as you sew for Cathy.

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  30. I am a newer devotee of Peter, but you have inspired me and that is something for someone who has been sewing for 50 years. I am inspired to trying to make my daughter, who wears a child's 10 despite her middle aged status, some jeans in her size!! it will look so cute. Just as soon as I work out the details in my mind. The pockets will be fake as will the fly but then the topstitching should carry it off.

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  31. Sad waste, for those leopart pants to stay in the closet. I'd suggest you send them to me, but I should have sent you my measurements first :-).
    Why don't you donate them to Cathy? She isn't shy. If you shortened them into capris, matched them with a little midriff-tied blouse, the Miyake sunglassese I love, and a silk scarf tied Grace Kelly-style, you'd have perfect 50s glamor, in a fresher and less unwieldy style than bouffant skirts.

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  32. I have enjoyed every post. You are a showman and a hoot, Peter! Can't wait to see what the next year brings. BTW you are a fabulous sewer too.

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  33. Congratulations on 2 years MPB!!! I read the post yesterday, but the "Blogger" had problems and I could not comment.

    At MPB one finds great sewing/fashion subjects to discuss and your unpayable humor, Peter!

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  34. Peter, you are a real inspiration. I do more altering than sewing from scratch but you keep me going with your tireless energy and enthusiasm. Thanks for all your ambition and thoughtfulness. I am going to make a shirt and some pants one day!

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  35. We all delight in your experiences and antics, swoon over Cathy's amazing life and outfits (Heidi Klum aproved!), and look forward to where ever the fantastic takes you.

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  36. I am AMAZED at how well you've done in just 2 years! The coat is a major accomplishment! I've loved this blog and I'll continue to sign in as long as you do, I hope. By the way, finished the jeans, at last. Late, but so worth it. Can't wait to see what the next sew along will be!

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  37. Happy 2nd anniversary! I enjoy all your accomplishments and look forward to many more.
    Mary Kay

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  38. You are an inspiration - thank you!

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  39. Happy anniversary and thankyou for the combination of technical advice and humour. I look forward to seeing what year three brings to you, Michael, the hounds and of course to Cathy.

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  40. Congratulations! I hope after two years of blogging, I'll have as much to show for it as you do.

    http://cutandbaste.blogspot.com

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  41. I can't believe it's been only two years! It just goes to show that people really do excel when they do the work consistently.

    I didn't know about the Westminster Fabrics thing. Oh, well, I think they lost a great marketing opportunity.

    (P.S. I saw Urbandon's drop-crotch pants on his blog today, and I was impressed. I didn't think that style worked on anyone, but obviously I was wrong!)

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  42. Hi and congrats for your 2nd year sewing (I hope when 2 years has passed since I began to sew I have sew something). I went to an Islamic culture exposition last weekend and there were some garments from the 18th and 19th century. Among them (too bad I could not photograph it) there was these drop-crotch pants - also called saruel pants. They are very trend here in Brasil... It was a typical man's garment and I was curious to see that those pants - so much in use nowadays, and by women, not by men, at least here - come from an old pattern. Searching on the web I read it was (is?) used in Morocco. I love when learn a new thing LOL

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