At the beginning of 2019 I set myself 6 goals. Whilst I’m a bit late to the party with a review of the year, I’m taking the time to look back at what I’d hoped to achieve, and what actually happened.
1…Make Maud more like me
![](https://purlandseam.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/padding_Maud_5-768x1024.jpg)
This was the first goal to be ticked off the list, right at the beginning of 2019.
I’m really pleased with the way Maud turned out but I still don’t think I use her as much as I could. We’ll see if this changes during 2020, or I may decide to strip her down and sell her.
2…Sew my stash
I started the year with 68m of fabric in the stash. I’ve purchased 22.3m this year.
I’ve sewn 20.5m of fabric this year, and am selling some gorgeous stuff here.
![](https://purlandseam.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_0865-768x1024.jpg)
My goal was that 50% of my projects this year would be made from stash fabric. 14m of the total sewn was from stash. So that’s my second goal smashed.
I currently have 47.6m in stash. Whilst this is down on last year, I’m keen to sew most of this up this year.
3…Sew what I wear
This was the year of the Blackwood Cardigan.
![](https://purlandseam.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Micro_stripe_blackwood_4-680x1024.jpg)
It’s still my favourite pattern ever.
Each of the versions I made last year are in weekly rotation.
There is no doubt that I’ll make more this year!
And between them and the Drop Sleeve Top, I can safely say that this goal was achieved too!
4…Educate Evie
The big learning goal for 2019 was pattern drafting.
![](https://purlandseam.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/pattern_cutting_3-862x1024.jpg)
Following the amazing workshop at Raystitch with Alice, I didn’t do much else with what I’d learned.
And I certainly didn’t get to go on the trouser block course as planned. Mainly because I committed to go to a Kenneth King tailoring workshop* in June 2020 and the budget wouldn’t stretch to both.
However, I’m currently working on a simple shell top pattern, drafted from scratch, that I’m planning will be the perfect fit and the first of a series of basics that I’m wanting to make.
I’m also working on fitting a trouser pattern, that again will become the basic block that I can play with to make all my trousers (except jeans) this year!
So, whilst I didn’t do all the things I’d planned, I’ve still made progress on my learning to make patterns, and make patterns work, for me.
5…Make more
In 2018 I made 3 garments.
In 2019 I made 24.
That’s an 800% increase in productivity. Win!
6…Post more
In 2018 I posted 21 times.
In 2019 I posted 36 times.
That’s an increase of 76%.
Another win for me!
All in all, I’m really pleased with those results.
Funnily enough I haven’t yet set any goals for 2020. I’m selling a couple of sewing machines (please email me if you’re interested eviejones[at]me.com) and fabric. I also need to cull my bookshelf as over the years I’ve bought on a whim and don’t use all of them. It seems so wasteful now, but it’s sunk cost, so I’m moving on and will list them soon.
The only thing I know for sure for this year is that I’m sewing up more stash, knitting up stash yarn, and being thoughtful in what I purchase.
I also have a holiday coming up in May and have only 1 RTW swimsuit and 1 pair of RTW trousers suitable for it. I need to crack on. I’ve ordered linen samples from RayStitch and am pondering the options. I’ll share the plan when it’s finalised, and the fabric is ordered!
*I know, I know…..I’m so lucky. And ridiculously excited. Three days in London with Kenneth King learning how to tailor. Dream come true!
You’ve done well with your goals.
Poor Maud – under threat of being sold after all your hard work on her. I don’t really use my version of Maud in the way that I should – she’s more of a handy place to put half made items on and, sometimes, as a blog post model for finished clothing when nobody’s around to take a photo of me wearing it.
I do feel for her….but I’m being ruthless with getting rid of stuff I don’t use! So we shall see how we get on this year.
Wow – you have been outrageously successful! Good for you E!
Thanks! It was better than I thought, I don’t mind admitting!