Happy New Year, Janine! It sounds like you have a lovely, relaxed sewing year ahead. When I first started sewing in college I bought fabric as I sewed it. Then I became a grown up with a job and children and responsibilities and I ended up with a little stash. Just as I started sewing again, my mom moved to an assisted living facility so we cleaned out her house and I inherited some of her stash as well. I’ve also added to my stash by shopping the online fabric sales. This year I’m going to try to cut those stash fabrics way down and only buy one piece of fabric as a souvenir whenever we take a major trip. Another goal is ruthlessly reducing the amount of scraps I’ve held on to and using the bigger pieces in something.

Happy New Year! Always nice to watch your podcasts. Thank you. I’ve been busy for far too long, trying to sew my stash, that I too don’t sew the good stuff. Watching you, I took the time to take a few deep breaths and have decided I want to be the woman who people want to copy! Man, what have I just said? But I do want to look good when I wear those clothes that sit so lonely in my closet. The few times I go to a mall, I often wonder what these people do with their purchases - they certainly don’t wear them at the mall! Ha and meow 🐈‍⬛.

I love your plans. I'm giving myself 10 yrs to close out my sewing practice and use up my stash. By then I'll be 83. Hah!😂

“Wear the good stuff!” I second that for sure. That tops looks absolutely fabulous on you. Xx

Happy 2025! I love the idea of sharing “sew the look” ideas. Also agree with you - we need to wear the good stuff!!

Your approach to this year is inspiring, I am also at the point in my sewing that i want to be more mindful of what i am making. I think the past few years i have been tackling all sorts to figure out what i like to wear and have been tackling knits etc! I am confident in my sewing now and like you its time to slow down make what i really want! Thank-you!

I agree, I also want to see what I feel like sewing🇿🇦❤️🧵

I’ve started wearing my good stuff at home since I have finally reconciled myself to not going back to work. It feels good to get up and put on a little makeup, fit my hair snd wear the good stuff.

Janine, good to know that others are thinking the same way. I’m spending more money on nicer fabrics, but also buying fewer sale fabrics (quality - less cheaper fabrics). Sewing mindfully and spending more time on execution, fit and design. I’m wearing the nicer stuff at home and on errand runs. Why not? It feels great. Currently doing a purge of so so projects and donating them. Not sure why I made them or keeping them. I don’t wear them. UJAMAA GRANDMAS (Calgary) is usually looking for stash raids to raise money for charity. Planning to give them some of my so so fabric. Looking forward to sewing with you in 2025 ❤

All really good goals!

Yes to wearing our nice clothes! I’m a retired homebody who rarely goes anywhere “dress up worthy.” But I have made some nicer-looking casual clothes that I’ve only worn once or twice. Thank you for saying that it doesn’t hurt to be a little overdressed! I’m also planning to make my jewelry more accessible and taking more care with my everyday attire. Happy new year all-looking forward to sharing our discoveries. -Adele in Spokane WA

I love your 2025 approach Janine! I am making a point to wear the things I make and to part with those I don’t. It’s hard to do when you’ve put money, time and effort in those garments. I have a beautiful blouse I made but it doesn’t fit quite right. I just don’t wear it because of that. I did learn from those mistakes but it’s time for it to go. 😢 I hadn’t considered spending more time on my sewing books but I like that idea!

I love the idea of replicating a look of someone else. I will have to think about that. I already know I will be doing alterations on wedding gowns for the daughters of three former coworkers and also altering a wedding gown for a younger former coworker. That is the one I'm most excited about. The young lady found her dream gown, but it cost $5000. Luckily she found the exact same gown, preworn, for $200. The bad news, other than a perfect fit, the gown is about 6 inches too short. The good news, using white satin from my stash and lace from her mother's wedding gown, I can make it longer. I am then making a flower girl dress for the bride's 4 year old daughter using what is left from the grandmother's dress. It's an exciting challenge. I'm also making matching flower girl dresses for a former coworker's 3 granddaughters. In between all of those, I plan to keep using fabric from my stash, some for myself, and for family members. I would like to finally make a trench coat, I've had the fabric and buttons for many years. My look is definitely casual, but I would like to make some floaty summer skirts. For non wearables, I have some curtains i could make, some pillow covers, and maybe covers for my sewing machines. I love to buy fabric from thrift stores and patterns, but I've decided enough is enough. This week I will be cutting out a coat from thrifted fabric and vintage fabric. I also need to print out the Toaster Sweater, tape it together, and cut a few out. I understand it's a quick sew.

I love to sew the look and to see how others interpret an outfit. Sounds like fun!

Happy and Prosperous NY Janine. Love your vlog today - keeping things real❤

I hope your healing from your surgery is coming to its end. You probably know this feeling but I’m like how long will it be after my surgery that I feel like sewing. I have thought though I’m going to use the time to read and watch videos to learn more techniques and review things. I do go to church and I’ve been making some long skirts and hope to have them done in next few days. I’ll be doing some shopping to get some accessories to go with them. I also want to make things that I can wear to be a little dressy but then I can tone it down with sneakers or sandals. I want to also sew few things for going on vacation to see my family in North Carolina. I’ve really been under a lot of stress the month of November so my resolution has been to heal emotionally and give myself some just me time. Happy New Year

I have a few things I really want to sew. At least 4 garments for myself and something for each of my 4 great grandchildren.

Janine - I love when you said, 'Let's wear the good stuff'. I recently decided that even though I work from home, I'm going to start wearing my beautiful dresses I made (Cashmerette patterns) everyday. Why not?! Otherwise they sit in the closet until I have an "event" to go to. What a waste. Besides, I feel pretty when I'm wearing them. My whole attitude improves when I wear one of my pretty dresses. I'm in on that challenge!

Happy New Year Janine I'm hearing this alot from sewist including me going through my patterns ones that I haven't sewn yet I like that idea to replicate great video thanks for some great ideas 😊😊😊

My goodness Janine - that colour is just stunning on you!! My goal this year is to intentionally fill the holes in my wardrobe. In 2024 I think I finally articulated my style preferences which helps to eliminate the FOMO I feel when I see what other people are sewing and it helps me to identify what I should be sewing instead of jumping on the bandwagon of trendy patterns. I look forward to seeing what you learn and what you make this year. Happy sewing!

Happy New Year Janine. I like you commitment to sew and encouraging us to wear our nice clothes more often. I'll be wearing what I made and not get stuck in a rut this year. If the garment doesn't fit well or is no longer my style...it goes elsewhere.

I made more than 100 things in 2024…that’s crazy. How many tops vest toppers skorts do I need. This year I’m stepping away from the sewing room. There are things I want to sew and I will, but I’m also forcing myself to shop. I’ve kinda forgotten how to actually go into a shop and look around and try things on without feeling overwhelmed. Not a thrift store not winners not Costco. But supporting my local independent retailers. For every piece I make, I have to buy something other than under garments and socks. In December I finished all the project bags and in November I filled two of those huge yard & garden garbage bags full of fabric (a lot of “what was I thinking fabric” & just fabric that doesn’t bring me joy). And hauled it all to a thrift store. There’s still a pile of hmmmm fabric. My life has way too much STUFF in it that needs to go away. I’ve already downsized “twice”. Where does all this stuff come from anyway.

Janine, that color looks so nice on you!

That purple top looks great on you. Color is needed I think in January! I'm not sure if I can replicate high fashion. All I know is Ive got to plough through some great fabric and not buy anymore, unless its lining fabric.😊

Assessing what your needs, what works, what doesn’t work from time to time is always a good thing and we naturally tend to do this at the beginning of a new year. I’m determined to use the patterns I have and the material I have this year. I also want to work on my skills and techniques. I think probably the most efficient way for me to do that is to make samples from scraps. I took a costuming class and the first assignment we had was to sew a sampler. That was extremely useful through the class to refer back to. I wan to do better with plackets, welt pockets, different seam finishes etc. I think I’ll get the satisfaction of sewing without all the less than quality garments that will not get worn. I want to return to some hand work as well that I haven’t done in years. I like the idea of sewing the look.

I love the idea of wearing our good stuff. My husband and I moved into a retirement suites and go for dinner every evening. I already knew my everyday cloths from home wouldn’t cut it and so am wearing my saved t shirts. I know now I’ll sew some dresses for the summer and be able to wear them and not put in closet for the 2-3 x I MAYBE will wear. Thanks for the idea that put my thoughts in line with possibly producing something -not just an idea

I think the replicate someone over50 is fantastic 😊. I look forward to watching who to replicate 😊

Love the recreating look ideaTomKat Stichery does that a lot, but it never occurred to me to try t do that myself. ❤

My goal is to shop from my stash to produce for my cleaned out closet 😂 FIESTA 🪡🧵

Hi Janine, Happy New Year. So glad you met your goals last year and have great goal for this year! 🫠

My goal is to make my husband the Love Notions Band Camp shirt in fun fabric! And to only make something from a pattern I already own! Happy New Year 🎊

So much fun!

Janine, thank you so much for your videos and the inspiration they bring. I love bright and cheery colors and am often discouraged when I need to bring out darker colors for the winter. You have confirmed that it is OK to wear colors we prefer and love even though they are not typical of the season! I look forward to your videos every week-thank you!

Janine, thank you so much for your videos and the inspiration they bring. I love bright and cheery colors and am often discouraged when I need to bring out darker colors for the winter. You have confirmed that it is OK to wear colors we prefer and love even though they are not typical of the season! I look forward to your videos every week-thank you!

Very interesting Janine! I too had never heard of Feiyue. It looks almost identical to Singer's Heavy Duty machine which I have considered buying a few times as my husband is always asking me to alter his powerlifting gear and it is made of very sturdy fabric (It's high tensile multi ply, reminds me of cordura) and sometimes my computerized machine struggles going through layers. I see Feiyue is now $199.99 on Amazon Prime, whereas Singer's Heavy Duty 4223 is $319.82. Singer's Heavy Duty 5523 is $279.99 at my local shop (Hamilton, ON). For those who are interested Singer is also made in China. I don't really NEED a machine but I do worry that I'll damage my machine on his lifting shirts and then kick myself for not spending the $200 which would be substantially less than replacing, or even fixing, my computerized one.

Thankyou janine.

You're right about no stress! Just lovely get togethers with family and friends! I love the top you're wearing with your mom's buttons.

Great construction flow! I have never done a blind hem, but I’m going to give it a go. A tunic is a great opportunity to do some creative embellishments too. Tutorials are a lot of work, thanks for doing it for us.

Embrace the sparkles! Love that top. Be well.

Beautiful tops and fabric recommendations! We have a busy Christmas with all the trimmings. We have 3 grown children,their partners and 5 grandchildren various ages. No littles though. I host Christmas for 11 with the help of my children and 😍. I am going to check out the patterns. I do really like pattern emporium patterns. I recently made the last chance dress i believe. The patterns always have a lot of options without having to purchase add ons. Have a great Christmas season and happy new year 😊

I, too, have boxes of buttons from my mother and grandmother. Have you ever started the creation of an outfit from a button that you love? I have. Buttons can truly make an outfit. I just love the top you are wearing. And, yes, always wear colors in the dark of winter. We need that joy!

Love you in bright colors! i think all of those fabrics would make great tunics.....which I have yet to make.

I love the tops you made especially the shiny one. Maybe it made you happy but it brought out a radiance in you. Yep it’s me getting the gallbladder out. My surgery is January 14. I went today for EKG. So hopefully everything is good. I finished a skirt I was making. It isn’t a happy bright color. It’s a brown skirt but has yellowish orange threads running through it. Really haven’t been able to do much sewing this week getting ready for Christmas, doing the Christmas stuff with family, and going for procedure today. However next couple days I’m going to be in my sewing room a long long time. I really like this week between Christmas and New Year’s. I do minimal housework and just take a nice break and do things I enjoy.

I am always drawn to shiny & for me weird also catches my eye too not to mention heavily discounted... But nowhere to wear it until I started sewing toppers, vests, bomber jackets etc. When don't toppers come in handy (with pockets & zippers etc) Pattern emporium always come out well for me and many parts from different patterns can be interchanged like sleeves and the "wide neckband" is my favorite go-to on just about any knit neckband from any pattern.

I love the shiny top! Everyone needs a comfy party top in their closet. I need a silver version please😂. I’m going to be on the lookout for a warm, cozy fabric and a long sleeve pattern to make my own shiny top to be worn repeatedly over Christmas and New Year’s

Happy Christmas Janine. Lovely makes.

The tops are all lovely and great winter colors. I would wear that shiny on any dark day to cheer me up. There are no rules about around the house clothes except anything that is comfortable and makes you happy.❤

your V neckline turned out beautifully.

LOVE the top you are wearing... wow!

Happy Christmas to you and your family! Oh my goodness, I love all three of your tops. PE is having their Boxing Day sale starting today. I have several in my cart and need to check out the Sweet Cheeks top. Kate has the best instructions! Glad you are doing well post surgery! I had cataract surgery a few weeks ago. The first thing I sewed was something sparkly 😊