My 12 Best and Worst Sewing Projects of 2020

[@Alabasterbaks]

Appreciate you mentioning the fabric and pattern-thanks

[@wzrdreams]

I've said it before and will say it again.... I love watching your sewing practice evolve!! It looks like 2020 was the year where the importance of the fabric choice was really learned. I can't wait to see what you make this year in 2021!!

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Yes, sooo much! I think I really *expanded* my knowledge of fabric options too. I was aware of a handful of very specific fabric types and could easily pick something out when I saw it in person, but being forced to shop virtually really pushed me to understand fiber content and how much nuance and differences there can be even amongst fabrics of the same “type” which is what I learned this year!

[@careya]

It seems like the wrap shirt would make a good topper. I’ve been meaning to make one for a while.

[@crazyboutknitting]

Jaclyn you are so inspiring. I am so scared of trying & you just make it look easy. I so appreciate your enthusiasm & all your hard work. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Thank you so much, Marnie! There was definitely a learning curve when I started, but I find that each new thing I make, I learn more and get better each time. I loved my makes when I first started and I like them now. Most of the things I love most from last year are things I made later in the year- probably because I learn something with each project. 💛 Dive right in, I say!

[@tinam.1163]

You are GREAT! So full of positive energy! Love watching you and what you’re into. Thanks for the breath of fresh air!

[@victorialucilleanne5483]

Ooooo so sad about that beautiful cabled sweater! It is so important for things to be comfortable though!

[@kathygann1180]

If you sew some slightly smaller piece of elastic to the facing of the rust colored dress’s neck, it might hold the neckline up. I would HATE the stripes going horizontally in the striped dress, especially on a pear shaped body..

[@lalaLAX219]

Would have been helpful to see you try them on!

[@stacyelstone]

small print black floral dresses forever!! Love this so much

[@taniscomrie7495]

Well done.

[@cicisewing9907]

This makes me feel great bc I truly felt like everything I made should turn out right and if it didn't then there was something wrong with me.

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Can totallyyyyy relate to this. I was so discouraged at times when I first started sewing clothes 5 years ago because projects weren’t turning out as I had imagined in my head. But the only way to build that skill set is to learn from those mistakes and to ask people who are smarter than you. I feel so fortunate to know so many knowledgeable people!! Most of my favorite projects were things I made later in the year- which just goes to show how much all the things I’m learning with each project I take with me into the next!

[@cicisewing9907]

@@jaclynsalemwaxtel Thanks so much!!!

[@MikiCrespo]

I love them all 🤩

[@mimimoffit8000]

Hi Jaclyn, I use Hollywood Tapes to close the gap between buttons on blouses/shirts. It’s double sided tape...available on Amazon.... Hollywood Tapes

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

I'll look into that, thank you!

[@laurielangley2306]

Jaclyn, LOVE all your makes, you are so cute (ahem, I should say beautiful!) Your talents ever evolve!

[@hayleilei9604]

absolutely loving your content! i am still working up the nerve to start sewing, and this is such an inspiration. would you say that a serger is essential to making many of your faves, such as the tiered black skirt and french poetry dresses?

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

A serger is definitely not necessary, but it does make the process so much quicker!! You can actually use a very tight zigzag stitch on your regular machine to achieve it-you’ll go through a lot of thread tho! I love my serger and use it so much, so it’s something worth investing in, but you can definitely sew without it. Keep an eye on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace, etc for used ones. That’s how I got mine!

[@hayleilei9604]

@@jaclynsalemwaxtel thanks so much, super helpful!

[@hayleilei9604]

@@jaclynsalemwaxtel thank you so much for the helpful reply!!

[@Tina-gi1ot]

Hi Jacqueline! I was wondering if you could recommend a website. That a person could go online to buy fabric that, would be helpful to someone whose brand new to sewing and needs guidance on what materials that would be good for a pattern. Like if it calls for a knit this will work and etcetera. Or if it's something that needs lining and you know this type of material will be good. I was just wondering if you could recommend something. Thank you

[@mimimoffit8000]

Waer tights with the ery short skirt

[@liza_lou]

Ooooh the vertical stripe dress is lovely, would love the link to the pattern or name of designer.

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Oops! Thank you I forgot that one. I’ll add it to the description box. It’s the Linda Dress by Apolline Patterns!

[@diritorossana3004]

Brava!

[@susandavis3092]

You make me want to sew. Nah! But I will help you with your pattern picks and fabric choices...help you make those wise decisions! Lol. 👻😘❤️

[@edinacole6382]

I made a coatigan out of the exact same fabric as you toaster sweater and I think the fabric is horrible. It’s ok for my coatigan because it’s wearable but I cannot imagine in as as pullover. :(

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. It’s a shame because it looks SO beautiful but it just feels.... sooo synthetic? 🙅🏻‍♀️ yeah I feel you!

[@ronnaegan]

Hey Jaclyn, I was hoping your Kielo Wrap dress would make it into this lineup somewhere. I’m curious to know how it panned out for you with using a woven instead of a knit. I’m planning on making it in a knit first, but would love to try a light linen blend for it too. Any advice/comments?

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

I LOVE my kielo wrap dress. It was definitely a summer staple. (Like I said, it was sooooo hard picking out top faves for this one!! 😅) Using a woven turned out just fine for me. The dress is so wide that you’ll have no problems getting it over your shoulders and hips. I used a viscose linen noil which was lovely. The viscose gave it a little drape which I liked. A lightweight linen would be lovely- just be aware that the dress is already extra prone to wrinkling as the dress “self ties” around itself if that makes sense! But I think people that like and wear linen (myself included) know that’s just a part of using and wearing that fiber. I don’t fight it, I embrace it 😂

[@ronnaegan]

@@jaclynsalemwaxtel yes! I too have embraced the wrinkles. I will try a long sleeved kielo in a knit first, then a sleeveless one in linen viscose noil. You’ve inspired me!

[@deebuettner8017]

Why keep the bad things? Donate so someone else can get some use out of them.

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Some of them I wear, they just didn't turn out as I had hoped. Also, I have a feeling that donating label-less clothes in NYC will likely mean that they end up in a landfill, so I think it's best to try to alter, make the best of, or repurpose materials where possible OR crowdsource friends to see if an item would work better for them!