2023 Sewing Review | Everything I made, favourites, regrets & lessons learned

[@suepalmer1261]

Your makes are all beautiful. I can see why companies want to collaborate with you because you really do showcase the patterns and the fabrics. You sure have a talent for matching fabric to the the right pattern, it’s very easy to get that wrong.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah thank you that’s so kind and I’m glad you think so x

[@threadtherapy251]

You have such a good sense of your own style and aesthetic, everything goes together and the colours compliment beautifully 😊great video xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it xx

[@RachelBearn]

So many lovely makes! The ilford jacket is gorgeous 😍 and I love the whitmoor cardi you’re wearing ❤️

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much Rachel I'm tempted to knit another Whitmoor already haha x

[@sharoncrawford6450]

Wow 🤩 you were certainly busy last year! Beautiful, beautiful makes. These makes were detailed and you did a lovely job on every single one of them! Looking forward to see what we have in store from you. I’m sure more lovely makes.🪡👗🧵🥰

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much! I'm excited to get started sewing this year xx

[@alisonodonnell7832]

Wow! You were busy in 2023!!! I love your style! Very classic! I get drawn into prints, but I need to make more neutrals. My favourites of your makes and patterns that you have inspired me to go ahead and make are: the Anna Allen blouse, the Ilford Jacket in cotton twill (love yours!), the Marnie with pin tucks (no frills for me!), your knitted skirt set. I would love to make a coat but not if I will have time. Anyway, thanks for your wonderful inspiration!❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah it seems you liked all my favourites too :) I'm pleased to have inspired you. Thank you so much for watching :) xx

[@maureencullen1008]

Your makes are gorgeous.The patterns and fabrics you choose always work so well together.Your knitting is so neat and the fibres you use are beautiful.Your daughter looked so lovely in her make I can see her aski g for !ore makes in the year.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much! I really hope she doesn't completely grow out of wanting me to make her clothes :) x

[@catherinepritchard489]

I think your makes are fab and you have built a very cohesive wardrobe that suits your lifestyle. Really well done.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much 😊 x

[@lesleysmith7452]

Wow stunning makes and the knitted skirt and top gorgeous! And your Marnie beautiful, you are such a beautiful maker 😍xxx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks so much that’s very kind xx

[@julschristey3406]

Beautiful makes I think your marnie is my favourite. So a beautiful make n colour love your knits n kids toys I’m going to try some of those ❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! I loved making the Marnie 😊 xx

[@elisekolic6649]

Thanks for sharing such a great video. I get so much inspiration from you for sewing my own wardrobe. 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much I'm glad you enjoyed it :) xx

[@juliamummery3770]

All your makes are beautiful but my favourites are the Marnie blouse and the whitmore cardigan

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! I do love those two :) xx

[@ClothbytheClyde]

So brilliant to see all your gorgeous makes in one video. I think it’s really valuable to take stock so that we’re actually making things that we’ll wear for a long time. Lots to think about now for my 2024 plans, thank you xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! Yes I love to look back and analyse haha. I’m glad you enjoyed it, happy sewing xx

[@constancegarcia8053]

You amaze me every year with your beautiful sewing makes. Very talented! ❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

So kind! Thank you xxx

[@india1422]

Very interesting. You have a classic yet modern style. In my mind i am totally out together. Matching bag and heels. Takes board and trousers. The reality is that i am being treated for cancer, I'm exhausted and i wear casual clothes! I am going to make my 4th pair of Hudson's. I have used fabrics which i live and i want a somewhat smarter pair. But comfortable. I tend to wear subdued"autmun" cookies but want some brighter shades. I made a beautiful main Myosotis dress for Christmas. I felt so nice, which hasn't happened since the diagnosis. I'm currently making the first of two flannel Myositis you wear for the rest of the winter. This time in blue and creams. I'm very interested in the Anna blouse. I'm not sure how it would look on me but i might make it this year. A pair of stretch cord jeans is also on my list. Happy sewing

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I’m sorry to hear that. You need to do what’s best for you, there are times for comfy casuals and times for smart clothes. I’m sure you still look very put together in your Hudsons. Your cord jeans sound lovely. Take care of yourself xxx

[@annebrown886]

I really enjoyed this video, your makes are lovely ✂️🧵🪡

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much! x

[@seeit.sewit.sorted6255]

A great year of beautifully sewn makes. Love the fabric choices, you've really got an understanding of your style and colours. 👏

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much it’s lovely of you to say so xx

[@jennetthamilton971]

I feel we have a similar sense of style, even though I'm quite a bit older than you. It's sensible to make what you will actually wear. You should be very proud of your 2023 accomplishments. I've made a lightweight turtleneck to layer under sweaters and sweatshirts, I have more tshirt knits in my stash to make turtleneck tops. I'm always cold, so i layer my cozy store bought turtleneck sweaters over store bought long sleeved tshirt, with store bought camis as my 3rd layer. I'm just returning to knitting after at least 15 years. I just have to sew the side seams of a basic cozy turtleneck sweater. I would be interested in a vlog showing how you stage you makes for photographing.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much! Your turtleneck sounds like a great layering piece. I need to make one of those. Thank you for the video suggestion, I'll have a think about that :) xx

[@suebrown5500]

Really enjoyed watching this. Your commentary is really interesting and informative. Beautiful makes which I’m sure you’ll wear over and over again - looking forward to seeing what you make next ❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it - looking forward to 2024 sewing xx

[@carolreece9950]

Your videos are so professional Sally. Well planned and well executed. I really enjoy , thank you ❣

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Aw thank you I’m so pleased you think so xx

[@upcycledcopycat8389]

Great video as always I never use the neckband pattern if it's include in the pattern pieces. I've had to many of them fail. Sooooo I just measure the neckline and cut a piece 85% of the measurement of the neck opening... if that didn't fit quite right(too droopy or not cinched in enough) I Recut it at 80%, depending on how stretchy the fabric is if I'm using the same fabric for a neckband. I also use this percentage if it's a ribknit. It's usually the second thing I do after sewing the shoulders together. There's no point in going further until the neckband sits nice. I always sew it in using a longer stitch length before topstitching & serging after fitting it. I find a longer stitch length 3.5 usually produces less puckering and the neckline just lays better. Then clip, Serge then topstitch using stitch length 4.0 regular thread. I was batch sewing 5 different knit tops and everyone had a different size neckband depending on the stretch of the fabric I was using. I Always fit the neckband before going to step 3. And the longer length regular stitch stretches nicely and is easier to remove it is not the right size.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for that advice you’re right I think it probably is sensible to calculate your own pattern piece as fabric stretch varies so much doesn’t it. Thank you for watching 😊 xx

[@SB-mt5mp]

I love all your makes and appreciate your honest, personal reviews. I am inspired by the Whitmoor cardigan. I am working up courage to start it. You make it sound achievable.. The Marnie blouse was so beautifully made I feel your pain at shortening it too much for your liking. If you have more fabric perhaps you could add a piece at the bottom in a decorative way. The top already has piecing so it could add to the design. I am looking forward to what you do this new year. Happy sewing and yarning!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much! Yes the Whitmoor is a lovely pattern and it's written so that it's very easy to follow. Thank you for the suggestion for the Marnie too, I hadn't thought of that :) xx

[@marygreen7225]

What a beautiful selection of very well made garments . It is impossible for me to pick favourites. You should be so proud of all your makes. Thank you for sharing.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much I’m glad you like them xx

[@normagoggin2851]

Gorgeous makes Sally - I enjoy all your videos.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much for watching, I'm glad you enjoy them xx

[@AngelaEvers-tj1dg]

Super video and beautiful makes and knits. Your coat is so gorgeous.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much I’m glad you like them 😊

[@yvonneimms9762]

Great look back over 2023 and a lot of the patterns are ones I like too. I thinks it’s really interesting so many were hacks of two patterns together, which is a challenge in itself and a lesson to us all, master a pattern and then see what’s you can do with it. All great additions to your wardrobe and a great testament that you wear them all. Thank You ❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! Yes a lot of my favourite patterns now I have adapted in some way. I’m glad you found it helpful and thank you for watching xx

[@christinegrigg7323]

Love all your makes, so beautiful ❤️ x

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much xx

[@karenbruner899]

Thanks!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much!! xx

[@angelalysandrou4830]

Great vlog x

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching xx

[@alisonlowrie7220]

Gorgeous makes as always.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much xx

[@Rawtil460-kb5dx]

Very inspirational.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much xx

[@Sew-and-sew]

Really lovely makes 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much xx

[@susankidd9963]

Hi Sally what a beautiful selection how do you choose in a morning what to wear.I am a bit like you I love making summer clothes but winter clothes not my favourite never know what kind of fabric to buy and it’s always quite expensive. Looking forward to seeing your makes this year x

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Winter is hard isn't it, especially if you're always cold and need to be cosy like me :) x

[@Angie29449]

Great video

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much for watching xx

[@marygreen7225]

Sally, please would you let me know the number of the lovely Simplicity coat. Thank you.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Its simplicity S8796 x

[@LoirRodrigues-zs6mt]

Corpo perfect

[@janetyler1642]

You make such lovely things, both sewing and knitting, and you are always inspiring. I love both your jackets and would really like to try the Ilford jacket myself, but have not made a jacket before. Is this one difficult and do you have any tips? I look forward to more beautiful makes from you this year❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much! The Ilford is great and I would say it's easy enough if you stick to the most basic style (without sleeve plackets). FPC have a lot of sewalongs on their channel too which are helpful x

[@janetyler1642]

Oh yes I always forget about the FPC sew-alongs😃

[@Loucam60]

Hi Sally I loved this video and it’s given me loads of motivation to get cracking on with my plans instead of buying lovely fabrics, looking at other people’s beautiful makes and never doing any sewing myself!! Can you tell me which fabric you used for the Marnie please? I have had this pattern for ages and you’ve inspired me to make it asap. Thank you xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching and I'm glad to hear it has inspired you in some way - I hope you have lots of fun sewing up all your fabrics this year :) xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I've included all the fabric and pattern links over on my blog this time as there were so many. There's a link in the description of the video - if you can't find it, let me know xx

[@Silverene444]

Which pattern did you use for the cardigan you’re wearing please? It’s gorgeous!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

It’s the Whitmoor Cardigan by Tailoress Studio xx

[@janspenno2241]

Great makes Sally! My regret was also from an art gallery cotton jersey. I absolutely love the look of the fabric and I made a tried and tested pattern but one where I had made two in viscose jersey. So this one is really really tooo tight. Not clingy but tight and I was so mad. I was making it for a wedding and the beautiful fabric was quite expensive L. So it’s hanging in my sewing room and hasn’t been hemmed. I’m quite mad. It’s not my sewing but I didn’t think about that issue and the pattern didn’t specify viscose either. Such a disappointment. Things happen I know. Your rate of dislikes is so small I think you did wonderfully.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Oh that's so frustrating! Sorry to hear that, I can feel your annoyance 😂 These things happen though, it's all a learning experience isn't it xx

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

xXX👍👍👍

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks for watching xx