Review and Renew

I would like to start by sending you all a warm and festive SewJo hug. For some, Christmas is a magical time filled with friends and family, for others it can be a struggle - to you all I hope you find peace and also some time to sew!

I have my final lesson of the year tomorrow (Monday) and a new customer is bringing a selection of clothes to repair, alter and refashion. This is a wonderful idea to give much loved or new-to-you clothes a new lease of life and I think this is going to become more important as we become more aware of the finite resources of our beautiful planet. I wonder if I will see increasing numbers of my lovely customers doing this in 2020.

This got me thinking about my 2019 makes - have I worn them enough or do they need to be refashioned or altered? Here's a little round-up of some of the successes and 'lessons learned' from this year - I hope you enjoy.

Firstly - shirts for Rick. I love making shirts. They are not a quick make, but a mindful one. Always appreciated and worn a lot. I recycle buttons and when an old shirt is no longer fit to wear, I cut all of the buttons off ready for the next shirt!

Some lovely summer makes. Although not worn that much so far - I have a feeling that these will be in my summer wardrobe for years and years. Linen just gets better with age and the silk kaftan I made for our hols in September was with fabric I bought on holiday in the spring (so double the memories)

Rick absolutely loves this brightly patterned dress - but I haven't worn it that much and wonder if the print is just too bold for every day? I do seem to wear plain fabrics much more.

These dresses are all superheroes as far as I'm concerned - they have been worn and worn and will continue into 2020! They are The Dress Shirt from Merchant and Mills, a New Look Pattern, and The Kalle Shirt Dress from Closet Case Patterns.

The boyfriend jeans I made earlier in the year have been worn quite a bit - but I'm still not sure if they're 'me' and the Jenny Overalls from Closet Case Patterns are another make in this category - time will tell whether I get lots of wear out of them (am thinking Spring working in the garden?)

I'm going to end on the most worn of 2019....my favourite ever dressing gown (worn every day!), my denim mini (worn all year round) and a recent favourite - The Bloomsbury Blouse, by Nina Lee Patterns.

I can't wait to see you all in 2020 and help you to create some beautiful things.

Happy Sewmas,

Jo xx