Honestly, as I was looking through my makes from this last year it seems like most all of them land securely in the Love It or Hate it category with hardly any in a gray area. Here are the top 5 in each area, in no particular order:
Worst:
Woven Linen Joggers: I have worn these zero times. The biggest problem are the pockets, which are horribly placed, and then the fact that I just don’t really want to wear these. So that might be a reason to make something when the idea strikes instead of a solid three years after the fact. Whoops.
Brooks Jeans: Technically the pants were constructed at the end of 2022, but I didn’t call it on them until this year. If I’ve ever had such a terrible experience with fitting, I can’t recall. These were a true fail, one that still makes me cringe to think of it.
S9552/S9041 (unblogged): The failures in both of these projects weren’t the patterns at all, they were my inability to have an eye for placing directional fabric correctly. The skirt on the left was meant to be something to wear at Christmas time (I didn’t make the cut off at all, finishing the thing just today). I had to completely redo the waistband and plackets after cutting them on grain instead of cross grain. In the end, the skirt gives me serious 1990 grunge vibes which isn’t really my style so it probably won’t get worn either way. The dress on the right is a sadder loss, because I’ve never achieved such a full and well-bodied skirt in my life but the bodice pieces were cut with the stripes going up and down instead of at a much more eye-pleasing cross angle. I just don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to cutting out directional fabric! I don’t do it near often enough and now I know to admire those who have that skill!
M8248 pleated skirt: This project was such a headache and so discouraging. Such a beautiful but tricky fabric! It’s since been fixed into something wearable, so all’s well that ends well.
V1934: This is just a muslin and it was actually a successful muslin. But it’s the muslin that made me question my fabric choice that in turn made me spiral into an existential sewing related crisis where I didn’t sew for an entire month. Not a fail but also absolutely, definitely a fail.
Best
Athletic Hudson Joggers: These almost got donated because the fit was off. But before I officially kicked them out, I took a few minutes to take an inch or so of length off the cuff. And, wouldn’t you know it, it totally fixed the fit issues. Now I wear them pretty often. They’re casual but maybe a step above leggings(?), and they’re very comfortable.
M7874 Athletic Pullover: Surprise, surprise! What was meant to be a muslin, throw-away type of project turned into one of my favorite makes of the year. I often put it on as a top layer but then end up keeping it on all day. This sweater is the perfect amount of comfortable while still being interesting, and it’s just completely wearable. I love it and hope I can make another one soon!
Tarifa Tee: Sometimes I rave about a project when it’s fresh off the iron but then after wearing it a few times, I end up hating it. This is NOT that type of project. I raved about it after making it and still feel the exact same way. I love this t-shirt! I love the cut, the construction, the ease. It’s all spot on for me! In my opinion, it’s a tee that needs a fabric with a bit more structure so finding the perfect fabric to make more has been a challenge but making another one is always on my mind when I’m fabric shopping.
Jesse Tee: This is another tee that I’ve loved! It says a lot about both of these t-shirts that I didn’t do a Forward Shoulder Adjustment on either of them (they’re why I realized I needed that adjustment!) but even with the fit issue, I still wear them both all the time. I especially love the fabric on this one.
Floral watercolor Mave skirt: A Mave skirt made my Best Make list last year too! There’s just something about a good, solid, basic pattern that I can’t quit. I love that this pattern is comfortable, completely customizable AND that it is able to show off a really great fabric like this one!
Best and worst makes included-I’m so glad I got to create this year!
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