Goals and Failures of 2014

  You might remember that the last couple of years I've posted a list of goals here that I wanted to accomplish through the year. Not resolutions, just things I wanted to keep in mind.
 
  Here is last year's list and how I fared:

1. Make a hoodie for my husband. Finished! It took me a while, and I had to re-do the hood later in the year because the neck was too tight, but it's his favorite hoodie. =)

2. Make this top with my stretch lace fabric. This one didn't happen. It was about to.... I had the fabric and pattern pieces out and ready to cut when I realized there wasn't enough fabric. Maybe I'll pick some more up and actually make the top, because I still love the idea, but more likely I'll just use bits of the lace for things like this top, which I really love, and wear every chance I get.

3. Learn how to create PDF patterns. Done! I've actually made several PDF patterns for my own personal use. At some point, I may begin selling them, but for now I don't think my drafting skills are quite there. I'd love to go to a proper pattern drafting college and even get a degree, but it doesn't seem feasible right now with three little kids and not much money. I wrote a bit more about the PDF aspect here.

4. Find something I really love making to sell, or more specifically now, actually make them. Done! Sort of. I actually made three coin purses to sell, but one I gave away, so I'm planning on sewing a few more before I start selling. Besides, I don't think I want to sell the blue purse. It's not a good representation of my work, and I'd feel guilty asking someone to pay for it. 

5. Sew myself a circle skirt with a fun trim detail and horsehair braid. I actually did this!! Well, not the trim, since I felt like the fabric was enough without any embellishment. I'll post about it in the near future (which could mean two months or could mean two days, we'll see). =)


6. Host a giveaway. Done! But I probably won't do another one... there were only 3 entries and I think people would prefer to see my regular posts.

7. Make more unique knit tops, for myself and the daughters. This one is a definite win! Quite a few of the shirts I gave away or can't wear in public anymore for various reasons (too tight, faded, torn, stained) but here's a quick list: Handkerchief-Hem Shirt, Dotty shirt, Floral Tie-Front shirt, Perfect Peplum, Striped Shirt, The Ugly Shirt (which is still unique, even if it is awful) and my all-year favorite Sweetheart Top, as well as this shirt for Booper. Not bad, right?

8. Finally sew the dress my husband designed for me 4 years ago. Nope, not even drafted. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'll ever make this. I'm just not sure how much wear it would get.

9. Sew at least 2 skirts for each of my daughters. Done! I ended up making 3 for Booper, 3 for Gaiw, and 2 for Beckers. 

10. Continue improving my photography. I think I can say that in spite of camera and lens issues, my photography has improved this year. I've learned how to take photos in a darker room without horrible grain and color issues, I've practiced taking photos when I've had a spare minute, I've worked on making my photos a bit more interesting (although sometimes my laziness gets the better of me and I go back to plain photos against a wall), I've practiced a tiny bit with reflectors and diffusers, and I've read countless guides. So this is Done!

8/10! Not bad at all.

Now this year's goals.... there aren't any. Well, there are some, but instead of posting them on my blog where they get buried under other posts and I forget about them, I'm going to print them out and hang them on my wall, so if I feel like I have no projects to complete I can glance over my list and get some ideas. 

Enough about goals, want to see the worst 5 of this year? Things I didn't love or didn't use. 

From least sad to most awful:
5. The dotty shirt. It turned out pretty cute, but it was just not my style and I knew I wouldn't wear it often. I sent it to my friend Bethany, who I am sure has appreciated it much more than I would have. 

4. The tie-front shirt. I never felt comfortable in this... just awkward. The fabric was thinner than I like and made me feel self-conscious about my belly fat, and the positioning of the upper part wasn't very flattering. That, and those wonky tie ends really bothered me. It got grungy after I washed it a few times with some brightly colored clothes (it was either that or with bleach... I figured the brights were the lesser of two evils), and I haven't really worn it since.

3. The blue coin purse. Not only was it awfully difficult to sew, I don't love the results. It's just kind of bland... this fabric really needed a stronger contrast and more details. It's been knocking around the floor of my sewing area since it was made. 

2. The blue twirl skirt. It could have been gorgeous. I should have let the fabric hang before hemming, and made the front waistband smaller so it didn't gape horribly. As it is, it just looks homemade in the worst way possible. Even Gaiw is ashamed to be seen wearing such a failure. ;-)

1. This green shirt. You knew that one had to make the list, right? It was only worn for the photos, then balled up and shoved in a drawer. It's just awful. ;-)

  Welp, hope you enjoyed my goals recap and worst of 2014 list! =) I'll be back soon with some of the gifts I made for Christmas this year.
Thanks for stopping by,