Everything I made in 2025
Well…..almost
You asked for it - like for several years you’ve asked for it….
So Here It Is!!
When there’s too much….do an edit
When setting out to recap everything I made in 2025, I don’t think I realized just how much I made. I know I’m quite a prolific maker, but I was SHOCKED at how much I actually got out of myself in a 12 month period. In a year that’s felt like trudging through wet cement, looking back at everything I’ve finished has been the best thing for both my self and creative soul. So that being said; the “2025 recap” blog post had to be turned into a series.
Over the next few weeks you will be getting a deep look into my creative life over the past year in these chunks:
Pattern Testing
Class Makes
Selfish Sewing
Cross Stitch
Let’s get this pony show on the road….or whatever the saying is
I wanted to start off the blog-a-ganza with pattern testing because it felt like starting in January was the right place to begin. When 2025 started I was in a place where pattern testing was the only thing I could bring myself to do. I had Covid in January (don’t recommend it…) and was also going through a stressful work change. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my sew-jo was NONEXISTENT. For the first time ever, I would walk past my sewing room and feel anxiety instead of joy.
I knew I needed something else to focus on other than the crippling anxiety coursing through myself, so when I saw a pattern test call-out on Instagram I jumped at the chance to help someone else. (I know from past experience with myself that the easiest way for me to get out of a funk is to lend a hand to someone else. It stops my brain from letting the anxiety thoughts have any time to circle.)
What happened over the next two months was a pattern test frenzy. I took on several at the same time (also don’t recommend…) and although there was some stress and a lot of F-bombs coming from my sewing room, I was actually IN my sewing room. Projects were being planned and executed, and slowly my soul started healing.
Who knew the best way forward was to go forward? ;)
The Rosewyn Blouse
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The Rosewyn Blouse 〰️
The first pattern I tested was the Rosewyn Dress & Blouse pattern from Gold & Skye. When the pattern instructions were emailed to us, I gasped; so many beautiful details…..and I knew that meant a lot of work.
Instead of listening to the loud voice telling me that this would be too much for my depleted sew-jo, I went for it. I delved into all the beautiful details the pattern had to offer: loop buttons, ruffles, gathering on an angle (eek!), set in sleeves, and banded gathered, banded sleeve hems. And you know me - I chose the most beautiful, drapey, difficult-to-work-with fabric possible: a delicious light blue lightweight & slippery woven.
I spent several days on the project, which isn’t my usual way. I’m typically a “get it done as fast as possible” kind of sewist, so I did the opposite and went the very slow and deliberate route. (Which is probably the only reason I didn’t scream out loud when I was turning through those tiny button loops. I knew the end result would be worth it…and they were).
The process was therapeutic, and resulted in something beautiful. Moral of the story - take it SLOOOOOOW sometimes; your soul will thank you for it.
Canterbury Polo
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Canterbury Polo 〰️
Next up was a pattern that I jumped at the chance to test, because it filled a hole in my wardrobe staples.
It was the Canterbury Polo from SewLike
I usually avoid collars and plackets in my sewing because I'm a “basic” kind of person…
But when I saw the line drawings for this pattern I knew it would be a fabulous wardrobe staple for me. Plus - it would give me practice with the dreaded collar & placket and I was on an upswing in confidence from the Rosewyn blouse, so I started fearlessly.
I shared it with you all as I was making it, and the response was super positive.
I got tons of questions about the pattern but I wasn’t able to share it yet, which I think you found a bit frustrating ;)
My finished tester version didn’t disappoint - it’s the wardrobe staple pattern of my dreams
And because I know you’re going to ask - all fabrics and notions were from my stash, including those amazing vintage pearl shank buttons. Use up those precious things we hoard sewing friends!!
Jodi Knit Pants
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Jodi Knit Pants 〰️
Next up was the Jodi Knit Pants from Sew DIY
Find the pattern HERE
Now when I say that I was TERRIFIED of this one, it’s an understatement
Knits are at the bottom of my “comfortable sewing with” list, and pants are definitely the garment that I make least (ahem….dress girlies unite!). But since I was on a sewing growth journey, I pushed all that fear down to the depths of my soul and jumped right in.
Luckily Beth from Sew DIY is an AMAZING pattern drafter and was very into communicating about any issues we had while sewing, so this one turned out to be a breeze.
Since I’m tall, one of the regular modifications I have to make to most any pattern is lengthening the crotch rise. This pattern gave specific details about what height the pants were drafted for and it was *shockingly* my exact height, which meant I cut the pattern pieces straight off the pattern! (seriously, this never happens for me. Like now I want to sew all her patterns)
The sew was a bit challenging: pockets, buttonholes for the drawstring, knitting the i-cord drawstring (okay that wasn’t necessary but I wanted to be extra), and some serious fabric pattern matching, but the end result from the FIRST PAIR were amazing. I had found another fabulous wardrobe pattern staple pattern!
Nico Pullover
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Nico Pullover 〰️
Next up was the Nico Pullover
From Summer Haus, this is the t-shirt you want to wear. With tons of ease and different sleeve variations, you could make several different versions to fill your wardrobe
Find the pattern HERE
I found myself once again working with knits, but I felt much more comfortable with a simple t-shirt than pants.
(no waistbands or pockets to stretch out!!)
I wanted my first version to be as simple as possible, so I went with no adjustments and the basic sleeve option. I BARELY eked out the pattern pieces from a super luxe knit that had been in my stash for over a year, which of course was a win in and of itself.
I’m not joking when I say this only took me 30 minutes to make; from cutting to hemming. I LOVED the fit, length, and ease of the design, and I didn’t take it off until the next day.
I haven’t made a sweatshirt yet, but it’s on my to-sew list before the weather gets warm this spring. I can’t wait to sew those cute elastic cuff sleeves!!
Capella Coat
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Capella Coat 〰️
And finally….the Capella Coat
This is the one that REEEEEEEALLY pushed me. Quilt coats are definitely my favorite thing to sew, and I knew as soon as I saw the bomber jacket version teaser photo that this would be a special one.
Find the pattern HERE
I’ve made several patterns from Madswick, and each has been super special. (my Gingko Pinafore is something I will wear and treasure for YEARS to come). Her pattern tests get tons of applicants so I didn’t have any expectations about being chosen - when I got the tester acceptance email I was THRILLED!
I knew fabric choice was key to this one, and thankfully I have lots of thrifted quilts in my stash to choose from. But something crazy happened when I was deciding on which one to use for my coat…
I couldn’t make a decision!!
This doesn’t usually happen to me, but I was frozen with indecision and fear of cutting into one of my precious thrifted pieces. The pattern itself is a slow-sew: there’s hand sewing, buttonholes, an optional hood, set-in sleeves….the works, and I knew that a toile was the only way to get the fit right. Using a vintage quilt for a toile just didn’t seem right, so I looked deeper into my stash for something that I wouldn’t mind wasting if the fit wasn’t there.
I ended up choosing a brocade upholstery weight fabric that I had been planning to use for sofa cushions. (which, let’s be honest, is something that will probably never make it to the top of my sewing queue!) I knew it would finish a bit stiffer than a quilt, but it would give me a great general idea of fit.
The making with this one was LOOOOOOONG, and there were several times that I had to leave and come back because the seam ripper was getting way too much use. Working through the pattern made use of a lot of sewing techniques that were rusty in my brain from lack of practice, and it was uncomfortable and fabulous.
I think I re-cut that continuous bias binding tube 3 times before I finally got it right!!
Well - as usually happens with my toiles, I ended up LOVING the finished garment, and it definitely won’t go in the donate pile.
Whew….that’s all my pattern tests from 2025
I loved and hated every frustrating minute of sewing through those patterns. It’s a special kind of joy that washes over me when my sewing benefits someone else, (more of that sentiment will be coming soon in the “things I sewed for class” blog!) and it was the EXACT thing I needed to get my love of sewing jump-started.
Thank you for following along with me as I recap my sewing year, and I look forward to sharing all the other things I made in the weeks to come. Until then, I hope you found this meaningful, and make sure to follow along with the Sewing Society of STL on social media to see what I’m up to in real time :)
XOXO
Allison