2016 passed so quickly! Here are my thoughts as I look back.
- Going viral is weird. Out of the blue, my 2015 tutorial on how to make Scandianavian fabric star ornaments became really popular in October, November and December. It had 150 000 views this year! It steadily had at least 1000 views a day, and up to 15 000 in a day. (Gratifyingly, a localish fabric store had a charity fundraiser making the ornaments, and raised $1000!) It was odd to get so many views, and I didn’t know what to do to capitalise on it. On the one hand, I did pick up some new followers, and some people left lovely comments. On the other hand, I’m not a craft blogger, so it didn’t feel like popularity I’d actually earned! It made me smile though, and made me think – more on that in my 2017 goals post!
- I’m motivated by community. Blogs, Instagram, Facebook, teaching classes in person – your energy and ideas keep me excited about sewing! Thank you! I think that’s true for all of us, but it’s definitely what motivates me to spent hours every week on CSC stuff to give back!
- I spent a lot of time not in the mood to sew. Do you ever wonder what the perfect amount of sewjo is? I marvel at how much some other people sew, and yet I know I still sew more than many sewists. I almost never sew during the week, and even on the weekend, I often just want to collapse on the couch and brainlessly read, watch tv, or read online. I wish I sewed more, and but I don’t, and I think it’s time to come to peace with that! It’s a hobby, after all!
- Difficult projects are not for me. This follows on #3. I had big dreams of coatmaking and shirtmaking this year, and I spent 12 months avoiding both even when everything fell in my lap to make it the perfect moment. Truth is, the thought of a difficult or complex project makes me want to curl in a ball, which is not the relaxing, energising effect I want from my sewing! One day those projects might be right for me, but not right now.
- I’m pretty happy with my wardrobe. Yes, I’ve gained weight slowly for years, and I can’t fit some stuff any more… but I love my clothes, I feel foxy in them, and they give me confidence. I’m looking forward to sewing more of the same in 2017!
If you want more #sewingtop5 goodness, don’t forget to check out other people’s posts! Some people have shared their links in the comments of this post, plus you can find even more pingbacks linking to my original announcement post! I love reading every post, and thanks so much to everyone who participated!
See you in the New Year!
Crafting A Rainbow 
I love your comment about difficult projects. They are not for me, either. Why I need affirmation about that, who knows? But I am grateful for it.
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There’s s much emphasis on mastering new skills in the blogosphere… which is awesome for people who are motivated by that, but i think it leaves some of us feeling a bit peer pressured? Here’s to keeping it simple! 😉
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Going viral is very impressive and you should be proud of it. My mojo has dipped right when I though I’d have more, more time off and the rest of the family have their own hobbies but I just haven’t done really done any?? I was quite confused until reading #4 it could be because my plans are too hard (I push myself a lot) they need focus and concentration rather than fun, quick, happy projects (lightbulb moment) I get inspired by reading blogs, I love looking at my emails to see what others have created, it’s how I have taught myself to sew and what spurs me on to create, so thank you for sharing your makes (now I’m off to sit in my stash and make new plans)
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I hope you’ve been able to figure out a project to get yourself excited about sewing this holiday! Did you end up picking something easy or sticking with a challenging projects? I ended up coming down with a cold, so I’ve done nothing… but I’m feeling the itch to sew slowing coming back!
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Oh no over Christmas is not good, hope you speedily get over it. I found some chambray and also a bit embroidered white lawn so I’m thinking Banksia by Megan Nielsen with the white collar and placket. I’ve already done the fit so should whizz up fast.
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Love reading your blog about your makes, and the little about your job sounds very interesting! Happy New Year!
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Thank you! I do love my job.. sometimes so much that I let it be too all-consuming! Must find some balance this year! 🙂
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Your comments about not being as motivated as you wanted to be were spot on! I have just started sewing but I am trying to be careful not to look at blogs and Instagram accounts as anything more than just people doing what they love 🙂 it’s so easy to turn something that should be fun into just another pressure and stress point in life 🙂 I’ve just started reading your blog and I love it 🙂 the writing style is so nice 🙂
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Ah yes. I often feel like I am ‘falling behind’ because I haven’t completed an advanced level project. Glad to know that others are also okay with just saying within a certain complexity range.
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What a great post, Gillian. I think that you might have been “Hygge”-d. It is massive here in the UK at the moment. There are articles on it everywhere. Don’t know what the rest of the world is like as I avoid the media wherever possible. It’s too depressing. I know what you mean about sew-jo disappearing. Mine has gone completely. Hope that you get yours back again and make some stuff that makes you happy this year, and you do indeed look foxy! 🙂 Xx
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Thanks for starting this series Gillian, I’ve loved reading everyone’s posts! I totally get you on the feeling pressured to do more difficult sews but then not doing them. I’m always thinking I should try more new things but then realize, this is meant to be fun! So no more pressure on my self, just enjoy it. I love your sewing as it always seems like you’re sewing things you wear all the time, that’s what I find most inspiring in sewing blogs!
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