As I sit down to write this, I have NO IDEA what makes will come out on top – but I feel as excited as a kid at Christmas to review my blog posts from the year and see which clothes made me twirl with joy or surprised me as MVPs!
***looks through 50+ posts from this year***
Drum roll please! My 5 biggest hits from 2017 are as follows:
Tessuti Isla Top – A Surprising TNT!
I never expected that I would enjoy this top so much, or continue making Isla tops through the year! I love how loose the body is (because I abhor when my waistband line and muffin top are on display), contrasted with the fitted hem and sleeves. Now that I’m going to physiotherapy, this is my go-to style for pairing with leggings. I love the deep teal of this version, but I also get lots of wear from my original version, my double-brushed poly tunic, and my newest royal blue iteration.
When I first sewed this as a pattern tester, i thought it was cute but assumed I’d prefer a knit option. Nope! I wore this every single day through the summer, and I love it! The rayon challis is the perfect weight, and the amount of ease in the design is just right.
Summer Maxidress Mashup – Everyday Glam
These two dresses are nearly identical, so I’m combining them together into one item. They are both a combination of a Jalie tank made into a double-layered bodice with the Closet Case Pattern Sallie skirt attached. I wore my first version a lot all summer, so I made a second version in blue floral in August. The neckline and armscye are perfect on this Jalie tank, and the blouson bodice means it is really effortless to wear!
Winter Minidresses – A Tie between SOI Heather and CCP Ebony!
Look, I’m cheating a bit here, but who cares? I made a lot of Ebony dresses this year, and it became an instant classic in my wardrobe. I’m particularly in love with the velvet version above, which feels both work- and party-appropriate. On the other hand, the Sew Over It Heather dress is made with some of my favourite fabric from the whole year, and I’m a sucker for those giant pockets! I wear lots of minidresses in winter, and these capture my style perfectly.
Tribute Month Maxi – Makes Me Feel Badass
I mean, this dress had to be on the list, right? I enjoyed all the projects I made for Tribute Month, but this one perfectly captures the person I’d like to be mixed with the person I am now. It’s a little odd and totally eyecatching, but doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable in any way because it’s made with one of my favourite TNT patterns. One of my Top 5 goals for 2017 was “When in doubt, choose bold, interesting fabrics.” With this dress, i think I succeeded!
As sewists, I think it’s fun to look back at the progression of what we chose to make. I’m interested that two solids showed up in my Top 5 hits, and so did a woven! I clearly enjoyed playing with volume this year, but also some pretty classic basics dressed up with bright fabric.
Next up: The Misses!
Crafting A Rainbow 
This is my favorite time of year! I always wonder ‘which makes do sewers actually wear?’ and now is the time to learn. Also, which makes looked fabulous in blog photos, but might not have been so great to wear. Thanks for sharing!
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I love finding out what actually got worn too! Its so interesting, and I’m almost always surprised!
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I’ve read a few other bloggers who are picking up this baton Gillian (5 hits and 5 misses) and I love it! Gives us all an opportunity to check out patterns that we might have missed (glancing guiltily at my pattern stash THIS is a ridiculous statement) and want to try OR avoid depending on the problems the sewist had with the pattern and if our body types are similar.
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It’s always a fun series! I love seeing other people’s lists!
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I am still in shock that it’s the Top 5 time of year again! This year went by so quickly!
I love all of your choices and love the “go bold or go home” mantra!
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It’s been such a fast year! And one with big changes in your life, too! 😉
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I really love everything that you make and can’t see what you will write for as a miss but that stripey maxi dress is one of my all time favourites. It is brilliant and you look ace in it. Your are definitely the Queen of Maxi dresses.You even inspired me to buy one RTW and I wore it. Outside. More than once! I love these posts and will be following as many as I can. Xx
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I love maxi dresses! I never wore then until a few years back, and now I just can’t get enough! 🙂
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It is kind of odd to see solids on your favorites list! But teal is one of the best colors ever, so I really don’t blame you.
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I know! TWO solids in my top 5? I was shocked too!
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Great choices!
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It’s so fun to look through all my makes and remember which make me feel best!
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Great makes – you’ve had a good year, eh? I love that velvet Ebony, it looks so yummy and fun to wear!
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Are you going to do a Top 5 list? I’d love to see what you’d pick! 🙂
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Yes, I love reading everyone’s list so I will do one soon! 🎉
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These are all fantastic! You are the Queen of Prints! Big shout out to 50+ posts too – that’s amazing 🙂
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In truth, it’s probably close to 100 posts… I posted Monday and Thursday all year until the last month or two, when things just piled up and I cut back to one post! 😉 Apparently I have quite a lot to say about sewing!
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I am having such a hard time picking 5 items for my roundup! I might have to do 10. So nice to see the Suki in there!
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I just posted my hits too 🙂 http://www.showandtellmeg.com/2017/12/top-5-of-2017-hits.html
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I love seeing your Top 5. I’ve finally gotten down to thinking about mine and girl you sure do love a knit don’t you!?! Headed off to read your top 5 misses.
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