New Year, New Stuff, Something Else Cheesy

Me on January 1 2020, wearing the coat that I finished on NYE.

It's a new year. I could do a year in review post, but honestly it would be a long list of metrics that no one cares about and garments that you will never see because I'm terrible at taking pictures. Long and short of it though. During 2019, I completed 78 projects (that a project every 4.67 days), sewed over 300 buttonholes, participated in about 12 large events (many small ones in between), volunteered over 100 hours in historic interpretation, grew as an tailor, maker, interpreter, and mentor, and was terrible at updating this blog.

The growth thing was big for me in 2019. I grew a lot, honed and upped my abilities by taking risks and challenging myself to do new things that I didn't think I'd be capable of at the beginning of the year. The results show. Looking at my kit at the start of 2019 vs the first day of 2020, the difference is very apparent for the better. The super sweet handmade shoes that I got at the end of the year also help :-)

How can you achieve this level of awesome dear reader? Get out there and do history. Don't just read about it, drool over clothes and look at what other people are doing. Do it yourself, if you want to get better.

Figure out your goals, do your research, and get to it. Yeah, some things you make are going to look terrible, but you have to practice. I'm sewing all the time. I do at least 2 hours a day, with a toddler, and a demanding job. If I can do it, so can you. That's how you get better.

The most rewarding thing for 2019 was mentoring two of my friends to start making their own clothing. Luckily, they get the luxury of fitted patterns to start with, but I won't begrudge them that added bonus.

2020 is gonna be a fun year. New event, new challenges, and a new addition to our family. We are expecting either a new man at arms or camp follower this summer. Good thing I didn't get rid of any of the 18th century infant clothing that I made last go-round. We're going to need it.