Friday, December 27, 2013

Top 5 Hits of 2013

While I'm usually not a massive fan of all the round ups that hit the blogs this time of the year, this time around I found myself so interested in reading those of Jen, Christine and Silvia; and because I'm also in the middle of making some changes in my life, I got inspired to reflect on the year that just went by and to do my own list.

Thanks, Gillian, for creating this series!

Here are my top 5 hits of this year:

 5. Moustache stamped t-shirt
Original post here
To be honest, I haven't worn this t-shirt more than couple times (it's too tight), but it was the first tutorial on my blog (if you don't count some of the posts for the Sureau Sew Along of last year) and it had a huge success (it's the post with most views of the whole blog).

It's in my hits because it allowed me to play with fabric stamping, something I had wanted to do for such a long time and will further explore in the future; and it also showed me how much you guys appreciate tutorials, motivating to do more. I will, I promise!
By the way, the "faux waist stay" tutorial I mentioned here is coming soon, yay!


 4. Dahlia-inspired pinafore
Original post here
A perfectly satisfactory copycat!
Just as I thought, this little pinafore transitioned without problems into colder months. The fabric is a little too thin for winter, but it looks so good with a button-up underneath, that I wear it anyway.

 3. Bombshell swimsuit (pattern by Heather Lou)
Original post here
Just like my t-shirt, I haven't worn this swimsuit a lot of times; but it was such a satisfaction to sew my own swimwear and to gather the confidence to show pictures of me wearing it, that it has to be in the top 5. Oh, and when I did wear it, I felt so great in it!

Fingers crossed Heather has more beautiful patterns in store for us!

 2. Black and white Viviane dress (pattern by République du chiffon)
Original post here
I ended up wearing this dress on Christmas day instead of my plaid Emery and it was the right choice. While I love my Emery, its fitted waist would have killed me, with the quantity of food and alcohol I ingested (I feel sick at the mere thought).
The looser silhuoette of Viviane just saved me; it's such a comfortable dress, but it allowed me to look cute and feminine as I like to. I also got a few compliments for it, which is always a good sign. There are definitely more dresses in this silhouette to come in the future.

This dress was also the result of a collaboration with the lovely Julie, one of the people I got to know better this year, so that's another plus.

 1. Bleuet (pattern by Deer and Doe)

Original post here
Original post here
Original post here

I made this dress 3 times and they are definitely the handmade garments I wore the most this year. The only reason why there hasn't been a fourth one yet is because I have too many new patterns to try out.
This summer, I've literally lived in my floral sleeveless ones; when one was in the wash, I was wearing the other, and viceversa.

This is still the pattern to beat as my personal favorite, in terms of fit, versatility, details (bow, buttons and collar... I mean) and how much it reflects my personal style.


What are your top 5 hits of 2013? Did you make your list?

13 comments:

  1. You had such a great year!! I love that Viviane dress so much. I've a rather frustrating and limited sewing year and couldn't possibly do a top five list, but the cation dolman sleeve top makes up for all that frustration and more! I've made it four times so far, just love each version, and best of all it's helped me conquer my fear of knits and given me the confidence that I can make clothes that I love to wear. I'm certainly looking forward to 2014!

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  2. Oh you've made such beautiful things this year, Anna. Can't wait to see what you create in 2014 x

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  3. So many pretty things! I'm very curious for 2014 :)

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  4. Fantastic choices! I'm so excited every time you post a new garment, so it's fun to look back and see what you most loved this year. The Bleuet dress really is especially gorgeous on you!

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  5. Silvia - Sewing PrincessDecember 27, 2013 at 10:50 PM

    Love the Chambray bluet and the Viviane dress. Normally I'm not a fan of wider dresses but it really looks nice on you. Sometimes it's really worth venturing off the beaten track! Looking forward to Anna 2014 version!!!!

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  6. I've never even considered the Bulet even though I love all her other patterns, but yours look so good I might change my mind! I love love love the Viviane dress and think I'll have to make one up!

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  7. Difficile scegliere, mi é piaciuto tutto quello che hai fatto quest'anno!! Have a wonderful 2014 and keep up sewing!! Xo, Giusy

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  8. Your dresses are always so beautiful, just flawless! Glad you wrote the round up post, it was nice to see all the beautiful makes in one post :)

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  9. Your chambray Bleuet dress is my all-time favourite. And as an avid floral print lover I must say your floral dresses are pretty awesome too :)

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  10. Nice Article, where
    did you get the picture?....

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  11. I'm not usually into the new year round ups, but this year I am. Thanks for putting yours together as it introduced me to some new patterns!

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  12. I just love the Vivian Dress! All of them are adorable on you. Great print choices!

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  13. Happy New Year Anna! I love all your hits (I'm sure I would even love your misses, hehe). The Bleuet dress is so cute I will have to try it this year...

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