At the beginning of 2015 I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t buy any clothes this year, apart from knickers and socks and maybe a coat if needed. All the rest including bras and jeans I was going to make. I had just got into making bras and had bought several jeans patterns so I was all set to go.

So how am I getting on, 6 months in?

Well I have made two bras and a pair of jeans as well as innumerable tops and dresses. However I seem to have a mental block about finishing the more complex things so the bras are near enough done, bit not quite , and the jeans are waiting for their buttons. I haven’t even tried them on yet. Epic fail in a way. I think I must be scared of these items not fitting as the pressure is so high to finally have a bra and a pair of jeans that fit me… I don’t know, it’s weird but I seem to have a real mental block about them. Every time I sit at my machine it’s other things I pick up. I have lots of quilt commissions on and have been making stock for a wonderful little shop Xylonite Arts, and I have made several new tops and dresses from new patterns (which are exciting to make as I like new things) and I am confident about the fit and they don’t take anywhere near as long as trousers or bras, and I have also made several versions of the Colette Ginger skirt and the April Rhodes’ Staple dress in classes along with my students.

This week I am going to try and get down to finishing those damn UFOs once and for all! Look at those funky bras…!

I did cheat when I went to see my parents in Holland in April and bought some clothes. I had packed super light and at the end of a really warm few days, and then when the weather turned in Holland I was cold. Very cold. I ended up buying a jacket which I wear every day, a scarf and a really cool tunic, all in the H&M sales. And my mum paid for it all, so it was kinda like a present and maybe that doesn’t count :-). It is totally do-able to not buy clothes (unless you go on holiday unprepared!) and make it all yourself if you have time and fabric and patterns and skills. It’s not cheaper but it’s much nicer, better fitting and satisfying to make your own.

I’ve also knitted and crocheted quite a few things this year; two ponchos, at least one pair socks and various shawls/ wraps/ snoods