2014: End Of Year Round-Up

There's nothing like a year ending to make you reflect and I must say that 2014 has felt like a really busy one for me in so many ways, not least because I also started writing for Craftsy. Yet, I somehow still managed almost 2 sewn makes a month, which is not bad for a slowcoach like me! Woven dresses won the popularity contest, but I have a feeling I may re-focus in 2015. My little blog has also enjoyed some great collaborations and features during 2014, for which I am ever grateful! Onto some observations and highlights...
PATTERN TESTING

2014 was definitely a pattern testing kinda year for me, with 8 new patterns tested and a fair few other offers politely declined due to other commitments. I can't tell you how very exciting and rewarding the pattern testing process can be, but make no mistake, it's also incredibly time-consuming. Although I'm always grateful for the opportunity, the process can seriously hinder personal sewing plans, so I want to achieve more of my own goals next year.
SOCIAL SEWING

I say it every year, but the best part of our sewing community is the online and real-life socialising! 2014 saw the exciting return of One Week, One Pattern and two new Hawthorns from me - my Cropped Hawthorn Blouse and my Collarless Hawthery Dress - and the very fun #SewDollyClackett challenge. As always, I also enjoyed some great meet-ups - Minerva and Jean Paul Gaultier to name but a few - and had the privilege of celebrating Tilly's book launch.
VINTAGE SEWING PATTERN PLEDGE

My most treasured part of 2014 has been hosting the Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge, with an overwhelming number of you joining in! A final round-up and 2015 plans will be unveiled soon, but in the meantime the dedicated Pinterest board speaks for itself!
As for me, even though I only managed to sew up 3 of my 5 pledged makes - Vogue 5671, Simplicity 5489 and Butterick 2315 - I had a ridiculous amount of fun and I'm feeling super motivated to use more of my vintage patterns this coming year.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Our home improvements are ongoing with our biggest project this year being our dining room. Just as we did with our living room, we feel we've completely transformed the space from a dark, depressing room to a bright, inviting one. We have plenty more plans for the house...we just need to save cash and find time!

So there you have it, my 2014 in a nutshell with 2015 plans to follow soon! How was your year? What are your aspirations for the next 12 months?