It's taken me a bit longer than expected to circle back to this, but I wanted to follow up on my post from a few weeks ago. Many of you shared some incredible photo mosaics in the Flickr group, and it was fantastic to see the creativity pouring out of each one. You guys really crushed it in 2013! It was such a treat to explore all the mosaics and see the incredible sewing talent on display. Theresa did an amazing job collecting them all into two separate galleries (there were just too many awesome photos to fit into just one!). If you're interested in checking out all the mosaics together, you can click here and here. Trust me, you'll be blown away by the inspiration.
In response to my previous post, I randomly reached out to a few mosaic creators and asked them to share their thoughts on their sewing journey in 2013 and what they’re looking forward to in 2014. I wanted to hear about their accomplishments, any new skills they picked up, and what they were most proud of. Additionally, I asked them to talk about their goals for the coming year. Here’s what they had to say:
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### Melissa (Flickr Name: Mel O 13)
Melissa had a busy year, but she’s already diving headfirst into her 2014 sewing projects. Her day job leaves little room for creative expression, so sewing has become an essential outlet for her. Luckily, she has an incredibly supportive partner who understands her passion for fabric and sewing. Even her kids have noticed how much time she spends creating instead of cleaning.
One of her biggest highlights in 2013 came from her mom, who spread the word among her friends that Melissa loves buttons. As a result, she received some stunning button collections from her mom’s friends. Sorting through these treasures with her daughters turned out to be a delightful bonding experience. Now, finishing projects feels even more rewarding because they can pick just the right button from the jars.
Another game-changer for Melissa was discovering her sewing machine’s triple stretch stitch. After taking her machine in for maintenance, she found the repairman had left behind a stitch test. Flipping through her manual, she realized her machine could handle knits flawlessly. This discovery opened up a whole new world of possibilities, especially for her girls' favorite patterns like the Field Trip Raglan T, Hopscotch Top, and Playtime Dress and Leggings.
For 2014, Melissa is excited about refining her sewing skills further and finding a balance between sewing for her family and indulging in projects purely for her enjoyment. She feels like she’s finally getting a grasp on what her daughters will wear—and won’t wear—and she’s embracing the idea of sewing for herself more often.
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### Irene (Flickr Name: Froo and Boo)
Irene, known as Froo and Boo online, is no stranger to ambitious sewing challenges. In 2013, she focused on expanding her skill set by experimenting with new techniques. One pivotal moment came when she decided to tackle an Oliver + S pattern after seeing Shelley’s (Lightning McStitch) Music Class Blouse. The detailed instructions and illustrations gave her the confidence to sew her first sleeve placket.
That blouse became a cherished gift for her daughter’s first day of kindergarten, and it’s still one of her go-to outfits. Handmade garments like this serve as reminders of precious moments, and Irene cherishes the thought that these memories will always be part of her family’s wardrobe.
Looking ahead to 2014, Irene is determined to conquer a challenge she’s been avoiding: sewing trousers. Specifically, she plans to try the Art Museum Trousers Pattern. Although the thought of working with pants patterns initially intimidated her, she knows Oliver + S patterns will deliver clarity, style, and a great learning experience.
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### Taryn (Flickr Name: Fork and Needle)
Taryn’s 2013 sewing was mostly focused on her daughter and gifting. While she’s been sewing for years, she’s recently become more confident in fitting garments. Liesl and Co. patterns have been instrumental in helping her refine her skills, and she now purchases them both to learn new techniques and create beautiful pieces.
Her daughter has also become more involved in the design process, offering suggestions for what she’d like to wear. Taryn realizes that involving her daughter in decisions will help keep her engaged in wearing handmade clothing. Her favorite project of 2013 was a Roller Skate Dress adorned with flowers and bugs, which remains a standout piece.
For 2014, Taryn aims to expand her sewing repertoire by making more clothes for herself and even trying her hand at sewing for her farmer husband. She also plans to reduce her fabric stash, create more quilts, bags, and gifts, and increase her knitting output. Improving her fitting skills and utilizing her sewing books more effectively will remain priorities.
Living on a farm means their wardrobe leans toward practicality, but she enjoys adding a touch of flair for special occasions. She’s motivated to hang more handmade items on the line, which might mean knitting more socks, sewing singlets, and undies.
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Thank you all for sharing your stories and inspirations! I can’t wait to see what you achieve in 2014. Keep those creative juices flowing!
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(And remember, if you’re looking for more sewing inspiration, check out the links above!)
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