As is tradition here on the blog, I present my 2024 round up and thoughts about looking ahead to another new year! (You can see all of my past posts related to reflecting and looking forward here.)

 Projects I completed in 2024

April: 1940 Schiaparelli Inspired Dress

May: Another Round of Dotty Tap Pants

May: Replaced the zipper in the Happy Clover Dress

June: 1860s Drawers: Waist Re-Size (HSM #11)

June: Regency Petticoat Re-Size (HSM #5)

August: 1815 Tree Gown Re-Size

October: 1790s Petticoat and Bum Pad (HSM #8)

November: Yellow Sacque Petticoat (HSM #12)

November: Engageants For The New Yellow Sacque (HSM #6)

December: A White 1780s Petticoat (HSF #7)

General Blog News

I participated in my 12th year of the Historical Sew Monthly! Wow! Really! I’ve been at this a long time, I guess! It doesn’t feel that long! This year I completed 7 of the 12 challenges. That’s actually pretty good for me. It means I’ve had time to sew again!

Event Recap

I attended 3 balls, 4 other events (tea, picnic, croquet, outings, etc.), 2 dance and historical pastimes performances, and participated in 1 weekend event (that included dancing, games, and educational lectures). That’s a definite increase from last year! I’m so pleased to have these opportunities again.

To Do Lists

Last year’s definitely-to-do list was pretty substantial, including multiple repairs, UFOs, and multi-part new garments. I’m super pleased with myself that I completed all of the list except for one thing!  The unfinished item will be at the top of my list for 2025.

In addition to those ‘definitely’ things, I also completed a few items on my lengthy ‘maybe’ list (updating my 1885 Night Sky Fancy Dress — not posted about yet — and making new dotty tap pants). I think some of my ‘maybes’ will just move up to ‘definitely’ for this year. And then I’ll also see what else inspires me as the year goes on!

So, my definitely-to-do for 2025 list includes:

• Updating the trimming on my 1893 Bronze and Pink Ballgown to better go with the size updates I made in 2022 and posted about in 2023
• Finishing the 1836 Blue Print Cotton Day Dress #2
• 18th century neckerkerchief
• Scroop Patterns Frances rump (1775-1795)
• Various sleeve and neck ruffles to go with all of these 18th century gowns

And my maybe-to-do list includes:

• 18th century green silk skirt
• 1780s dress inspired by this one in the Glasgow Museum
• Scroop Patterns Amalia jacket (1775-1795)
• 1780s cap
• 1930s burgundy crepe blouse

I am so pleased to have a little more time to sew and the project planning to lay things out so that I can sew whether I have the brain space to dedicate to new projects or to just mindlessly hem things. Having a range ready to go has worked very well for me!

I am so very grateful to my supportive friends, family, and blog readers — in terms of sewing projects and adventures as well as general support and encouragement. It is my fervent hope that you also have many things to be grateful for in this new year! Maybe you’ll even have silly friends who make moose ears (well, yes, I know it’s really moose antlers…) with you!