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!
The Quintessential Clothes Pen 
I always enjoy your posts and the yearly recap. Especially fond of your resize posts this year. (Many of my clothes have apparently shrunk in my closet recently.) Live the detailed descriptions and very clear photographs of your projects. And the pictures from your events. I draw lots of inspiration from your posts. Please continue.
Hi Helen! Happy new year!
Thank you for the kind encouragement and appreciation! It’s great to know that the re-size posts are encouraging. I think it’s important not only to try to extend the life of my clothes, but also to share some of those challenges — to keep things relatable and practical in addition to shiny, fancy, and new. 🙂 I hope you are able to come up with some creative solutions for clothes in your closet that might need some extra attention to be able to wear further.
Hello! And Happy New Year. I love how you take the time to start a project and finish it before moving on to the next. I also love that you do go back and fix pieces that have more wear in them with just some adjustments. I wish that had been the case for me but my figure has completely changed and ‘adjusting’ would have been a major reconstruction and not having left over fabrics would have made it difficult. So, I have moved them on to friends who can breathe new life into them. That said, I, too hope to have a plan of action which is perculating even as I type this message of hello, and best wishes for another successful year of sewing. Cheers.
Hello Angela!
How nice to hear from you! Thank you for saying hello! And happy new year to you, as well!
I appreciate your encouraging message and that you are enjoying the re-sizing posts. Changing figures make adjusting difficult! I’m sorry that you have things you aren’t able to wear anymore, but I’m also glad to hear that you are able to help them find new life and joy for your friends. 🙂 That’s a pretty wonderful thing, too!
I’m glad to hear that you are making new plans… 🙂 Sending successful sewing and planning thoughts your way for 2025!
I love this fantastic round-up! What a great variety of projects too, and a very successful finish of your to-do list! The way you attack your UFO pile and update your older garments is so inspirational. That is something I try to do, as well.
You sew such beautiful garments and always seem to find great events to enjoy them at, with great pictures to share on your blog. Dancing events are the best! I am glad you are still able to find some (they are hard to come by where I live…).
Thank you for keeping up actively posting on your blog. I might not comment too frequently, but I do enjoy every post you share.
Happy 2025!
Kelly
Hi Kelly!
Thank you for the encouraging comment! 🙂 Same back to you in terms of posting regularly, with interesting and informative content. Sometimes I’m slow, but I enjoy reading all of your posts, too!
It can be hard to find events, for sure. I sympathize with that difficulty. Even without an official event, I am always impressed at the fitting and fun backgrounds you find for your photos — around town, at different outdoor spaces, and in museums. It’s always fun to see what will come next!
I appreciate that you enjoy reading about my re-sizing and updating garments. It’s always fun to see what new-from-old projects you post about, too!
The variety of these projects is pretty extensive, isn’t it? Thanks for pointing that out. 🙂
Happy new year!
So many great projects! Looking forward to returning to unpacking my new sewing space and deep diving into some sewing again!
Laurie
https://teacupsinthegarden.com/
Yes! What a wonderful thing to look forward to. I’ve enjoyed your updates about your sewing room and other renovation projects! Sending positive sewing wishes your way.