Triumphs of 2020. We all know the kind of year that 2020 has been, so I’m not going to dwell on that. I’m going to talk about all the things I’m grateful for this year!
My Sewing Triumphs of 2020
The Technicolour Jean Coat
I started making this in May 2020 and then it got put on the backburner for a while and was eventually finished in October, although I did do a few finishing touches to it earlier this month. This was made entirely from upcycled old jeans and it turned out just as perfect as I imagined it would.
My Closet Core Patterns Ginger Jeans
I made these Ginger Jeans before lockdown started and I’m so pleased with them. There were a lot of sewing firsts for me The extra lockdown pounds mean that they don’t fit at the minute, but that just means that I will have to make myself a new pair! I’m through with being body shamed by my clothes. I will have to give this pair a new home – any takers?
My Happy Dress
My most recent make, which I made to lift my Christmas spirits and to wear on Christmas Day. I always have a tendency to love my most recent make the most.
The things I’ve made for other people
There’s only so many clothes you can make for yourself when you’re not going places. So this year I’ve made Gary another of his favourite hoodie. Jack and I have made a hoodie together and I’ve made little bloomers for my 2 smallest nieces. It is nice to be able to share the spoils of my skills with others.
Taking Bagladybird Online & Teaching the World to Sew
Clearly face to face lessons have been a complete no-no for a lot of 2020, so I had to learn, grow and diversify.
Learning Digital Pattern Drafting
It has always been a goal to launch my own pattern range. I learn old fashioned pattern cutting at college and university during the 90’s but I needed to learn to digitise my skills.
I’m still learning and developing this. Although other things took priority because it is important to keep cashflow going and this going to take longer to come to fruition.
Building my own Website
This very website that you are on now, in fact. A couple of years ago I took a one day WordPress course and never had the time to do anything with it. But in 2020 I had the time to build my website.
Again I’m still learning and developing this. There is so much to learn. But I’m really proud of what I’ve created especially as it’s not my area of expertise!
Learn to Sew Membership Club
This has become a big area of focus for me and it is getting bigger and better all the time. I teach sew alongs and have skill building video tutorials as well as other amazing content to help make you a better dressmaker. Membership starts from just £4 per month and it really has been a treasure trove of dressmaking gold for members.
My YouTube Channel
I started 2020 less than confident on screen, but now I’m sharing free sewing video tutorials on my YouTube Channel. Connecting with people who are learning to sew and helping them to develop their skills is priceless. I’ve had to learn how to film and edit videos to reach out to this audience. I’d never done anything like that before. Even my step son Jack says you can see how much I’ve improved since I started and he’s of the YouTube generation.
I’m slowly growing my subscriber count and I hope to be at 200 by the end of the year. (If you’re not already subscribed, please pop over HERE and click subscribe on my channel now.)
I’m incredibly proud of my triumps of 2020 and of what I’ve done and how far I’ve come this year. And I’m extremely grateful for all the support from my wonderful students, members and followers. I couldn’t have done this with out your, likes, comments, words of kindness, purchases, memberships and bookings.
Let’s hope we can get back to a new version of normality in 2021, where all the good connections and communities can continue to grow and we can get back to seeing each other face to face too.
Love & Stitches
Alison xx
