Hey friends! I hope you are having an awesome start to the New Year! I love this time of the year when everyone is positive, hopeful and motivated!!! Scrolling social media has been such a source of encouragement and light these past few days and I just wish the momentum kept going all year long. But, of course we’re all human and we just can’t always stay “on” for such long periods of time. We’ll touch on that more later…but for now let’s take a quick look back at 2018 for Lily Shine Creates!

2018 Recap

January of 2018 was the start of my “me made” adventures. Up until that point, I really hadn’t sewn much for myself or had much interest in it at all. Recently, both of my girls are really outgrowing the desire to wear mom-made anymore so I had to find someone else to sew for! Who better than myself???

I had a few hesitations in sewing for myself, which I’m guessing many of you share. First, I realllllllly didn’t want to measure myself. Measure *all* the areas and compare those measurements to a size chart. I have no clue why the pride gets in the way of sewing what your actual body needs, but for some reason it really presents a challenge to me. I had to get over that quickly because having a good fitting garment is just too important! Plus, if you sew it yourself, it’s whatever size you say it is 😉

The second hesitation is the sewing for yourself takes *so* much more fabric than sewing, say, a kids size 5. Bigger pattern pieces meant more paper and glue to stick them together. Further, bigger pattern pieces meant I needed a bigger area to cut out the fabric. It took me a bit to regain perspective.

Here is a look at my first me-made of 2018:

I used the Piper top pattern from Violette Field Threads with Art Gallery Fabrics Campsite collection knit. You could say I gently eased my way into sewing for myself as a knit is quite forgiving and this pattern was super basic. I do love the length of the sleeve, the relaxed fit of the top and the pretty scooped back.

Once the me-made ball was rolling, it really caught momentum. Sewing for myself has connected me with so many wonderful me-made sewists on IG and the blogosphere. I have made some really fun friendships over this past year from interacting, encouraging and learning from others! I have sewed countless items in just this past year, from fancy dresses, beach coverups, to an entire fall capsule wardrobe!

If you are scared to sew for yourself, or perhaps have a few hesitations like those I mentioned previously, JUST GET OVER IT! Haha! But seriously, just pick a super easy pattern. Pick something that doesn’t take much fabric like a simple knit top. Just take the plunge and sew it. If you hate it, just seam rip it and use the fabric for something else. If you love it, photograph it and post it to social media and get plugged in!!! I know you’ll be so glad you did! There is something just so uniquely rewarding in clothing yourself with something you made specifically for you, to your measurements and to your liking. If you’re a control freak like me- you have no idea just how happy this will make you to have the control of every single stitch and detail in your garments. I can’t encourage you enough to just go for it!!! I’d love to encourage you, so drop your insta in the comments to this blog post and let’s get connected!

See how happy sewing for yourself can make you?? One of my last sews in 2018 was this Magnolia dress from Deer and Doe Patterns in a stretch emerald velvet. Photo by Mod Bettie.

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2019 Goals

I shared a bit of my heart for 2019 on my Insta here but I thought I’d give a bit more detail, as one can in a blog post!

I like to keep my resolutions simple, measurable and attainable. After all, what is the sense in working and giving up on something that you know you won’t really be able to accomplish?!?! I set out a few personal, sewing and home goals I’d love to share with you!

Personal: I need a friend. I have tons of insta-friends. I could dm my heart out everyday but sometimes I just need a friend with skin- you know what I mean!?!?!? A real life friend that can be hugged and laughed with and can cheers a cuppa coffee or a glass of wine. Moving every 3 years has it’s ups for sure but a huge down is that I am constantly putting myself out there trying to make a friend. As social as I seem online, I’m pretty timid and shy in real life. At first. And then there’s no shutting me up. HA. I need to get plugged in to our church and a local gym. I miss teaching classes at the gym but most of all I miss the human interaction! I also want to be 100% present for my kids. It’s so easy to get sucked into social media with that phone in your hand constantly but I hope to be able to unplug online and really stay connected with my kids. They are getting older and I know this time with them is so valuable.

Sewing: Sewing slower and more detailed. I tend to rush through projects because I’m just too excited to sew, photo and share. I just want to see the end result but often wish I had put more thought and attention into my garments. I reallllllly don’t want to buy items from the store that I can easily make. I have slowed down my apparel shopping a ton but I know I can go even further. Lastly, I would love to bring my girls into the design process and even sew with me!

Home: If you haven’t heard, we bought a house!!! It needed a bit of TLC so we’ve set out to go Fixer-Upper style on it for a few projects. I’ll be documenting them on the blog and on my insta mostly as a way to just see before & after of our hard work, but also because I know many of you want to do the very same projects in your home! One big goal is to doll up the storage shed in our backyard to be my new office space. Crossing fingers that can become reality this year as I really don’t want to be sewing out of the guest room anymore!

What about you? Do you have any great goals for 2019? I’d love to hear them and be an encouragement to you as you set to achieve great things! What would you like to see here on Lily Shine Creates in 2019? I hope to keep this space positive, encouraging, inspiring and helpful!

XOXO.