Back in January I did a post considering the HSF ’14 and my sewing year, and looking at what I hoped to achieve. Well, I’ve just posted about my item for Challenge #12, the year is almost halfway done, so how have I done so far? #1: Make Do & Mend:  due Wed 15 Jan.  I made  a 1930s dress inspired by making-do, and  mended my 1770s silver stays and my 1905 Time Lady blouse.  Challenge accomplished!   #2: Innovation  – due Sat 1 Feb.  Finished  a pair of 1930s trousers, and also making a 1860s petticoat (post and photos soon!) #3: Pink  – due Sat 15 Feb.  The late 1920s blush pink ‘Bambi’ Dress – just as I’d planned!   #4: Under it All  — due Sat 1 March.  A 1900s corset.  The Truly Victorian pattern has been on my to-do list for ages.  And with any luck I’ll FINALLY have  my masquerade stays  done by then as well.  February was a little mad and crazy for me, so all I did was finish …

Hurrah, hurrah!  We’re well started on the HSF 2014!  Four challenges in, and Challenge Five almost due (only I’m going to be late, sigh). Once again I want to highlight some of the things that really inspired me with each challenge, and that  I thought best represent the spirit of the Historical Sew Fortnightly; the quest to explore history, raise our skill levels and standard, stretch ourselves (or sometimes just get something done, rather than just procrastinating);  and  the spirit of the individual challenge. Choosing is even harder this year: there are so many gorgeous creations, so many different time periods, so many levels of experience, so much prettiness and inspiration!  For every challenge I’ve tried to showcase a range of historical periods, ways of approaching a challenge, and levels of experience.  Inevitably, there were exquisite and amazing things that I simple couldn’t showcase, so do have a browse of the links through the challenge pages on my blog, and the HSF facebook albums. Challenge #1 —  Make Do & Mend  (and  the facebook album …

This year I announced all the HSF challenges at the beginning of the year, which was scary for me, but does give me the opportunity to try to plan my entire sewing year in advance. So what do I aim to make? #1: Make Do & Mend: due Wed 15 Jan.  I made a 1930s dress inspired by making-do, and mended my 1770s silver stays and my 1905 Time Lady blouse.  Challenge accomplished!   #2: Innovation  – due Sat 1 Feb.  Already finished a pair of 1930s trousers, and also making a 1860s petticoat (post and photos soon!) #3: Pink  – due Sat 15 Feb.  A late 1920s dress in blush pink to wear at Art Deco Weekend.  I thought about tackling Emily’s skirt, but that’s a project where I just want to put everything else aside and focus on it, and now’s just not the best time for that. #4: Under it All  — due Sat 1 March.  A 1900s corset.  The Truly Victorian pattern has been on my to-do list for ages.  And …