2020: The Year ~ The Review

I didn’t plan to do a review of 2020.  I sort of wanted to sweep it away as if there would be some sort of dividing line between the past and the present.  If it were only that easy.  This wasn’t an easy year and although my challenges were many, there were great things created by ME during the year 2020!!  And they were worth a look back and celebrating.

My 2020 review is much like other reviews you’ll be reading at this time of the year.  Covid-19 was majorly devastating to us all.  I don’t need to hammer that point, we all get it.  We All had ups and downs.  In April of 2020, like many other people across the country, my corporate job was eliminated.  That’s the bad part, but there was plenty of good that had started back the previous November in 2019.  I had decided to start making videos again for my YouTube Channel, Roxanne Stitches.  It had been almost 2 years that I put out a new video and my channel just continued to grow and grow.  Once I started back up, I realized this was where I was meant to be.  I marched into 2020 continuing to share new content and videos.  So by the time April came, my ball was rolling!!  Yes, it was sad to lose that income, but it wasn’t really where I was meant to be.  I’m one of those people that needs to see the bright side of things.

Around this same time we had many new people hopping on the sewing band wagon out of necessity for making face coverings.  My channel grew because the Singer QS 9960 became in HOT demand with the renewed interest in sewing.  It became apparent that  many people were interested in learning how to use this Fabulous machine.  I wanted to help people along in their new sewing journey.  I wanted to help them get started sewing the right way so that they would create a life long love for sewing.  For me, it’s always been about sharing my joy and helping to inspire others directly through my YouTube Channel and website.  Here’s are some of the things I created during 2020 that I’m most proud of:

I created many garments in 2020, but the one I’m most proud of is pictured here on the left.  It’s the Marcy McCall’s Dress from McCall’s Patterns.  I love the classic styling, the bold unexpected animal print, and all the top stitching details.  Let’s not forget that it has POCKETS Too!!  This is a dress I will enjoy wearing for many years to come.  It’s a total “Victory Sew” for me.

During the year, I made other garments as well as being a pattern tester 3 times for Sinclair Patterns.  It was a goal of mine to try out pattern testing and I found I really enjoyed the process.  I made the Alana Dress, The Monterey Hoodie and the Nyoka Top.  All great patterns and a learning process for me personally.  Even though I’ve been sewing, designing and drafting for years, it’s a whole different ball game to work with pdf patterns.  I found ways to make short cuts and streamline the whole process.  At some point next year I’ll share that info so others can learn from my trials and errors.

I also participated in a #sewatop vlog hop challenge, which ran the entire month of August.  31 vloggers all presented a sewn top of their choice for this challenge.  It was hosted by Claire from Penguin and Pear Dressmaking.  I shared the Sienna Top by Sinclair Patterns, pictured below on the far right.  Another one of my favorite sews of the year.

Below are 3 other pieces I created during the year.  The first one is an art piece I created to participate in a local challenge.  It’s my first time trying something like this with applique, yarns and fabrics to create a dimensional piece.  It was a fun process and it’s entitled, “Mermaid of Love”.  The second, on the upper right was a quilt top I completed.  Quilting has never been something I’ve been particularrly interested in, but I found the process fascinating.  I chronicled my process is a series of articles called, “Garment Sewist Turned Quilter”.  I still need to back, quilt and bind this piece, but for now I’m satisfied.  Below on the lower right is a small purse I call, “The Mermaids Purse”.  I upcycled this from a Halloween witches hat that was given to me.  I love turning something not useful to me, but lovely into something completely different.  For me, a good upcycle means it can’t resemble what it was in its previous life.  I think I nailed it and love this little purse.  It’s the Clematis Wristlet from Blue Calla Patterns.  It’s also a free pattern.  I definitely was on a Mermaid theme with these projects.

2020 was also filled with many other accomplishments for me. I started doing video pattern & product reviews on my YouTube Channel, Roxanne Stitches. Was invited to participate in my first focus group sharing my thoughts on storage products with a company that develops and produces products for the Singer Brand. I made many masks and face coverings. Entered my Sienna Top into “The Stash Pattern” contest on Pattern Review. AND Created 26 new videos in 2020!  I also improved my video quality and lighting.

One of my most popular video’s of 2020 was my Comparison of the Singer Pro Finish Serger to the Brother 1034d Serger.  Both are entry level, affordable machines that are easy to get started with.  If you’re someone who’s interested in upper your sewing game, a serger may be just the ticket for you.  It’s a way to make your “makes” look more professionally finished, plus it’s great for sewing with knits.

For me, being creative is always about trying new things.  That’s how we grow in our craft.  I truly believe the Universe gently pushes us in the direction best suited to us.  We just need to recognize those clues that are guiding us on our journey.  Later in the year I decided to close one of my Facebook groups.  It was no long something that brought me joy but I was grateful for all the people I met along that journey and all the things I learned.  Things are not meant to last forever, but to be enjoyed for the time that you’re lucky enough to have them.  2020 certain has showed us that in abundance.

My hope for 2021 is that we enter a new normal because our old normal wasn’t so great for all of us.  One full of inclusiveness, kindness, sharing, and hope.   2020 has taught us to slow down and think more.  Enjoy the simple things to their fullest.  Focusing on the really important things in life became front and center for me.  Not sure what 2021 has in store for me and my creative journey, but I’m ready for many more first’s!!  Wishing you a Wonderful, Healthy New Year!!