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My Sewing Journal Year in Review, #sketch2finish

Self-taught sewist & bullet journal maven Raylene Harvey looks back through her 2020 sewing journal, and shares her favorite DIY fashion makes of the year, all the way from sketch to finished.

This has been a whirlwind of a year! The global pandemic has been life-changing for all of us and I’m sure we are all grateful that the year is coming to a close so we can move forward to 2021 where hopefully things will be a bit better.

My sewjo was at an all time high during the lockdown and I was inspired to tackle new projects. I launched my sewing blog scarletstitch.com, released a new “behind the seams” vlog series on my Youtube channel, started a sewing journal and even sewed my very first capsule wardrobe collection! These projects kept me sewing all year and I felt inspired to share my journey with the online sewing community where I met and made many amazing friends.

With that said, here’s a quick roundup of my sewing journal makes in 2020.

My MyBodyModel croquis is the star of my sewing journal project spreads as you can see in the pictures. I love working on these spreads whenever I start a new sewing project. It makes me a lot more mindful about my makes and reminds me to always sew with purpose and intention.

Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress, an oversized shirtdress in dark euro linen fabric. Here we see Raylene's original bullet sewing journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with tall brown cowboy boots.
Pattern: Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress (View A)
Fabric: Euro Linen

This is one of favourite patterns and I wear it all the time.
I have it in blue as well as mustard.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Pinafore + Dungaree Dress, a comfortable mini length dress and dungaree combo in stretch twill denim. Here we see Raylene's original sewing bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment.
Pattern: Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Pinafore + Dungaree Dress (Mini Length)
Fabric: Stretch Twill Denim

I’m a 90s teen and I loved wearing dungarees and pinafores. I’ve always wanted to try them again as an adult, but couldn’t find any that I liked. This is the beauty of sewing your own clothes, you get to make whatever you want.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Friday Pattern Company Wilder Gown, a flowy tiered maxi length dress in crepe fabric. Here we see Raylene's original sewing journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with black ankle boots.
Pattern: Friday Pattern Company Wilder Gown (Maxi Dress Version)
Fabric: Crepe

When I made this dress, lockdown was in full swing. I wore it for the very first Virtual Frocktails event and it got so much love! This pattern has been wildly popular in the sewing community and I’m obsessed with the “ghost woman in the attic” vibe it exudes.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Paper Theory Zadie Jumpsuit, a relaxed short sleeved jumpsuit in an olive-toned linen. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a dark chunky-heel boot.
Pattern: Paper Theory Zadie Jumpsuit (No Sleeves Version)
Fabric: Linen

I initially planned to make the version with the long sleeves, but after exploring the hashtag on Instagram, I decided to go with the short sleeves and I love how it turned out. I don’t usually  wear jumpsuits, but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfy and amazing I felt in it!
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: True Bias Roscoe Dress, a short long sleeved boho-inspired dress in an oxblood red euro linen. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a thin belt and summery neutral colored wedges.
Pattern: True Bias Roscoe Dress
Fabric: Euro Linen

I bought this Euro Linen in almost all the colours that were available and it’s been my favourite fabric to work with. It’s perfect for dresses, has the most amazing drape and doesn’t wrinkle. When I first saw the Roscoe pattern on True Bias in this colour, I knew I just had to make one for myself and I even ended up styling it in a similar  way!
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse, a knit top with billowy statement sleeves in a white Scuba knit. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with sleek black pants and boots.
Pattern: Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse
Fabric: Scuba Knit

I don’t make or wear a lot of knit garments, but when I do, it’s usually a stable knit like this Scuba. I think it is the perfect fabric for this blouse because it gives the sleeves more structure.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Deer and Doe Passiflore Coat Dress, a short sleeved belted coat dress in an orange-toned euro linen. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a dark chunky-heel boot.
Pattern: Deer and Doe Passiflore Coat Dress
Fabric: Euro Linen

I had the honour of reviewing this gorgeous coat dress for Deer and Doe. It was the first time I sewed a lapel collar and is one of my proudest makes of 2020.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Helen's Closet Arden Pants, a classic high-waisted elastic waist pant in a muted coral Rayon Challis. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a black turtleneck and dark chunky-heel boot.
Pattern: Helen’s Closet Arden Pants (View A)
Fabric: Rayon Challis

I don’t make a lot of pants, but this one was super easy and perfect for lockdown vibes. I had initially planned to make the version with the cuffs, but ended up not doing that because I wanted to be able to take the pants from day to night, whereas the cuffs make it more casual.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Friday Pattern Company Sagebrush Top, an elegant yet breezy puffed sleeves top with ruffles in a white Swiss Dot Cotton. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with medium wash skinny jeans and heeled white ankle boots.
Pattern: Friday Pattern Company Sagebrush Top
Fabric: Swiss Dot Cotton

This was one of those patterns that came out and I immediately snatched it up! I love the ruffles and puff sleeve detail of this top. I can just imagine hacking this into a cute dress.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Megan Nielsen Sudley Dress, a reversible loose fit gathered waist dress in a colorful animal print Rayon Poplin. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment.
Pattern: Megan Nielsen Sudley Dress
Fabric: Rayon Poplin

This pattern has been on my makes list for a while and I finally got to make myself one. I made another version with a red tartan print fabric and a black collar. It is so fun to wear, and the fact that it is reversible makes it quite a versatile pattern.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Stitch Witch Patterns Tudor Blouse, a whimsical summery square collar and puffed sleeve blouse in a white Cotton Sateen. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a short muted orange high-waisted skirt.
Pattern: Stitch Witch Patterns The Tudor Blouse
Fabric: Cotton Sateen

Who doesn’t love a puff sleeve? When I saw this pattern I knew I had to make myself one. You cannot see it in these photos, but I attached the cutest flower shaped buttons. The skirt is a self-drafted pattern I made many moons ago, and I thought the combo looked amazing.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Marsha Style Sia Dress, a short dress with a low V neckline, front bust pleats, and shaped waist band in a muted orange and white Rayon Challis. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching mask and white heeled ankle boot.
Pattern: Marsha Style Sia Dress
Fabric: Rayon Challis

This dress is one of my favourite makes of 2020. I filmed a vlog on my Youtube channel sharing the behind the seams of the making of this dress. This was also when I started making matching masks with all my makes. I used the Mimi G Style mask pattern.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Raylene's self drafted drop-waist dress, a short flowy dress with tiers and mid-length puffed sleeves in white cotton. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a black mask and black chunky-heel ankle boots.
Pattern: Self-Drafted Drop-Waist Dress
Fabric: Cotton

This pattern was drafted from my basic bodice block and I love how it turned out. I filmed a vlog on my Youtube channel where I shared the making of this dress. MyBodyModel makes sketching out my ideas so much easier. I actually have another notebook where I sketch out tons of self-drafted ideas using my MyBodyModel croquis.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: P&M Patterns Muse Dress, a flowy mid-length tiered dress with ruffle straps in a floral Rayon Challis. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching mask and black chunky-heeled ankly boots.
Pattern: P&M Patterns Muse Dress
Fabric: Rayon Challis

I planned to make a hacked maxi version of this dress, but I didn’t have enough fabric for all the ruffle tiers, so I made the shorter version instead.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Helen's Closet Donovan Skirt, a classic long elastic waist skirt in an olive-toned rayon twill. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching olive top or black top and black heeled ankle boot.
Pattern: Helen’s Closet Donovan Skirt
Fabric: Rayon Twill

This skirt was part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Deer and Doe La Blouse from their Dressed ebook, a relaxed-fit short sleeved blouse in an olive-toned rayon twill. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching olive-toned skirt or black skirt and a black hat.
Pattern: Deer and Doe Dressed La Blouse
Fabric: Rayon Twill

This top was part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection. I was gifted the English version of the Deer and Doe Dressed ebook and it is gold! I was so inspired after reading it. All the patterns are minimal, timeless, and hackable. Each pattern coordinates with each other which makes it easy to build a capsule wardrobe.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Deer and Doe Le Chemisier from their Dressed ebook, a relaxed-fit short sleeved blouse tied in the front in a floral Rayon Challis. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a black skirt and necklace.
Pattern: Deer and Doe Dressed Le Chemisier
Fabric: Rayon Challis

This shirt was part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection. I love top shirt so much. You can style it in so many ways – open or closed. Here I’ve tied it in the front to cinch in my waist.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Dress hacked from the True Bias Ogden Cami, a short dress with spaghetti straps and a soft v-neck in a black Armani Satin. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with black ankle boots, large sunglasses, and a necklace.
Pattern: True Bias Ogden Cami (Hacked)
Fabric: Armani Satin

This dress was part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection. I hacked the Ogden Cami into a mini dress and made it in a gorgeous Armani Satin to give it that popular slip dress feel. Everyone needs a little black dress and this one is perfect and so versatile.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Helen's Closet Pona Jacket, a relaxed jacket in the style of an oversized wide-lapel blazer in a rosy beige rayon twill. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a black dress and necklace.
Pattern: Helen’s Closet Pona Jacket
Fabric: Rayon Twill

This jacket was part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection. When I first made it, I used a bull denim and it looked way too boxy for my liking and felt that it didn’t go with the rest of the garments in my capsule. I ended up making it in this drapey Rayon Twill instead.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Helen's Closet Winslow Culottes, a loose fit high-waisted pant in a black rayon twill. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching black sleeveless top and black ankle boots.
Pattern: Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes
Fabric: Rayon Twill

These culottes were part of my six-piece capsule wardrobe collection. Whenever I wear these I just want to swish around. I love culottes, I should really make more of them!
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Trend Patterns TPC7 Pleated Shoulder Top, a heavily pleated blouse with voluminous puffed sleeves in a white Cotton Poplin. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a patterned miniskirt and off-white heeled ankle boots.
Pattern: Trend Patterns TPC7 Pleated Shoulder Top
Fabric: Cotton Poplin

Could we please have a moment for this pleated top? I made this trendy top as part of my feature in the October issue of SEWN Magazine!
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: A dress hacked from the Cool Stitches Elliot Front Tie Top, a long flowing dress with shirt puffed sleeves, a deep v neckline, and a gathered waist in a sheer black tulle. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with black undergarments and black ankle boots.
Pattern: Cool Stitches Elliot Front Tie Top (Dress Hack)
Fabric: Tulle

I hacked this free top pattern into a sheer front slit maxi dress for my birthday. I started a hashtag #patternhacktober to challenge myself for the month of October to do more pattern hacks. All year I’ve mostly been sewing patterns as they are and I wanted to get my creative juices flowing by only doing pattern hacks for the month of October.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: A dress hacked from the Cool Stitches Elliot Front Tie Top, a long flowing dress with shirt puffed sleeves, a deep v neckline, and a gathered waist in a dotted pink and black tulle. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with black chunky-heel ankle boots.
Pattern: Cool Stitches Elliot Front Tie Top (Dress Hack)
Fabric: Tulle

Similar to my birthday dress, I created a shorter version of the front slit dress for the very first Virtual Cape Town Frocktails event.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Simplicity S8735 Wrap Dress, a short flowy wrap dress in a red floral Rayon Poplin. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with a matching mask, black cross-body purse, and black ankle boots.
Pattern: Simplicity S8735 Wrap Dress
Fabric: Rayon Poplin

I have finally found the perfect wrap dress pattern! I especially love the princess seams. I have made about 3 of these already.
Raylene's year of fashion sewing from #sketch2finish! Sewing pattern: Deer and Doe La Robe from their Dressed ebook, a short flowy dress with short sleeves and a gathered waist in a dark red floral Bubble Chiffon. Here we see Raylene's original bullet journal sketch on her custom croquis figure from MyBodyModel alongside her finished garment, styled with summery tan closed-toe sandals.
Pattern: Deer and Doe Dressed La Robe
Fabric: Bubble Chiffon

This dress is from the “Dressed” Ebook by Deer and Doe and I love this pattern so much. I have a feeling I’m going to be making loads more of these. It’s the perfect “throw on and go” dress.

That wraps up all the garments I documented in my sewing journal. Something I have to note, though, these are not all the garments I made in 2020. I usually only document the first time I work with a pattern, so I have other garments – including wearable toiles – that I made from these patterns in other fabrics.

Goals for the New Year

In 2021 I would love to focus on making more self-drafted garments. When I started sewing that is pretty much all I did. I didn’t start sewing with patterns until late 2018!

I’m definitely going to keep documenting my makes in my sewing journal and hopefully create another capsule wardrobe collection. I’d like to also challenge myself to make my first pair of jeans, a swimsuit, a bra, and maybe even a tailored jacket! 

I usually choose a word of the year. For 2020 it was “FOCUS” – to find clarity through engagement. I’m thinking my 2021 word of the year is going to be “FLOURISH.” I’d like to take what I have learned and focused on in 2020 into the new year but to a much greater level.

I’d love to keep learning and practicing new skills and hopefully get the ball rolling with turning my sewing into a business. I’d love to be productive – to produce more content for my blog, Youtube channel and social media platforms and to keep inspiring others to sew, especially the sewing community here in South Africa where it is still quite small.


Above all, I’d love to keep being kind to myself and my body, to learn to love it and embrace it completely.

MyBodyModel has definitely played a huge role in 2020 in making me appreciate and love my body more and I encourage everyone to do the same.

Did you enjoy this post? Please comment, pin, and share!

Bullet journal maven Raylene Harvey looks back through her 2020 sewing journal, and shares her favorite DIY fashion makes of the year. Click to see more than 20 indie sewing patterns all the way from bujo sketch to finished outfit!

Are you inspired to document more of your makes in a sewing journal?

Check out our roundup of #sketch2finish posts for more inspiration!

3 thoughts on “My Sewing Journal Year in Review, #sketch2finish”

  1. Vicki

    I love how you are using your MyBodyModel and bullet journal. What is your method of transferring the croquis to the Bullet Journal? Beautiful wardrobe you have created for yourself.

    Reply
  2. Raylene

    Hi Vicki,
    Thank you! I had my MyBodyModel croquis printed on thick paper and I put these under the page to trace onto the page. The paper of my journal are thin enough to see the outlines through it. Hope this helps 🙂 Thanks again for your lovely comment about my wardrobe.
    – Raylene

    Reply
  3. Lizeth

    Hello!

    Im wondering if you can share where you purchase the Euro Linen that you mentioned you love from??
    Your makes are so dope. Thanks for sharing.

    Lizeth.

    Reply

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