January Update!
Hello everyone! Since it is now the second week of the new year, I figured it was time for an update.
I was half way through writing a big progress report style post, but thought it might work better as a video. So here is a disorganized and spontaneous update video! I’m not exactly proud that this is my first upload of the year…but it’s something!
For those of you who don’t enjoy ramble videos, here is a break down:
I talked a bit about the plans I didn’t finish from my November & December plans video.
And how those plans are basically the reason I won’t be making a January & February plans video - I just want to focus on the things I didn’t get to in 2018, instead of new ideas (though I’m full of those too!). Specifically the Vivandiere uniform, Elizabethan bodice, and the 1890s orange suit.
Or at least that was the plan.
However, some other deadlines have popped up. So my focus in the immediate future will be a new design for McCalls and an 18th Century Robe a la Francaise. Along with starting on 1960’s and 70’s pieces for Sewing through the Decades.
However I don’t think I gave enough credit in this video to what I DID finish. Out of the things mentioned in my November & December plans video I made…
-1915 dress and head protector
-1950’s brown coat
-1940’s green Coat + hat
-1950’s blue coat
-Pink velvet dress and hat (7292)
-1950’s blouse (3305)
-Stingray dress (5699)
-Vogue 191 (FINALLY)
-Blouse, skirt, and pants for an 1860’s uniform
-Edwardian tea gown
I probably could have squeezed more in. But that isn’t too bad! And I made videos about all of them! A lot of them went up in the last week of December, and I didn’t post them all on patreon. So in case you missed any, they can all be watched here!
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I also mentioned that the increased upload rate in 2018 didn’t do much for my channels growth or analytics. Which have stayed pretty much the same, if not gotten worse. Which is fine - but means I'm less compelled to post weekly. At least publicly.
I like the idea of focusing more on quality over quantity. Which means some months I might work on a couple, more elaborate videos instead of four simpler ones.
But the frequency of uploads on patreon won’t be changing - and it might not be changing anywhere for a while, since I have a lot of ideas right now!
...
And then I did a little sewing room tour with all the things I'm attempting to work on.
And showed my new gravity feed iron, which I'm excited about.
And the fabric I'm trying really hard not to buy.
And the fabric I did actually buy.
That all starts around the 12 minute mark if you want to skip the chatter.
…
Alright, now onto some patreon stuff:
1. I will be making a poll with ALL the bonus projects suggested in the comments here. Not just the popular ones. So If you would like to suggest something please do so. The poll will go live on Wednesday - so you don’t have long!
I really wanted to make the 1950’s evening gown first, which is why I put off making this poll earlier. But it’s truly ridiculous how long it has taken me, and I want to have the next two bonus projects picked before the end of January.
2. I’m filming a Q&A / sewing vlog this week. And I have other ideas for incorporating questions in future videos. If you would like me to answer something please ask it here!
I love vlogging simpler projects but I feel like they get super repetitive. So I’m trying to build a build a backlog of questions I can answer in them, to keep them interesting!
3. $36 tier rewards for December should be going out this week.
I’m sorry they are late - they focus on Coatmas and I was super confident I could get another coat done before sending them out. I didn’t. So now they are just late.
Also - as mentioned in the video, I try to stay active on the community tab if you have any projects to share or questions! I was away from social media for the first part of this month so I was delayed but I try to respond to everything!
And I think that is it! I'm going back to my ruffle monster and preparing hat patterns for future tutorials...
I hope your year is off to a good start and I'll be back with better content soon, I hope!
Comments (15)
Can’t remember where you put out feelers for snaps but uhm <a href="https://etsy.me/2FXqgIT" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://etsy.me/2FXqgIT</a>
Love the red gingham embroidered fabric! With the purple polyester you could maybe justify it by making a capelet or cropped jacket (somewhat like some of the cardigan pattern shapes of the 50s-60s) or even a shorter circle skirt swing jacket! Such a great fabric!!
I love the rambly videos! I save them for when I have hand-sewing to do :) Could you share which tailoring book you got?
YES! I just bought the novelty weave suiting as well. The plan is a 50s swing coat. You and Mrs. Maisel are so dangerous for me and my pocketbook.
I love the informal videos. I am also beyond excited at the prospect of some tailoring videos! That book sounds like a great gift for you- and indirectly me too 😊
you could do a series based on they stays of your costume calender maybe one a month or season
styles damnit
Congratulations on your new sponsored projects. So happy you have some paid projects coming up. Relax and don't stress about what you don't get done...as long as you are doing, what you have time for well, then that's all that matters. You are a wonderful person and all of us patrons love you!
Hi Angela, great to hear about your plans, specifically great to here you have some new sponsor projects. Sorry to hear December did not start very well for you, but as mentioned the designs you made for coatmas really impressed me. IMHO, your design skills really set you apart. Would be great if you can continue to include the design process in your videos, or even emphasize more on it. Im happy to hear you plan to relax yourself on the quantity, hopefully it gives you the time and headspace to achieve your creative goals. I’m quite positive that most (if not all) of your patrons do not forcefully keep you to your “promises”, you deliver so much you never promised. And obviously you learn and adjust your plans as you move on. I’m convinced that if you relax and don’t put so much pressure on yourself, you feel better and your results will only become even better as well. And thats a win for all of us. Sorry, if now I’m rambling and I definitely don’t want to claim I know how you should life your live. I love what you do and just wanted to share my thoughts. Hope that 2019 treats you well and brings you your next step in your career.
I mean, I'd love for you to get some coffee ;), film whatever you enjoy or what makes you relaxed in whatever way you like and then post it. I'm happy to contribute a few bucks because I love to watch your ideas come to life.
I’m excited for the historical costumes this year! “I like big skirts and I do not lie- though others may deny...” anyway! Always love you videos as even things like this one brings me inspiration!
I like watching and listening to you , in part becuase i feel less alone and isolated while i work on sewing projects after all my friends have gone to sleep. If im feeling lonely i turn on one of your chatting vlogs and feel happy. My sleep scedule is so wonky and there are days when im in to much pain to sleep through the night. So when that happens i grab a sewing project and set a video of yours on. Ive watched your sewing through the decades vids about 5 or 6 times through. It helps while the time away productively. Thank you for making content. I enjoy all of it. Ps i think you should wear the red evening gown in a video, its too pretty to be left for an etheral evening event.
A then v now Mary Poppins recreation would be AMAZING!!!!
I love your plans and your motivation. I could watch you constantly. I'd love to see any of the videos you suggested. Probably not your most discerning fan, but whatever you make I'll watch. I upped my patreon to the voting tier, not because I'm interested much in the voting but simply because I think the work you do is great.
I think that your current viewers do look forward to your vlogs as I do, and potential viewers should know that you are a talented, refreshing, very real, and interesting person. I love the various goals you have set for yourself this year, you just need to prioritize. I’m excited for you because you remind me of why I love to sew. I enjoyed your various costumes, outfits and coats last year, and look forward to voting on the new ones you have in mind. And it’s great to see you once again!