I can’t even believe I’m writing this post! Last year, shortly after starting sewing, I wanted to find a way to engage with the sewing community more than I was through Instagram – to challenge myself to take better photos of my makes, challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and connect with all of you. Right before Thanksgiving last year, I started to get serious about it – purchasing a theme, selecting a name and writing my first post. While I didn’t hit “publish” on my site till November 25th, writing that first post was a big step and so I’m declaring it Handmade by Lara Liz’s birthday!
I’ve debated what to do with this post – and I think I’m going to do a few posts – but for this post, I just want to reflect back on this year. And what is a celebration without a giveaway? Make sure to check out the end of the post to see what it is and how to enter!
My Handmade Wardrobe
In my 365 days of blogging, I’ve added tons of items to my handmade wardrobe that have been blogged about. Sometimes items don’t get blogged about if they’re repeat makes so I think there are probably 10-15 additional items than this list reflects:
Sweaters and Sweatshirts: 19 items added
Tops: 47 items added
Skirts: 8 items added
Pants: 10 items added
Dresses: 14 items added
Jackets: 6 items added
Total: 104 items added
Top Posts
I also looked back to see what the most popular posts were of the last year and I was kind of surprised by some of the top 10:
Falling for Fall | Style Maker Fabrics Blog Tour
Tilly Tee and Boardwalk Shorts
Hadley Top
The Results are In | The Search for the Perfect T-Shirt
Introducing the Search for the Perfect T-Shirt
The other posts that were the next most popular were: The Favorite Tee, The Bonn Shirt, The Lodo Dress, Lonetree vs Kelly Anorak [I thought this would be higher in the top 10!] and Charleston Dress.
Let’s Celebrate!
To celebrate Handmade by Lara Liz turning one I am giving away two $25 gift certificates to Indiesew! I debated back and forth what to giveaway to celebrate and decided on this because there are so many of my favorite patterns on Indiesew that I talk about all the time around here. I am hosting the giveaway over on Instagram today. The giveaway will run for one week and will end on Thursday, November 23rd (Thanksgiving!) at 8 am EST. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. ⠀
Congratulations on your 1sts anniversary Lara! You’re the hardest working sewist/blogger I know! I enjoy reading all your posts and seeing your makes. For such a new sewists (although not really when I read how many garments you’ve actually made!!) your sewing skills are brilliant. You know what suits you, how to get a great fit and now have a closet full of handmade clothes that you can say, “I make my clothes!”
Thank you so much!! It’s so fun to tell people that you made what you’re wearing – one of my favorite parts of wearing my me-made items!
Love your blog, you are my favorite. I think it is the way you organize things and present your ideas. And then when you mentioned that you work for a large public accounting firm, I knew why. I worked for a large public accounting firm as a cpa when I started my career a long time ago, and I think it is a way of thinking and presenting ideas in a logical, organized, well thought out way. Thank you for your posts and for the time and thought you put into them. I am amazed by your productivity.
Thanks so much Kathy! Too funny that you also came from a CPA firm – we probably speak the same language 🙂 Thank you so much for all your support!
I still cannot believe you have only been blogging and sewing for a year! Your results with both sewing and photography are so polished, so professional. I love following your blog because of the high quality of your makes, as well as your tendency to pick styles that are classic. Keep up the fantastic work, and here’s to many more years of awesomeness! <3
Thank you so much Julia! What sweet comments – I so appreciate your support and kind words!
Congrats Lara!! I just started sewing and am having so much fun creating a new wardrobe. It’s so inspiring to find your blog and read about your journey. Your makes are awesome – can’t wait to see what you make next. Great blog and lots of great information. Thanks so much!!