Top 5 Inspirations of 2012

When I first signed up for Gillian's Top 5 of 2012 lists, I actually mis-read the prompt for the Inspirations list. It sounds too hard to pick my favorite sewing blogs (there are so very many), so I'd like to share my top 5 style inspirations of the year! You might see them start to crop up in my 2013 projects.

1. Volume
I mentioned this in my Top 5 Reflections post, but I've been really intrigued by volume lately! And I'm excited to see Vogue and the Project Runway/McCall's line incorporating volume into their more fashion-forward patterns.

2. Surface design/print design
It's always tempting for me to choose a solid fabric, but prints and textures done well have been catching my eye more and more.

3. Minimalism
I'm starting to see 90s minimalist fashion come back, and I'm really excited! Maybe it's because I spent most of my teen years in the 90s. Luxirare had an amazing blog post on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style, and I was inspired by her classic modern look. I don't remember the 90s looking that good!

4. Basics and tomboy style
I love dresses, but if I'm being honest with myself, I'm most often found in pants and a shirt. I think a flattering, durable basic is as valuable as a once-a-year dress, if not more so.

5. Classic American

I've had an on-going love affair with cowboy boots, button-down shirts and more recently, Alabama Chanin's amazing hand-stitched pieces. There's just something about pieces with a history behind their construction and design that speaks to me.

Annnnd I wanted to say a big thank-you to all the bloggers that I connected with this year. Doing Me-Made-May was extra fun this time around and I met a lot of great sewers and makers. Kirsty, Gillian, Ginger, Zoe, Liza Jane, Solvi, Andrea, Meg and futurenakano and many more, I really enjoyed getting to know you through your blogs and thoughtful/helpful/interesting comments this year. You made sewing in 2012 that much more fun!