A year of growth, learning, and making with natural fibers.
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Thank you for being part of this creative journey.
Happy sewing!
Opening Thoughts
I started 2025 with big expectations for my sewing and knitting and small expectations for Wool Wren Studio. I expected to sew many pieces for my wardrobe and to slowly grow a new blog and community. The opposite happened. I didn’t make everything I intended to (see my Make Nine for 2025), and Wool Wren Studio grew an audience that far exceeded my dreams for 2025.
The Theme of the Year
My word (or phrase) for 2025: intention
This theme showed up in my sewing room and creative work through:
- The fabrics I chose to work with (linen, cotton, and other natural fibers)
- The projects I committed to finishing, not just starting
- The way I shared resources and free patterns with you
Some Standout Highlights
Some Wool Wren Studio moments I’m especially proud of this year.
The sewing project I reached for again and again: Chloe Dress by Silversaga Patterns
I was asked by Jessica of Silversaga Patterns to preview this pattern before its release. I immediately said yes. I ran to my local fabric shop and picked up this beautiful printed linen viscose blend. I made View A in my usual size 8 for Silversaga patterns and sewed up a 65″ tie to cinch around my waist, but found that I would wear this dress most often without it. This dress has become a staple in my wardrobe that I can wear on hot summer days or even in the cooler months under a knit sweater.
You can grab the Chloe Pattern to sew for yourself, here.
The Content That Resonated the Most: You loved #wwsfreepatternfriday
When I started this series, I never imagined how much you would all love it. I had a list of free sewing patterns in a Google Sheet on my computer but I couldn’t bear to keep them for myself. While some of the patterns featured aren’t free anymore, this content was some of the successful to date.
Collaborations and Partnerships: The Linen Lab, Son de Flor, not Perfect Linen, and Meissner Sewing.
At the start of 2025, I never imagined that these oppurtunities would manifest. It was an absolute dream to have these oppurtunities and I’m so grateful for the trust to create beautiful content and to promote brands I believe in.
I was kindly gifted this 100% linen Classic Dress from Son de Flor. I had been an admirer of this brand for many years before this opportunity arose. The quality of the linen and the dress itself is second to none. I can’t wait to style this natural fiber dress with handmade accessories in the spring and summer, and under me-made cardigans and sweaters in the fall and winter.
Personal creative milestones: I ended 2025 having made 4 quilts, including the Offset Star Quilt
I started this quilt in 2024, but took my time to make it. The biggest stumbling block for me was cutting out the fabric. I made many mistakes, and many of the points on the blocks don’t line up. But I kept sewing. I finished the quilt top and then chose yardage from the Slow Summer collection by Suzy Quilts for the backing and binding. I hand quilted this quilt, which was such a long but rewarding process.
Other quilts I completed included this Jelly Roll Cabin pattern, the Shortbread Charm Pack pattern, and a baby Dorothy Quilt.
What I Created This Year in Numbers
This year was about creating with purpose and sharing resources with you.
Garments sewn: 16
- including the Chloe Dress, Alma Dress, Zamora Skirt, Elma Dress, the Esther Set, Carol Top, and the Nico Pullover
Garments knit: 2
- Champagne Cardigan and my Lakes Pullover
Home projects or accessories: 8
- including the Charley Charm Tote, the August Tote, the Merry Days Calendar, and the Hope Tree
Free Pattern Friday features: 32
- the Craft Studio Top was your favorite
Roundups and Guides: 15
- The 13 Skirt Patterns was my most successful, while The Ultimate Fall Fabric Guide was the most extensive
Quilts made: 4
- It still blows my mind that I now know how to make quilts!
Favorites From the Year
A project I’d make again: The Alma Dress by Silversaga Patterns
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the tester group for this pattern. Jessica is planning to share a long-sleeve version that I am so excited to sew up myself in the future. I love the cinched waist ties, simple, yet modest neckline, hem facing, and flutter sleeves.
A Fabric I Fell in Love With
I had seen this navy blue floral linen from The Linen Lab on Instagram and knew I had to make a dress out of it myself. I made it into an Elma Dress by Me & Kiddo that I know I will reach for for many years. The floral print is subtle yet detailed and the linen is lightweight and soft. I plan to sew scraps of this gorgeous linen into a blue and white quilt I’m planning for 2026.
A Tool That Completely Changed my Sewing Game
I received a Brother 1034 D Serger for my birthday this year, and I’m still amazed at how much it has improved the quality of my makes. Thanks, Mom. ☺️
Growth at Wool Wren Studio (By the Numbers)
A small snapshot of how Wool Wren Studio grew this year:
- Instagram community: 900 → 18.8k
- Blog posts/pattern reviews/tutorials published: 51
- Free patterns shared: 32
Lessons from the Sewing Room
2025 had its challenges, too.
- Projects that didn’t turn out as planned: 3
- I made a pair of Lane Pants in a heavy dobby linen, and I hated them. The button band on my Champagne Cardigan is a bit too tight and changes the look of the whole garment. I learned from this Ruby Vest that I believe I have a bigger bust than I do. I now size down in all Sydney Graham patterns.
- Unfinished projects: 4
- I still need to sew on a snap to my Aronia House Dress, finish a Carol Top, and a Saundra Skirt, and bind a quilted star wall hanging
What sewing (and sharing online) taught me this year:
- Lesson #1: It’s ok to make garments you don’t ultimatly love. There’s always learning in the process of it.
- Lesson #2: You won’t please everyone, but you’ll meet some really incredible people along the way.
- Lesson #3: There’s no better way to learn than to just do.
Gratitude
My making doesn’t exist in isolation.
- Thank you to everyone who tagged Wool Wren, commented, shared, or sent kind messages.
- Thank you to brands and collaborators who trusted me to share them with my audience.
- And I’m most grateful to God for the gift of these hands that allow me to create every single day.
My Celine Blouse by Silversaga Patterns
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I plan for the year ahead, I’m carrying these intentions with me:
- A word or guiding focus for 2026: curated
- More of: Filling the gaps in my wardrobe
- I make too many dresses and skirts. It’s time to venture into tops.
- Less of: comparison
- creating at my own pace is far more rewarding than rushing through projects
- One creative habit I want to protect: sitting down at my machine even when I feel unmotivated
I’m especially excited about:
- Future free patterns or tutorials
- Continuing to explore natural fibers in depth and learn more about the fabrics they create
- Building a slower, more thoughtful handmade wardrobe
Closing Thoughts
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that sewing can be both grounding and expansive. Wool Wren Studio continues to grow one project, one lesson, and one handmade piece at a time.
Thank you for being here and for being part of this creative space. 💕
Here’s to another year of making.
