I’m really not sure, @Boppingbeth .  I want to make clothes that I will wear, but at 58 years of age, I still haven’t discovered my style 

What do you reach for every morning?

Thank you for resurrecting this thread and sharing your experiences, @Boppingbeth .  I find this thread so interesting.  Maybe 2024 will be the year I find which patterns work for me.

What styles are you starting with?

I just came across this tag, and thought I would throw in comments.  I guess better late than never, particularly since I’ve been losing weight and need to get back to basics with my clothes.

1.  Essential top:
For knits, I like the Apostrophe T-Shirt pattern best, since I can do anything from an under-layer to an over-sweater with it because it automagically adjusts for both looseness and fabric stretch, but I’ve also gotten great results from the basic T-shirt patterns by Jalie, and by Ottobre.
Woven: button up shirt pattern that is more like a camp shirt than a fitted shirt. I use a self drafted fitted shirt pattern that has side bust darts and a two-piece collar.

2.  Essential bottoms:
If I could only pick one I would pick the Apostrophe Joggers pattern, which can make everything from a flat front straight leg pull on pant to knitted joggers with cuffs, and has so many options for pockets, leg widths, leg shapes and yokes.  I’ve used it for nearly every pants pattern I’ve made in the last year.  The pattern adjusts for fabric stretch (both width wise and length wise). 

Back Up patterns: a basic trouser pattern with a fly front zipper and slash pockets. I don’t have one that fits my current body shape post-menopause but it is on my sewing plan for 2024.
Leggings: again, Apostrophe Leggings pattern, with side panels and pockets.
Jeans: either the Mountain Jeans or StyleArc jeans patterns.

3. One-piece.
For this I would have to say my sleeveless A-line dress pattern with the dart into the armhole is my preferred pattern.  I’ve made it five times now, and have plans for three more.  I wear these all summer, and with a sweater fall and spring and get compliments every time.
I also have a self-drafted knit swing dress pattern that is fabulous, that needs pockets.

4. Layer
My layers are all hand knit sweaters, cardigans, and very rarely a casual jacket or jean jacket. I don’t have a pattern for a casual jacket with a notched collar and three buttons, but that is on my list to find or draft in 2024.

5.  Wild Card:
Self-drafted straight skirt, above the knee.  I’ve used it to make all kinds of skorts, dress skirts, and panelled skirts. 

The first year I competed on Stitchers Guild, my then 12 year old also competed.  We both finished our wardrobes.  That year, the challenge was a ‘sewn accessory’ that was not clothing. 

Eldest designed and sewed a 30” Phoenix Hand Puppet as her accessory.

I loved SWAP and completed it more than once, both on the Stitcher’s Guild, and when it ran in the world before it was hosted by Stitcher’s Guild.

I also loved the seasonal 6 pack sew alongs—three months for six pieces, two tops, two layers, and two bottoms.

Those are both lovely!  I’m sure you will get lots of use out of them.

I have two of three pieces made and then I ran out of the coordinating fabric.  So, either I need to shop or I need to dig through the piles.  Likely shop since I don’t think that the fabrics I have will actually work with the leftovers.

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This kind of alteration is frequently done at the waist not the hem.  It is, however, a royal pain to do, particularly since it also involves moving the zipper in the back.