Year in Review: The 2021 Edition

What a year!  Goals are meant to be changed, right?  Well, that has been the theme of 2021 for sure.  Of my sewing goals (another pair of jeans, car coat, denim jacket, vest, twist front top and a linen shirt), yeah, I've got nothing to show.  This is what did come out of the sewing workspace this past year.  

 January

Most of my sewing time in 2021 was dedicated to sewing for others (minus the dresses that fits for moi).  All of these makes were created with tried and trusted patterns.  The Littlest Studio tuque (free downloadable pattern), scrub caps (free downloadable pattern), Simplicity silk slip and The Assembly Line's Tulip dress.  

Covid-19 continued to be an presence in our lives as the roll-out of the vaccine started in North America a few weeks earlier.  The first to receive their vaccines are people living in long-term care facilities and those working in health care.  There is a sense of hope at the beginning of the year that was quickly diminished later in the month when it was discovered that a B.C. couple jumped the Covid vaccine queue.  Some people didn't get the memo that claims we're in this together.  

Face masks remain the top fashion accessory of our times despite the anti-maskers who are not too keen on this fashion accessory.     

February

February's sewing projects were about work clothes, dealing with weight gain and the fact that I'm not comfortable winter driving while wearing a big heavy winter coat.  McCall's reversible winter jacket, Closet Core dress, Vogue t-shirt and Vogue turtleneck dress.  

Pandemic life is not pretty.  Pandemic pounds and the Covid-15 are more than catch phrases that sum up the physical toll the pandemic is having on the world's population.  Knowing that I am not alone is not helping.  I was at an unhealthy weight before the pandemic and now it's worse.  There are winter clothes in my wardrobe, packed away because they do not fit.  Wool pants that could keep me warm this winter are unwearable because they don't fit.  I don't even want to think about sewing but I need something to wear with more ease if I'm going to get dressed for work.    

March

March's sewing was dedicated to practical sewing and sewing for others.  More scrub caps for nurses working in an Ontario health care facility and reusable shopping bags for me.  

Pandemic pounds are extinguishing my desire to sew anything new for myself.  The roll-out of the vaccine is slowly marching along.  (Unintended pun)   I'm still waiting my turn.  In the meantime, I'm sewing and sending off more scrub caps to nurses in Ontario.  

April

I was starting to feel burnt-out with pandemic life.  One of these projects were all about trying to find my lost joy in sewing, the other project was about having something to fit my obese frame.  The Assembly Line's Oversized shirt and McCall's little girl's dress.  

Pandemic sewing is starting to bum me out as I watch case number increase and anti-vaccine protesters dropping unwelcomed literature in the mailboxes around the neighbourhood.   

May

Nothing sewn this month.  

June

Tessuti Patterns' Eva dress.  Only because I no longer fit into my other versions of this dress and hot weather is coming.  This one is made with a cotton stretch and pockets.   Stretch fabric to the rescue.

Double masking has become a thing as case number increase and schools move into remote learning for the last month.  

July

July was all about catching up on projects that I've either neglected or have been talking about for quite some time.  Simplicity panties, Vogue pajama bottoms, Butterick pajama top, Vogue wool pants.  

The anti-mask and anti-vaccine protests that are popping up at busy intersections around the neighbourhood are disheartening.  I just want to hibernate in my pajamas.  

August

This year I didn't make myself birthday dress.  Pajamas seem to be more appropriate for pandemic birthdays.  McCall's little girl's dress, kitchen curtains, Butterick pajama top and Vogue pajama bottoms. 

Anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters are taking their protests to the Federal election campaign in a very ugly way.  It makes one not want to venture out at all.  I need something to take my mind off the ugliness and anger I've been witnessing both here locally and on news clips following the campaign trail.  

September

I need to do some more charity / gift sewing to feel like I'm doing something positive.  

It's a mad, mad world out there!  Anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters block the entrance to a local hospital restricting entrance to patients and hospital staff.  

October

There was more charity sewing and I've dipped my toes back into sewing for myself--not pajamas, believe it or not.  The Assembly Line (TAL) Box Pleat dress, Free downloadable bib pattern, and a Vogue top.  Along with some sewing bloopers that made me abandon a jean jacket project.  

I'm starting to drop some pounds, slowly.  TAL dress is too big.  I wear it a few times because I love the print but I really do sew to have clothes that fit.  The dress has plans to become grocery shopping bags instead.  

November

It may look like my sewing was all over the place. There was some charity and gift sewing, kitchen items, and dresses.  Oh my!  The turtleneck dresses are keepers.  The wrap dress has me thinking, what was I thinking?   No pattern used for the microwave cozies, Simplicity top, Burda dress, Vogue wrap dress, Dhurata Davies face mask, Vogue dress and no pattern used for the reusable coffee filters.  

I'm trying my best to eat healthier, decrease my coffee intake (I made that decision after sewing the reusable filters) and get more exercise.  It's paying off because I'm starting to fit into winter clothes that I had packed away last year.   There is a sense of hope as the Advent season begins.  

December

Burda turtleneck dress, vintage Simplicity robe, Butterick cardigan and McCall's tote bag.  

The presence of the omicron variant sucker punched the whole world and just highlights that we're not in this together as long as vaccine inequality remains.  It's not the corona virus, rather it's greed that will take us down if vaccine inequality is not addressed.   

Face masks continue to be the hot fashion accessory of the season.  KN95 masks that were readily available previous months are now more difficult to find in the stores.  I'm starting to receive more requests for homemade face masks.  The Dhurata Davies pattern has become my go-to despite being more work to create, it is the best fit.  Even though it is the holiday season, it is disheartening to watch the news that health care workers are being threatened around the world.   What happened to the hope we had in the beginning of 2021?  Hope was found at my presser foot of my sewing machine creating something as an expression of kindness.  We need more kindness right now.  

Stay safe and keep sewing!

Sewing Room Lessons: The 2021 Edition

Even though there was some good work that came off the sewing machine, the year did present some sewing lessons. 

Take to the time to do some research.  If I took the time to read some reviews on TAL's Box pleat dress pattern I could have saved myself some time and fabric. This leads into another lesson that I forgot, it's wise to sew a toile first.  

It might look like I'm being frugal (I am) but patchwork is actually a trend.  

It's good to change perspectives so that you don't kick yourself for something that might appear to be a sewing blooper to others.  Gender placement for buttons and buttonholes are outdated.  Go ahead and be a rule breaker even if it's unintentional.  

Saving scraps can come in handy for unexpected mending emergencies during the lifetime of a sewing project.  

Stay safe and keep sewing!

My Favourite Makes of 2021

This list is in no particular order.  

Homemade coffee filters.  This simple and quick project made it to the favourite makes of 2021 because I'm not throwing out disposable coffee filters anymore.  

Burda 8848, a shoulder seam zipper extends into the turtleneck collar.  Even though this dress doesn't have pockets, it is so comfortable.  

The toile version of Burda 8848 is made in a sweatshirt fabric making this one of the most cozy pieces I could reach for during the winter months.  

Turtleneck dresses are my favourite to wear and this one is made out of a wool jersey.  This fabric makes this dress a fav from all my turtleneck dresses.  It is made with out-of-print (OOP) Vogue 8939.  

Simplicity 2372 is another true and trusted (TNT) pattern and again, it's all about the fabric.  A printed sateen stretch that has been in the stash for many years.  

This pajama set has to be my all-time favourite pajama make, again it's all about the fabric.  The colours are another reason this made it to the favourite list.  The pajama top is Butterick 6296 and the bottoms are OOP Vogue 9217.

My favourite list consists of mostly tried and trusted patterns that were revisited.  Except for the Burda turtleneck pattern, Burda International 8848, a new-to-me Etsy find.  I'm guessing is from the late 1990s or early 21st century.  Interestingly, no 2021 pattern releases made it to the favourite list.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing.

It's All About the Fit: OOP McCall's 4851

The Assembly Line's Box pleat dress pattern is a lovely design.  The only problem with this project is the fit.  The dress pattern runs large extra large.  Huge.  Enormous actually.  The bust darts did not hit the right spot and they were too low.  I only wore this dress a few times because I made it in a fabric I love.  So, since the fit wasn't right and I didn't feel good wearing it because of the fit, I had to come up with another plan for the fabric.  

 And this is what I came up with, another reusable grocery bag made with out-of-print (OOP) McCall's 4851.  

There was enough room to cut one piece of the bag from the front.  That's all I needed to know before I took the dress apart.  The back with the very generous size pleat I wasn't concern about.  

It was an easy project to whip up once I figured out there was enough fabric to make it work.  The straps are grosgrain ribbon.   

Project Details

Seams:  2.6 straight stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  Upcycled dress

Ribbon:  1.2 metres

Pattern:  OOP McCall's 4851

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Scissors, pins, iron, ironing board, sewing machine, serger, threads and coffee.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing.

A Classic Design: OOP Simplicity 6851

This robe was part of the holiday gift sewing.  

The pattern, out-of-print (OOP) Simplicity 6851, is such a lovely find.  This is the second time sewing this robe and I forgot how much I enjoy sewing this pattern. 

First, can I say that I'm quite smitten over the size of the pockets?  They are perfect.  I did raise the placement of the pockets about an inch and a half.  Also impressed with the use of darts and their placement.  The bust dart glides down from the raglan sleeve seam in the front.  The shoulders are shaped with a dart, highlighting the mid-century era of which this pattern originates.  As well, there are pattern pieces for a proper neckline and sleeve facings.  This is the golden age of vintage patterns.  Even the quality of the pattern paper is superior to the big four tissue pattern paper found now-a-days. 

The fabric for this project is a cotton sateen with stretch.  It is left over from this project.  I had just enough fabric left over to squeak out the robe.  It was all about the deep burgundy colour that inspired this project.  There was a request for the sleeves to be cut to full length (an additional 6 inches), but there just wasn't enough fabric.  The fabric was pre-shrunk many moons ago, so it just hit the ironing board for a quick press before the pattern layout phase of the project.  

The buttons are a recycled find from Mom's button stash. This find happened to be the gold mine of buttons.  There were enough buttons for two robes, surpassing the six buttons suggested on the pattern envelope.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.6 straight stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  2.5 metres

Interfacing:  0.5 metres

Buttons:  6 - 3/4 inch shank buttons

Pattern:  OOP Simplicity 6851

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, pins, pin cushion, tailor's chalk, scissors, measuring tape, measuring gauge, iron, ironing board, sewing machine, regular presser foot, walking foot, buttonhole foot screwdriver, sewing machine needle, serger, threads (6 spools between the 2 machines), cutting board, buttonhole cutter, hand sewing needles (2), thread clippers, coat thread, music and a coffee break or two.  

Stay safe and keep sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

I took a break from Christmas sewing projects.  

Yup, it's a tradition, all this last minute Christmas sewing.  I need to take care of some mending first.  That might be actually fall under the definition of procraftination.  

I've upgraded my tuque this year to reflect the pandemic lifestyle we're currently living.  

I can't take credit for this genius idea, it is borrowed from photos of healthcare workers' scrub caps.  This will make getting a face mask on easily so that it doesn't get tangled with my glasses.  I have one more tuque that I would like to upgrade this way.  

In other sewing news, this happened sometime a couple of weeks ago.  I discovered this small hole in one of my favourite merino wool sweaters after hand washing it and laying it out to dry.  It's a good thing that I've taken a liking to visible mending lately.  

I don't wear it often, when I do, it actually goes perfectly with this skirt.  So, it kind of hurt a wee bit when I discovered this hole.  Thankfully, I have some shrunken knit sweaters that could help out in this situation.  

I sewed the hole close before laying the "patch" on top and stitching around it.  I'm good with this fix and I'm sure that I will get a few more wears (fingers crossed) from this sweater.  

Well, that's all in sewing news today.  

Stay safe and happy sewing!

Butterick 6495: Is it a Jacket or a Cardigan?

It's nippy out there and who wouldn't want a comfy cardigan made with a warm cotton sweatshirt fabric?  This is my hope, that this cardigan will be well received.  Butterick patterns refers to this piece as a jacket but I think of a jacket as having some sort of front closing, a cardigan does not, so I'm naming this garment a cardigan.  

I would highly recommend Butterick 6495 as a quick make for someone on your Christmas list.  Or for yourself if you've been extra good this year.  It's actually the third time I've sewn up this project and I would even recommend this for a beginner.  This cardigan has only four pattern pieces (front, back, sleeve and band) and comes together without any issues.  This is one well-drafted pattern.  I was even able to flat fit the sleeves on this one.  Easy peasy!  

This fabric is a Katia print that I picked up at Northwest / Marshall Fabrics.  The cotton sweatshirt fabric is be toasty warm and the woodsy print is too cute, don't you think?  The fabric was pre-treated in the wash cycle followed by a tumble in the dryer, before it hit the cutting table.  I was thrilled that the only pressing that was required was after sewing seams and pressing the hemlines.  It handled the cotton setting on the iron very well.  

Project Details

Seams:  Lightning bolt / knit stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  2.4 metres

Pattern:  Butterick 6495

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, measuring tape, measuring gauge, cord, marker, tailor's chalk, scissors, pins, pin cushions, thread clippers, Jean-a-ma-Jig®, iron, ironing board, sewing machine, regular presser foot, serger, threads (5 spools for the equipment), and sweet, precious time.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

Turtleneck Dress: OOP Burda 8848

I first made a dress with out-of-print (OOP) Burda International 8848 three weeks ago.  It's so comfortable and even though this dress doesn't have pockets, it does have a turtleneck detail that I adore.  Of course, another version was in the cards.  

This time I purchased a 55 cm invisible zipper, needing to cut it down to ten inches.  This gave me more head room than allotted in the first version of this dress pattern.  

It stops past the neckline into the shoulder area which allows for a nicer drape of the turtleneck when the zipper is open.  

I also have to give credit for the drape to the fabric.  An absolutely exquisite cotton knit that I found at Northwest / Marshall Fabrics.  

I will likely wear it zipped up as a turtleneck style dress unless I'm taken down by a hot flash.  It's nice to have an rescue plan built into one's wardrobe if need be.  

Project Details

Seams:  Lightning bolt (knit) stitch for seams, 2.4 straight stitch length for zipper.  

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  2.6 metres

Knit 'N Stable tape:  2 metres

Pattern:  OOP Burda International 8848

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, pins, tailor's chalk, measuring tape, scissors, measuring gauge, pin cushion, sewing machine, zipper foot, invisible zipper foot, serger, threads and a lot of patience

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

  

Holiday Gift Ideas #5: Mittens

All you need to sew this project is one pattern piece from out-of-print (OOP) Burda 8127, a small left-over piece of fabric, Christmas music playing in the background, an hour of free time at the sewing machine and a glass of eggnog to celebrate the achievement.  A Christmas sweet would do instead of eggnog, if you prefer.  

You don't even need the sewing pattern.  Are you feeling elf-like with magical creative powers?  Slap your hand on a piece of paper and make your own mitten pattern.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

November in Review...

Sewing

There was sewing this month but not quite what I thought would cross over my sewing table.  The microwave cozies, face mask and the top were requested and gifted to others.  The wrap dress was also gifted and is now being worn as a housecoat.  

The remaining items, the turtleneck dresses and reusable coffee filters I'm wearing and cherishing.  

Plans are Things That Change

At the beginning of the month, I was thinking about sewing myself a new winter coat.  That was until this vintage find crossed my path at a second hand store.  I wasn't looking for a coat.  It was more like it found me.  

It was a steal of a deal and it fits.  Double score.  So there is no need to sew a new coat especially since this one will certainly keep me warm in the most brutal conditions that a prairie winter can dish out.  I'm all set for winter.  

And I did plan to sew another Box Pleat dress by The Assembly Line but that hasn't happened.  With a few days of colder temperatures, turtleneck dresses seemed like a better plan.  To be honest, I've put sewing another Box Pleat dress out of my mind, for now anyway.  

I Craft, Therefore I am a Cheater Crafter.  

Yes, that is right.  I was cheating on my sewing projects and turned to crafting projects this month.  I even broke down and purchased a glue gun.  I never imagined that happening.  Ever!  But here I am owning a glue gun.   What can I say, plans change.  

 

The Month's Stats

Output

Fabric:  12.5 metres (November) + 76.8 metres, 6 towels and 1 recycled skirt (previous months) = 89.3 metres, 6 towels and 1 recycled skirt.  

Zippers:  1 - 20 cm invisible zipper (November) + 1 - 20 cm regular zipper and 1 - 55 cm invisible (previous months) = 3

Buttons:  0 (November) + 37 (previous months) = 37

Seam binding:  0 (November) + 34.6 metres (previous months) = 34.6 metres

Knit 'N Stable tape:  2 metres (November) + 9.55 metres (previous months) = 11.55 metres

Elastic:  0 (November) + 19 metres (previous months) = 19 metres

Twill tape:  0 (November) + 0.5 metres (previous months) = 0.5 metres

Thread:  0 metres (November) + 5 300 metres (previous months) = 5 300 metres 

Sewing machine needles:  1 (November) + 6 (previous months) = 7

Hand sewing needles:  0 (November) + 1 (previous months) = 1

Sewing Labels:  0 (November) + 6 (previous months) = 6

Sewing patterns:  2 (November) + 6 (previous months) = 8

Input

Fabric:  4.5 metres (November) + 62.1 metres (previous months) = 66.6 metres

Elastic:  0 (November) + 4 metres (previous months) = 4 metres

Buttons:  0 (November) + 22 (previous months) = 22

Sewing patterns:  0 (November) + 9 (previous months) = 11

Seam binding:  0 (November) + 3 metres (previous months) = 21.25 metres

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

Holiday Gift Ideas #4: Patchwork Garments or Accessories

One of the 2022 fashion trends to continue to watch is patchwork.  And could you think of a better time to sew those small pieces of left over fabrics to create an new fabric to use!  

I've been slowly stitching these pieces of scrap fabric to make a pair of patchwork pajamas.  And the best part is the memories each piece holds of previous me-made items that are in my wardrobe or have been gifted to others.  It's becoming a memory piece (from top left).  

1. Black and white swirls printed fabric used to make scrub caps.  
2. Gray and white striped fabric left over from this dress.
3. Red and white maple leaf printed fabric used to make this top and face masks.  
4. Wool suiting fabric used for these pants.  
5. Floral print fabric used to make little girls' dresses.  
6. Black and white print used to make this top.  
7. Navy and white print used to make scrub caps and face masks.
8. X and O's printed fabric used to make scrub caps and little girls' dresses.  
9. Colourful printed canvas fabric used to make this dress.  
10. Panel city scape print used to make this top.  
11. Paisley printed fabric used to make this top.  
12. Colourful print fabric used to make face masks.  
13. Purple and white polka dot fabric used to make face masks.
14. Norman Rockwell printed fabric of "The Gossip" used to make face masks.  
15. Repeat:  See #6.  
16. Repeat:  See #12.  
17. Blue shirting fabric used for men's and boy's shirts.  
18. Repeat:  See #8.
19. Lemon print fabric used to make this dress.   
20. Groovy sixties floral used to make face masks.  

I love the idea that it will have all these memories stitched together.  The idea of turning scraps into pajamas came about when I spotted and became smitten with these pajamas over at Vintage Villa's Etsy shop.   And then I thought about all the scraps I have sitting in bags and stuffed in drawers.  The added bonus is that this will be on trend!  That's if I get these pajamas done before the world moves on to the next new trend.  

Will you be sewing patchwork garments or accessories?  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

Holiday Gift Ideas #3: Microwave Cozies

I recently received a request for eight microwave cozies for Christmas gift-giving.  I probably would have turned down the sewing project if I didn't already have six of the eight already sewn and ready to ship.  I could handle the last two to fill the order since I had the supplies on hand.  

The last two that I need to sew are a polar bear print on one side and blue linen on the other side.  

It's nice to use up these fabric pieces into something someone wants.  I stopped sewing cozies awhile ago when sales slowed.  So, I was surprised to get this request.  

They're easy to sew.  The batting is quilted to each fabric piece using a grid pattern.  

Then a circular shape is chalked onto the center of each fabric and batting layers.  I mark a dot where the center topstitching and the circular chalk marking meet.  This is where I end the darts.  They are one inch wide at the edge and taper to the marking.  Right sides together stitch the pieces together leaving an opening to turn over.  Top-stitch the edge closing off the opening.  The circular chalk markings are then used as a guide to topstitch the bottom of the cozies.  I do use a heavy duty vintage Brother sewing machine that is built like a tank and weighs about that much too!  With two layers of microwave safe batting, my Janome machine doesn't handle the thickness all that well.  

One down, one more to sew.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

Holiday Gift Ideas #2: Face Masks

I'm actually surprised that I am still getting requests for face masks.  A request for one more came this week.  It's easier than a year ago to source supplies so that is positive.  It makes sewing this project an easier task.  The Dhurata Davies face mask pattern is one of the best fitting face mask patterns I've come across.  And even though it requires nine darts across three layers, it is worth the effort.  

I only made one change to the pattern.  I extended the length at the casings for the elastic.  It give the face mask more coverage and a tighter fit across the face.  Coverage and fit are key.  

With news emerging today from the World Health Organization about Omicron, the newest variant of concern, it looks like face masks will continue to be an essential piece of our wardrobes.  

So why not add a couple new ones into the Christmas stockings this year?  It's a perfect way to use up remnants / scraps of fabric.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

Holiday Gift Ideas #1: Environmentally Friendly / Reusable Coffee Filters

 

This was an easy sewing project and took no time to whip up.  I think it actually takes more time for a pot of coffee to drip than the cutting and sewing sewing a filter!  

No pattern used, I just cut these using a store bought filter that I had on hand.  The seam and edges were sewn with a rolled hem done with the serger.  

Easy peasy!  

And these could make great stocking stuffers for the coffee lover on you Holiday gift list.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

There is a lot of preparations to do this week. 

This coming Sunday will be the start of Advent.  

And there is festive and reflective crafting and sewing going on in preparation!  

Last year, I think it was sometime last year, I tried to do a rolled hem on this table cloth.  

It's not pretty, I know.  

It was the best that I could manage with the serger that I had at the time.  

It was on it's last leg.  

The threads kept breaking and there were less than desirable results on the stitching.  

It was time for an upgrade.  

I put it off for way too long.  

And then another serger came my way but it was in worse shape than the old one I had on my table.  

A vintage Pfaff serger that hadn't been used for years.  

It would have cost a small fortune to repair and replace the missing accessories.  

I donated it instead, I just couldn't justify the investment it would take to bring it up to working condition.  

Eventually, I broke down and upgraded the serger this summer.  

Oh my goodness, what a difference the new serger makes to my sewing.  I'm so grateful for the equipment and the ability to create.  

Check out that rolled hem!  

It has a air threading system.  

It's saving my wrists.  

My sewing has slowed lately due to sore wrists.  

Might be due to all the recent snow shoveling.  

It was wet snow.  

It couldn't be due to sewing?  

No.  [insert a dash of denial here].  

And there was some crafting.  

I never thought I would own a glue gun.  

But here I am owning one.  

I've been hot gluing faux pears, cardinals and poinsettias.  

I was going to use some leftover red wool fabric, from this project, to make red bows for the wreaths. 

That was until I found the white velvet poinsettias.  

Now, I'm thinking about using the red wool and wool knit fabric to sew and donate mittens.  

 

Maybe I'll sneak in a pair for moi, as well.  

It will have to wait for a wee bit.  

Next up though, I want to work on the Advent wreath.  

I've picked up Advent candles.  

Now, I'm thinking about sewing something to label the Prophet, Bethlehem, Shepherd and Angel candles.  

So many holiday sewing projects to do!  

How about you?  

Any holiday sewing and crafting projects on your sewing table this year?  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!