January in Review

Sewing, Mending and Alterations

Top L to R:  beige bamboo, cotton and spandex French terry sweatpants (Vogue 8909), two black cotton pullover tops (OOP Simplicity 2372), cotton flannel pajama top (Butterick 6296), cotton flannel pajama pants (OOP Vogue 9217).  
Bottom row L to R:  cotton floral table runner (no pattern used), merino wool pullover top (Vogue 9330), four cotton reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851), merino wool tuque (The Littlest Studio).

The year didn't really start off with any big sewing plans or goals.  Basically, it was just clearing off projects that were previously cut a few months ago while waiting for the serger to be repaired and stash busting some left-over fabrics from previous projects.  

This month's mending and alteration projects focused on bedding and pockets.  There were a couple of fitted sheets that required new elastic in the corners.  The patchwork quilt (I use that term loosely, I'm not a quilter) needed more patching.  And a flat flannel sheet had some fabric added to the length so that it could be securely tucked into place when making the bed.  I do believe there was some shrinkage of the flannel sheet over the years.  This skirt ended up back at the worktable.  This time, it needed to be taken in and re-hemmed after some weight loss.  And a flannel pajama top ended up on the table for the addition of pockets.  A couple of house dresses also ended up on my worktable with a request to add patch pockets.   

2024 Challenge

Inspired by Fashion Revolution's campaign to pledge "to buy #NoMorePolyester in 2024," I decided to try and apply this pledge to my 2024 sewing journey.  

We are living in the age of polyester.  You might think of the nineteen seventies as the golden age of polyester.  But a walk down the fabric or clothing store aisles or online shop would prove otherwise.  

1975 JC Penny catalogue image, the golden age of polyester?  

There is no escaping it!  Or is there?  Can I avoid sewing with polyester for a whole year?  What about thread?  I will admit there is still polyester fabrics and threads lingering in my stash.  And a polyester dress did hit the worktable for the addition of pockets.  

No new projects were sewn with polyester fabric.  Oh wait!  There were those sweatpants that contain 5% spandex.  And spandex is a synthetic material.  Can I call that a win?  No, not yet.  I can't say I managed to 100% avoid polyester, there was also some polyester in some of the serger thread, interfacing, elastic and Knit 'N Stable tape used this month.  This stuff is everywhere!  There are eleven more months to go and try to do better.  In the meantime, what to do with the lingering poly fabric still in the stash?  

Stash busted and Additions

Here are January's stash busted statistics:  

• 13 metres of fabric
• 2 metres of Knit 'N Stable tape
• 6 metres of trim
• Patterns:  5 TNT and 2 new
• 1.6 metres interfacing
• 3 sewing labels
• 4 buttons
• 2 metres of elastic
• 8 spools of thread

Added to the stash:

• 7.8 metres of cotton trim
• 4 patterns:  Vogue 8909, Merchant and Mills Trapeze dress, OOP Burda Style 7489 and OOP McCall's 7557.
• 5 spools of cotton thread

What's Next?  

There has been some sewing related day-dreaming in the workspace.  

Top Row L to R:  Reversible hooded winter jacket (OOP Vogue 2571), hood (OOP Vogue 2793) and sweatpants (Vogue 8909).  Pullover dress (SD patterns), shirt (Joker by OkiStyle), and the Trapeze dress (Merchant and Mills).  Third row:  pants and shorts (Closet Core pattern), Toaster sweater (Sew House Seven) and pullover top (Burda 7489).

Vogue 8909 sweatpants could be checked off from this wish list but I also wouldn't mind another pair for running errands in.  The Joker shirt pattern might come off the list as it will be too fitted to wear over a brace but it has also been on my sewing bucket list for years.  I made Burda 7489 many moons ago (2011) and I wouldn't mind re-visiting this pattern after finding another copy on eBay.  

Before I can get to this wish-list, I have other projects for other people to work on.  I guess we'll see what next month has in store.   

Happy Sewing!