February in Review

Sewing, Alterations and Mending

Clockwise from the top:  4 cotton French terry long-sleeved undershirt with underarm padding (scoliosis back brace garments), OOP Vogue 9057; plaid wool wrap skirt, OOP and vintage Vogue 2327; blanket, no pattern used.

This month's sewing projects were a combination of filling a need and stash busting.  After making one undershirt to wear under the back brace, the coverage of the padding was tweaked and four more were made.  I'm set in that department for awhile.  The plaid skirt replaces this one that is no longer in my closet.  Sadly, it ended up in the donation pile before I lost weight.  I am sure it would fit me again if I held onto it.  Needless to say, I hope that the old skirt found a good home and is keeping someone warm.  The blanket is purely a stash busting project, I was just trying to use up some fabric that wasn't quite what I expected.  

In the alterations and mending department, I said goodbye to a pair of pajama bottoms.  They were mended many times over the past three and a half years and it was time.  The pants were cut up to be used as rags but I did hold onto a couple of pieces.  These pieces were turned into pockets for the pajama top which still has some life left in it.  Even though I don't have matching bottoms, I can pair the pajama top with sweatpants or these pajama bottoms.  And of course, more socks were mended with patches of wool added to the soles.  

In Other Creative News

February marked National Embroidery Month.  I haven't been big into embroidery since my younger, much younger days, a life-time ago.  And I do not own an embroidery machine.  So, it is not a big part of the textile arts that I enjoy now-a-days.  But I do like the idea of embroidery mending.  I've become more keen on mending in my twilight years.  This jacket has another small hole appearing along the hemline.  Even though it's nearly a decade old, I still wear it often.  It made it to the work table for some visible mending. 

Stash Busting

There were 9.8 metres of fabric, 3 buttons, 1 snap and 10 spools of thread were stash busted this month.  No new fabric or notions entered the stash.  The Vogue patterns used this month were all from the stash and from previous decades. 

Sewing IS Political

There is a buy Canadian (anything really except American) movement happening here while the country on the other side of the southern border is engaged in economic warfare and disgusting rhetoric against Canada.  I rather do without than buy any American produce at the grocery store and the same goes with sewing as long as the convicted felon and his republican cohort keeps up with the daily threats to hurt global economies and undermine Canada's sovereignty.  We're certainly living in bizarrely disturbing times.  

This is the first time I had no desire to even check out the new Vogue pattern release.  There is no way I want to support the convicted felon's economy even it means giving up my beloved Vogue patterns.  I'm doing this because I love my country more.  

And it is playing a role in what I sew for sure.  There is a white cotton quilted bed spread that I would like to turn into a quilted jacket.  Trying to find a jacket pattern that is not a PDF version or American and that I want to sew has been a challenge.  This might be something that I need to roll up my sleeves and draft my own pattern.  Or do without.  

Stand strong and keep sewing!  

 

Book Review: Sharp Notions, Essays From the Stitching Life

Sharp Notions:  Essays From the Stitching Life

Edited by Marita Dachsel and Nancy Lee

ISBN:  978-1-551552-925-7

Published by Arsenal Pulp Press 2023 

Canadian price $32.95

I discovered this book after reading about it on Melanie's blog post.  It sounded like something I would enjoy and I rushed to see if my local library carried a copy.  Much to my surprise, it was on the library shelf, ready to be snatched up!  Usually, Melanie's recommendations are not found in our local libraries and if on those rare occasions they are listed, there is a wait list.  So this was a real treat that I was able to pick it up right away.   What a wonderful treat to help celebrate National Library Lover's Month and I Love to Read Month!  After reading the beautifully written introduction by the editors, I was even more excited to dive into the essays.   

The essays were mostly about other textile arts than the ones I enjoy but there was a deeper connection and relatability to these often very personal stories woven into this collection.  These are deeply personal essays of loss, grief, longing and celebration.  Many of the essays refer to the isolation of the pandemic eased through a crafting life.  

I can not pick a favourite essay from this collection.  All of them are rich in texture, meaning and relatable as you are moved to journey through the words on page.  All I can tell you is that I highly recommend these essays.  What a wonderful read!  You just might want to have a box a tissues near by for some of them.  

Stand strong and keep sewing!  

Done and Stash Busted: A New Blanket

Last year, I picked up a wool sweater knit from Marcy Tilton.  It wasn't quite what I was hoping for and it just sat in the stash as I pondered what an alternative plan could be for this fabric.  A few, more than a few brutally cold days and nights and it just seemed obvious that it should become a blanket.  

This is my latest Canadian made and tariff free project.  Although the fabric and serger thread are from American companies, they were in the stash before the convicted felon won the election and declared economic warfare against my country.  

Project details

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  3.6 metres

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Fabric scissors, pins, pin cushion, measuring tape, Janome AirThread 2000, threads, thread clippers.  

Stand strong and keep sewing!  

A Wool Wrap Skirt: OOP Vogue 2327

This wool wrap skirt is made with out-of-print (OOP) and vintage Vogue 2327.  This is the first time I'm working with this skirt pattern.  There was a moment during the construction process that I feared that it might not fit but the fit of this skirt is perfect.  I did use the petite markings on this project.  If I revisit this skirt pattern I wouldn't mind extending the front width, maybe to reach the front darts, to provide a wee bit more coverage.   

I didn't sew a loop for the one button suggested in the design.  Instead, I sewed buttonholes and two leather buttons on the left side plus one medium sized interior snap on the right side.  I think I will like to add one more snap just below the buttons for more coverage even though I plan to wear a slip with this skirt.  One end of the facing only allows for a quarter inch seam allowance and I don't understand the logic behind this, next time I will add a wee bit more to the facing end.  Otherwise the only other change worth mentioning is the length.  The pattern calls for a two inch hem but I thought it would be shorter than I like so I did a 5/8" top-stitched hem.  

This is my latest Canadian-made 🍁 and tariff-free sewing project.  All of the materials, tools and equipment used to make this skirt were pulled from the stash.  The wool fabric came from Marshall Fabrics, a western Canadian fabric store.  The pattern, although an American product when it originally came out in 1999, is a vintage and second-hand find purchased from Winnipeg Sews.  The buttons are upcycled.  The threads are a combination of Gütermann and Coats and Clark thread, all from the stash.  I'm clearing out the last bits of Coats and Clark threads and not replenishing them after they're cleared from the stash.   

Project details

Seams:  2.8 straight stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  1.8 metres wool 

Interfacing:  0.8 tailor's interfacing

Buttons:  2--1" leather buttons + 1--1/4" button

Snap:  1--medium sized snap

Pattern:  OOP Vogue 2327, circa 1999

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Folding table, Merchant and Mills fabric scissors, thread clippers, ruler, measuring tape, pins, pin cushion, threads, clapper, buttonhole cutter, cutting board, measuring gauge, tailor's chalk, tailor's wax, hand sewing needle, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, vintage Brother sewing machine, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, mini vacuum, tweezers, lint brush, screwdriver, scrap pieces of fabric to test buttonholes, iron, and ironing board.    

Stand Strong and Keep Sewing!

National Flag Day: Wearing My Red and White Maple Leaf Top

Today marks National Flag Day in Canada.  It was sixty years ago today that the red and white maple leaf designed flag was raised on Parliament hill for the first time.  

Today also marks the day that all of our living former Prime Ministers are asking Canadians to raise the maple leaf in response to the economic war that the convicted felon and his republican cohort have declared on Canada.  

Canadians are quietly patriotic but since the convicted felon down south won the election last year and started talking about taking our country by economic force a whole new level of patriotism has surfaced across the country.   Not only has an organic buy Canadian movement emerged in the grocery store aisles, so has the merchandise that expresses how Canadians really feel about the disrespectful and hateful rhetoric coming from the United States politicians occupying the white house.  

Etsy seller:  Ginger MacDesigns

Etsy seller:  UnityBlockShop

I'm sticking with my me-made maple leaf shirt again today.  I am wearing it with pride.  I'm proud of my fellow Canadians that I overhear in the grocery store aisles talking about alternatives to American produce and processed foods options.  I'm proud that my country is standing up to the want-to-be mafia boss and convicted felon and we're standing up to the grocery stores that try to hide information and trick shoppers into buying American products.  Shoppers are not easily tricked by slapping a image of a maple leaf on a product or trying to cover up or mislabel the product's origin.  

Me-made cotton maple leaf printed top, OOP Butterick 6325.

I'm proud of my sovereign country, period.  And that is why I'm proudly wearing my red and white today while praying for the whole world during these disturbing and surreal times. 

Stand strong, keep sewing and happy National Flag Day!   

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh sewing, how I love thee.  Let me count the ways.  

I love thee to the sewing table and back

Reusable grocery bags, OOP McCall's 4851

Even when all I am sewing is a sack.  

Coat, OOP Burda 7304

I love thee freely, as my creativity soars

Sweatpants, OOP Kwik Sew 3663

I love thee purely, as it mends my grief

Covid-19 era scrub caps

I love thee with kindness, as it give me purpose

Boys' Super Mario shirt, OOP Butterick 2122

I love thee quietly in my solitude as I transform fabric into pure joy

Velvet and silk Christmas dress, McCall's 5795

I love thee with a love that is hard to articulate, the calling of the sewing machine is undeniable no matter how late.

DVF designer wrap dress, OOP Vogue 1610

Thank you my love.

A Sewing Guide to Shopping Local / Canadian Businesses

This country has changed their shopping habits at the grocery store and other retailers since the convicted felon down south and his republican cohort have been talking trash about Canada and annexation.  So I thought I would compile a list of Canadian fabric shops to support during these surreal times we're living right now.  

Many of these fabric stores sell notions and offer online shopping.  This list is no where comprehensive or complete list, right now it's a work in progress.  I'll be adding more names and links to their company websites as I find them.  Please feel free to comment if you have a favourite Canadian business you would like added to the list.  Once the list is complete, I'll post it as it's own page.  Until then I will leave it here.  

Ann's Fabric Store--fabric store located in Hamilton, Ontario

Aprils Alterations and Custom Quilting--fabric store located in Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island

Around the Block Quilting and Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland

Atlantic Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; Greenwood, Nova Scotia; Truro, Nova Scotia; 

Avonport Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Avonport, Nova Scotia

Bear's Paw Quilts--fabric store located in Whitehorse, Yukon

Birdie and Dot Fabrics--online fabric retailer located in Edmonton, Alberta

Black Bird Fabrics--online fabric retailer located in East Vancouver, British Columbia

Blueberry Cove Long Arm Quilting Studio--by appointment only, located in Cardigan, Prince Edward Island

Chloe's Quilting Cafe--fabric retailer located in St. Louis de Kent, New Brunswick

Cindy-rella's Sewing & Quilting--fabric retailer located in Regina Saskatchewan

Colette's Sewing Machines Plus--fabric retailer located in Yorkton, Saskatchewan

Cotton Country--fabric retailer located in South River, Newfoundland and Labrador

D & S Family Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Martensville, Saskatchewan

Darrell Thomas Textiles--fabric retailer located in Ottawa, Ontario

Discount Fabric Mart--fabric retailer located in Hamilton, Ontario

Discovery Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Campbell River, British Columbia

Dressew Supply--fabric retailer located in Vancouver, British Columbia

East Coast Quilt Company--fabric retailer located in St. John's, Newfoundland

European Textiles--fabric retailer located in Hamilton, Ontario

Fabric Boutique--fabric retailer located in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland

Fabric Depot--fabric retailer located in Calgary, Alberta

Fabric Fabric--fabric retailer located in York, Ontario

Fabrications Ottawa--fabric retailer located in Ottawa, Ontario

Fabricland and Fabricville--fabric retailer with locations across Canada

Fabriculous--fabric retailer located in Brandon, Manitoba

Fay's Fabric Villa--located in Steinbach, Manitoba

Funky Monkey Fabrics--online fabric retailer located "out in the country", Ontario

Gala Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Victoria, British Columbia

Globe-Tex Enterprises--fabric retailer located in Montreal, Quebec

Hamilton Sewing--fabric retailer located in Hamilton, Ontario

Haus of Stitches--fabric retailer located in Humboltd, Saskatchewan

Island Fabric Outlet--fabric retailer located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Lilax Studio--fabric retailer located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Just Raven' Fabrics and More--fabric retailer located in Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Kayda's Quiltworks--fabric retailer located in Prince George, British Columbia

Keystone Modern Creative--fabric retailer located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

L B Quilt Expressions--Home based, hand-guided, long-arm quilting, batting and backing, by appointment only.  Located in Prince George, British Columbia.  

Leather and Sewing Supply Depot--Arts & Crafts, leather goods, Toronto, Ontario

Len's Mill Stores--locations in Barrie, Ontario; Brantford, Ontario; Cambridge, Ontario; Chatham, Ontario; Guelph, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Hawkesville, Ontario; London, Ontario; Port Dover, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Waterloo, Ontario and Woodstock, Ontario

Les Tissees Inc.--fabric store located in Montreal, Quebec

Les Tissus Johanne--fabric retailer located in Cap-aux-meules, Quebec 

Life's a Stitch--fabric retailer located in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario

Lynn's Quilting Studio--fabric retailer located in Auburndale, Nova Scotia 

Mad About Patchwork--fabric retailer located in Stittsville, Ontario

Maker Savvy--fabric retailer located in Kanata, Ontario

Main Fabric--fabric retailer located in Toronto, Ontario; Dundas, Ontario

Mama Bear's Quilt Shoppe--fabric retailer located in Ashern, Manitoba; Brandon, Manitoba and Carman, Manitoba

Marshall Fabrics--locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Edmonton, Alberta; Lethbridge, Alberta and Calgary, Alberta.  

Material Girl Fabrics--Home décor fabric retailer located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Miqsuqta--fabric retailer located in Iqaluit, Nunavut

Monkland Quilt Studio--fabric retailer located in Montreal, Quebec

Ottawa Textiles--fabric store located in Hamilton, Ontario

Out of Hand Quilting and Fabric--fabric retailer located in Calgary, Alberta

Overseas Fashion and Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Paisleys Quilt Shop--fabric retailer located in Ottawa, Ontario

Patch--fabric retailer located in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Periwinkle Quilting and Beyond--fabric retailer located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Perth Fabrics and Crafts--fabric retailer located in Perth, Ontario

Pins & Needles Fabrics--online fabric retailer located in Vancouver, British Columbia.  

Prince George Sewing Centre--fabric retailer located in Prince George, British Columbia

Quiltalious--fabric retailer located in Windsor, Ontario

Quilting B and More--fabric retailer located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Quilty Pleasures--fabric retailer located in Orleans, Ontario

Reena Fabrics--fabric retailer located in Calgary, Alberta

Seasons Textiles Ltd--textile mill located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Sew Blessed Quilters--fabric retailer located in Kensington, Prince Edward Island

Siltex--fabric wholesaler located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Textiles Couture Elle--fabric retailer located in Montreal, Quebec

The Cloth Castle--fabric retailer located in Victoria, British Columbia

The Fabric Cupboard--fabric retailer located in Moncton, New Brunswick

The Fabric Shop C & M Craft 'n Stuff--fabric retailer located in Carmanville, Newfoundland; Gander, Newfoundland

The Fabric Snob--fabric retailer located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Fat Quarter Quilt--fabric retailer located in Gander, Newfoundland

The Green Thimble--fabric retailer located in Victoria, British Columbia

The Makehouse Co-op--fabric retailer located in Victoria, British Columbia (Note:  This retailer will be closing in mid-February)

The Quilt Store--fabric retailer located in Burlington, Ontario; Newmarket, Ontario

The Quilted Raven--fabric retailer located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

The Quilting Shed--fabric retailer located in Hanwell, New Brunswick

The Wooden Spool Fabric Shop--fabric retailer located in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia

The Workroom--locations in Toronto and Sprucedale, Ontario

Thread Count Fabrics--online fabric store located in Souris, Manitoba

Tissus St-Hubert--fabric retailer located in Montreal, Quebec

Tonitex Inc.--fabric wholesaler located in Montreal, Quebec

U-Quilt-it--fabric retailer located in Hamilton, Ontario

Weave and Woven--online fabric retailer located in Simcoe, Ontario

Willow Basket Quilting Shoppe--fabric retailer located in Prince George, British Columbia

Wow Home Textiles--located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Ye Olde Fabric Shoppe--fabric retailer located in Strafford, Ontario

Stay Strong and Keep Sewing!  

Four More Undershirts to Wear Under the Scoliosis Back Brace: OOP Vogue 9057

After discovering that out-of-print (OOP) Vogue 9057 works as an undershirt to wear under the back brace, work began on making some more.  First, more fabric went in the wash for pre-shrinking and a tumble in the dryer.   While waiting for the yardage of fabric to dry, the underarm padding pattern piece was enlarged for more coverage.  

Four new tops were cut out with the neckline adjusted with an additional inch all around.  The tops were cut in a size medium using view A.  

The shoulder seams were sewn right sides together but the armhole and side seams were sewn wrong sides together.  This is a feature that I found on RTW scoliosis undergarments to prevent the bulkiness of seams pressing against the skin.  I recreated this feature with the tops to wear under my own brace.  The hems were finished as I would have finished any other top, an inch top-stitched hem.  Instead of sewing an neckline band, the edges were serged and folded over 5/8" and then topstitched in place.  

These four cotton French terry tops are Canadian made and tariff-free.  Since the United States of America declared an economic war on this country, I've been mindful not to contribute to the convicted felon's economy.   Let's be clear, this is not all about drugs crossing the border or that American banks are not allowed to do business in Canada.   The chronic liar and convicted felon and his republican cohort started talking trash about Canada becoming part of the United States and using economic force to make it happen.  Piss off.  

The fabric was purchased at a trusted Canadian business, Marshall Fabrics, and has been in my stash for awhile.  It was at a bargain price and even though there were a few flaws in the yardage, this piece was flawless.  No need for a label to cover up any holes.  The fabric was pre-treated before hitting the cutting table.  

The threads used in the sewing machines are a combination of Gütermann threads from Europe and finishing off the last bits of yellow Coats and Clark threads still in the stash.  These Coats and Clark spools of thread are old, wood spools old, and are labeled as an American product.  I've been doing research into Coats and Clark business ties.  In 2019, Coats and Clark was acquired by Spinrite, what seems like a Canadian company with its headquarters in Ontario.  In fact, Spinrite is owned by American private equity investors; Comvest Partners and JW Levin Management Partners and was acquired in 2018.  Needless to say, I'm clearing out the Coats and Clark threads from the stash and not replacing them while threats of annexation and tariffs still linger.

The fabric and paper scissors along with the pins used during this project are from Twain.  If you're in the market for a new pair of fabric shears and want to support a Canadian business check out LDH Scissors, a company from Ontario.  Their scissors are manufactured in China.  But if you want my recommendation (I haven't tried LDH Scissors), I have a pair of Merchant and Mills fabric scissors and I couldn't be more pleased with them.  Merchant and Mills is a British company and you can source their products via The Workroom, a Canadian company from Ontario and they do deliver.  I highly recommend this Canadian business, all my interactions with The Workroom have been positive.  Merchant and Mills also carry pins.  

The pattern, OOP Vogue 9057, is an American product.  This pattern was previously used many times and has been in my stash for a decade.  I am using what I have in the stash and not replenishing the sewing supplies with American pattern and sewing products during this economic wartime.  There are many Canadian, Australian and European businesses that deserve support rather than supporting the convicted felon's economy.   

These tops were sewn on Japanese made Janome sewing machines.  Bernina sewing machines are from Switzerland and are also wonderful sewing machines.  I do have a vintage Brother sewing machine, this is also a Japanese made sewing machine.  No Singer sewing machines (American) are part of the sewing tools used here.  

Thank you God for a stash to get me through this economic wartime and a sewing hobby that provides a bit of escape, even if for only a brief moment, from these surreal times.  

Project details

Fabric:  4 metres, 100% cotton French terry (there was enough left over pieces from the previously top to cut some of the pieces used here).

Pattern:  Previously used OOP Vogue 9057, circa 2014

Thread:  8 spools of thread (mostly yellow) were finished.  

Seams:  knit (lightening bolt) stitch and serged seams.  

Seam finish:  Serged

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Folding table, fabric scissors, paper, paper scissors, measuring tape, pins, pin cushion, fine tip marker, measuring gauge, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, iron, ironing board, and time listening and watching news reports.  

Stay Strong and Keep Sewing!  

The United States Declared an Economic War on Canada: How That Will Have an Impact at the Sewing Table

I pulled out my maple leaf top from storage.  It just seems appropriate to put it on today.  Mind you, I will be wearing a red merino wool crew top to keep me warm.  

The convicted felon and president of the United States signed an executive order yesterday ordering 25% tariffs on Canada starting on Tuesday to be applied on all goods not shipped prior to February 1, 2025.  This convicted felon has been threatening tariffs on many nations around the world since taking office.  Yesterday, he started his economic war against Canada.  And I have to agree with actonfoodforest's instagram post, "is it worth stimulating Trump's economy?"  Of course not.  Canadians will stand up to this convicted felon.  

Oh, Vogue Patterns, how I am going to miss you.  Vogue patterns are made in the U.S.A. and let's be clear Trump economics will make things stupidly expensive.  A new Vogue design is currently priced at $42.00 Cdn. and then throw on a 25% tariff.  That just means, bye, bye Vogue and Simplicity and McCall's and Butterick and Burda patterns.  

Sure, there are some Vogue and Butterick patterns that were purchased before the felon took office that I hope to sew this year.  Vogue 2060, the Diane Von Furstenberg reissued wrap dress pattern, is on the list of want-to-sew projects and is already in the stash.  We're entering tough economic times and tough decisions have to be made and not purchasing anymore made in the United States products is one of those tough decisions.  I will be sewing with patterns already in the stash.  But no more new patterns from  U.S. pattern companies.  Thankfully, Canada has many Canadian pattern companies to support if the need for a new pattern should arise.  Say hello to Closet Core Patterns, Jalie patterns, and Helen's Closet are a few that come to mind.  

Coats and Clark is an American company and are no-purchase items during the economic war against Canada.  Thankfully, Gütermann threads are from Europe, so I'm covered in the thread department.  My fabric scissors are from Merchant and Mills, an English company.  Other fabric scissors are from Asian countries such as Taiwan.  My sewing machines are Janome, a Japanese company.  And there is a fabric stash to keep me going along with other non-American resources.  

Stay Strong and Keep Sewing.