Stash busting: A New Blanket

More practical sewing has hit the worktable, this time a new blanket.  This fabric entered the stash last year and a bit of it was used to make this skirt.  And then quite a bit a whole lot of yardage sat in the stash.  It was on sale, in the bargain section.  But I digress.  There was once a thought to make this Pace Cardigan to match the skirt and then plans changed.  The skirt has since been donated.  And the fabric sat in the stash until today.  Yes, that's right, in the middle of summer during heat warnings, I decided to turn this fabric into a blanket.  

When cooler temperatures arrive, this one will replace this blanket that I made last year which has not held up well.  We'll have to wait and see how this new blanket holds up.  

Sewing IS Political 

This is a Canadian made and tariff free project.  All the tools and supplies used to make this project were found in the stash.  The fabric and threads came from Fabricland, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The clips were made in Taiwan and purchased at Lilax Studio, another Canadian fabric outlet.  

The scissors used on this fabric are from Merchant and Mills, a U.K. company and were purchased at The Workroom, a Canadian fabric outlet.  

Project details

Seams / finish:  Rolled hem 

Fabric:  4 metres

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, fabric clips, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, threads, thread clippers.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Me Made May 2025: The First Week

 Days 1 to 7:  

The first week of Me Made May arrived and there are a few observations that I can make.  

1. I feel like I am working with a new wardrobe as there were a couple of pieces that I haven't been able to wear the last couple of years.  The red floral Eva dress (Tessuti pattern) and a plaid skirt (OOP Vogue 1378) were packed away after I gained weight.  And now these were reintroduced to the wardrobe after some weight loss earlier this year.  
2. What I chose to wear is mostly dictated by how I feel rather than what I want to wear.  Clothing choices are sometimes limited by the need to wear the scoliosis back brace.  Pullover or pull-on garments rule over zippers and buttons.  
3. If I could get away with it, I would live in pajamas.  I might want to sew one more pair.  
4. I would really like to try my hand at sewing a sports bra.  Something that I can modify to accommodate the physical changes happening to my back caused by scoliosis.  Something that doesn't hurt when I wear it.  And something that I can pull over or that has front closures.  

Stand strong, elbows up 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!  

Mending and Fixing in 2022

Mending continues to be a big trend in 2022, even the local sewing hub is offering mending workshops.  That is so amazingly great to see!  Yes, even though I once upon a time said I prefer to sew something from scratch rather than mend or alter, or something along those lines, I did actually sit down and do some mending and fixing during the year.  And I didn't hate it.  

There were wool socks that were saved in October.  

Expensive wool socks that I didn't want nor need to replace with the help of a little mending.  I actually enjoyed the quiet time spent extending the life of these toasty toe warmers.  

There was some patchwork on a patchworked blanket done in September.  

This handbag was repaired with a new strap in May.  

And various clothing pieces made it to the mending and repair pile for some simple hole repair or re-attaching buttons.  And then there was a turtleneck dress that was fitting a little too snug that I sourced the fabric to be made into some hats for a charity project.  I have a pile of wool pants that no longer fit that are waiting to be turned into another project.  I'm just trying to think of what they will become...

Happy Sewing!  

And Happy Mending!  

Mending Matters

The patchworked blanket from years ago came out of the wash in less than perfect shape.  

I'm not a quilter and I really didn't follow any quilting rules making this blanket.  I just made this to use up scraps.  But it's come to be nostalgic piece that I cherish.  The memories that are sewn together are priceless to me.  So, when I found these fraying pieces of cloth that date back to the 1960's, I had to try and rescue these portions of the blanket.  

Remember, I'm not a quilter.  I just grabbed whatever piece was big enough to patch up the fraying piece.  I pressed a seam allowance and topstitched it in place.  

For two smaller pieces that were coming undone, I used some cotton trim to do some patchwork.  I know it's not perfect but what matters is that I'm happy to have this blanket back.  

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Thoughts...

It is cold across much of Canada. Bone chillin' cold.

Wind chills of minus forty and extreme cold warning cold.  

Perfect weather to stay indoor and sew.

Or maybe test out the winter coat kind of cold.

I'm relieved to report the winter coat held up in the extreme cold.  

It's all about dressing in layers and that is exactly what is built into the coat.  That extra layer of micro-fleece did the trick.  

Not that I was looking to hang out in the cold for too long.  

There's sewing to do.  

Project cut out and ready to go and I froze. 

It must be the cold.  

I just couldn't get into it.

I mended a skirt. Motivated by Suzanne Shore's article "Fix a too-tight waistband" in the new March 2019 issue of Threads.  

The skirt fits better but I can't say I'm feeling it.  

Pattern Review's first round for the 2019 Sewing Bee is coming to an end and the entries are popping up on the webite.  I'm not feeling the "living coral" cardigan theme. 

Instagram news that a local fabric store is now carrying cork fabric was almost enough to get me out into the bitter cold. Almost.  

And after all the procraftination was done, I am finally sewing.  

Buried under a blanet for extra warmth.  

Stay warm and happy sewing!  

Happy Louis Riel Day!

I have to admit, I raised an eyebrow last week when I spotted a sign regarding the upcoming long weekend at the local Fabricland store. In our part of the county, this weekend's holiday is called Louis Riel Day but the store signage referred to it as "Family Day." Hmmm, you would have thought that the local staff would have noticed?  

Back in 2007, Louis Riel Day was named by Manitoba school children in a competition to name the holiday. So needless to say, I found it sad that the store chose to adopt a name that does not acknowledge our regional history instead adapting a name that is only observed in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. 😞  

L'Assomption Sash/ Metis Sash

Now, Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are not the only provinces that observe this weekend with a holiday. Nova Scotia marks this weekend with celebrating Nova Scotia Heritage Day and Prince Edward Island observes the weekend as Islander Day. It makes me wonder if the Eastern Fabricland stores have the same notice in their store windows. Or perhaps it is just a local blooper?

Whatever you're celebrating this long weekend, Family Day to our neighbours next door to the east and west, Nova Scotia Heritage Day to the folks over at the east coast, Islander Day to the folks on the eastern island and Presidents' Day to those south of the border, here's to wishing you a happy one.

Whether or not you celebrate this weekend with the passion for Louis Riel and his life's work, one can not deny the cultural influence of the Metis people to Manitoba. Festival du Voyageur is in full swing and the Metis Sash is worn with pride and can easily found in local shops. It's when I found myself at a rack of sashes at Value Village thinking what a beautiful blanket it would make if the sashes were stitched together. Of course, that's if I didn't have enough sewing projects on my wish list.

Happy sewing & celebrating whatever holiday you chose to celebrate!

Year in Review: 2014 Sewing Goals

I made some sewing goals at the beginning of the year.

✄ Make some knickers and then make some more.  

✄ Make a Chanel-esque jacket.

✄ Learn and incorporate more tailoring and couture techniques into my sewing (more slow sewing).

✄ Finish that damn quilt!

The first one I'm happy to say has been checked off the list when I discovered Butterick 6031.

The second goal, "make a Chanel-esque jacket" has not yet materialized even though I have two suitable patterns, Vogue 8991 and Vogue 8804 in my possession along with research material.  

I even have all the sewing supplies ready to go. I just need some time courage! 

The next goal focussed on incorporating more tailoring and couture techniques into my sewing. I would like to think I did accomplish this goal with the help of some vintage patterns and new reading material. 

I underlined several garments with silk organza and the efforts paid off beautifully. There was way more hand-stitching that appeared in my sewing work as well. And there were techniques that I learned and adapted into my sewing while working on the velvet dresses that were new-to-me. Even the first ten chapters of The Pink Suit nudged me along the way. (I really must finish that book.)

  

Progress on the quilt moved at a snail's pace this year. I do believe that I did the most work on the quilt when I was recovering from knee surgery earlier this year. And then when I was finally able to escape venture outdoors again, the quilt once again fell to the UFO pile. 

However, it has been on my mind thought the year and I did pick up a queen sized package of 100% cotton batting for the middle section. Mama R and I spent the other evening pinning the piece together and after stitching it all in place, this three year epic quilting journey has finally come to an end. I gifted the quilt to Mama R since the piece of fabric hold many family memories.

Now to think about next year's sewing goals, other than build up the courage to make a Chanel-esque style cardigan jacket...  

Happy Sewing!  

Over Three Years in the Making...

It was over three years ago that I started sewing squares of fabric together with the crazy thought of making a "quilt." You see, I'm not a quilter. I said it back then when I started the project and I think I can safely say today, "I'm still not a quilter."

However, I am proud of the project. It's been gifted to Mama R because there are so many memories found in those small squares of fabric. I wasn't sure who I was going to gift it to when I set out on this project, but it just seems right as the fabrics hold so many family stories.  

Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

I've lost my sewing mojo.

There is so many projects that I want to make that I haven't gotten around to because there is something else that always seems to get in the way of things that I want to sew. 

Maybe I lost my sewing mojo in all that factory-style sewing that I did this weekend?  

It is already half way through September and I haven't had a chance to start that Chanel-esque style jacket that I've been dreaming about since the beginning of the year. I have the pattern and the fabric picked out for months. I even planned on working on it during my annual summer lay-off but there is always something that pops up that "needs" to be done.  

Maybe I lost my sewing mojo in all that sewing for other people?  

And that quilt! That damn quilt that has been sitting around for years waiting to be finished. I'm at the point that I just want to throw it away just so I don't have to look it it sitting there unfinished. 

Maybe I lost my sewing mojo in all those unfinished sewing projects?   

Did I mention I'm trying to lose weight? The big plan this summer was to lose some pounds but that didn't happen. I gained a few. And now I'm less than one BMI point from being considered obese. Which freaks me out. At my age I don't care about being skinny. I was skinny once, not all that it is cracked up to be. I just want to be a healthy weight. And I won't mind keeping some of these curves. But I'm also tired of sewing for my near-obese body shape. 

Maybe I lost my sewing mojo in all those extra pounds I've been packing on?  

I don't know exactly where I lost my sewing mojo. I just know that it is gone. 

And what am I going to do about it. I'm going to stop reading books for others on my own time. No more reading kid's lit on my personal time. I'm going to start going for walks after super. I'm going to pick up The Pink Suit again and finish it. I'm going to relish in all those glorious details as Kate works on the wife's suit. Can you believe that I had this book since May and am only on page thirty-four! And after I finish The Pink Suit I am going to pick up The Lost Art of Dress. Yup, I need some serious me-time to spark those creative juices. 

And then I hope my sewing mojo will return.

How is your sewing mojo holding up?

Have You Gone to a Thimble Party?

Yeah, I said "thimble party." This is a term not widely used now-a-days. It was a term used to describe a gathering of ladies engaged in the activities of a Lenten Sewing Club. Lenten Sewing Club, now there's another phrase you don't commonly hear. These references were commonly used in the early part of the last century.  

Women would gather to sew for charities around the lent season. Thus the name Lenten Sewing Club. It is Ash Wednesday today and the start of Lent. God knows, I can't give up chocolate or coffee. What can I say? I'm flawed. And I would be cranky if I tried to give up coffee. It is a sad fact. Chocolate might be easier but it would just make me plain sad. So needless to say, I'm not giving up any material pleasures that I hold dear to my stomach. 

Instead, I'm going to give up some of my sewing time to sew for a charity this Lent. 

For each week of Lent I'm going to sew up a baby onsie and receiving blanket. I hope to have six by the time Easter comes around. I might not have a thimble party to attend where I will be held accountable but I believe I can manage to get these done. I'll have to start picking the fabric and cutting after work today.  

Until then, Happy Sewing!  

Year in Review: 2013 Favourite Makes (My Top Three Picks)

In no specific order, here are my top three favourite makes this year:

Favourite coat, Burda 7304.
This will go down as the most challenging project I worked on this year but it was worth all the work.

My favourite home decor project.  No pattern used.
Super soft faux fur, reverse side knit fabric.  

Favourite top, Butterick 5891.
 I LOVE THIS PATTERN! The collar has a nice drape that looks great open or closed and it has
pockets! What more can I ask for? Besides the easy simple shape that drapes into a funky top.

Year in Review: Garments

What a year! I managed to make over 30 items for moi, some of my family, and for gifts.

Clockwise L to R: 1. Top, Vogue 1274 2. Baby Onsie, McCall's 7367
3. Men's Shirt, McCall's 2447 4. Most challenging and rewarding
project of 2013, Spring Coat, Burda 7304 5. Bedroom curtains, self-drafted

Clockwise L to R: 1. Navy wool pants and my favourite pattern of 2013: Vogue 1325 2. Floral Top, Burda 7255
3. Messanger Bag 4. Baby Blue Baby Dress, Burda 9752 5. My favourite make of 2013: kAtheRine Tilton Top, Butterick 5891

Clockwise L to R:  1. Knit Fleece, Vogue 8854 2. Plaid Skirt, Vogue 8835
3. Knit Dress, McCall's  6612 4. Knit Dress, Vogue 1312 

Clockwise L to R:  1. Shirt, Burda 7136 2. Leather trimmed denim skirt, Burda 7025 3. Faux fur and knit blanket,
self-drafted 4. Black wool pants, Vogue 1325 5. Gray and blue pinstriped wool and cashmere pants, Vogue 1325 

Clockwise L to R:  1. Skirt, Vogue 1038 2. Vintage Dress, Simplicity 7478
3. Flannel PJ's, McCall's 8525 4. First attempt at making knickers, online pattern
5. Plaid dress, Vogue 8667

Clockwise L to R:  1. Dress, Simplicity 8024 2. Dress, Simplicity 2372 3. First unintentional attempt
at granny knickers, Kwik Sew 2100 4. Red denim pants, Vogue 1325 5. Peplum top, Vogue 8815

Clockwise L to R:  1. Knit sweater,Stretch & Sew 200 2. Black cotton sateen
vest, Simplicity 4763 3. Blue shirtdress, Vintage McCall's 9424 4. Orange
knit skirt, Vogue  86375. Silk duponi top, Centre for Pattern Design, Spiral Top.  

And there were other types of sewing projects that materialized in 2013. More to follow...

A Bed of Maple Leafs

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #34

Fabric Used:              2 metres double-faced faux fur and knit fabric.

*****

This fabric has been in my stash for about a year. I stumbled across it at Mitchell's Fabric. I wasn't looking for a faux fur fabic, instead I was drawn to the bolt because of the print. How Canadian, eh?  

I would have picked up more if there was more on the bolt but I happened to get the last bit of it. I wish you could feel  the faux fur side, it is absolutely devine. 

My first thought was that this would make a cozy wrap coat.  

Without enough for a cozy wrap coat my thoughts moved to a blanket for my bed.  

Nothing fancy about this project. It was put together a simple knit stitch and the edges have an overlock stitch.  

Maybe this blanket is not the greatest idea I've had, I suspect it might be difficult to drag myself out of bed in the morning. 

Until then, happy sewing!

Cozy Sweaters make Cozy Blankets

What better fabric to use to make a blanket than the fabric found in the pile of old cozy sweaters that you no longer wear?  That sweater that no longer fits, or the sweater that is no longer in style but you just can't part with is just the perfect pieces to make a blanket! 

Sew the cut out pieces from your old sweater collection and serge them together on a baby lock serger.  You can finished the edges by serging them too. 

Ribbons, lacing, zippers, buttons and buttonholes that were part of the original garment can add interesting details to the blanket.