In Sewing News Today

I do like soccer and that even spills over into my sewing but not recently even with the World Cup in play.  The last time I made something soccer related was this Euro Cup dress a decade ago.  And a soccer print face mask during the pandemic.  Both pieces of clothing are no longer in rotation.  

This mask was made with the Dhurata Davies pattern.  Highly recommended pattern but hopefully we won't need to sew these again and our pandemic era is behind us all.  

I made this knit dress, a Marcy Tilton design, out-of-print Vogue 9130, in celebration of Portugal's advancement in the 2016 Euro tournament.  But this year, I'm not really into watching the tournament after Ronaldo's surprising visit to the White House, even though there are three co-hosts of this year's tournament.  There is just something about this year's soccer festivities that doesn't excite the sewing mojo of previous tournaments.  

There is still sewing going on.  Last summer, I cut out several versions of another Tilton pattern, OOP Butterick 6784 and I didn't get around to sewing the final version.  An orange linen version before the seasons changed.  I think it's about time I got to work on this latest version.  Besides, 

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Stash busting: Pullover Top / OOP Simplicity 2372

There have been more than a few versions of tops, dresses and pants made from out-of-print (OOP) Simplicity 2372 over the decade + some.  What can I say?  It's a great pattern.  

And here is the first 2024 version of OOP Simplicity 2372.  I won't promise that it will be the last.  I'm just letting the fabric stash dictate the 2024 project list.  

This pullover top pattern went through some changes to get to this point.  

1. The center front and back seams were removed and cut on the fold
2. Hem length was shortened
3. Sleeve was changed into a long sleeve style.  

The fabric has been in the stash for about as long as the pattern.  I believe this was a Mitchell Fabric find from back-in-the-day.  The original idea for this fabric was to sew a button front shirt and then Covid happened and sewing face masks became all the rage.  That's when the fabric was cut for the lining of face masks.  And then there wasn't enough for the shirt plans.  So plans changed and with the left over cotton fabric I was able to make a pullover top. 

Project details

Seams:  2.8 straight stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  1 metre

Interfacing:  0.3 metres

Label:  1 KATM label

Pattern:  OOP Simplicity 2372

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, pins, measuring tape, ruler, tailor's chalk, pin cushions, measuring gauge, Janome sewing machine, walking foot, cotton thread, Janome serger, tweezers, polyester serger thread, thread clippers, iron, ironing board, hand sewing needle, tailor's wax and a few breaks.  

Happy Sewing!  

Stash busting: OOP Butterick 5891

Once upon a time, there was enough of this Japanese cotton printed fabric to cut all the pattern pieces found in out-of-print (OOP) Butterick 5891.  Then Covid happened and this 100% cotton fabric ended up on the cutting table to make face masks and scrub caps during the pandemic.  

The denim collar is just because I was short of this Japanese cotton to cut out the collar piece.  Oops.  And sometimes a sewing oops works out just fine.  There is a pair of pants cuts out of the denim used here so it might just end up looking like an intentional design feature.  But I digress.  

These fabrics were in the stash for years.  Which year I can't recall but it was many years before the pandemic.  The printed Japanese cotton was a discounted Fabricland find.  The denim I'm pretty certain originated from Fanny Fabrics which closed down in 2005.  The fabrics were pre-treated with a tumble in the washing machine and dryer before hitting the ironing board for a steam pressing.  

The pattern, OOP Butterick 5891, is a favourite and an absolute treasure.  I've made a few versions of view D and it is a very comfortable top to wear.  Best part of this design would be the side pockets which I did raise an inch.  That is the only alteration / change made to the pattern.  

Project details

Seams:  2.8 straight stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  3 metres (narrow width)

Interfacing:  0.7 metres 

Buttons:  3 -- 7/8" recycled buttons

Pattern:  OOP Butterick 5891

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, pins, pin cushions, tailor's chalk, threads, Janome sewing machine, buttonhole foot, walking foot, thread clippers, Brother serger, tweezers, cutting board, buttonhole cutter, hand sewing needle, screwdriver, clapper (used as a hammer), iron and ironing board.  

Happy Sewing!  

Me Made May 2023: From the Me Made Collection (Part III)

Another rainy day calls for flannel and wools.  

Today I tried to wear a favourite cotton sateen skirt, OOP Vogue 1247, but it didn't last as I was bloated and it just felt uncomfortable.  Some clothes I want to wear, but ease and comfort have more importance now-a-days with the unpredictability of my body shape.  Elastic waistbands are my saving clothing feature.  

A new t-shirt added to the me-made selection and collection of comfortable cotton wears.  

A cool start to the day is reflected in my clothing choices.  Perhaps, a pair of pants might have been a better choice.  

The end of the Victoria Long Weekend was a quiet day spent at home cooking meals for the freezer and baking a Lemon Banana bread loaf.  

The first part of the day was spent cutting the grass in jeans and a me-made t-shirt (no shown here).  And then after a mid-day bath it was into a me-made outfit.  

Year in Review...

Twenty-twenty-two flew by and even though at times I felt like I wasn't sewing that much, I'm kinda shocked that a hundred sixteen projects came off the machine this year.  Mind you many of those were small projects like various bags and hats and scarves.  

• Fifty-one (44%) of these projects were donated or gifted.  
• Eight projects (6%) didn't work out as planned.  
• 117.1 metres of fabric were stash busted in 2022
• 17 reusable grocery bags were sewn in anticipation of the single use plastic bag ban that came into effect this year.  These bags was the most popular sewing project of 2022 and many were gifted after some people saw and liked them.  

Well, here's a closer look back at the time at the sewing machine this past year including December's projects.  

Have a Happy New Year!  And wishing you a productive and creative 2023 in the sewing workspace.  

January

Reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851), Men's shirt (McCall's 2447), Remote control caddy (no pattern used), 3-layer cotton face masks (Dhurata Davies), Waterfall Coat (Butterick 6244)

January's sewing projects were all about finding a distraction and trying to get promised projects done.  All projects, except for the reusable grocery bags, were gifted.  

February

Diane Von Furstenberg Designer Wrap Dress (OOP Vogue 1610), Robe (OOP Simplicity 6851), Pajama Bottoms (OOP Vogue 9217) and Men's Pants (OOP Kwik Sew 3663 and McCall's 6973)

During the month of February there was some gift sewing and a couple of projects for moi.  I was blessed to sew an authentic DVF wrap dress pattern, circa 1977.  I can cross that one off my sewing bucket list.  And on the third version of the robe, I finally got the button placement right.  It was a good month for sewing and mending.  

March

Unfinished jean jacket (OOP Butterick 6373), wool and cotton knit socks (The Wolf and The Tree, Going Rogue Socks), DVF wrap dress in black sweater knit  and cotton knit (OOP Vogue 1610), cotton knit top (OOP Simplicity 2372), table runner (no pattern used), reusable grocery bag (OOP McCall's 4851)

March was a mix of charity, gift, selfish sewing and one Lent sewing project for the church.  The highlight of the sewing this month would have to be socks, so many socks!  I made a batch of wool socks for moi and a batch to be gifted.  Oh and a version of the DVF wrap dress that I saved for Easter Sunday mass not anticipating a snow storm that would happen and would nix those plans.  

April 

Cotton print top (OOP Butterick 5891), reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851) and French terry cardigan / jacket (Butterick 6495)

I wonder if April blizzard warnings will also bring May flowers?  Maybe it was all the unpredictable weather that zapped my sewing mojo this month?  

May

Wool sweater (OOP Kwik Sew 4192), 2 cotton slips (OOP Kwik Sew 3645), Men's denim pull-on pants with front facing leg pockets (OOP Kwik Sew 3663), Pear print dress (Tessuti patterns Eva dress), shirt (McCall's 7940), dress (OOP Simplicity 2372)

Thankfully, there were no more blizzard warnings this month.  Instead, it was replaced with lots of rain!  That meant staying indoors and sewing, most of the projects sewn this month were gifted to others.  

June

Yellow and gray reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851), flannel pajama set (Butterick 6296 and Vogue 9217), bag (no pattern used)

Summer officially arrived and most of my free time is dedicated to yardwork and avoiding mosquito bites.  There was some gardening and planting of squashes, tomatoes, herbs and sunflowers that took me away from sewing.  And my simple life is reflected in my sewing projects, no fancy sewing found here.  

July

DVF Wrap dress (OOP and vintage Vogue 1610), Donna Karan shorts (OOP and vintage Vogue 2092), failed attempt at recreating RTW culottes (OOP McCall's 6748)

During the month of July, I was able to squeeze in a little bit of sewing in between yardwork and gardening.  The pants and the shorts were made with thoughts of cycling more than materialized.  Maybe next month?  

August

Scarf (no pattern used), cell phone cover (no pattern used), reuseable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851), black and white jacket (OOP Vogue 8430), floral gathered empire waist girl's dress (OOP New Look 6493), girl's reversible dress (OOP Vogue 1455), failed attempt at culottes (OOP Vogue 9091), failed attempt at recreating a RTW t-shirt (OOP Vogue 8582) 

Mid-August my sewing move into high gear with the start of Pattern Reviews stash-busting contest.  All of these fabrics have been in the stash for years, some even decades.  Four items were gifted, two for moi didn't work out to be wearable.  

September

Waterfall coat (Butterick 6244), failed attempt at culottes (Vogue 9246), flannel pajamas (OOP and vintage Simplicity 6851 and OOP Simplicity 2372)

September was not the most successful sewing month.  The pants were way too big, the waterfall coat was not warm enough, the gifted pajama set was stressful with indecisiveness and complaints along the way.  Yup, sometimes sewing for others can be stressful.  

 

October 

Flannel pajama set (Butterick  6296, Simplicity 2372 and Vogue 9217), plaid pull-on and elastic back pants (OOP Butterick 6717), plaid scarf (no pattern used), finally, a successful pair of culottes (Vogue 9246), bag (OOP McCall's 4851), pull-on and elastic back pants (OOP Butterick 6717)

October was a mixed bag of sorts.  There were sewing bloopers and success stories.  Half of the sewing projects were gifted.  

November

Wool scarves (no pattern used), hats / tuques (The Littlest Studio, free PDF tuque pattern), wool cardigan (OOP Kwik Sew 4192), cotton knit top (OOP Simplicity 2372), polyester knit sweater (OOP Simplicity 8529), half-slip (OOP Butterick 5790), cotton knit skirt (OOP Butterick 5790) and wool pants (OOP Butterick 6717)

Most of November's sewing projects were about filling needs.  All the hats, except for one, were sewn for the church which put out a call for hats and scarves for newcomer families.  The other hat was gifted as was the short-sleeve t-shirt.  The cardigan is a replacement for the one I made in the spring but recently gave away to someone in need.  

December

Second attempt at recreating a RTW T-shirt (OOP Vogue 9057 / reissued as Vogue 1733), knit front knotted top, (OOP Vogue 2925), a little girl's velveteen and silk Christmas dress (OOP McCall's 5795 / available as a digital download) and a black knit maxi-skirt (OOP Butterick 5790) 

I would have probably sewn more if sewing time was not interrupted by a Colorado low that brought several days of snow that needed to be cleared right before Christmas!  

Happy Sewing! 

In Sewing News Today...

It's day six into Me-Made-May (MMM) 2022 and so far I've rescued three items and let go of two shirts that just don't quite fit / look good anymore.  Actually, the shirts are at the cutting table waiting to be turned into part of a future patchwork project.  And the buttons have already been harvested for a possible future project.  

I'm really focused on editing my wardrobe this MMM but I am tracking what I'm pulling out to wear as well.  

These are a selection of some of the me-made items that I wore and used in the first four days of MMM.  Me-made items not shown here would be undergarments (knickers, slip and socks).  I'm still wearing facemasks when I am out around people.  I've been doubling up (me-made mask or medical grade along with a KN-95) since most people are not following mask and social distancing recommendations since they dropped mask mandates and testing.  

Now that spring has finally arrived I'm really missing a jean jacket that fits the way I like.  You might remember that I recently finished this one but it's not what I'm reaching for when I need a jacket.  The sleeves are too long and it's on the verge of hitting the editing table.  I am looking at trying another jean jacket pattern, out-of-print McCall's 5191.  

Right now I have a Palmer Pletsch shirt pattern that I am currently working on and I do like the fitting suggestions.  That makes me hopeful this jean jacket pattern will have the fit I'm searching for.  

Well, that's all in sewing news today.

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

This weekend there are some declaring that we reached the 2 year mark in the global pandemic.  

If it feel longer than that, you're right.  

And there are some who are declaring that we're no longer in a pandemic rather an endemic and that we just have to "learn to live with the virus."  

Aplat face masks, circa 2021

Mask mandates are being dropped in two days in this part of the world.  

I'm not thrilled about this new phase of public health announcements, the lack of testing and vaccine inequality.  

I feel that the latest lifting of health measures is to bow down to the anti-maskers who were recently and aggressively occupying strategic locations across the country.  

But I won't be giving up my Dhurata Davies or Aplat face mask patterns anytime soon.  

Mask mandate or no mask mandate, I'll still be wearing a face mask.  

It's hardly an inconvenience when I know I'm protecting others.  

Added bonus, not one cold, flu, or sinus infection since I started wearing the hottest fashion accessory of the past two + years!  

Seriously.  

Face masks have been a blessing.  

Yup, this is one fashion trend I'm not giving up anytime soon.  

✄✄✄✄

The table runners for the church are off the sewing and cutting table, pressed, hand-stitched closed and delivered.  

They turned out better than I hoped.  

Fingers are crossed that they are well-received.  

Actually, they were well-received when I delivered them.  

That was before they were unwrapped and used.  

I guess, I'm just waiting to see how they look on the tables.  

✄✄✄✄

Currently, I've been spending my free time taping my sock PDF patterns together.  

I'm not a fan of PDF patterns.  

And taping.  

I just want to get these cut out and see if the pattern works for me.  

I'm starting with the Going Rogue Socks pattern.  

At this rate of procraftination it might take awhile to show you a completed pair.  

I hope not.  

We'll see.  

Well, that's all in sewing news today.

Stay Safe & Keep Sewing!

Still Sewing Face Masks: Aplat Patterns

Four more 3-layer face masks came off the work table and have been gifted.  For this project I revisited the Aplat face mask pattern, available here for free download.  They are made with a Japanese cotton that has been in my stash for many, many moons.  These actually have the wrong side of the fabric showing, as it was requested.  

The masks are not sewn as per instructions.  I opted for elastic instead of a cord and inserted the elastic after all the top-stitching, prior to folding, was completed.  The website does make a point about elastic deteriorating after washing but these will be hand washed.  

Easy peasy make and a comfortable fit.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.4 straight stitch

Fabric:  0.5 metres

Elastic:  0.7 metres

Pattern:  Aplat face mask

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, clapper, pins, tailor's chalk, scissors, sewing machine, thread, hand sewing needle, thread clippers, safety pin, iron and ironing board.  

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 #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!

National Sewing Month: Traditional Sewing Techniques and New Sewing Traditions

 

This year's theme is focused on sewists "becoming frontline supporters, creating masks and other protective equipment ... driving a resurgence in the art of sewing."

Personally, I find this theme so last year.  Sorry folks at the National Sewing Month organization.  I was one of those "frontline supporters" back in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic.  It all started with sewing face masks when stores were charging an insane price for disposable masks and disposable gloves.  And then I started sewing face masks for family and friends when the great elastic shortage of 2020 took hold and alternates for elastic were sought.  What a journey in sourcing needed materials!  And who would of ever imagine that a limit would be placed on elastic?   

And then during lockdown while watching too much news on rising Covid case numbers and listening to stories of hospital workers being overwhelmed, I turned to sewing scrub caps for a nurse friend and her colleagues.  It became a way to feel like I was helping out and it was a project that I could use up small remnants of fabric that I had left over from other projects.  

I don't know if my sewing this year became part of the movement that was "driving a resurgence in the art of sewing," that honestly feels like a bit of a stretch.  For me personally, this year's theme is more about making do and refashioning clothes that I grew out of, damn pandemic pounds.  And being more resourceful with the rising cost of sewing supplies EVERYTHING.   

That's it!  Being more resourceful and mindful in my sewing is my "new sewing tradition."  Hello sustainable sewing!  

Happy National Sewing Month!  

World Mask Week: Keep On Wearing and Caring

 

This week (July 12 to 18, 2021) is being marked by the global campaign promoting the continued use of wearing a face mask, handwashing and physical distancing even after being vaccinated.  Do it to protect the population that have not yet been or can not be vaccinated and those who still do not have access to the vaccine.  

In the meantime, if you're looking for a recommendation and want to keep on sewing face masks here are my favourite face mask patterns.  

The Alpat Face Mask pattern.  

Dhurata Davies Face Mask pattern.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Me Made May 2021: The Weekend Edition, Days 14, 15 and 16

 

Friday was one of those days that I had nothing to wear. It happened on the day that students were learning about hyperbole in their poetry class. 

My body was revolting at the thought of anything too tight and everything was too tight. It didn't help that my loose fitting pieces of clothing were sitting in the laundry. Even my feet and ankles were in pain and swollen by the end of the day sending me straight into my pajamas, circa 2020 (top, Butterick 6296 and bottoms OOP Vogue 9217) as soon as I got home. I squeezed into the only knit skirt, circa 2020, Vogue 1730 that would go with an oversized shirt, circa 2021, The Assembly Line T:205.  

Saturday was all about catching up!  It was my day to catch up on errands hindered by long pandemic response line-ups at grocery stores, punctuated with desired-items no where to be found and sky-rocketed meat prices.  It looks like it's going to be a vegetarian summer.  Thank goodness I like lentils.  But I digress...

On Saturday, I wore a too-snug RTW black pullover knit dress and leggings, hidden under a loose-fitting cotton knit sweater, circa 2020, OOP Vogue 9215.  My me-made face mask, circa 2020, a Dhurata Davies free downloadable pattern, was worn over top a disposable face mask.  And I brought me-made grocery bags, circa 2021, OOP McCall's 4851, to the store.  Sleepwear consisted of the top part of a pajama set, circa 2017, Butterick 6296 worn with RTW yoga pants since the bottoms have recently been turned into rags.  There are plans to sew another pajama bottom in a navy cotton sateen that I have in the stash. One day when my sewing mojo returns.  

Spent some time cooking and tending to the outdoor plants after switching over my closet to spring summer clothes and removing the items that no longer fit.  The feet are doing better today and I was happy I was able to slide them into a pair of runners.  A simply comfortable shirtdress, circa 2018, Simplicity 8687. Silk pajamas, circa 2020, top Butterick 6296 and bottoms, OOP Vogue 9217.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!

Me Made May 2021: Days 3 and 4

I'm a day late but I was out for the count for much of yesterday.  

So, I was feeling pretty good when I woke up, thinking that I escaped any of the side-effects from the vaccine. I ended up back home and in bed after lunch. 

For a few short hours I tallied four me-made items:

Cotton shirtdress, circa 2020, out-of-print (OOP) Vogue 1606.  At work I wear two face masks, a medical grade mask under a reusable face mask, circa 2020, Dhurata Davies pattern. And most of my day was spent in flannel pajamas, top, circa 2019, was made with Butterick 6296 and the bottoms, circa 2018, with OOP Vogue 9217.

Yes, today I wore two coats. This morning I was out on patrol duty when it was minus seven and when you're standing there in an open parking lot for fifteen minutes I was going with something warmer. My coat of choice this morning, circa 2018, OOP Vogue 8934.  By recess duty I was out without a coat and by the end of the day the wind picked up and I went to the trunk of my car to grab the spring coat, circa 2019, Vogue 9367.  

My dress of choice was a French terry knit turtleneck dress, circa 2019, OOP Vogue 8939. Since I need pockets at work and the dress doesn't meet this requirement, I topped it with a light-weight top, circa 2020, OOP Butterick 5891. Face masks worn at work were a disposable medical grade mask topped with a disposable KN95 mask.  

And sleepwear was is a repeat of the set worn yesterday.  Details are above.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Fashion Revolution Week: The Environmental Impact of Face Masks or Why We Should Wear Re-Useable Masks

More than a year into the pandemic, wearing a face mask has become the norm for many of us. Unless you were a spectator at the Texas Ranger season opener, then you may have been a baseball loving environmentalist worried about the environmental impact that disposable face masks is having on our global home? But I digress...

Locally, these things are littering our streets and boulevards. They are everywhere. It was recently estimated that 129 billion BILLION face masks are being disposed of globally each month.  Many of these make their way into our rivers, lakes and oceans and have a dire impact on these ecosystems. Medical grade and disposable consumer use face masks are made from polyproplene, a type of plastic. And it is estimated that it takes hundreds of years to degrade. 

So what can you do?  It is said that even after we get a majority of our population vaccinated we'll still be wearing face masks.  

I'm all for making re-useable face masks. At work I have to wear a medical grade face mask but I also wear a me-made mask on top of it. I prefer to use cotton, linen or hemp fabrics and include a third layer with an organic cotton knit. Not only is it about using a natural fibre for some added kindness towards the environment, it's also about finding that perfect fit.  

Happy Earth Day!  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Fashion Revolution Week: Sustainable Sewing Tips

What does sustainable sewing mean to you? Does it mean being a conscious consumer? Or do you go further and realize that even though you're a conscious consumer you're still consuming. How and what we consume has an impact on our communities, human rights and the environment.    

I've been sewing my own clothes consuming textile products for a long time. It all started restarted as a quest for clothing that fit. It evolved over the years as I learned about the impact of fast-fashion on human rights and the environment. And it is an awakening of sorts to the impact that deforestation and water diversion in the name of fashion has in other aspects of our lives. 

There are big steps (education) and small steps (how we sew) that we can take in order to have a positive impact no matter how small they might seem.  

1.  Sew the Stash!  

Okay, I realize that fabric shopping and sewing with fabric are two completely different hobbies for some of us. 

Sure, it's fun a distraction during the pandemic to scroll the online fabric collections now that the pandemic has striped away the ability to walk into a fabric store and touch textile products like we once did in the past. If anything, lockdowns provide the time to shop the stash and rediscover pieces that might otherwise be overlooked or forgotten. Along with searching for the last bits of elastic during the great elastic shortage of 2020.  Oy!

Can't find the right colour of fabric in your stash or want to jump on the tie-dye trend? Consider dying fabric that is already in your stash. You don't even need to run out to the craft or fabric store for store-bought dyes. You might have all the materials needed in your pantry or garden. Added bonus, natural dyes are kind to the environment. It will feel like you have a new fabric that you pulled out of the stash.   

2.  Wear What You Make, Make What You and Your Community Needs

In a few short days we'll be in the midst of Me Made May festivities. It's an annual online celebration of what has been created and worn.  You don't even have to document the process if you don't want to, it's just a time to be mindful of the clothing items that are waiting to get out of the closet and be worn. 

Lately, most of my sewing projects have not been photo shoot material. There hasn't been much fancy pretty things coming off the sewing machine. Instead, my sewing projects have been highly worn needed items. Face masks, undergarments, and scrub caps are not the most glamorous projects but they are the most appreciated.  

And on a sustainability note, these prized and highly sought after items are small enough to use up small remnants of fabric left over from other projects. There are many groups (hospital / health care workers, homeless shelters, community groups) that would benefit from any left over face masks, undergarments and scrub caps that could be send their way.  If it's possible to do, it's a great way to care for our communities.

3.  Care for Your Clothes

"Loved clothes last," is the catch phrase but it's also true.  We all invest a lot of time into creating our me-made wardrobes. Doesn't it make sense to care for them after they leave the sewing machine? 

 

Let me tell you a tale about this white shirt. Back in 2019, I was so thrilled that I finally managed to sew a white shirt that was comfortable and fit. It's all about sleeves that hit my wrist area and enough ease around the mid-section.  And then in my joy over finally having a white shirt that fits, I wore it out in the public sphere and while at work a blue ink stain appeared on the front band.  

I know, I was shocked as well.  I have no idea how it happened, I'm usually very careful except for this time.  I tried every commercial product stain remover I could get my hands on, from a Tide™ stain remover stick to Shout™ spray stain remover, but nothing worked. In matter of fact the ink stain spread.  Sadness quickly followed when I realized that the there was no more white cotton with stretch in my fabric stash.  

The once loved shirt sat in my mending pile for months waiting for me to recycle those buttons and cut it up for rags. It sat there for that long because I just couldn't do it. And during that time, I started to wonder about that urban legend out there that says, hair spray can remove ink stains. Could it be that it might actually be true? What did I have to lose?  Well, besides a stack of new rags.  

It did work despite all the online posts that hair spray contains less alcohol as it did back-in-the-day. The current advice seems to be to use a bottle of alcohol instead but with the pandemic making alcohol supplies at the drug store a rare find, I'm glad I gave the hair spray trick a try. I invested in a non-aerosol bottle of extra hold hair spray and it worked, much to my relief. The moral of the story, sometimes it's worth the risk. And if it doesn't work, there is a source for rags oh let's not go there. 

4.  Learn to Mend and Love the Process  

Mending is the greatest sewing technique that you can bring to your sewing process. Yeah, I can hardly believe that my fingers hit those keystrokes to spell that out. I've come a long way in my view on mending. There has really been a mind shift over the pandemic. 

The above ready-to-wear shirt has ended up on the mending pile once again. I'm thinking about how I want to repair the small hole developing on the upper back of this top. And I'm thinking about doing some visible mending with this one. I've been intrigued by Sashiko, the Japanese technique of visible mending. I think it could look quite pretty, maybe try it out with some silk thread so not to compete with the light-weight fabric.  

5.  Use Old Clothing as Your Fabric Source

According to a report by the United States Environment Protection Agency, many of the previously desired clothing that we donate to charity and second hand shops still end up in landfills and contribute to greenhouse gases.  

Have you considered using your old clothing as a fabric source instead of donating them? It couldn't be a better time to consider it as the patchwork trend is sticking around for 2021.  

How about using big people clothing pieces to recreate little people clothing? The above dress was created with a much loved piece of cloth from a me-made skirt that no longer fit. Fabrics have certainly changed over the decades as manufacturers blend natural and man-made fibres in order to save money. Those quality natural fibre fabrics are becoming harder to find in fabric store shelves replaced by polyester options. But those gems might still be sitting in your mending or donate piles waiting to be recreated into something new.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sustainable Sewing!