June in Review

Sewing, Mending and Alterations

Clockwise from the top:  cotton skirt (The Assembly Line, S:402 Tulip skirt), blue cotton knit t-shirt (OOP Butterick 6859) and cotton pullover top (The Assembly Line, T:202 High Cuff Sweater).

There were projects completed at the work table this month.  All of these were first-time used patterns and turned out to be wearable toiles.  I would like to re-visit all of them in the future when I can find some more free time.  These June makes turned out to be some comfortable pieces that I often reached for throughout this month.  

And there was also mending and alterations that received some attention.  Bedroom curtains that needed some hem adjustments and various broken stitches that needed to be repaired were done.  

Another Pattern Shake Up

This month the sewing community was hit with the news of a pattern shake up.  According to the online article, "Parent Company of the Big 4 Sewing Pattern Brands Sold to a Liquidator" by Abby Glassenberg, "IG Design Group cited the impact of tariffs imposed by the US as a factor."  

It was twenty years ago that Fabricland stopped carrying Simplicity and New Look patterns here in Canada.  And now Fabricland has started selling off these Big Four Five legacy patterns (Vogue, Butterick, McCall's, Burda and Know Me) at deep discounts.  

It breaks my heart that these pattern companies are the latest victim of the convicted felon's tariff scheme.  But according to an upbeat message by Mimi G, work at the Big Four continues.  So what is going on?  According to a reply to a question on the Mimi G video update, there are Fall Vogues in the works.  Deep breath.  It's heartbreaking to even think that the Big 4 may not survive the upheaval tariffs have created.  

I did take advantage of Fabricland's recent pattern discounts and, with a heavy heart and elbows momentarily down, picked up a few patterns just in case it's my last chance.

Vogue 2115, Know Me 2076, Butterick 6745 and McCall's 8147 were recently added into the stash.  And elbows are back up.  The available stock at the store is low and many patterns found in the pages of the pattern catalogues are no longer available in the dwindling collection found in the pattern drawers.  The times they are a-changin'.  

National Sewing Machine Day

Another June presents us with another reason to celebrate our sewing machines.  June 13 happened to be National Sewing Machine day.  I am intrigued with what the future will hold with artificial intelligence and the use of sewing robots to help over populate the globe with fast-fashion.  Yikes!   

The times they are a-changin'.  

Stash Busting

This month 5.6 metres of fabric, 7 spools of thread, 1 recycled zipper, 1 KATM sewing label, 1.5 metres of Knit 'N Stable and 0.8 metres of basting tape were used from the stash.   There were four new patterns added to the stash.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing

September in Review...

First before anything else, I must acknowledge that today, September 30th, is 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In Canada today is marked by both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.  Today, like every day should be in this country, is a day for learning, acknowledgement and reflection about the land and history of this country and our place in it as a community.  I hope that you will take a moment and explore the links above to find out more.  

National Sewing Month

Today also marks the closing of National Sewing Month.  Did you notice that things were quiet over at NationalSewingMonth.org?  Other than the naming of this year's theme "Spread Love, Stitch Love" this celebration of sewing felt low key.  

Congratulations to MimiG for spreading the love with a new line of sewing patterns ready for stitching.  The new pattern line, KnowMe features designers known in the online sewing community.  This month she also shared sewing trivia throughout the month.  What I love about these patterns is that the sizing is more inclusive and there are more options for sewing men's clothing.  

This bomber jacket pattern is sweet.  

And I love this motorcycle jacket pattern.  I don't have anyone to sew these for but I'm certainly watching to see if someone makes these jackets.  I hope so, they look so cool.  

Sewing

There wasn't as much sewing as I hoped this month.  A scraped knee and bruising near my collar bone and shoulder area deflated my sewing mojo for most of the month.  Thank God, those boo-boos didn't stop me from sewing a few things.  

The waterfall coat (Butterick 6244) is getting used now that cooler temperatures are here.  The pull-on pants (Vogue 9246) ended up being too big and I would like to revisit the pattern.  The set of pajamas were gifted (top: vintage Simplicity 6851 and bottoms: OOP Simplicity 2372).  

Stash Busting

All of the sewing projects this month were made with fabric from the stash.  Most of the supplies were from the stash as well with the exception of the pink serger thread used to sew a machine rolled hem on the waterfall coat.  This month 9.6 metres of fabric, 1.9 metres of elastic, 1 label, 4 buttons and 1 metre of fusible interfacing were stash-busted this month.  

What's Next?  

Only God knows!  But I can tell you that there is one more set of pajamas being cut right now.  Another gift sewing project.  

Happy Sewing!