Designer, Bob Mackie

Source:  Photo Credit: Harry Langdon/Getty Images

Today is a sad day in the designing and sewing world, Robert Gordon Mackie passed away.  He is known as Bob Mackie in the fashion and theatre world, an Emmy and Tony award winning fashion and costume designer.  

I grew up watching Bob Mackie's designs come to life on the television way back-in-the-day.  My first introduction to his designs came into my orbit via The Sonny and Cher Show and The Carol Burnett Show.  I just dated myself.  

Source:  The dress concept was Bob Mackie's idea and it is current in the The Smithsonian. 

Mackie designed for many other big name celebrities as well, you can read about his influence on the entertainment world in the many touching tributes that are popping up today.  

But did you know that Bob Mackie also designed sewing patterns for McCall's in the late seventies and early eighties?  Here's is a look back at his contribution to the home sewing community.  

Rest in peace Bob Mackie.  Thank you for the wit, glamour and inspiration that you brought into our sewing rooms through your designs.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

What's Coming Up...

Did you hear about the 2026 Colour of the Year, "cloud dancer"?  

It's white.  Okay, seems a little odd, doesn't it?  White can convey a message of purity or peace or death or sadness or the sense of austerity.  Pantone Colo[u]r Institute's executive director describes it as a discrete hue needed in a time of transformation adding that the cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming.  Oh, so this is meant to be an ironic colour.  

I can't say that it sparks any creative thoughts at the sewing table.  Although, I wouldn't mind if a white shirt came off the sewing machine in 2026.  I think there might be a cloud dancer in the fabric stash.  

What's coming up, or what I hope will be coming off the sewing machine in 2026.  

1.  A pair of fleece pull-on pants.  Nothing exciting but something I hope will keep me warm this winter.  I will pull out out-of-print (OOP) Butterick 6859 for this project.  

2.  Some more charity sewing.  The church is asking for donations of socks, tuques and mittens.  

3.  More joy.  I hope that this year will bring less back, knee and wrist pain and more joy at the sewing machine.  That would be sweet.  

4.  I would like to revisit OOP Vogue 2334.  

5.  A coatdress made with OOP McCall's 2465.  

Top of the list would be to stash bust both patterns and fabric.  Here's to having a wonderful sewing journey this new year.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Gift Sewing: OOP McCall's 7367

Yes, one more pair of baby sweatpants.  The first one fits, these are for when they are out-grown.  Same French terry fabric and out-of-print and vintage McCall's 7367 pattern, just two sizes bigger than the ones made yesterday.  

Another Canadian made and tariff free sewing project.  Exactly as yesterday's project.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  0.60 metres

Elastic:  0.70 metres

Pattern:  OOP McCall's 7367, circa 1994

Label:  1--KATM "You are loved" label

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, pins, wrist pin cushion, measuring tape, measuring gauge, iron, ironing board, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, threads, thread clippers and tea.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Gift Sewing: Baby Sweatpants / OOP McCall's 7367

Oh my goodness, these are so cute but it's hard to imagine that they will fit a wee little one.  They are so tiny.  Or maybe that is just my perception coming off sewing a pair of adult size pants.   

These are the pants from out-of-print (OOP) and vintage McCall's 7367, an infants layette pattern from 1994.  Super easy to sew, even a sleep deprived parent can whip these up while the baby is sleeping.  Or maybe sew them before the baby arrives.  😉  There are no side seams, and only two pattern pieces.  The only challenging part was sewing those tiny little leg bands.  I am thankful for the stretch of the fabric which made it a manageable task.  The fabric is a cotton French terry.  

I was disappointed when I found that my original copy of this pattern contained a disappearing pants pattern.  Half of the pattern did not print.  I'm really thankful for a second copy that I recently purchased after I discovered I lost a pattern piece for the onesie.  Once all of that was sorted out, this was a quick project to cut and sew.  I spent more time changing the threads on the sewing machine and serger.  

Sewing IS Political

This is another Canadian made and tariff free sewing project.  Everything needed to sew these pants were found in the stash.  The fabric came from Marshall Fabrics, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The patterns are printed in the U.S.A. but I'm happy to report they were not tariffed items nor did they contribute to the convicted felon's economy.  The second pattern that I picked up earlier this year came from a Canadian reseller.  The elastic used is a Tailor brand, an American company.  It is a product that was made in China and has been in the stash prior to the convicted felon's global tariff war.  The label is from KATM, an Australian company.  The Gütermann threads were made in Greece and were purchased at Fabricland, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The fabric scissors are Merchant and Mills, a U.K. company and were purchased from The Workroom, another Canadian fabric outlet.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightning bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  0.5 metres

Elastic:  0.45 metres

Pattern:  OOP McCall's 7367, circa 1994

Label:  1--KATM "made with love" label

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, black marker, measuring tape, measuring gauge, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, thread clippers, seam ripper, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, iron, ironing board, pins, pin cushion and tea.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

October in Review

Sewing, Mending and Alterations

Clockwise top L:  cotton sweatshirt fleece baby onesie OOP and vintage McCall's 7367, wool and polyester skirt Daughter Judy pattern no. 407 (Henry skirt), cream coloured cotton fleece and gray merino wool saddle covers for a scoliosis brace (no pattern used), cotton pants OOP Vogue 1739.

Surprisingly, there was some sewing this month.  Even though I felt like I spent most of the month coughing up a lung or two, I did get some work done at the sewing machine.  Two items were gifted, the skirt was a fail (I got the sizing all wrong) and the saddle covers were the best thing I sewed this month.  Oh wait, it's probably tied with that cute little baby onesie.  

There wasn't a lot of mending and alterations done this month other than I managed to fix a couple of small holes while continuing to edit the wardrobe.  A shout out to Brace Buddies for designing the body sock tank top.  I am now able to wear the brace and sweaters (jumpers) without the worry of damage them with the velcro straps on the brace.  And best part, they are made with cotton knit.  Maybe, I can try to copy this design and add a couple more down the road.  We'll see.  

Stash busting

This month I stashed busted 6.4 metres of fabric, half a metre of twill tape, one snap, two sewing labels, one vintage button, one hook and eye set, three spools of thread, three sewing patterns and 0.6 metres of elastic.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Gift Sewing: OOP McCall's 7367

I thought my days of sewing vintage and out-of-print (OOP) McCall's 7367 were well behind me.  All my friends are well past the days of starting families and I no longer have workplace baby showers to attend.  I was wrong, there will always be beautiful babies to welcome into the world.  And for this occasion here is the latest baby jumpsuit.  

This is such a cute pattern.  Sewing vintage and OOP McCall's 7367 puts a smile on my face.  Although, working that ribbing around the armholes and legs can prove to be a bit of a challenge.  This time I didn't have to struggle as my cotton ribbing had ample stretch.  It's a well-drafted pattern. 

The fabric is a cotton sweatshirt fleece that I has been in the stash for so long that I don't recall where I found it.  It is left-over fabric from this project.  It was previously pretreated with a tumble in the washing machine and dryer.  The cotton ribbing was a recent purchase that was not pretreated before cutting out the cuff pieces.  My bad.  I know that if I were to shop for cotton sweatshirt fabric like this today, I would leave the store empty handed.  Fabricland is selling cotton sweatshirt fabric for $50 / metre and now-a-days it rarely goes on sale.  Let's just say that I'm so grateful this fabric was in the stash because it's really cozy and cute.  

Sewing IS Political

This is the latest Canadian 🍁 made and tariff free project to come from the work table as the convicted felon and his cohort down south escalates his global tariff war and annexation rhetoric.  As inflation is again creeping upwards, it's nice to know that there is a stash to draw from and avoid some of the higher costs that are hitting the stores.    

The fabric was in the stash from non-tariff days.  The snaps were from the stash and were lingering in there for years.  The twill tape is a recent purchase from Marshall Fabrics, a western Canadian fabric outlet.  The out-of-print vintage pattern has been in the stash for over three decades and when I pulled it out my heart sank at the discovery that the back pattern piece was missing.  I was thrilled to find another copy of McCall's 7367 online find from an Ontario reseller.  Although, the pattern is a McCall's pattern and was originally printed in the U.S.A., no funds from this purchase supported the convicted felon's economy.  Same goes for the U.S.A. made Fray Check used on the tie ends as it was in the stash for years.  The label is from KATM, an Australian company and was purchased directly from the company.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  0.9 metres + 0.3 metres ribbing

Twill tape:  0.5 metres

Snap:  1 medium sized 

Pattern:  vintage and OOP McCall's 7367, circa 1994

Label:  1 "P.S. I LOVE YOU" label from KATM

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, paper scissors, fabric scissors, measuring tape, pins, pin cushions, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, threads, AirThread 2000D serger, hand sewing needle, tailor wax, tailor's chalk, iron, ironing board, tweezers, lint brush and threads.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

August in Review

Sewing, Alterations and Mending

This is the most productive I've been at the sewing machine since February.  Back then I also managed to sew six items.  To be completely honest, I'm surprised that I a) found the time and b) had the energy to pull off this many projects from the sewing machine.  Tis the season of yardwork.  But I digress.  It certainly did help that three of the dresses were previously cut and ready to sew.  There are still some more pre-cut projects waiting for some free time.  

In the alteration department, this dress made it back to the work table to have the hemline lowered.  In mending news, the mending pile continues to grow as I discover new breaks in various seams or hand stitching while ironing clothes.  And then it's a quick run to the sewing machine for some repair work because loved clothes last.  It feels like the sewing machine sees more action in the mending department.   

The heating pad needed some attention as it started shedding its filling.  This project was hand stitched mending job I couldn't put off any longer.  Nothing fancy, it was a quick get it done and forget about making it pretty job.  

What to Wear?  

I'm asking that question once again as I'm trying to adjust to wearing a night scoliosis brace.  I'm trading in my pajama tops for padded t-shirts.  There might be the need to add some more t-shirts into rotation, maybe with longer sleeves for those cooler nights that are certainly coming in the next couple of months.   

Stash busting

This past month, I managed to stash bust 13.9 metres of fabric, 0.65 metres of elastic, 9.3 metres of Knit 'N Stable tape, two spools of thread and six sewing labels.  Of the three patterns used this month, one was new.   

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Children's Leggings: McCall's 7709

One more gift sewing project, the leggings, from McCall's 7709.  

I will have to give this a good pressing before I wrap this one up.  These leggings are sewn in a size six.  The pattern is rated as "very easy" and this certainly applies to this project.  There are no side seams and it can easiest be stitched in less than an hour.  

The fabric is another scrap busted piece.  This fabric first appeared here and is a 67% bamboo, 28% cotton and 5% spandex blend.  It was previously pretreated so I was able to get right to work on this project.  

Sewing IS Political

This is another Canadian 🍁 made and tariff free project.  The fabric was in the stash for many moons.  The "designed and printed in the U.S.A." pattern was a recent and tariff free purchase as the Big Four patterns are on a liquidation sale due to the U.S. tariffs.  The Gutermann threads are from the stash.  The label is a KATM project from an Australian company.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  1 metre

Elastic:  0.65 metres

Knit 'N Stable tape:  0.5 metres

Label:  1 KATM "You Are Loved" label

Pattern:  McCall's 7709

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, pins, fabric scissors, measuring tape, measuring gauge, tailor's chalk, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, screwdriver, mini vacuum, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, thread clippers, iron, ironing board and chai latte.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Children's Top: McCall's 7709

This is another gift project made with McCall's 7709.  

The fabric has made a previous appearance here and here as adult tops.  This project is made with left over fabric that turned out to be enough for a wee gal's top.  It is a lovely medium weight cotton and spandex knit that I found at Marshall Fabrics a couple of years ago.  It was previously pretreated and ready to cut.  

The pattern, McCall's 7709, was an easy project to sew.  No issues to report and it is recommended for a beginner willing to give sewing with knits a try.  The only thing that I changed was the length on the hem, shortening it by one and a half inches and sewing an one inch topstitched hem.  

Sewing IS Political

This is another Canadian 🍁 made and tariff free project.  No fabric or supplies used to make this top contributed to the convicted felon's economy.  The fabric, purchased a couple of years ago, came from Marshall Fabric, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The "designed and printed in the U.S.A." pattern was purchased during a liquidation sale in part of the consequences of the convicted felon's global tariffs.  To be honest, I don't think I would have added anymore children's patterns to the stash otherwise. The threads were all pulled from the stash and are Gütermann threads.  The fabric scissors used are Merchant and Mills, an United Kingdom business and were purchased from The Workroom, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The sewing label is from KATM, an Australian company, purchased directly from their website.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged  

Fabric:  0.8 metre

Label:  1 KATM  "You Are Loved" label

Pattern:  McCall's 7709

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, measuring tape, pins, pin cushion, tailor's chalk, fabric scissors, Janome 4190 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, lint brush, tweezers, threads, iron and ironing board.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing!

Children's Dress: McCall's 7709

This is a gift sewing project.  

McCall's 7709 is a new-to-me pattern.  An easy peasy project with just three pattern pieces.  It was a quick sewing project and would be great for a beginner willing to try sewing with knits and involves a wee bit of gathering on the sleeves.  I'm not a fan of the recommended finish on the neckline and decided to skip the rolled hem.  I thought it would be too bulky especially around the pleats and instead finished the edge on the serger and then turned it over once, stitching in place.  Otherwise, the pattern is cute and it was a fun project to sew.  

The fabric has been in the stash for over a decade.  It is left-over from a dress I made for my mom, many moons ago.  There was one metre of this floral cotton sateen left-over and it was too nice to let it go.  I often thought of making a top or using it with another fabric.  It just happens to be enough for this project.  

The fabric suggestions for McCall's 7709 did not call for a woven but over on Pattern Review, someone made a lovely version of this dress in a non-knit.  And since this cotton sateen has a 35% stretch which matches the recommended stretch guide on the pattern calling for "moderate stretch knits," I thought why not give it a try?  What do you think?  

Sewing IS Political

This dress is the latest Canadian 🍁made and tariff free project to come off the sewing machine.  As previously mentioned, the cotton sateen fabric was leftover from a previous dress project.  It came from Fabricland, a Canadian fabric retailer.  The "designed and printed in the U.S.A." pattern is a non-tariffed product that was part of a recent clearance sale at Fabricland.  According to the online article, "Parent Company of the Big Four Pattern Brands Sold to a Liqidator" by Abby Glassenberg, "IG Design Group cited the impact of tariffs imposed by the USA as a factor."  The Big Four patterns will no longer be available in retail stores here.  That is why I momentarily put my elbows down and picked up this dress pattern.  Now, our only option to shop the Big Four patterns in the future, if this tariff war and annexation threats ever ends, is to shop online.  Instead, I'll be keeping a watchful eye out for second hand pattern finds from now on so not to contribute to the convicted felon's economy.  The threads used were Gütermann threads.  The label is from KATM, an Austrailian company.  

Project details

Seams:  2.6 straight stitch 

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  1 metre

Label:  1 KATM "YOU ARE LOVED" label

Pattern:  McCall's 7709

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, pins, pin cushion, measuring tape, straight edge ruler, fabric scissors, tailor's chalk, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, screwdriver, blind hem foot, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, measure gauge, threads, thread clippers, hand sewing needle, tailor's wax, iron, ironing board, tea and some good tunes.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

In Sewing News Today...

I have a reason to break out this pattern, out-of-print (OOP) McCall's 7367.  It's been in my stash since the early 1990s and I've made countless versions of view A over the past thirty plus years.  I am hoping to make more.  

I discovered that the back pattern piece is missing.  Drats!  Last time I made up this project was four years ago, I wouldn't even know where to look for this pattern piece.  Thankfully, I was able to find another copy of this pattern.  This made made me happy, it is such a cute onesie.  Until it arrives, I can get busy pretreating some knit fabrics for this future project.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

 

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

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.  

What Was I Thinking in 2024?

Hello, it's been awhile.  

Boas Festas (Happy Holidays) to those celebrating the season.  I haven't been sewing, still taking a break.  I thought I would pop in with a look back at some of 2024's sewing bloopers.  

I started off 2024 with this top which ended up being gifted.  It was way, way too roomy in the bust and arms.  I have hips so I was okay in that region.  I don't know what I was thinking after all the reading all the reviews that recommended going down a size or two with Vogue 9330.

What was I thinking when I drafted this foam cover?  Good grief!  The first sewing blooper of the season was this self-drafted foam cover.  

Another project, Vogue 2000, that I started out making for myself but ended up gifting because it didn't fit.  What was I thinking when I decided to cut my good fabric without sewing a toile first?  

What was thinking when I made this denim gardening apron without pockets?  And why did I make it so long?  Maybe if I remove some of the length and make a pocket I might get more use from this next gardening season.  The pattern was from Tessuti patterns.  

What was I thinking when I made these sleeves so short?  I tried to use this make as a pajama top but I found that my arms were always cold.  And then I just stopped reaching for this top.  And this cotton knit fabric was too heavy for this Closet Core pattern.    

What was I thinking when I made these barrel leg pants for my short petite sized legs?  The pattern used was vintage and out-of-print (OOP) McCall's MP349.  

What was I thinking when I made this dress?  Oh yes, I wanted to use up the last of the nautical print fabric but there wasn't enough to make another top.  But it didn't turn out as I envisioned the project.  It looked like a nineties throwback and not at all my style.  Made with SD Patterns.  

 

What was I thinking?  I really wanted to make a caftan and that it might be something I could wear over the scoliosis back brace.  In reality the armhole openings were so big that it didn't hide the brace.  Even though it didn't get worn as intended, I did enjoy wearing the caftan at home.  The pattern used for this project was McCall's 8516.  

What was I thinking when I thought that a cotton sateen version of the Closet Core top designed for knits would be a good idea?   I thought that it could be worn under the scoliosis back brace  

What was I thinking when I broke my 2024 promise to sew no more polyester?  This was my last sewing project of 2024 and I never wore it.  It quickly ended up in the donation bin.  Made with a satin back polyester crepe and OOP Vogue 1730, a pattern designed for knits.  Everything about this project was just wrong. 

Happy Sewing!

Year in Review

Well, I guess I will start with some stats.  In 2024, I focused on two things, sewing from the stash and no more polyester.  Let's start with what I managed to make this year.  There were a total of thirty-eight projects created this year.  

Aprons (one for moi, one was gifted)

Boy's shirt (gifted)

Caftan (for moi)

Cardigan (for moi)

Dresses (four were gifted, two for moi)

Foam block Covers (three, for moi)

Garment Bag (for moi)

Pajama Sets (two for moi)

Panties (six for moi)

Reusable Grocery Bags (eight for moi)

Skirts (three for moi)

Sweatpants (two for moi)

Table runner (for moi)

Tops (nine for moi, six were gifted)

Tuque (gifted)

Winter Coat (gifted)

Winter Jacket (for moi)

During the year, I used Vogue patterns eight times, Butterick patterns four times, Simplicity patterns seven times, McCall's patterns ten times, The Assembly Line once, Tessuti patterns twice, The Littlest Studio once, Closet Core patterns four times, Sew House Seven pattern twice and SD Patterns once.  

January

Top L to R:  French terry Sweatpants (Vogue 8909), cotton pullover tops (OOP Simplicity 2372), cotton flannel pajama set (Butterick 6296 and OOP Vogue 9217).  Bottom L to R:  cotton table runner (no pattern used) merino wool pullover top (Vogue 9330), cotton reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851), merino wool tuque (The Littlest Studio, free download).

The El Niño that started in the later part of 2023 continued into the new year.  Even though there were some winter ready pieces made this month, they didn't see much use this month.  It became one sad January for those of us hoping for snow to transform the region into a winter wonderland.  

February

Top L to R:  Cotton Tessuti apron (free downloadable pattern), cotton sateen dress (OOP Simplicity 2372).  Bottom L to R:  Cotton foam block cover and the first sewing blooper of 2024 (self-drafted without coffee), raw silk dress (OOP Simplicity 2372) and cotton foam block cover (self-drafted pattern).

Our local winter festival typically fills the landscape with snow sculptures, but this year with the winter heat wave and lack of snow, plans changed.  And then irony came into play and dumped snow the day after the festival closed.  

March

Top L to R:  Feather print cotton knit pajama set; top (Closet Core Ebony), cotton knit bottoms (OOP McCall's P349), cotton knit pink and gray floral knit t-shirt (Closet Core Ebony).  Bottom L to R:  Merino knit cardigan (OOP Kwik Sew 4192), cotton knit gray and white cotton knit t-shirt (Closet Core Ebony), cotton polka dot foam block cover (no pattern used).  

March came in, as the saying goes, like a lion and out like a lamb.  With the exception of an early March low pressure system, it didn't feel like we experienced winter at all.  

April

Clockwise L to R:  Cotton colour-blocked oversized sweatshirt (OOP Simplicity 8529), lined wool winter coat (OOP Vogue 8934), cotton tile print cotton pullover dress (Butterick 6784), cotton knit pull-on skirt (OOP Butterick 5790) and cotton chambray DVF wrap dress (Vogue 2000).  

Before mid-April came around any resemblance of snow had mostly disappeared.  Only gray mountain-like piles left by snow clearing trucks remain in shopping malls parking lots.  And tulips in flower beds tried to bloom.  

May

L to R:  Cotton French terry sweatpants (Vogue 8909) and colour-blocked cotton knit pullover dress (SD Patterns).  

It was a quiet month at the work table as yard work took up most of my free time.  

June

Top L to R:  Cotton sateen top (Closet Core Ebony), cotton caftan (McCall's 8516), cotton denim gardening apron (Tessuti apron).

Bottom L to R:  cotton white shirt (vintage Simplicity 7840), cotton blue and white butterfly print top (out-of-print Butterick 5891) and white cotton sateen pull-on skirt (The Assembly Line, S:403).  

Sewing, for the most part, was about making clothes that I hoped could be worn over the back brace.  And there was one gifted project as well.  

July

There was sewing this month, lots of slow hand sewing.  And lot of yardwork.  

August

Clockwise:  cotton patchworked garment cover (no pattern used), cotton panties (OOP Simplicity 8229) and reversible wool coat (OOP Vogue 2571)

You wouldn't know by the type of sewing projects completed this month that we're experiencing heat warnings this month.  I'm longing for cooler temperatures and the end of summer.  

September

Five more pairs of cotton knit panties (OOP Simplicity 8229).  

A few cooler days, lots of yardwork, and then the return of the hot summer temperatures.  

October

Top row, L to R:  Cotton French terry t-shirt to be worn under a scoliosis back brace (OOP Kwik Sew 2899), gray merino wool oversized pullover sweater (Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater), gray merino wool elastic waist maxi skirt (OOP Butterick 5790), four cotton reusable grocery bags (OOP McCall's 4851).  
Bottom row, L to R:  black cotton knit pullover top (OOP Simplicity 2372), black merino wool oversized pullover sweater (Sew House Seven Toaster sweater), yellow cotton French terry hoodie (OOP Butterick 5790).  

A snowless October and a break from yardwork allowed for some time at the sewing machine.  

November and December

No more sewing, this journey has come to an end as my reusable grocery bag collection is full, I have a full drawer of knickers and clothes that I need to lose some weight to make sure they are wearable.  My sewing life has been quite a ride, thank you for sharing this journey with me.  I have moved on to other things, most importantly and firstly prayer, exercising and maybe I will find the time to pick up a book or two and read along the way.  

Happy Sewing and New Year!