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.  

2025 in Review

The Round-up

This past year I made a total of thirty-nine sewing projects:  

• 5 scoliosis back brace undershirts (Vogue 9057)
• 1 scoliosis back brace pajama top (Vogue 1852)
• 1 blanket (No pattern used)
• 5 skirts (OOP Vogue 2327, OOP Vogue 1247, The Assembly Line's Tulip skirt, Daughter Judy's Henry skirt)
• 7 pullover dresses (Merchant and Mills Trapeze dress, Vogue 9268, Butterick 6784, McCall's 7709)
• 2 scarves (No pattern used and OOP Vogue 2793)
• 8 pullover tops (The Assembly Line's Puffed sleeve shirt, OOP Butterick 6859, The Assembly Line's High Cuff Sweater, McCall's 7709, Style Arc's Elita Designer Jacket / Top, OOP Vogue 2334)
• 1 pair of panties (OOP Simplicity 8229)
• 1 nursing baby cover (No pattern used)
• 1 pair of leggings (McCall's 7709)
• 1 baby onesie (McCall's 7367)
• 3 saddle covers for the back brace (No pattern used)
• 3 pairs of pants (Vogue 1739 and Butterick 6717)

Eight projects were gifted and and seven projects did not work out.  

Vogue patterns continued to play a leading role at the cutting table but there were some new patterns that I tried this year.  Twenty twenty-five was the first time I tried Style Arc, Merchant and Mills and Daughter Judy patterns.  Many patterns were repeats as they were tried and true patterns from the stash.  

There was a lot of stash busting this year.

• 62.6 metres of fabric
• 4 buttons
• 5 snaps
• 1 zippers
• 15 labels
• 6.1 metres elastic
• 1.2 metres basting tape
• 11.2 metres Knit 'N Stable tape
• 0.5 twill tape
• 1 hook and eye set
• a whole lot of thread!

January

I slowly started to make my way back to the sewing machine.  There was work to do and projects that needed to get done.  There was the upholstery repair that I put off for years.  And the need to make undergarments to wear under the scoliosis back brace that could prevent the abrasion wounds under my arms.  Along with a box of socks that need mending.  

And sewing became political before the convicted felon even took office with his threats to use economic force via tariffs to hurt and annex Canada.  It is an act of economic war.  My 2025 sewing goal became to sew from the stash and if I needed any supplies, I vowed to not support the convicted felon's economy while the annexation threats and maneuvers persist.  Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing became my focus as the country navigates the global upheaval and chaos from the convicted felon from our geographic neighbour.   

February

After stitching a prototype of a scoliosis back brace undershirt, I stitched more.  There was a piece of fabric that was turned into a blanket just to clear it out of the stash.  And I made something just for me, a wool wrap skirt.  

Sewing remains political as I compiled a list of Canadian fabric outlets.  The country mobilized to take action against the disrespectful rhetoric and act of economic war coming from the convicted felon's government and his supporters towards my country and others.  There is a grass-root national and global boycott of  U.S. products and travel.  

March

There really wasn't a focus on sewing projects this month.  I stash busted some leftover wool fabric into a scarf and made a wearable toile for a dress that I actually wanted to make last year.  And then there was an upholstery repair job that I should have addressed last year.  

Sewing remains political and the boycott continues.  

April 

I rediscovered my sewing mojo in sewing some denim projects.  The skirt is made with a cherished and vintage Vogue pattern and has been seeing a lot of wear since it was made.  The top is not experiencing the same kind of love since it shrank after the first wear despite pre-shrinking the fabric.  I should have known better and pre-washed denim several times before cutting.   

Sewing is becoming a reprieve from the chaos and callous actions from the convicted felon and his cohort.  The boycott continues but it's heartbreaking to watch what is happening around the world.  I sometimes wonder if the boycott is making an impact.  

May

It appears that the theme this year is getting to those projects that long needed to be addressed, using up scraps and finishing long forgotten project.  One of those long forgotten projects was this partially sewn pair of panties from a year ago.  And that's it, it was pretty quiet at the work space.  

The boycott continues as does the global trade war.  The convicted felon even put tariffs on Heard and McDonald Islands--two tiny Antarctic islands occupied by penguins and seals.  Yup, that right.  Even penguins and seals are dragged into the global tariff war.  I'm finding escape in the garden and kitchen instead of the sewing machine.  Frugal / austerity chic is dominating my sewing and grocery decisions.  I'm making cheese, sundried tomatoes and spiced nuts at home as grocery store prices around the globe are an issue in part thanks to the convicted felon's trade war and corporate greed.  These activities are replacing my time at the sewing machine.  

June 

Wildfires in the our country are displacing thousands from their homes and wildfire smoke is felt here in the city.  This is pulling me back indoors and towards the sewing machine.  

This month the Big Four patterns were sold into liquidation proceeding and the local Fabricland stores that carries their patterns has started selling them off.  IG Design Group said that US tariffs were a contributing factor to the liquidation sale.  I broke my goal of avoiding US products momentarily to take advantage of the deep discounts on the patterns.  

July

I don't know if it's the lack of rain or the smoky air that is causing an unconventional harvest time.  The apples are falling from the tree so early and sending me into apple pie and juice making sooner than I normally would be harvesting apples.  And with all the displacement of people and loss of life from the wildfires, U.S. lawmakers complained about Canadian wildfire smoke travelling south is "making it difficult for some Americans to enjoy their summer."  This fanned the flames on the elbows up movement.    

This month was quiet at the sewing machine but busy at the cutting table.  

August

Wildfire smoke continues to be an issue and likely why I managed to stay indoors and sew.  

There was a burst of sewing activity this month, it was about revisiting some previously loved TNT patterns and some gift sewing projects.  I was actually shocked at how much sewing was completed considering all the yardwork there was to do and trying to keep up with the apple harvest.  I can't wait for the cooler weather to arrive and for things to slow down in the yard.  

September

Finally, some cooler weather.  I don't deal well with the heat and this summer was horrible with all the wildfire smoke we had to deal with this year.  More often than not, it was hard to breath with the smoke.  I don't recall previous wildfire seasons being this bad.  

I am longing for the cooler days of autumn and giddy with the thought that winter will soon arrive.  Fingers crossed.  And my sewing projects reflected this anticipation.  

October

No one is more shocked than I that there was actually sewing done this month.  

There is a new scoliosis back brace that I'm trying to break in and for that to happen, I need to address a section that is pushing up my left underarm and creating pressure marks.  In the end, I didn't get much use of it as most of the month was trying to deal with a cough that wouldn't quit.  It's hard to to wear a rigid brace when you're coughing up a lung or two.  

November

The tariff war continues and it is now to the point that the convicted felon and his cohort are a cringe worthy joke.  Sewing is a reprieve from the horror show playing out on the news channels.  And to add to all the sadness, there hasn't been any snow yet.  I really wish it would snow.  

To get ready for winter, if it decides to make an appearance, I made a new pajama top to wear underneath my back brace.  I will be able to pull the hemline up and cover the Velcro straps to protect the bedding and even my pajamas.  But my heart is longing to sew something fun and cozy.  

December

It finally snowed!  Alleluia!  And with that, the chill of winter arrived and fuels my desire stay indoors and sew.  I finally got around to sewing that something fun and cozy, an oversized sweatshirt made with a vintage Issey Miyake pattern.  It turns out to be my favourite make of the year.  

Would you believe that the last month of the year was one of the busiest at the sewing work table?  

Here's to wishing peace in the world and an end to all the wars, whether they be military actions or economic / tariff wars.  

Wishing all, peace in the world, an abundance of kindness in 2026 and joyful memories made at the sewing machine.  May all your projects fit the way you like!  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing!

Me Made May 2025

Today marks the start of Me Made May, an annual personalized wardrobe challenge.  I think of it as spring cleaning for my wardrobe as I put away the winter wardrobe and start bringing out the spring / summer selection.  This month long challenge is meant to promote a relationship with our handmade wardrobe and to challenge us to observe what works in real life.  As well as observing what doesn't work and why that might be.  

I have, in some form or another, been following and participating in MMM challenges over the years. I have come to realize that I prefer natural fibre over man-made fabrics.  They last longer, keep me warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer months and that is important.  I live in an area that has four seasons and extremes in temperatures.  I also find that my natural fibre fabric makes wear better and last longer than many man-made fabrics that have pilled beyond saving.  

So, I'm not going to write a personalized challenge, I'm just going continue wearing and observing and see where this journey takes me throughout the month.  I'll do some weekly check-ins along the way.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.  

Hand Sewing / Repair Work

 

In the spirit of saving money through a repairing before replacing work ethic, these socks ended up on the mending pile.  The worn down areas and one hole were patched over with some heavy "wool sweater knit" fabric from Marcy Tilton.  

Cutting patches from old sweaters or knit fabric is my preferred method of mending socks.  And it's more comfortable to have a bit of extra padding on the bottom of the socks.  

I've also been mending some pieces of clothing that have long been stored away while I ventured into obese territory.  And then came some unwelcomed news at the doctor's office that lead to eliminating sweets from my diet, processed foods and cutting back on the amount of fruit I was eating.  Right before Christmas.  It didn't ended up being as hard as I thought it would be.  Sure, I missed eating those sweet treats I used to enjoy and I did have to leave the room when people didn't respect the personal decision I made not to eat sweets.  "Just taste," someone would say.  So not cool.  I even avoided church gatherings that were a minefield of sweets.  But I made it past Christmas and I'm fitting into clothes that I haven't worn in years.  And I'm feeling better.  All thanks to God.  I can't believe that I'm no longer in the obese range, hello overweight category.  That means that I still have weight to lose and I'm determined to get to my healthy weight.  In the meantime, it feels like a whole new wardrobe has been welcomed back into the closet.  It's been so long since I've worn some of these pieces.  

This cotton sateen skirt, OOP Vogue 1247, had the snap re-stitched in place.  I guess it gave way as my waistline was expanding over the years since I made this skirt.  I'm so happy to have this one back in rotation, those pockets and the fit are the best features of this out-of-print pattern.  I might have to revisit this pattern now that I know it fits again.  

And these wool pants, OOP Vogue 1325, required the hook to be reattached.  This might be the first time in a long time that I was happy about mending.  

Happy Sewing!  

No More Polyester!

There is a new Fashion Revolution Canada campaign, #NoMorePolyester, starting up.  You can read about it here.  

I have, over the years, made abundantly clear what I think of man-made fibres that are overtaking the aisles of fabric stores and are mixed with natural fibres.  So this challenge is one that I can totally get  behind.  In case you want a recap,

1. "Polyester is the worst fabric you can buy," according to bodyecology.com and I happen to agree.  Unless you like your fabric decorated by pilling.  
2. It doesn't keep you warm.  
3. Greenwashing polyester doesn't make it environmentally better because it's still polyester.  
4. Polyester and allergies, is there a link?  

I can go on and on, but I won't.  You get the gist, right?  

So since I make my own clothes, I will be tweaking this challenge to reflect my lifestyle and clothing source.  It will be a challenge, there is still some polyester yardage lurking in my fabric stash.  Regardless, I'm going to give it try this year.  So far, all the me-mades this year have been natural fiber fabrics.  So far, things are on the right track.  

Happy Sewing!  

Looking Back at 2023: Plans for 2024

 

Butterick and Simplicity pattern use made up about 50% of the list of 2023 sewing projects.  There was a time when Vogue patterns ruled in the sewing workspace.  Not last year and I predict it will continue into 2024.  I can't really say that new pattern releases from the Big Four pattern companies have been inspiring me to try something new.  Throw in inflation hitting everything sewing related and not, the decreased discount with the Fabricland membership on patterns and the out-of-control shipping costs from ordering online, it all adds up to making what I already have work.  Most projects were sewn with repeat-use patterns or second-hand store and vintage patterns.  

Tops and pants were the most sewn items in 2023.  I didn't have a need for dress up clothes.  Twenty twenty-three was a low-key year.  

A majority of the projects sewn in 2023 were natural fiber fabrics.  Although, there is some room for improvement in the journey to move away from petroleum based fibers.  

There was a drop in charity sewing projects in 2023 from previous years.  Most of the sewing projects for moi reflected a weight gain issue.  And then thanks to Covid, I lost weight by the end of the year.  Sewing for others remains the most rewarding sewing projects of the previous year.  

So, what does this mean for 2024?  Other than finishing some projects already cut out and ready to sew, only God knows!  We'll just have to wait and see.  

Happy Sewing!  

June in Review

Sewing, Alterations and Mending Projects

It was a slow month at the sewing table, more dreaming about sewing than actual work.  With the appearance of warmer weather yardwork certainly monopolized my time and cut into my sewing time.  L to R:  Orange cotton dress (Simplicity 9744), cotton pull-over top (McCall's 7630) and navy cotton sateen pull-on pants (out-of-print Butterick 6717).  

I guess all the projects were items I need, pullover easy-to-wear clothes.  The orange print dress ended up in someone else's closet but there are plans to revisit this pattern.  

And there was some mending.  But would you believe a fitted sheet?  I do love my flannel so of course when my flannel bedding required some tender care, it became a priority project.  Other than this the navy pants that I made this month quickly ended up on the mending pile to have the back elastic waist tightened.  

Stash Busting 

This month I managed to stash bust 5.6 metres of fabric, 2 buttons and 0.75 metres of elastic.  I did enter the stash busting contest over on Pattern Review but did not make anything that qualified to be entered.  This year there was a twist.  Contestants had to have both a piece of fabric and a pattern that was in the stash prior to 2023.  I only met one of the two.  By the time I would test a pattern, using fabric from the stash it would disqualify the entry because the pattern was already used, so I mentally dropped out of the contest not wanting to enter a toile.  The other two projects I was willing to cut into fabric that would have qualified were paired with a TNT pattern therefore disqualifying the entry.  

Upcoming Plans

I'm not really thinking about summer wear.  This year with all the smoke from forest fires and dealing with allergy symptoms I'm not all that keen on venturing outdoors.  I am thinking ahead to when the weather cools down and that I will need sweaters due to some stubborn weight gain over the last couple of years.  But I digress.  I've been on the search for a copy of the Toaster Sweater pattern by Sew House Seven but the only copies I can find are from international sellers and the shipping.  Oy!, the shipping costs are putting a halt to those plans.  

We'll have to wait and see.  

Happy Sewing!

Game Changer at the Cutting Table

Back in 2013, to my horror, I found my once cherished tailor shears in the garage covered in rust.  They were missing for quite some time.  To this day, no one has confessed to removing them from my workspace.  

I replaced those tailor shears a while ago with a pair of red Merchant and Mill's tailor shears.  I'm really happy with these tailor shears and highly recommend them if you're looking for a quality pair.  Sadly, I'm unable to use them while my dominate hand is in a cast.  So I've been on the search for something, anything that will allow for fabric cutting at this time.  

I ruled out rotary blade cutters and electric scissors based on cost.  Instead, I found something that works and I was able to use my casted hand.  

Hello, Ultra Sharp Spring Tension Scissors!  I do not have to move my thumb, my pinky, ring, middle and index fingers do all the work.  This little tool is a game changer.  I managed to cut a t-shirt pattern out of waffle knit fabric.  Although it did take me a couple of days broken up with moments icing my fingers.  But they worked and I couldn't be more thrilled!  These spring tension scissors are certainly a keeper, even when the cast is removed.  Hopefully soon.  

Have you tried a pair?  What did you think about them?  Or to you have another preferred cutting tool?  

Happy Sewing!

March in Review...

Oh my!  It's the end of March already?  Although, I will admit that some parts of this month did feel like it dragged along.  

Sewing, Alterations & Mending Projects

There were no new sewing projects that hit the cutting table or sewing machine this month.  No Lenten sewing project.  No new Easter outfit or bonnet.  Instead, I was moping and aimlessly wandering about, wishing that I could sew.  This behaviour was followed by some deep guilt that I let a cast on my right arm stop me from sewing after watching Gill on re-runs of The Great British Sewing Bee.  A one-armed sewist made this incredible coat.  I should be ashamed of my time wasted moping.  And I am.  I did alter a pair of rain boots proving that I can cut with a pair of scissors.  I have no excuses.  That's about all I made this month, excuses.  Well today, the final day of the month, there is finally a pattern and some fabric on the table.  And I did spend some time this evening with a seam ripper taking down the narrow hem from this top.  Maybe next month I'll get back to some creative work.  

Stash-busting

I managed to stash bust thirty-five plus metres of fabric.  The yardage wasn't turned into wonderful wearable things... yet.  I sold off some of my stash.  Someone else, hopefully soon, will turn part of my treasured stash into wonderful wearable things.  I did add four metres of merio wool to the stash this month.  I'm hoping to turn the wool into wearable sweaters soon.  

Happy Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Yup, in this part of the world it's the Thanksgiving weekend.  And if you listen to the news it is filled with doom and gloom stories of the high cost of food, global inflation and the great turkey shortage of 2022.  What happened to being thankful?  

Sure, food prices are eyebrow raising.  This just calls for some creativity.  And as sewists, we got creativity covered.  All thanks to God.  

I'm so thankful for the gifts that God has blessed my life with, from the ability to sew and being creative in the kitchen.  It wasn't a bumper crop in the garden this year, but we were blessed with squashes and enough tomatoes to make a pot of soup.  

All thanks to God.  

There was even enough butternut squash soup and Korean Carrot Salad to allow for sharing with another family this Thanksgiving weekend.  

All thanks to God.  

And that's what I want to focus my energy on, being thankful.  Period.  That's it.  Oh, and maybe sneaking in some more sewing time this weekend.  

Happy Sewing and Happy Thanksgiving Day to those celebrating this weekend!

In Sewing News Today...

According to this site, "Digital Lavender" will be the colour of 2023.  It's a close match to 2022's "Very Peri."  

I don't think there is any lavender or peri hues lurking in my fabric stash other than a purple cotton eyelet.  

There is no sewing mojo towards sewing the purple eyelet.  

Not yet anyway.  

Maybe in 2023?  

The sewing mojo is focused on practical sewing.  

Mostly mending.  

So much mending.  

Mostly the crotch curve on pajama bottoms and the armscye on pajama tops.   

They seem to be constant stress points.  

Perhaps, I should reconsider the amount of ease in these sections.  

Perhaps, a gusset?  

It's been so long since I sew a gusset into a garment.  

I could throw in an additional exercise routine or two to help with the fitting ease issue.  

Weight loss would certainly help with the amount of mending.  

Or start sewing knit pajama sets.  

But I digress...

We were talking about colour, right.  

Lately, in this part of the world grey has been a hot topic.  

It all happened when a popular and well respected news anchor was let go from an organization she worked at for over 30 years.  

There were accusations of ageism at play.  

You see Lisa Laflamme let her hair go to it's natural grey colour during the pandemic.  

On national television.  

Oh, the horror!  

That's sarcasm if you're a new reader.  

I embraced the natural hair colour look over ten years ago.  

I applauded LaFlamme's decision to be her authentic self.  

And I think she looked polished and professional.  

I'm disgusted with Bell Media actions.  

And good on the people supporting LaFlamme and opening up a discussion on ageism in the workplace.  

It's long overdue.  

Well, I should get back to sewing.  

I'm off to cut out a new project in some brown and pink spec tweed.  

Apparently, it's a good colour to wear with grey hair.  

I honestly had no idea when I picked it up.  

Funny how things work out.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

July in Review...

 Sewing

There were dreams of sewing a denim jacket, caftan and a wrap dress this month and then things changed after a slow start and stumbling along the way.  The wrap dress managed to be finished after many sewing bloopers and the amputation of the pockets.  And then a detour.  It wasn't my finest month in the sewing room due to sewing bloopers and fitting miscalculations.  I guess my head wasn't into it this month.  Oh sewing mojo where are you?   

Of course, I love the DVF wrap dress, out-of-print (OOP) vintage Vogue 1610, because the fit is absolutely lovely and I feel comfortable wearing this item even though I had to nix the pockets.  The DKNY flared shorts, OOP vintage Vogue 2092, need to have the crotch length shortened, something that I realized after the fabric was cut.  The short pants / culottes, OOP McCall's 6748, is my least favourite make mainly because of the fabric choice.  As a wearable toile, I won't complain. 

 

Stash-busting

This month's sewing projects were made with supplies found in the stash:  7 metres of fabric, 1 metre of elastic, 7 metres of Knit 'N Stable tape, 1 zipper, and 1 hook and eye.  There was a trip to the fabric store when I couldn't find any white Knit 'N Stable tape while sewing the wrap dress only to find my roll days later.  This lead to a re-organization of the sewing workspace and re-organization of the fabric binder.  Some fabrics were sewn and no longer in bins however not removed from the listing in the binders.  Something that was long overdue.  

I did recently add to the fabric and pattern stash.  Remember that caftan pattern I keep dreaming about sewing?  Well, it takes almost five metres of fabric and there isn't that much yardage in appropriate caftan fabric to be found in the stash.  

So, when I stumbled across an animal print satin in the discounted section at 70% off.  Well, I couldn't resist the thought of sewing something I've been dreaming about.  

Future Plans

Other than sewing Vogue 1886, I would still like to sew that denim jacket, OOP McCall's 5191 I've been talking about for many moons.  The black denim fabric has been pre-treated and is waiting for a press before hitting the cutting table.   And while re-organizing the fabric stash I found an undocumented piece of white linen that would be lovely for OOP Vogue 1204.  Both of these are from July's wish-to-sew list that I hope to finally get to in August.  Until then... 

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

Last night I found myself on the Vogue pattern website.  

Swooning over vintage reissue Vogue 1886.  

Interested even more now that there is a Vogue pattern sale.  

Until I saw International shipping rates.  

Their shipping rates went up again!  

No longer interested.  

It's a good thing.  

I really don't need a caftan.  

It just looked like a fun project to sew an iconic look.  

I'll have to find another project because I'm not paying that shipping rate increase.  

Certainly not with these inflationary times.  

Maybe I'll sew something more practical?  

There are patterns in my stash that I still haven't sewn.  

Perhaps the jean jacket that I've been talking about for way too long.  

Or a cotton knit slip?  

It will fill the needs on my sewing list.  

Why is it that we're sometimes drawn to sewing "frosting" pieces?  

I'm craving a sewing project that will satisfy my creative side.  

I feel like my sewing makes lately have been more on the practical side / "cake."  

But less satisfying that cake.  

Mmmm, cake.  

Okay, now I'm hungry.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

Are you a pattern tracer?  

Or do you just dive right into a pattern and snip away?  

I'll admit, for most of my sewing journey I've been one to cut away.  It was all about saving precious time and spending it at the sewing machine.  

There were exceptions. 

When I need to grade a pattern, I will certainly trace it out.  

Or if I'm working with a new-to-me pattern line, I'll give serious consideration to investing the time into tracing.  

But what about if you have a pattern in your size from a pattern line you've worked with before?  Would you spend the time tracing?  

A pattern just like this one crossed my cutting table.  

I didn't have the heart to cut into it.  

I've wanted to sew an authentic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress Vogue pattern for years.  

Many years.  

And now that the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn't cut into it.  

So, I risked it all.  

The potential back pain, the aching knees, it was a risk worth taking to preserve this pattern.  

I'm taking my time with this project.  

I'm enjoying the process.  

And the details that make this pattern so special.  

It is with crossed fingers that I'm carefully stitching it together hoping that I will end up with a wearable toile.  

If not, that's okay.  

Because this is a project that brought back the joy in sewing, missing for far too long.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

National Flag of Canada Day: Wearing My Maple Leaf Top Should Not be Complicated Today

When I made this top a couple of years ago, I was proud that I had a Canadian symbol to show my pride in the country that I call home.  It is not a piece that I wear often.  It is something that I consider wearing to a Canada Day event or on National Flag of Canada Day.  And sometimes, during the hot weather I might pull this lightweight cotton top out of the closet.  

As I watch the news in absolute disgust over the past few weeks of flag defacing and wearing anarchists disrupt our peaceful country while hiding behind the rhetoric that it's about Covid-mandates.  Let's get serious, this is not about mandates.  This is about foreign actors and a minority group of Canadians trying to overthrow our democratically-elected government and some of the Conservative politicians who are happy to back them.  

Let me jump off the soap box and bring this back to the printed fabric.  As Ian Brown wrote in an essay piece for the Globe and Mail this weekend, "[t]hose who wave the Canadian flag do not get to define it for everyone."  I wear my maple leaf printed shirt today because I believe in all the good that Canada represents and that we're a work in progress towards a loving and just community.  I believe in democracy and I wear the maple leaf printed shirt in support of the emergency measures act being invoke with the hope the civility and peace can be restored.  

Wearing this symbol, just like wearing a face mask, is an act of love.   

Stay Safe, Stay Peaceful and Keep Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

Happy National Hat Day!  

Source

This part of the world, tuques rule my winter wear selection.  If tuques are not your thing, there is good news:  Hats are on trend for 2022.  There are many styles to chose from and celebrate.  And if you're looking from something more up-and-coming Alex Kessler wrote a piece on milliners to watch for Vogue Club.  

Now, that I chopped off my hair into a pixie cut, I might have some fun pulling out the hat collection.  

I received feedback on the squirrel print cardigan.  

I failed on the fitting portion of the project.  Boo!  Which is kind of weird because I've previously make two versions of this cardigan / jacket and going by the bust measurement, I was able to get a good fit but for this one it turned out to be "too big."  It made me sad when I think that I wasted that beautiful fabric on something that doesn't fit the person it was made for.  I wonder if it could be fixed?  I have to reach out and offer.    

Sewing bloopers seem to be a thing around the sewing workspace of late.  

Maybe I need to step away from the machine for a bit? 

But there are items waiting to be sewn for others.  

Fingers crossed the upcoming projects are more successful.  

Well that's all in sewing news today.  

Stay Safe and Keep Sewing!  

Year in Review: The 2021 Edition

What a year!  Goals are meant to be changed, right?  Well, that has been the theme of 2021 for sure.  Of my sewing goals (another pair of jeans, car coat, denim jacket, vest, twist front top and a linen shirt), yeah, I've got nothing to show.  This is what did come out of the sewing workspace this past year.  

 January

Most of my sewing time in 2021 was dedicated to sewing for others (minus the dresses that fits for moi).  All of these makes were created with tried and trusted patterns.  The Littlest Studio tuque (free downloadable pattern), scrub caps (free downloadable pattern), Simplicity silk slip and The Assembly Line's Tulip dress.  

Covid-19 continued to be an presence in our lives as the roll-out of the vaccine started in North America a few weeks earlier.  The first to receive their vaccines are people living in long-term care facilities and those working in health care.  There is a sense of hope at the beginning of the year that was quickly diminished later in the month when it was discovered that a B.C. couple jumped the Covid vaccine queue.  Some people didn't get the memo that claims we're in this together.  

Face masks remain the top fashion accessory of our times despite the anti-maskers who are not too keen on this fashion accessory.     

February

February's sewing projects were about work clothes, dealing with weight gain and the fact that I'm not comfortable winter driving while wearing a big heavy winter coat.  McCall's reversible winter jacket, Closet Core dress, Vogue t-shirt and Vogue turtleneck dress.  

Pandemic life is not pretty.  Pandemic pounds and the Covid-15 are more than catch phrases that sum up the physical toll the pandemic is having on the world's population.  Knowing that I am not alone is not helping.  I was at an unhealthy weight before the pandemic and now it's worse.  There are winter clothes in my wardrobe, packed away because they do not fit.  Wool pants that could keep me warm this winter are unwearable because they don't fit.  I don't even want to think about sewing but I need something to wear with more ease if I'm going to get dressed for work.    

March

March's sewing was dedicated to practical sewing and sewing for others.  More scrub caps for nurses working in an Ontario health care facility and reusable shopping bags for me.  

Pandemic pounds are extinguishing my desire to sew anything new for myself.  The roll-out of the vaccine is slowly marching along.  (Unintended pun)   I'm still waiting my turn.  In the meantime, I'm sewing and sending off more scrub caps to nurses in Ontario.  

April

I was starting to feel burnt-out with pandemic life.  One of these projects were all about trying to find my lost joy in sewing, the other project was about having something to fit my obese frame.  The Assembly Line's Oversized shirt and McCall's little girl's dress.  

Pandemic sewing is starting to bum me out as I watch case number increase and anti-vaccine protesters dropping unwelcomed literature in the mailboxes around the neighbourhood.   

May

Nothing sewn this month.  

June

Tessuti Patterns' Eva dress.  Only because I no longer fit into my other versions of this dress and hot weather is coming.  This one is made with a cotton stretch and pockets.   Stretch fabric to the rescue.

Double masking has become a thing as case number increase and schools move into remote learning for the last month.  

July

July was all about catching up on projects that I've either neglected or have been talking about for quite some time.  Simplicity panties, Vogue pajama bottoms, Butterick pajama top, Vogue wool pants.  

The anti-mask and anti-vaccine protests that are popping up at busy intersections around the neighbourhood are disheartening.  I just want to hibernate in my pajamas.  

August

This year I didn't make myself birthday dress.  Pajamas seem to be more appropriate for pandemic birthdays.  McCall's little girl's dress, kitchen curtains, Butterick pajama top and Vogue pajama bottoms. 

Anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters are taking their protests to the Federal election campaign in a very ugly way.  It makes one not want to venture out at all.  I need something to take my mind off the ugliness and anger I've been witnessing both here locally and on news clips following the campaign trail.  

September

I need to do some more charity / gift sewing to feel like I'm doing something positive.  

It's a mad, mad world out there!  Anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters block the entrance to a local hospital restricting entrance to patients and hospital staff.  

October

There was more charity sewing and I've dipped my toes back into sewing for myself--not pajamas, believe it or not.  The Assembly Line (TAL) Box Pleat dress, Free downloadable bib pattern, and a Vogue top.  Along with some sewing bloopers that made me abandon a jean jacket project.  

I'm starting to drop some pounds, slowly.  TAL dress is too big.  I wear it a few times because I love the print but I really do sew to have clothes that fit.  The dress has plans to become grocery shopping bags instead.  

November

It may look like my sewing was all over the place. There was some charity and gift sewing, kitchen items, and dresses.  Oh my!  The turtleneck dresses are keepers.  The wrap dress has me thinking, what was I thinking?   No pattern used for the microwave cozies, Simplicity top, Burda dress, Vogue wrap dress, Dhurata Davies face mask, Vogue dress and no pattern used for the reusable coffee filters.  

I'm trying my best to eat healthier, decrease my coffee intake (I made that decision after sewing the reusable filters) and get more exercise.  It's paying off because I'm starting to fit into winter clothes that I had packed away last year.   There is a sense of hope as the Advent season begins.  

December

Burda turtleneck dress, vintage Simplicity robe, Butterick cardigan and McCall's tote bag.  

The presence of the omicron variant sucker punched the whole world and just highlights that we're not in this together as long as vaccine inequality remains.  It's not the corona virus, rather it's greed that will take us down if vaccine inequality is not addressed.   

Face masks continue to be the hot fashion accessory of the season.  KN95 masks that were readily available previous months are now more difficult to find in the stores.  I'm starting to receive more requests for homemade face masks.  The Dhurata Davies pattern has become my go-to despite being more work to create, it is the best fit.  Even though it is the holiday season, it is disheartening to watch the news that health care workers are being threatened around the world.   What happened to the hope we had in the beginning of 2021?  Hope was found at my presser foot of my sewing machine creating something as an expression of kindness.  We need more kindness right now.  

Stay safe and keep sewing!