Sewing

My Favorite Makes

I’m so far behind on documenting my recent sewing that I decided to just make highlight reel post to try to catch up. It’s appropriate, since it’s now Me Made May! Me Made May is where you make a goal to wear all handmade items. Generally it’s a way for people to rotate their closet, maybe put together some new outfits, and learn what works and what doesn’t for them. When I first started sewing more clothes, I was so excited to eventually to have a big enough wardrobe to participate and now I don’t know what angle to take with it because most of my wardrobe at this point, is me made! I have been trying to let myself give away me made items that don’t fit for one reason or another, so maybe that can be my goal this May.

Looking at these pictures, I’ve learned that my pose is one hand on hip, foot cocked- probably from my dance days. 🙂 I’ll have to experiment with other poses for this year. I’m struggling with how I look in some of them, but wanted to be brave and post them because while my body may not make me happy, the outfits do. Please excuse the mess in the background. I haven’t been able to organize the basement yet.

First up is my Christmas jammies. My pet jammie peeve is when they ride up my legs in the middle of the night and my ankles get cold, so I have started wearing more leggings in the winter. I saw this shark in plaid pjs fabric on Purple Seamstress and immediately ordered it because.. Sharks! In plaid jammies! They have buttons down the bottoms!!! Whimsical and ridiculous, just like me! The Husband has given up attempting to reign in any hope of a normal wife, by the way, although he claims I’ve gotten weirder over the years. (He’s not wrong. ;)) The grey is a thermal print that doesn’t have a lot of recovery, so I wasn’t sure what to do with it. It’s nice, cozy, and warm though, so it works perfectly for the sleeves. The patterns are both Patterns for Pirates- the Relaxed Raglan and the Peg Legs leggings.

This shirt is one that I thought I wrote about, but may have done that elsewhere, so excuse it if you’ve seen it already! I made this Sinclair Cachet, modified with a bottom band, for workouts, gardening, and sleeping. I wasn’t sure about the material when I bought it, but it was on a really good clearance sale, so I tried it out and liked it a lot! It’s drapey and cool. Perfect for yoga too. I realized this shirt pattern is the same pattern as my favorite RTW shirt.

This is a Relaxed Raglan from Patterns for Pirates and also a great example of fabric type making all the difference. I can wear it with jeans or with work pants and it looks fabulous either way! I did accidently sew the neckband on backwards, but it doesn’t bother me to have the little seam in the front. I made big thick bands on the bottom and for the cuffs and I really like it. It’s cozy and warm without being too hot and is made from hacci sweater fabric. The hearts are more grey in person.

This sweater. Where do I even start?! It’s made from the softest hacci fabric I have ever felt. I think it’s actually brushed hacci, so is cozy, comforting, and warm. I made a bigger collar but was pushing the limits of the fabric I had bought, so couldn’t make it as big as I wanted. I love it! It’s nice to wear to work because it’s longer and makes me look much more put together than some of my outfits. It’s the Grandpa Cardi with no pockets from Patterns for Pirates as well.

I was wearing these pants actually while typing this. They are one of my pairs that I wash and immediately put right back on. The fabric is running in weird ways though, so I’m not sure that it’s all that sturdy, despite being super duper comfy. But I really like them! The pattern is a free one from Petite Stitchery, the Women’s Yoggers.

This is a triblend fabric, which is one of my favorites, as it’s warm, but not too warm and it feels lovely to wear. Triblend is a mix of rayon, spandex, and cotton and when I find it, I buy a bunch of it. I love how this tunic fits. It’s the Patterns for Pirates Relaxed Raglan with a wide band on the bottom. It’s very cozy.

These pants gave me fits, but I was able to finally figure it out and they are one of my favorites now. I used a faux linen and made work pants. These are actually the Yogger pattern as well, but without the cuffs. They are loose enough in the hips, but don’t make me look like I’m wearing pants that are too big. I had some issues with the waistband, but it doesn’t show under shirts anyway.

And last, but certainly not least, my sewing themed accidental track suit. I made the top, a Be Creative Hoodie from E&M a while ago, but then got more of this fabric and made a pair of Yoggers. Much to the Husband’s dismay, this is my favorite around the house combo when I’m chilly. I think it’s fantastic! How can you not love the neon notions? Also notice the purple hair. I think it was right after I had got that batch of color done. Currently my hair has blue highlights and side swept bangs! It still has the purple and the pink as well, but they are faded. It gives a cool effect though when the older colors come through in the light.

I hoped you enjoyed a glimpse at my favorite sewing projects. Hopefully I’ll have some more to share shortly!

Sewing

Sewing Fun

This will be a current and catch up sewing post. I realized that I never actually did a sewing review for the year. I’m sure I’ve missed things, but will try to update some of them as I find them. (Please excuse any sideways pictures. They look correct on my computer but weird in the library, so I have no idea if they are correct or not.)

I made this table runner for my Grandma in Law for Christmas. She collects Nutcrackers, so we thought it would be appropriate.

I also made a star suit by accident. 🙂 I made these jogger pants from this lovely french terry. The pattern is a modified version of the Linen Loungers. I just slimmed down the bottoms of the legs. Sadly, I’ve worn them so often that some of the stars have started to wear off.

I wear them multiple times a week for pjs. I didn’t think I would like jogger style pants, which are gathered around the ankles, but it turns out I love them. They are definitly lounge pants or pjs though. I wouldn’t wear them out in public, but they are lovely to put on after work. I made a bright pink pair too, but I don’t have a picture of them, as they are currently being worn.

There was enough of the fabric left over to try out a new pattern for a basic t shirt. This one is the Sweet Tee from Patterns for Pirates. It was a little tighter than I expected, but looks lovely with a cardigan.

It has stars too, so obviously my favorite.

I have made a couple more versions of the Sweet Tee. I made a brushed waffle knit sleep shirt, which I made longer and a little bigger. It is currently in the wash, so no pictures yet. It’s lovely and snuggly. The neckline went wonky on me, because it was too big, but it was just a sleep shirt, so I haven’t fixed it yet.

This version was made specially for Chinese New Year. I wore it today and it was very fun. I plan to wear it for our Chinese New Year party too.

Batch cutting has been helpful in making me actually do the projects I say I will do, although it depends on what color thread I have in my machine generally. I have three pairs of leggings waiting to be sewn because I have white on the machine and not black.

Fancy was my fabric inspector while I was trying to make these leggings, which were part of the batch. I couldn’t resist the dinosaurs and I have see a bunch of little kids who adore dinosaurs. Obviously, I needed the leggings. 🙂 The Husband just rolled his eyes at me.

Speaking of the office, I made another batch of doll clothes and it was requested that my doll have a friend and then would need a big enough wardrobe to share with said friend. 🙂

Simple Tee from Ellie and Mac Patterns
Paige from Made for Mermaids
Patterns for Pirates Bonny Skirt and leggings-galaxy and grey, CKC Emmalyn Cardigan- pandas and black, Made for Mermaids Cora Coulettes- purple and grey

Pajamas and dance leotards have also been requested. Apparently my doll’s wardrobe is still lacking a few essentials. Oh, and a doll nail salon? Who knew?

This fleece is a Relaxed Raglan from Patterns for Pirates. It’s super warm for my crafting and sewing downstairs. Or for the polar vortex anytime!

I made it a size or so bigger in case the fleece wasn’t as stretchy, but I could have sized down, I think. It’s tunic length so my rear will stay warm. I realized after I had sewn one sleeve in that I had accidently cut it out upside down. I didn’t think it was directional, but when I put it on, all my sewing supplies were upside down! Whoops! Again, not going to be out of the house, so I’ll just laugh a little and wear it anyway.

This shirt was made right before it got super cold, so I have only worn it once, but it’s really comfy. It’s a shortened Agnes Tunic from Halla Patterns.

So that’s what I’ve been up to sewing wise. I cleaned out a bunch of clothes that didn’t fit and have two and a half boxes to take to the thrift store. It feels good to be able to pare things down, but makes me realize that I have a few holes in my wardrobe. I need a plain grey cardigan, a few more solid color t-shirts, comfy underthings, which won’t get posted, and some solid color and printed dresses. Knit dresses are lovely things. Especially with pockets!

This dog of mine has stolen my pillow in an effort to tell me it’s bedtime, so I need to take my spot back.

It’s supposed to be super icy tomorrow morning, so I may have some extra time to sew! Hopefully everyone stays safe on the roads though.

Have a great night!