Mid-year Check In

Here we are more than halfway through 2026 and I don't have that much to show. 

 

To date I have completed a grand total of 8 wearable garments, had a fair number of failures, and participated in lots of stress-related fabric buying. 

Significant weight gain has made me less interested in sewing clothes. I know, I know:  sew for the body you have. I get it. I am working to accept my perimenopausal body and its changes. I admit that it's been hard and I don't always feel the greatest. Adding to that, the home situation is still a steady source of stress and I need to find an alternative; this isn't sustainable and my health is suffering for it.

 

In an effort to make some positive changes, I started going back to the gym. I also started gardening and have spent a great deal of time in the yard with my plants and wild animals. Despite the back-breaking work, it truly has been something I enjoy. The sights and sounds of nature can be restorative.

 

Not much going on in these sewing streets. So far, I made:

• two pairs of exercise pants (Jalie Isabelle)
• knit dress (New Look 6683)
• one pair of leggings (McCall's 6404)
• knit top (Simplicity 4020)
• two woven tops (Burda 8-2025-107 & Vogue 9299)
• skirt (McCall's 7906)

With the exception of the Burda magazine pattern, everything else was a repeat. I tried a few new patterns, but they ended up as failures. Given that my sewing mojo is fragile, I do not hesitate to abandon something that isn't working.

 

Burda 8-2025-107 (top)

 

 

When I first saw this pattern in the August 2025 issue, I wanted the whole set:  top, bustier, and Bermuda shorts. The top fits great (well...it did in May) and I the flouncy-ness of the sleeves. Sadly, the bustier no longer fits so it's hanging in the closet for now. I bought fabric to make the entire set and have a fitness goal to get it done.

 

Simplicity 4020 (top) & McCall's 7906 (skirt)

This wasn't a planned outfit. I have a few cuts of Ankara wax print and just cut this on a whim. After completing these garments, I got on this orange/white/black kick for a while and pulled fabrics to make a mini collection. Unfortunately, the next three garments I made for this set were fails. Oh well.

 

Vogue 9299

This is my favorite Vogue top pattern. It still fits (mostly) so I made another version. I added gold buttons because oooh...shiny and also because I have a crapton of these buttons and I should include shiny everywhere.

 

That's it for an update. I'm working on getting in a better headspace and in better physical health. 

 

As for sewing, I am working on another version of Burda 7827. The fabric I'm using is equal parts great and testing my patience. I am going to keep working on it until I've reached my limit.

 

After this, I want to make Simplicity 3236. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but I've already invested in the fabric and made a muslin. It's happening...

 

Thanks for reading.

 

L 

 
 

2026 Make Nine

I'm back again to take part in the Make Nine challenge. This is my seventh year doing the challenge and I really enjoy it as it gives me something to focus on throughout the year. I may not always be successful and plans may change, but it's fun for me to have these goals in mind.

 

This year, I intend to again focus on garment types rather than specific patterns. I found it worked best and was able to complete everything in the grid. I talked about the 2025 results here. 

 

I am stepping up the challenge a bit this time. I have two (that's right...TWO) potential plans. The first is similar to last year's grid of garment types:

 

 

The second focuses solely on garments sewn from Burda or Burda Magazine patterns. I have over 20 (!!!) years of Burda magazine and a boatload of Burda envelope patterns and I really want to make better use of this...ahem...collection.

 

 

The Burda plan is quite ambitious because I want to sew some of the more advanced and/or quirky patterns. Here is a small sampling of some of the patterns I'm considering:

 

Just looking at these patterns is giving me a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I'll give this some more thought.

 

That's all for now. I am in the process of writing my 2025 Sewing Year in Review post and getting pictures together. That's going to take a minute...

 

Happy new year everyone!

 

L