Hoping 2022 is better.

2021 has been a very challenging year. Five days after I wrote my last blog post in January, events in my life took a sharp turn to WTFville. I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say, it's been rough.

 

I barely sewed a stitch until June/July and have moderately returned to sewing since then. Despite not sewing much all year, I drowned my stress in fabric-buying. I made multiple trips to my happy place and bought way too much fabric. Oh and I bought a new sewing machine. Because reasons.

I ate a lot of chocolate. 

 

I lost a lot of weight in the first few months of the year (again due to stress) so eating all the chocolate kind of balanced things out. Right?

Things are in a different place now. Still very much stressful, but different. I can't say that I am managing things any better, but I have developed a routine and that's something. 

Anyway.

 

I intend to share my 2021 Sewing Year in Review (haha), Make9 progress, and hopefully some pattern reviews. I'd like to return to blogging regularly because I enjoy talking out my sewing thought processes. I can't make any promises about frequency, but I'll try.

May this year bring you peace, happiness, and comfort. 

L

 

 

2021 Make Nine Challenge

This will be my third year participating in the challenge. I quite like it because there really aren't any rules and I don't feel any pressure to complete everything or maintain the original plan.

This year, I've picked a couple of patterns that I've wanted to sew and some that are rather challenging.

 

Vogue 8825 & Simplicity 8014

 

These two patterns have been in and out of rotation for YEARS. I tried making 8014 some time ago, but fabric made the dress a disaster. I've not tried 8825, but am inspired by the many good-looking versions I've seen.

Burda 5-2011-113

This pattern was part of my 2019 Make Nine plan. I got a little intimidated by all of the buttonholes at a time when my machine was having some troubles. I've traced the pattern and am in the process of making a muslin. So far I think I'll need to add some length and an FBA.

Burda 1-2008-105

Another holdover Make Nine 2020:  the shirt of 1000 buttons is on the list. I'm mulling over some fabric choices. The modeled version uses a striped cotton for the main body and a solid cotton for contrast. I'm thinking of using a combination of a striped and floral print or a solid and floral print.

Burda 8-2011-102

 

Burda's version really attracted me to this pattern. I intend to sew it fairly close to how it's done in the magazine:  dark main fabric (navy, black, or green), red piping, and gold buttons. I even like the frilly blouse worn with it!

 

Burda 8-2006-101

 

 

Style-wise, there is nothing particularly special about this jacket. The challenge is to make it in a plaid - a fabric with which I want to get more experience.

 

Burda 10-2017-117

What's interesting about this pattern are the mixed styles:  pleated left front and waterfall right front. Mildly crazy, but I like it. Also I figure if it's not working out, maybe I can try and salvage part of the right front to make this skirt from October 2019.

Interesting that the pleated skirt with waistband and closure is rated 2 dots, but skirt without pleats or waistband is rated 3 dots. 

Burda 9-2006-103

I made the shorter version of this pattern in 2015 and wear it all of the time (when weather permits). I love the classic trench coat look and want to make a longer, winter-friendly version like Miss Celie's Pants'. I have fabric, lining, and buttons and the pattern is already traced. I need to decide whether to use Thinsulate or flannel for an extra layer of warmth.

Blue Calla Dogwood Duffle Bag

 

I guess no Make Nine of mine would be complete without a bag project. 😁 I think this is going to be another labor of love - only this time I am preparing much more wisely:  no leather. I have some vinyl that should be easier to work with. I've not decided on fabric for the exterior or interior yet.

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This is definitely an ambitious plan! With the exception of the dresses, these projects are going to take some time to complete. I'll do my best and not get worked up if something doesn't go as intended. I changed last year's Make Nine completely and have no problem making adjustments if needed this year. 

L

 

2020 Sewing Year in Review

It's that time to look back at the things I made over the year. Despite 2020 being a whole mess, I managed to maintain my sanity and crank out some garments.

 [not pictured:  Burda 4-2009-101 (skirt), Burda 11-2009-124 (pants), Simplicity 1283 (pants)]

I made 32 wearable garments and a tote bag.  When I compare this collage to those from recent past years, everything looks more subdued (not really cheerful) to me. Maybe this was the state of my mind or maybe I just gravitated more to darker colors this year. 

I've worn roughly half of what I made because my weight is all over the place thanks to quarantine eating and being more sedentary.

The Statistics

I *still* really like making and wearing skirts. Skirts and tops - that's it. That's my style.

 

Burda is a clear favorite once again. I am seriously considering purging a huge chunk of my Big 4 patterns (except Simplicity and New Look) because I don't sew them. I like many of the patterns, but they don't inspire or motivate me as much as Burda. 

I used 24 patterns - 11 of which were new-to-me.

 

 

The stash / non-stash sewing ratio was much better than last year. I bought fabric, but not nearly as much and I sewed considerably more stash. A summertime re-sort of all of the fabric bins led to a big purge and a reminder of some of the nice pieces I have.

Favorites

McCall's 7906:  For the second year in a row, this pattern tops my "favorites" list. I bought the Marimekko fabric whilst in Finland with the dude in 2019. When I saw it, I immediately knew I wanted to make this skirt.

 

I've seen many comments say that short people shouldn't wear big prints. Yeah well. Who makes these rules? I love the drama of these huge flowers!

I couldn't find any buttons that really "went" with the fabric, so I took scraps and made covered buttons instead. No two are alike and they don't match - except they really do!

Ottobre 5-2012-7:  I tried making this pattern twice in 2019 and put it aside after failing at it. For some reason, I picked it up a third time and it worked!

The shirt came out just as I envisioned and I adore it. The inner collar stand, inner cuffs, and sleeve packets are made from a tiny cotton scrap with beautiful assortment of colors. This shirt makes me smile every time I see it.

 

Burda 1-2008-108: I first saw this pattern (or something very similar) on PR many years ago and only now got around to making it. Sewing the bib front can be a little challenging. I found using 3/8" seam allowance near the lower curved connection points helps immensely. I like this shirt so much that I made two and will probably make a couple more.

 

I went a little stripe-crazy with the second version. =) Forgive the wonkiness in the second picture; the dressform is less padded than me. The stripes match!

Jalie Isabelle:  This is my go-to pattern for running/biking pants. I have nine pair!

 

All except the purple pair were batch-sewed. In other words, I cut out all of the pieces and assembled each stage of every pair at the same time.

Blue Calla Amaryllis tote:  This was a true labor of love. After finally getting the leather piece sewed to the pleated bottom, finishing the bag went smoothly.

Though it looks small in the photos, it's actually quite large. I intend to use it as my carry-on for whenever I feel safe to get back on a plane.

Honorable mentions

Burda 1-2008-125:  I spare no words expressing my disdain for stretch cotton poplin. So when I noticed it was the suggested fabric for this pattern, I questioned how much I really want this shirt. Ultimately I decided to go for it. If I didn't like it, no big deal. Right? Well it turns out I really like it! It's super comfortable to wear and goes with several skirts I have.

There are 13 tiny pintucks on each sleeve and sewing them after the sleeve is cut out in this fabric was a chore.  I guarantee they are not all the same size or length, but who's looking? =)

 

The wrinkles are here to stay; it's the nature of the fabric (and why I loathe it so much). But I love this shirt!

Inside of Burda 4-2008-107:  Usually the seams of my unlined jackets are finished on the serger. But this time, I bound the edges with red and white self-made bias tape after reading Miss Celie's Pants' review. 

Please don't mistake these colors for a certain patriotism. I just like the contrast.

Wadders/UFOs

• Burda 10-2020-114 (UFO):  The smurf coat is on timeout right now. I still need to address the lining issue and add buttonholes. I'm *this* close to finishing.
• Burda 5-2005-120 (wadder):  I tried twice and still not a fan. There won't be a third attempt.
• Burda 9-2019-101 (wadder):  I really liked this pattern on the model, but I should have known it wasn't a good style for my body. Cropped jackets with no waist shaping and a swing-y back just do not suit me. Plus the polyester fabric I used was giving STRONG church choir robe vibes and I was not feeling it. I was in a choir. Ehhhh...I'm good.
  
• Ottobre 2-2011-13 (wadder):  The length is all wrong and the fabric (polyester blend) is just awful.
• Jalie 2908 jeans (UFO):  I need to add the waistband and hem.
• Pin up Girls bra (UFO):  I need to repair some stitching, add some elastic, and the hook & eye closure.

 

  2021 Sewing Intentions

• reduce fabric buying & use more stash:  Always a goal!
  
• Make Nine 2021:  I quite enjoy the challenge. This year, I've selected some patterns that are very involved/time-consuming. I want to challenge myself with some of  Burda's 4-dot patterns.
  
• make one or two more bras:  Definitely need to use up those kits I bought.
• embrace the finish:  Oftentimes when I'm close to finishing a project, I put it away and start something new (looking at you smurf coat). Something about those final steps just does NOT motivate me. As evidenced by the UFOs above, there are only small tasks remaining - and yet they're still unfinished. This year I'm really going to try to change this habit, though I won't force it.
  
• just sew it & just let it go:  Yes and yes.

 

I remain grateful for those that take time to read my sewing ramblings. I hope that 2021 brings everyone  joy and happiness. Happy new year!

L