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 

 
 

Mid-year Check In

I am way overdue for an update. I've been sewing quite a bit and have things to say about some of the garments/patterns I made, however time and energy seem to be in short supply. I'll summarize what I've made so far this year and save specific details for some of the garments in separate posts.

A bunch of shirts

I love making shirts. Now that I have a collar stand technique that works for me and a pattern whose fit I like, making shirts is my new favorite (bye bye jeans...for now). To date, I've made four button-front shirts, one tunic, and one knit pullover. 

 

 top row:  Burda 9-2023-125, Burda 8-2009-104

bottom row:  Vogue 9299, Burda 8-2009-104, Simplicity 9385

not pictured:  third version of Burda 8-2009-104

 

My tried & true button-front shirt is Burda 8-2009-104 and I'll share more about it in an upcoming post.

Burda 9-2023-125 has potential to be added to the "favorites" list, however I need to make a few minor changes. I need to shorten the upper back and make a slightly larger FBA. The shirt buttons okay, but it strains a wee bit.

I have nothing new to add about Vogue 9299 and Simplicity 9385. I simply adore both of these patterns and have no intention to stop making them.

Two handbags

I finished the Maggy55 Ciara cross-body bag a few weeks ago. Prior to that, I made a fourth Blue Calla Boronia Bowler for another friend.

 

I used vinyl and linen from the stash for the exterior and quilting cotton for the lining. Despite making this pattern three times already, I still made mistakes with construction. They're not too noticeable, but some things can be better.

 

 
Two Dresses

I made a second version (navy) of New Look 6683 in a heavy-weight cable knit from JoJos. I like and wear my first version (grey) a lot. The second one, however, just isn't doing it for me. In theory it looks okay, but on me it looks kinda blah. Even though I interfaced the pockets on the navy version, they still droop - likely due to the fabric weight. I'll give it a few more months and try to wear it again this fall. If I still don't like it, it's outta here.

 

The second dress I made is view B of Simplicity 8014. SIGH. I really just need to give up on this pattern. 

 

I tried on three separate occasions to make view D and it didn't work. So I thought I'd give B a try since it's a different style. Sometimes, you just gotta let go and I think I've reached my limit of attempts trying to make this pattern work. I'll save more comments on this for a future post. In the meantime, here's a picture of the finished garment:

I love the fabric and the dress design, but this specific pattern just isn't for me. I've searched my Burda archives and found some similar alternatives. I'll likely try one of those soon.

Four Bottoms

Rounding out the last few garments made so far (clockwise from top left):  Jalie Éléonore pull-on pants, McCall's 8367 cargo pants, McCall's 6654 knit skirt, and McCall's 6360 leggings.

McCall's 8367 (cargo pants) is the only new pattern out of the lot. It wasn't a difficult pattern to sew but I definitely have some things to say.

 

The white cropped leggings were made quickly to go with the orange and green Vogue 9299 mentioned above. The pants and skirt were mini mojo-boosters when I felt a slump coming on.

 

That's it for the update. I've got three projects going on at once:  two more dresses and a shirt from my MakeNine plan. One dress just needs buttonholes and buttons. The second dress might be heading for Area 51 as I'm beginning to lose interest in it. The fabric is stiff and not what I want for the pattern. I might finish it enough to try it on and abandon for better fabric.

L