A few months ago, there was a hashtag floating around sewing YouTube that asked people to share their five handmade essentials. The categories are: tops, bottoms, layering piece, one-piece, and wild card. After watching several people share their thoughts, I began to think about the patterns that I keep in regular rotation and that I have made several times.
Essential Top: Simplicity 9385
I can't say enough good things about this pattern and how much I love it. View C uses six pieces (front, back, sleeve, collar, sleeve cuff, hem band) and can be sewn completely on a serger. I've made it out of rayon lycra (5 & 10), merino wool knit (4), ribbed knits (2, 3, 7, & 9) and double-brushed polyester knit (6 & 8).
Most recently, I made this pattern using an argyle sweater knit (1) that's been in the stash for a long time. I had enough to make another view C, but I didn't want the whole top to have that print. So I dug through my stash and found some scraps of wool knit and used it for the sleeves, neck band, sleeve cuffs, and bottom band - though you can't see that part in the picture.
I no longer have the cream lycra version (10) as it was a little too short. It was my first time with the pattern and I realized that view C is more cropped than I prefer.
This is a clear staple and I have intentions to make several more.
Essential Bottom: Jalie 2908, Jalie Éléonore, & McCall's 6654 (three-way tie)
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I've made both patterns so many times that I've lost count. I think it's fair to say I have at least fifteen pairs of 2908 and maybe ten pairs of Éléonore - including one of each that I made a couple of months ago. Since first making my first pair over ten years ago, I have not bought ready-to-wear jeans. I adjusted the pattern to fit my body and haven't looked back. I've made both boot cut and slim-fit styles.
What I like most about Éléonore is that they are pull-on, have most of the same features as traditional jeans, and can be made in less time. Fabric has to have a bit more stretch than 2908 and elastic is needed for the waistband. There isn't a front pocket, but Jalie has either a tutorial or an expansion pack to include it. Not having front pockets bugs me sometimes, but not enough to do anything about it. Hah!
Unfortunately, I do not have any current pictures. The last picture I have is a stack of jeans made as of 2012. Definitely a TNT.
I cannot leave off my favorite knit skirt pattern: McCall's 6654. Like the Jalie patterns, over the years I've made this at least fifteen times. The collage below only shows the versions for which I have photos. I'm sure there are at least five more hanging in my closet that either I haven't photoed or I can't find the picture on my computer.
It's even faster to sew than Simplicity 9385. There are three pieces (front, back, waistband) and can be completed entirely on a serger as well. I've made this in rayon lycra, scuba knit, polyester and wool double knit, and random medium-weight knits.
I mostly have and still wear all that are pictured here. It's a great pattern that can go with a variety of tops and jackets.
(Edited to add: I think a couple of these skirts were made with Simplicity 1072. It's an OOP skirt and top pattern from many, many years ago. I'm certain I made it a couple of times, but not nearly as much as McCall's 6654.)
Essential Layering Piece: Kwik Sew 2895
I made five versions of this pattern; the two not shown are made with black denim and a light blue floral cotton. I've used both light and medium-weight cotton fabrics. The black denim is maybe my least worn of the five because the fabric is just a tad bit too stiff.
I've worn the blue denim and camouflage versions so much that they've started to fade and you know what that means! I am definitely not done with this pattern and intend to make more. I want to make another blue one and perhaps one out of wool suiting or flannel.
Essential One-Piece: Vogue 9299
I wasn't sure how to interpret this prompt. Most people on YouTube mentioned dresses here. Despite having a large collection of dress patterns and liking dresses, I don't make them often. I'm more of a 'separates' girl. So for this prompt, I'm giving Vogue 9299. I made the tunic length three times in one year because it's such a good pattern. Seeing so many of Carolyn's (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) gorgeous versions put me on to this pattern.
Details on sewing and pattern adjustments are shared in this post. The colors just make me happy and any time I wear one of the versions, I get lovely compliments. I don't have immediate plans to make view B again, but I will eventually try some of the other views.
Essential Wild Card: Oro Rosa Catalina Cross-body Bag
I got the bag-making bug and still going strong with it. So far this year alone, I've made five handbags (details coming). It's just so much fun to plan/coordinate fabrics, hardware, and to put them together.
Handbags are unique enough that one of any type is enough. Well...I wanted two and now I have two! 😁
They're the perfect size for me and they both get lots of use. Will I make this again? Definitely! Will it be for me? We'll see. 😉 I have a bunch of other bag patterns that I'd like to make.
This wraps up my 5 Handmade Essentials. I sew other patterns for sure, though these are my TNTs and palate cleansers.
What are your 5 Handmade Essentials? Do you sew a pattern multiple times or do you have a limit to how often a single pattern is made?
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There won't be any sewing going on for a while. I'm in the process of painting the paneling in my basement and putting in a new floor...well...bae and I are going to try to put in a new floor. I...um...hmm. Something says I should probably leave this to professionals. Then again none are calling me back soooooooo DIY it is!
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