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 

 
 

Make Nine 2024

I'm on board for another year of Make Nine sewing. There's nothing particularly different about this grid when compared to prior plans; I picked specific patterns and a handbag. I like to things simple and allow for changes if I want. 

 

Simplicity 8445 (vintage shirt): I'm starting to get into some vintage styles - mostly from the 50s & 60s. This pattern has some nice lines and seems to be quite versatile in styling. I especially like the back yoke, turned-up cuffs, and front/back tucks. I don't know if I'll do the cummerbund.

 

Vogue 1973 (tie-neck blouse):  This pattern is similar to my TNT blouse pattern New Look 6831. I want to try the Vogue pattern because it has a proper sleeve cuff and hidden button placket. Karon Euter did a review of this pattern on her YouTube channel and I like it a lot. 

 

Burda Magazine 8-2022-109 (wrapped top):  I love a weird Burda shirt. I'm intrigued with how the front integrates into the wrap style along with a hidden button placket. This could either be really great or a big fail. We shall see.

 

McCall's 8367 (cargo pants):  I've been meaning to make a pair of cargo pants for a while. I like View C because of the wide elastic waist and elasticized hem. I also like that there isn't an explosion of pockets. Yes, cargo pants have pockets, but that one pattern (y'all know the one) has ten pockets. TEN. Why for? 🤔 If you can rock it, go for it. It's just not for me.

 

Burda Magazine 8-2020-116 (vest):  This is kind of a new one for me. I have lots of vest/waistcoat patterns, but have yet to make one. This time I want to give it a try. I like the simple lines of the pattern and the self-fabric belt. I have lots of lightweight wool cuts out of which I think would make a nice garment.

 

Simplicity 8554 (jacket):  This jacket caught my eye recently after seeing two sewing YouTubers talk about their versions (Donna's Things & My Bucolic Life). I have some cotton twill cuts that I think would work perfectly with this pattern. I especially like view C, though I might go for the slightly longer version in view B.

  

New Look 6014 (skirt):  This is the only pattern that gives me slight pause. It's not that I don't like it; I picked it because I needed a ninth item and wanted a skirt. It's similar to other button-front skirts that I've made, so it shouldn't be too hard to make.

 

 

Maggy55 Ciara (handbag):  When my friend and I traveled to Spain in 2014, I noticed she carried a super cute Kate Spade cross-body bag. I don't think the picture below was her exact bag, but it had the same colorway and shape. 

 

At the time, I wasn't interested in buying this bag or anything similar. But here we are 10 years on and I haven't forgotten about it. When I started bag-making a few years ago, I began hunting for patterns that reminded me of the Kate Spade bag. The Maggy55 Ciara has many different features, but the general idea is the same.

 

The bag seems a bit bigger than I may want (10.5" width x 11" height x 3" depth), so I'll have to think about how to adjust the pieces to make it a bit smaller.

Wild Card (deep stash > 10 years):  This shouldn't be hard at all! I definitely have fabric from at least 10 years ago.

This is what I have for the current Make Nine grid. I'm eager to get started once my sewing space is back together. 

 

Speaking of which...

Painting is mostly done in the basement; I still have to do the stairwell, but that's not happening any time soon. I need to reinstall the quarter round and decide whether to paint the machine room now or do it during spring/summer. Common sense says to do it now since everything is moved and out of the way. But, the sewing bug is biting big time and I'm ready to get back to it. Decisions, decisions!

L