Sewing Diaries

Hi Hello and happy January!

During 2021 I picked up my sewing game. I've had a sewing machine for a long time and I've been interested in sewing and stitching since forever, I remember going to my grandma's house and sewing with her on her very old machine. I've inherited her old wooden sewing box (the kind with handles that pulls out 3 little compartments on each side? Cute.) I've also kept some of the old bits and pieces that were in there too. I did a bit of sewing at school and seem to remember making a bright pink corduroy hoody... I'm not sure who's suggestion is was to make a hoody out of corduroy - although I've just googled it and apparently they do exist! It really wasn't the cosiest of hoodies, or very well made...

Anyway, last year I was inspired to get sewing again. My friend had a baby and one of her friends sewed him some little leggings and rompers and they looked so beautiful. I wanted to have a go at making him and some of the other little ones in my life some pieces. Another couple of friends were also making some of their own clothes and it encouraged me to start to look into the sewing world a little more.

A few months later and I had made 2 dresses for me, 3 baby rompers, 4 pairs of baby/child leggings and 2 pairs of dungarees. I was loving it. I went to the knitting and stitching show at Alexandra palace and my friends and family very kindly clubbed together to buy me an overlocker for my birthday. I think I MIGHT be addicted to perusing fabric choices.

Basically I'm loving this new hobby and I'm hoping this year to keep sewing and to try and buy less clothes. I'd love to support small businesses selling fabric and patterns and to connect with others who are similarly inspired.

Over the last few weeks I've seen people looking back over their #makenine projects and I decided to give the challenge a go myself. The idea of this challenge is that across the year I make nine garments. I like to set myself challenges like this but I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself - if they don't all get made that's ok.

My Make Nine:

1. Rhea dress, Tammy hand made - I was given this pattern for Christmas and it's a beautiful summer dress pattern. I've bought some blue cotton chambray to make it in. I think I might need to shorten the straps a little as it's quite a deep v-neck and low back, and I might add a few inches to the length too.

2. Lyra dress, Tilly and the Buttons - Again this is another pattern that I got given this Christmas. My plan is to use a blue gingham for this dress. I'm still working out what length to make it and what sort of sleeves to make. We'll see what I end up with.

 

3, 4, 5. Box Top, All Well Workshop - I also came across this lovely brand on instagram. I bought the pattern in a bundle (the second item you'll see below) and the patterns are so versatile- they come with all sorts of different options. So I'm going a bit easy on myself for this challenge as it's the first time I've done it and I'm going to make 3 different types of this box top. A standard top, one with a ruffle and one that is long sleeved. It looks so comfortable I'm really looking forward to making them. I've got a few different fabric options for these, some linen, some gingham (of course) and some very light gauze.

6 & 7. Quilted Box Coat, All Well Workshop - This pattern was part of the bundle with the tops above and again it has so many different options. I've called on my Grandad's wife who is well practised with quilting to help me out and it's a new sewing skill I'll be learning this year. I'd also really like to have a go at making it in a washed wool fabric. Here's a picture from their website and another image from @Makaylacreates. I LOVE the fabric combination on Makayla's jacket!

8. Studio Pants, All Well Workshop - Ok ok, last one from All Well, but these look just so comfortable and easy to wear. And what I LOVE about this pattern is that you can just pay what you can afford! It'll go so nicely with the tops too. I'm hoping to find a light denim or navy linen fabric to make these.

9. Heyday Dungarees, Waves and Wild - So this is a pattern I'm getting very used to. I made a pair for our Godson and they were so cute. Then all our friends decided that when it's their birthday they need a pair too! So I'm making these throughout the year for our friends. My birthday is one of the last ones in September so by then I SHOULD be pretty good at these... I'm planning on making them in a Burgundy corduroy, we'll see if I change my mind by then!

 

And that's everything! 9 makes. 12 months. Let's see how I go. Of course in that time I haven't included all of the dungarees I'll be making, probably some little outfits for the little ones in my life and any other extra bits and pieces that come up!

Do you sew? Have you set yourself a Make Nine challenge? I'd love to know your plans too!

Have a fab week!

Emily x