Updating previous makes

Whilst I really enjoy taking a length of uncut fabric and making a brand new garment from it, these days I also tweak things I've previously made, so they work better for me. It doesn't have the same thrill as a new make, but I've come to appreciate the updates as well.

In Feb 2023, I made myself something I called a Denim Utility Gilet.

At the end of last year I unpicked the stitching at the armscye and added sleeves in the same fabric from the original pattern. However these were not quite full length and didn't give me the look I wanted for a shirt jacket. So I've now added a packet and buttoned cuffs. These fall in just the right place, and I can imagine wearing it more now.

I also made the effort to tweak some of the trousers from this post.

I removed the 'clever' zipped pocket as it was too far down the leg to be useful, and felt uncomfortable. This was just a case of lots of unpicking and a bit of resewing.

I also added belt loops to the Style Arc Delta Cargo pants. They are quite straight through the side hip and had a tendency to fall down, if anything went in the pockets. At least with the belt loops I can add a belt to hold them up.

I also unpicked the embroidered pockets from the zip front jacket I made here  as the jacket was not a good fit for DH.

I think I'll make a new garment next :-)

Bolero jackets

I have been sewing. I altered two pairs of jersey RTW PJ trs (one plainnavy, one navy with tiny teal hearts). They had sewn in elastic which I unpicked and replaced with a casing and adjustable elastic with ribbon ends. That took a long time for something quite simple. I also made a little navy bolero jacket for my friend to wear over the blue RTW dress I shortened for her.

Then I shortened some velvet curtains for the same friend, and made tie backs from the bit I cut off.

I cut out a shirt for DH when he was out but haven't started sewing it

I made what I hope is the final bolero jacket. This little number from sequins and silver satin! I added a layer of flat piping made from the silver lining as the sequins are very scratchy (if pretty). 

The Jackets are all the same pattern, the little bolero jacket from Prima March 2009.

Faux suede jacket

 

I initially cut out a skirt for the Endless Combinations contest, but I could not get the sewing machine to make a stitch in it, despite trying 7 different needles (all different types), so I had to abandon that and made the skirt in corduroy instead.

The overlocker was able to sew the faux suede fabric so I tried to think of something I could make from the pieces and scraps that I could construct on the overlocker.

I still had New Look 6351 out from when I'd used it for the V necked top, so I thought I'd have a go at the jacket.

I was able to cut the jacket out of the skirt pieces and the leftover scraps, including the facings. So I was pleased that I saved a wadder. But the jacket is short (shorter than the tee in the same pattern). The sleeves are not full length and the front flaps didn't seem to work well, so I added a collar from a shirt pattern to give a more moto jacket look.

My Janome CP3000P was able to deal with the fabric so the hem is cover stitched.

I found it didn't really fit me, so it's gone to a shorter bustier friend.

Blue Suit

 

I used some heavy rayon mix twill from deep stash to make a simple little suit..

The jacket is New Look 6481 with the hem levelled out and patch pockets added.

The trousers are New Look 6438 with an elasticated waist and front slash pockets added.

Black New Look Jacket

I made another black jacket. This one uses the scraps leftover from making a jacket and skirt for my friend C.

To fit the pattern onto the scraps I played a little with the orientation on the front. I also drafted and added some 5 sided patch pockets, as the pattern doesn't include pockets.

The pattern is New Look 6481

Here's the jacket and skirt I made for C

Black Ponte Metra Blazer

 

Black is not in my 'Sophisticated' palette but is useful for choir events and traditional funerals, so I dug out some black fabrics from the stash and have started making a few cardigans and jackets for such occasions.

The first one is a Metra blazer from a black ponte remnant.

Sadly I found a fault on the back when I was part way through construction.

So added a stitched down half belt detail to cover that area.

Prima Pattern February 2025 Quilted Jacket

 

I used the pattern from Prima magazine Feb 2025 to make myself a quilted jacket. They suggested using quilted yardage, but I didn't like the colourways of those available locally, so instead cut up a green bedspread with a quilted effect.

I made the longer view with pockets (view A) but added buttons and buttonholes. I made my own bias trim (1.5 inches wide) from a pretty floral remnant from Auntie J's stash and some buttons from my drawer.

The jacket is quite oversized, but I found the sleeves to be only just long enough. I made a size 18 UK.

Clef Jacket from Love Notions

I decided to test out the Clef jacket from Love Notions patterns. 

I used some fabric I find a bit itchy and some buttons which are a bit orange as I plan to donate the end result.

The overall fit was fine though I shortened the sleeves .

For my next version I'm going to rotate the pockets 90 degrees so they are deeper. Add a high round back alteration, and straighten the ends of the sleeves for easier hemming.

I'm hoping this will be a good way to make a fleece jacket when I can't easily get a matching zip but have matching buttons!

This has used another 2m of fabric so

Fabric sewn so far in 2025 - 13m, fabric purchased zero!

• 3m of teal jersey
• 2m of print/brown sweater knit
• 3m of animal print jersey
• 3m of brown poly knit
• 2m of itchy brown fabric

Woodrose Pink Jacket

 

This is my wood rose (dusty pink) jacket in faux silk dupioni fabric (possibly intended for home dec) made from Butterick B4610 View B. I added a little bit of extra width in the sleeves 

For a pattern rated as 'Easy' I didn't find that it was really, though a lot of my issues were to do with the very stiff and fraying fabric I used. I love the colour and slubbed texture so persevered.

I found a suitable button in my button drawers. Hopefully this will work over the purple skirt and top.

Here's the pink jacket over the purple two piece.

I'm planning on making some other Woodrose pieces as I have lots of the fabric. Next up some wide leg trousers, then maybe a waistcoat and skirt or dress.....

Skirt from a dress pattern

 

This was a very quick make. A skirt for my friend to match the jacket I made for her previously.

I used the skirt portion of her favourite dress pattern (S9473) and added a casing with elastic.

Another jacket

Here's another jacket for my friend C. It is from Simplicity 9473 again but this time I made the lining front panel from self fabric so the front neckline can flip open like lapels. The rest of the lining is a beautiful liquid satin which was really tricky to sew, but feels luxurious.

She can wear these jackets to work with her RTW dresses.