Teal cotton jersey tops

I had a length of cotton single jersey in the cupboard which is a very similar colour of teal to the corduroy jacket I made for my mini collection. So I thought it would be a good addition to my capsule. I measured it and discovered I had 3 metres. I briefly considered a dress but I hardly wear the ones I already have so I thought that wasn't a very sensible use of fabric in one of my signature colours.

New Look 6008

I put my cutting board on the dining table and cut out my TNT turtleneck top (New Look 6008 modified for fit). When switching to a new project, I like to check the needle in the machine and make a few tests to check it is OK. Well I must've tried about 8 different needles trying to find one which would sew the cotton jersey without skipping stitches. In the end it was a particular stretch needle that worked (other stretch and jersey needles didn't).

New Look 6735

Once that top was completed, I thought that finding a needle that would sew this fabric next time I pulled it from stash was likely to be irksome, so as the fabric was still on the dining table I cut out a different TNT top - this time a scoop neck with 3/4 sleeves (new Look 6735 modified for fit). I sewed that top up and was pleased with the outcome.

Closet Core Tee

with pocket detail

Astonishingly I still had some fabric left after this (which rather reminded me of a much loved childhood story about The Magic Porridge Pot). I'd got a pattern out which uses three fabrics, thinking I could make some sort of pieced top, but no, there was enough fabric for a third top! With some careful cutting I was able to get another different TNT top out of the fabric with cuffs and a pocket (Closet Core Tee, adapted).

I think I'm now covered when I want a plain teal top!

Summary of 2023 Sewing Projects

I'm currently working on a coat. I'm taking it slowly but will share once completed.

Today I made some time to look back over 2023, and I sewed a lot.

Sewing for C

I think my biggest achievement was learning to fit my lovely friend C, and then making her quite a lot of clothes once I'd tweaked the muslins and learned about FBAs etc.

I didn't blog everything I sewed for her but it included a whole rack of muslins, 13 dresses, 5 pairs of PJ bottoms, 2 lined jackets, 2 skirts and 4 tees. A total of 26 items.

She also sewed a dress and several skirts for herself

UFOs

I finished off my oldest UFO, another cut out but not sewn up project, and a blouse my friend Sylvia cut out 41 years ago.

Alterations

I notes down 4 alteration type projects - added pocket flaps, embroidery, hidden pockets etc. There may well have been more

Clothes for me

8 turtleneck tops (polo neck jumpers)

18 other knit tops

7 pairs of joggers

3 cardigan and 1 sweatshirt

4 pairs of trousers (2 with front fly zipper)

1 denim gilet with pockets

1 pair summer PJs (jersey top, woven bottoms)

3 woven tops and 6 button front shirts

1 divided skirt and 1 travel robe

This year I sewed myself a total of 55 garments. I acknowledge that this is a lot so I've had a big wardrobe clear out of things which didn't fit too well or I didn't really like, and will do another when we get back to the warmer weather.

4 items I sewed have already been donated, they were me trying a pattern, style or fabric and learning that it didn't work. One top shrank in holiday laundry and has been passed to a friend.

Accessories

Packing pouches for travel, a zipped A3 art bag, 7 zipped pouches plus lots of pairs of fleece socks.

Crafts

Felt pincushion and felt angel

Quilting

3 sets of quilt blocks for the Sparkling Stars Quilt and a little trial of Foundation Paper Piecing