Blue Cardigan

 

This is the Harper Cardigan from Sinclair Patterns.

I made the classic length with pockets. As my Ponte knit fabric  did not have the required 50% stretch the pattern asks for, I added approx 1/2" to the sides of the front, back and sleeves and the hem band.

I was careful to only take the 1/4" seam allowance the pattern uses.

Pull on Jeans

There's a short and long version of this, so I'll start with the short.

I made some pull on jeans with embroidered back pockets. The pattern is the Mountain View Jeans by Itch to Stitch.

(these photos were taken in evening light and make the denim seem darker than it is)

Now that's usually be where I would stop my blog posts, but there's really a lot more to it than that. So here's a longer version.

I had bought some stretch denim in a mid blue colourway when I went to a quilt show last year with a friend. The event didn't have much garment sewing stalls, but I enjoyed the ones I found.

I bought 2 metres of the denim and it sat in my stash. 

More recently I purchased a new raincoat, particularly for travel. It was on deep discount in a January sale. My new coat is a mid denim blue and it reminded me of the denim I'd bought, so I brought it in from the garage. (I keep my fabric in plastic tubs in the garage.)

Currently I'm a bit under the weather with a sinus infection so I wasn't up for a new pattern (I have a couple of Jeans patterns I want to try), so I pulled out the Itch to Stitch Mountain View pull on jeans pattern which I've made a few times before.

I had a look at the stretch requirements, and tested the stretch percentage of the fabric I had. It was clear it did NOT have the required stretch. Next I had a look at the body measurements and finished garment measurements on the pattern, and I could see that it had NEGATIVE EASE.

Lightbulb moment, that clearly if I used this pattern for this fabric the result was not going to fit well :-)

So I added extra paper down the centre of the front and back leg pattern pieces so they matched my body measurements. This reduced the negative ease to no ease and I thought that would be OK with my fabric, as the bit of stretch it does have would give me some wearing comfort.

I kept the back yoke and waistband piece as designed, but curved the side of the back piece in a little to align. I extended the front waistband piece as I need the room over the tummy.

The back leg is in two pieces, so I just butted these together and glued a paper strip behind.

I was able to keep the pockets unaltered, and discovered in the pattern envelope that I'd cut out some pocket lining/facing pieces in a fun boat print left from making a shirt.

So then I thought I would like to use those pocket linings as inspiration and reflect the boat design in the back pockets.

So I cut out the rest of the jeans, and some pieces the size of my embroidery machine hoop for the pockets. I had a lovely time online looking for boat embroidery designs.

I discovered that my embroidery machine function to flip a design also works on design on the USB stick, so was able to flip the boat and embroidery another one in the other direction.

Next I debated whether the boats looked better sailing towards each other or away.

(this is a more accurate photo of the colour of the denim as it was taken in daylight)

I decided that I would like contrast stitching for the edge and topstitching, so I put my embroidery machine away in the cupboard and got my backup Janome sewing machine out and threaded it up with a golden orange standard thread. This meant I could sew a seam in dark blue on the usual sewing machine, overlock the seam with the overlocker and then edgestitch/topstitch with the other sewing machine. (I only have room for 3 machines out at once)

I did not use two threads or topstitching thread. I find that just normal thread in a contrasting colour is enough to give the jeans look without causing me lots of headaches.

The actual sewing of the jeans was fairly straightforward. I do deviate slightly from the instructions. The main changes are.

1 - I put the pocket linings in so that the right side of the fabric is inside the pocket (their directions have it the other way but I don't like it).

2 - I add the back pockets earlier than the instructions (and a little higher up).

3 - I only sew one layer of the waistband to the jeans, then stitch in the ditch to attach the other layer (this makes it easier to adjust the elastic if necessary).

4 - I overlocked the hem and just turned up once and stitched. I've had trouble with my double stitched hems rolling up and wanted to see if this worked better

The main thing that is missing is a photo of me wearing the jeans, which I may add later.

Kindle pouch

I made a little pouch for my friend's Kindle, using waterproof fabric.

I drew round the kindle in its case and made a pattern from there. I was pleased when she sent me a photo showing it fitted.

Laundry bags

I had some fabric I originally bought to make a blouse. Mostly because I loved the soft grey green colour. However the fabric was a bit sheer and synthetic, so actually not that suitable for a blouse for me.

After multiple years of languishing in my stash personal resource centre I have made it into laundry bags.

I had something like 3.2 metres of 150cm wide fabric, so made 1 large bag with a single drawstring and 4 medium bags with double drawstrings. The large one is serving as a liner in the laundry basket and the others will be for travel or storing spare bedding.

The large bag is approx 100cm x 75cm. The medium ones approx 75cm  x 55cm. I used a very fine synthetic cord which wanted to undo its knots, so heat sealed the knots and ends (candle flame).

Safari Animals Shirt

 

A man's shirt which I made for DH. It's in a lovely soft cotton fabric printed with Safari animals.

The fabric was from Pound Fabrics.

Unfortunately I only had 2 metres of it and its now out of stock. This meant I didn't have enough to pattern match and so there are a few half animals about the shirt.

For the pattern I used Simplicity 1493 in size XL. The sleeves were slightly too long and wide so I've slimmed /shortened them (and altered the pattern for next time)

This is a straight cut shirt pattern which tapers slightly towards the hem, so very much a man's fit, and would need a lot of changes to work for my curvier pear shaped body. It was good for DH though once the sleeves were shortened and slimmed a little.

Navy 'denim look' joggers

 These are joggers made with denim look jersey fabric from Pound Fabrics

As it is actually a knitted fabric, and very soft I decided to make something that was more jogger and less jean.

The main pattern used is the Monsal Lounge Pant pattern from the Wendy Ward Book "A Beginner's Guide to Sewing with Knitted Fabrics".

Altered to have the lower leg width and pocket opening from the Itch to Stitch Mountain View Jeans

I like the idea of the fabric, but I'll see how the joggers wash and wear before I buy any more.

Navy and Pink V neck tops

 

This is adapted from the knit top in New Look 6351. Its navy blue ponte

Same pattern but in a pink athletic knit. Have to see what its like to wear.

Same as the burgundy version which has seen a lot of wear. I prefer the burgundy as it is sewn in a sweater knit.

This is the knit top from 6351. I raised the back neckline, took a thin wedge out of the upper back, down to nothing at the hip. On the front I graded from an 18 at the shoulders out to a 22 lower down to reflect my body shape. I added 5 inches to the sleeve to make it wrist length and also did a full bicep adjustment.

I shortened the neckband to match with the changes to the back neck.

My 'Sofa Pants' (wide leg joggers) from MHW

This month's pattern from My Handmade Wardrobe's Weekend Sewing Club is the Sofa Pants, casual lounge pants in a knit fabric with wide legs and a few variations.

I made mine in a plain navy Ponte Roma with a good proportion of viscose.

I made a lot of alterations to the front and back rise, crutch shape and depth, side hip (which impacted the pockets), took a wedge from the centre back and shortened the waistband. So they fit me now whilst still looking a lot like the line drawing.

It has become clear to me that no pattern company fits me 'out of the packet'. Not just MHW but also Mccall's, Style Arc etc.  So I'm planning to use my successes to build a library of personal slopers I can use for new patterns. This will be slightly more sophisticated than my current approach of pulling bits out of other patterns that worked and then losing them!

And I'll try not to be mislead into thinking this next pattern will be perfect for me, just as it is.

Replacement bolts for Ikea ARÖD lamps?

Replacement bolts for Ikea ARÖD lamps?

We've got 2 of these lamps (purchased a few years ago) which I've recently brought from another room to use for sewing.

However ours have the same problems many reviewers noted

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/aroed-floor-reading-lamp-anthracite-50389102/

On one light the bolt has sheared, and the other one I can't tighten it enough to stop it flopping down.

I've taken out one of the intact bolts to see how it is constructed, pictures below:-

What can I do to replace the bolt where the wing nut head has sheared off?

There are no part numbers listing within the Assembly Document for this product (I've downloaded and checked) so I can't order the part as a spare directly from IKEA. So I am looking for an aftermarket product.

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 :-)

Yes it was 100 garments

 Yes it was 100 garments I sewed last year, I missed one!

This pink waistcoat hadn't got finished in time for me to wear it with the matching trousers and jacket in October 2024.

Here's the link to the jacket 

And here's a link to the trousers.

It was partially made up and I was procrastinating over pockets. Then instead of making a waistcoat toile for a friend in Nov 2025, I decided to finish it this one up without pockets, she tried it and it got put away in the wardrobe.

The pattern was Pattern 3, the Waistcoat from Sewing With Confidence

And I made View A, though I'd thought I was making View B

I used 4 pinky/burgundy buttons, with a wider spacing. It's fully lined with the same pink polyester lining fabric used for the matching jacket.

Here's all 3 pieces.

In January we rest

In January we rest

January isn't a new year, it's the deep middle of winter.
There's very little light. Very little warmth.
And not a lot of spare energy going around.
Yet this is the month we're sold 'fresh starts', 'big plans' and 'new year, new me' energy.
Wintering is the inward season.
When life slows, energy gathers,
and nothing is meant to be rushed.
For most women Christmas wasn't restful.
It was effort. Planning. Making it magical.
By midlife, the body knows rest isn't something to apologise for.
So when January arrives and motivation is low, that's wintering doing its work.
This month is for going inward.
Hot tea. Early nights.
And letting winter be winter.

shared by a friend

2025 sewing projects review

In previous years I've not done much in the way of end of year review, but I collected some stats this year and thought you might enjoy them.

No of items made this year  - 108 no 109 (see pink waistcoat for me here)

81 of these were for me, and 27 for other people.

There were 8 bags, 1 novelty cushion and 99 garments. found another garment so its 100

I made 19 jackets, 19 shirts/blouses and 18 knit tops....

Overall the most popular colour was Blue or Navy, though when I exclude things made for other people the most popular colour was Burgundy.

I had the joy of attending two weddings for which I made garments for myself and others, though thankfully no bridal dresses! The hardest item was a custom waistcoat (vest) with welt pockets for the father of the bride.

I tried new patterns, sewed with sequins, velvet, silk and corduroy. I entered a few online contests. I blogged and chatted on Forums. I started an online sewing class.

A few garments I made went to the charity shop. This is perfectly OK! One local charity shop are happy to take fabric, haberdashery, home sewn clothing and even scraps, so I often drop things off with them.

Some of the things I sewed for myself I have not yet worn, though everything has been tried on. Dresses and skirts need the right hosiery and footwear. Some things need a bit of tweaking.

I put a lot of time and effort into making a surprise for DH which did not fit. I'll be reworking that next year!

I sewed and unpicked, I altered things, I learned.

I sorted all my patterns and fabrics, but haven't fully maintained it. It has made accessing the resources I have a lot easier though.

Walking Trousers - pattern comparisons

Back in September I got part way through a comparison of walking trouser patterns which I neither finished nor blogged.

I had a large length of olive green bengaline, ordered online, which was not really my colour once it arrived. There was enough to cut three pairs of trousers for a comparison.

The three patterns were 

Itch to Stitch Mountain View Pull on Jeans

I've made this pattern lots of times before. It's designed for stretch woven fabrics with more stretch than I had in this bengaline. good fit but a bit tight on the thighs in this fabric. Additional zipped side pocket of my own invention is too low down on the leg and not very practical.

Style Arc Delta Cargo Pants

These are very straight cut on the sides, which makes putting the cargo pockets on very easy, but doesn't work particularly well for me as I'm curved at the side hip as well as the derriere. They are simple to sew up with good pockets.

Love Notions Meadowlark Pants

I finally finished these today, very comfortable with loads of pockets. Flat front with mock fly and sewn down button. Back elastic quite tricky to sew. Lots of great pockets, knee darts and an activewear fit.

Summary

For all 3 I have adapted the crutch curve shape and length to suit my body but otherwise gone for the size which matches my measurements, and because of this all 3 pairs are wearable. 

The Style Arc Delta Cargo pants don't stay up very well once anything is put into the pockets, so I think I'll add belt loops to make them more practical. Future versions are going to need a curve in the side seam :-)

The side zipped pocket on the Mountain View pants is not useable in reality, so I think I'll remove it.

The Meadowlark Pants work quite well, but next time I'd simplify the waistband and add a little bit of width at the knees.

I have a lovely piece of 4 way stretch activewear fabric, so I can now decide what pattern to use to make those up, probably the Meadowlarks with some tweaks.