Canada Colours #11: Red and White Print Shirt

Here's another project inspired by the red and white of the Canadian flag. A shirt with 2 piece collar, bound sleeve placket, button cuffs and pockets with buttoned flaps.

I didn't attempt to pattern match, to make the most of the fabric. This is the same linen blend fabric from Boyes I used to make some culottes a month ago.

I used my TNT shirt pattern, which has evolved from an old Prima magazine pattern for a shirt dress.

Canada Colours #10: Red, Black and White Cardigan

Canada Colours :Red, Black and White 

This is the logo of the Klahoose Wilderness Resort in the typical colours used by the First Nations in the areas of British Colombia we visited. 

It didn't seem appropriate to copy the designs, so I've allowed myself to be inspired by the colours. I was reminded of a remnant of printed sweater knit, bought on another holiday in 2015, which wasn't large enough for a garment. I put this with another remnant left from a different project and adapted the Harper cardigan.

The body is a little longer than the cropped length, the sleeve cuffs are extended and I even had some suitable buttons to hand!

I am so pleased with how this came out, and that it enabled me to make something with a treasured remnant.

Canada Colours #9: Red Fleece Zipped Jacket

This is some red fleece I bought from Pound Fabrics. I wanted to make a fleece jacket which fits me. I only really needed 1.5m but its a standard 2m cut so I have a bit left.....

This is my 4th fleece using the Windbreaker pattern from Ottobre Magazine (Ottobre Woman 5/2014 model 17) with rectangular pockets, an open ended zip down the front (bought on holiday in Spain) and slightly darker red zips for the pockets (not noticeable in my opinion).

It is made in the same way as the Wine Fleece jacket from February 2025.So click onto that post to read about the pockets! For this version I caught the pockets into the topstitching but not the zip itself, and finished the sleeves and hem with the Coverhem machine. I had to hand wind over the really thick bits though....

Canada Colours #8: Red Cardigan

Still loving the RED! This time a longer length cardigan with silver button and nice big (if rather droopy) pockets.

This is the same sweater knit as the two sweaters (and the item I cut out first as it uses the most fabric).

The pattern is the Kinder Cardigan by Wendy Ward. I traced it from the book, but you can buy it as a downloadable PDF as well.

I like the way the shoulder of this cardigan is at the natural shoulder but the sleeves are wide. For this version I did the cuffs on the sleeves and my own style of pockets, which still are rather droopy, but that's the very fine sweater knit!

I decided to use a little bit of lightweight interfacing in the lower section of the front band so I could add buttonholes and buttons.

I didn't have any suitable red buttons though so went for silvery ones in the shape of rather worn Roman coins, and rather like the outcome.

Canada Colours #7: Red Sleeveless Sweater

More Canadian Red inspiration, this time a sleeveless version of yesterday's sweater.

This is the same sweater knit as the long sleeved version and the same pattern, but with the sleeves omitted. I finished the armscyes with a strip of sweater knit the same width as the neckband, and slightly shorter than the opening.

I plan to wear this over the silk blouse I made last October as I feel a little self conscious about the position of the flower in the print :-)

over the silk blouse

Canada Colours #6: Red Sweater

Continuing with the Canadian 'Red' inspiration I switched to more seasonally appropriate pieces.

This is the knit top from New Look 6351, altered to fit my pear shaped body and with the sleeves lengthened to full length. The fabric is a lightweight sweater knit from t9fabrics.co.uk

When worn it just looks like a plain V neck sweater you could buy in any shop, only it fits my body. I wore the version I made in November 2025 in a dark burgundy plum colour a lot, so am adding more colours in the same style.

Canada Colours #5: Red Upcycled Tee

Continuing with the Canadian 'Red' inspiration I've up-cycled a tee I bought on the discount rail of a local charity shop.

The original top was very straight in the body and a very large size. I cut the sleeves off and up the sides, leaving the shoulders, neckline and hem intact. 

I recut the body to be more shaped and a better fit for my pear shape. I unpicked the double layer balloon sleeves, hemmed the outer eyelet layer and reinserted them as gathered sleeves, discarding the plain red cotton sleeve linings.

I didn't manage to find if I'd taken a before photo, but did find it on the retailers website (in a smaller size) see below.

In reality the sleeves stuck out from the body a lot more!

This is a summer only top as it's very hard to get any normal layer over the sleeves.

Canada Colours #4: Red and White

 Here's my fourth project inspired by the red and white of the Canadian flag.

Culottes adapted from New Look 6438, with my crotch curve, an elastic waist and front side pocket with a small slash opening.

The fabric is a linen mix bought from Boyes, with some plain white used for the pocket facings.

Not sure if the weather is warm enough anymore to wear these, but they'll be ready for the Spring!

Canada Colours #3: Red and White

Here's my third project inspired by the red and white of the Canadian flag. Some Polka dot and floral print PJs for me.

I had only bought 2 metres of the red polka dot fabric, originally planning to make a blouse, but decided against it. So added in a remnant white and red floral where I had 0.8 metres of narrow fabric left from making a dressing gown (travel robe)

Kwik Sew 3553 was my starting point though I made lots of changes to cut it from the fabric amounts I had, piecing the legs and the sleeves, adding a back facing, replacing the grown on waistband with a separate one and adding pockets. I also put a pocket in the back of the trousers.

Here's the original travel bathrobe I made in December 2023.

Canada Colours #2: Red and White

 Here's my second project inspired by the red and white of the Canadian flag.

I got creative with some scraps from previous projects and tweaked a pattern I'd taken from a RTW top years ago.

For this version I made quite a few changes.

The front is all one piece but a little narrower at the top and with a slight V neck.

The back has a centre seam. The front hem is a little shorter than the back and the sleeves were cut a lot shorter but then have deep cuffs.

Here's more detail on how I created this simple pattern.

https://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/2018/02/pattern-traced-from-rtw-top.html

Canada Colours #1: Red and White

Here's my first project inspired by Canada, and a fairly literal one.

Placemats with a map of Canada!

The fronts were a panel I bought at the Cloth Shop on Granville Island, Vancouver.

https://theclothshop.com/

I used some backing from my quilting stash and bought a metre of Insul-bright wadding to use in the placemats. I thought that'd help protect the table from hot dishes.

I did two rows of stitching round the edges and also on the red bands at the sides. Then made shapes inside some of the provinces to secure the layers in the centre section. I can always add more stitching later if I think it needs it.

They are not perfect, but they are good enough and will be in use this evening for our meal!

Red print shirt

 

Same pattern as the reindeer shirt but with slightly narrower cuffs, and as the buttons are smaller, more buttonholes!

The fabric was a thrifted remnant, a lovely soft cotton and a non directional print.

Unfortunately the dye has leaked in places when I pressed after using the water spray during construction. I think I'll let it soak in some hot water with salt added to see if I can even out the dye, as I quite like the effect where it is pale and dark red instead of red and white.

And if that doesn't work think about overdyeing it.

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Updated to add that I soaked the shirt in very hot salty water overnight  - the water turned red so obviously a lot of dye came out. The next day I washed on cool in the washing machine and left to air dry - the colour is now even across the whole shirt.

Silk Blouse

 

I used a silk satin with a bold print, I bought in 2010 and Simplicity 9200 Misses Shirts. I was hoping by using a TNT pattern and a little more knowledge I could manage silk! I spray starched the fabric before cutting out. Allowed it to dry and then ironed it. I sewed slowly with a Microtex needle and used a lot of pins!

On this version I sewed the centre fronts together to make a pull on blouse (I checked on an earlier version that this would work!) and changed the sleeves to be wider at the hem and go into a narrow cuff. I debated adding front pockets to break up the print a bit but haven't done so at this point. (I've saved the scraps in case I change my mind).

I thought after lots of working with viscose (rayon) that I was ready for silk abut I still found it really tricky. The spray starch reduced the fluidity but didn't address the slipperiness of the satin. I think I'll allow a bit of time to pass before I tackle the next silk in my stash, but I'm so glad I'm no longer avoiding the silk.

Red and Black Knit Top - McCall's 7574

I had some scraps of double layer knit left and decided to make a knit top with it.

As my knit scraps are double layer, thick and warm I initially sized up to get an oversized sweater look. I chose the long top with long sleeves. It was a disaster with the saddle sleeves - just looked like a deflated American football player.

I got some advice from sewing buddies and recut the bodice section to better fit my torso and sewed it back together, adding cuff and hem bands to tie the two fabrics in better.

I'm not convinced I'd make this again, but if I did there would need to be some grading between sizes.

Bright burgundy tiered skirt from pesky crinkle rayon.

One final project in the bright burgundy/dark red thread is a tiered skirt.

When I was looking for fabric which would use this thread I found a length of crinkle rayon/viscose. I've tried to use this type of fabric a few times in the past but had all kinds of difficulties with it. The one successful project was a midi length tiered skirt so I thought I'd make another one with this fabric.

This is it after sewing it up

And this is after washing in cold water and hanging to dry.

I didn't use a pattern, but here are the measurements of the pieces.

1. Waistband - 3 1/2 inches wide and long enough to go around my hips.

2. Main skirt - 18" of full width of fabric cut in half

3. First tier - 2 x 9" of full width of fabric.

4. Second tier - 3 x 9" of full width of fabric.

5. Inseam pockets - 4 approx 10" x 8 1/2" (self drafted)

Constructions order:

1. Sew pockets to front and back skirt pieces. Finish seams. Sew round the pockets and down the side seam. Finish seams. Fold the pockets to the front and stitch in place along the waistline.

2. Sew ends of waistband. Gather skirt onto waistband, insert elastic, stitch closed and finish seams.

3. Sew the two pieces of the first tier together. Gather. Distribute fullness. Stitch tier onto skirt.

4. Sew the three pieces of the second tier together. Gather. Distribute fullness. Stitch second tier onto first tier.

5. Hem.

Burgundy Frill Neck Blouse.

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you know I like to sew multiple things with the same thread colour where possible. I really like to have the overlocking (serger) threads inside my garments all matching and to this end have 5 drawers of thread, much of it Coats Moon sorted by colour.

So whilst I had bright burgundy (Moon M0055) on the machines I hunted in the fabric boxes for other fabrics I could sew up.

I found a remnant of a lovely bright burgundy viscose (rayon) with a very slight crinkle texture and beautiful sheen. I had cut other things from it previously, so it was an odd shape and not much yardage. It looked like it would like to be a blouse.

I ironed the fabric and laid it on my cutting board, and decided to try Simplicity 9200 again only to find I couldn't quite get the front shoulder out of the fabric (big funny shaped thing had been cut out). I then decided to move the shoulder seam forwards. So took 1.5" off the front shoulder and added it onto the back shoulder (and left myself a note in the project tray*, so I didn't get confused putting the sleeve in).

Once I'd cut out the front and back, I was able to cut the sleeves single layer, but then realised I didn't have any sections large enough for 2 collars..... After a bit of pondering I cut two collar stands and then cut lots of pieces 2 1/2" wide and varying lengths, which I pieced together to get a strip about 3 times the length of the collar stand. I then seamed the ends, pressed in half, and gathered onto the collar stand as a frill.

Here's the blouse paired with the floral trousers

(* I have two shallow plastic baskets, slightly larger than A4/letter paper. As I cut out I put the pieces into the basket along with any zips/buttons etc I might need. It stops me losing pieces in the jumble of the sewing room)

Burgundy and cream Roses blouse

 

I used some weighty viscose (rayon) from my stash (just a remnant) to make this burgundy and cream blouse with stylised roses from my TNT shirt pattern.

I put all the buttons on but will likely wear it open at the neckline.

It's not really a summer blouse, but could be great for the 'wear red' dress code for choir at Christmas.

Pattern Information.

This is my current favourite shirt pattern. It is adapted from a shirtdress pattern which was in the March 2020 Prima magazine (UK women's magazine).

Black Pinstripe trousers

My final piece in this collection are some black pinstripe trousers.

This is my altered New Look 6735 pattern. I also added extra hidden inseam zipped pockets.

 And here are all the pieces together

My first Metra Blazer

 

I've been noticing people's versions of the Metra blazer, and when it was the $5 Friday pattern a few weeks ago I bought it.

Metra Blazer - Love Notions Sewing Patterns

I watched a few YouTube videos on construction as well as reading the instructions and watching the linked videos. They all varied a little so I mostly followed the advice and did a few bits my own way. Its all worked out fine.

Sizing - I measured myself and chose the size which matched up with my measurements - this was an XL. I did a full bicep alteration on the sleeve. The fit is fine. 

As you can see the back hem is slightly raised which is more pronounced on me, I think on the next version I need to do a high round back alteration (normal for me).

Fabric - I used 2 co-ordinating jacquard double knits I had in stash. These were very spongy, and a bit thick when it came to topstitching etc. It also ravelled and needed to be finished with the overlocker.

I used the larger design for the front back and sleeves, and the smaller design for the side panels, pocket flaps and collar facing. I think it's worked out quite well.

The sort of welt pockets are really clever and I enjoyed doing them. There are not really any pockets, its just an opening into the inside of the facing. You do get a glimpse of the wrong side of the fabric, which isn't that attractive in this knit, so bear that in mind.

The shoulder and neck seam was a bit tricky in this fabric. I would probably had an easier time if I'd interfaced the snip area. Maybe next time!

I really like the pattern and will be trying the other view next.