Category: sewing

I’ve been weeding a lot lately, trying to get ahead of it before they really take hold, and I got so annoyed by losing my tools every time I moved with my bucket and kneeling pad that I started looking at garden tool belts to BUY.

Then I came to my senses, found a free pattern, used materials I already had, and MADE one, of course.

This took about an hour from start to finish and is exactly what I wanted. The pattern I used was free and had actual pattern pieces, not just dimensions to cut (20 years of garment sewing means I always prefer that). I didn’t make the second pocket and I didn’t end up needing the elastic strap over the bellows pockets because everything stays put fine for me.

I used 1000D Cordura from when I was auditioning fabrics for my travel backpack, ready-made bias tape, and webbing and a buckle left over from my big hiking pack. Boom!

I made another pair of Daughter Judy Monty Pants with the final pattern (not the tester version). My vision was a matching shirt and pants and I thought I had enough fabric, but I sure didn’t. But then instead of thinking through if I’d wear voluminous orange-and-black striped pants solo, I just cut the pants out anyway and sewed them up.

I wasn’t very enthused when they were done–so big! so striped!–but I’ve been taking video for the May outfit prompts, and seeing them in action, they’re actually not that sloppy? I think it helps that the prompt I styled them for was, “Dress like you just rage quit your job via voice note and are off to pottery.” Turns out, these are the perfect pants for that.

(That screenshot from my Instagram video isn’t the best quality but it gives the general vibe)

And a better look at the fabric–a really beefy shirting from Nick of Time Textiles.

I decided to keep sewing up the good fabric from that Australian order last year (of course I got more than one cut; you have to make the most of shipping!). Because Doops Designs does custom print runs, you can pick your base–and they have an athletic/swim base, so I have some very cool gym pants now:

That was just a snap during class so here’s a better idea of the print. I love those goofy leopards!

The fabric didn’t quite have enough stretch for tights so I used the Greenstyle Brassie Joggers pattern yet again for something looser. The waistband and cuffs are some white rib spandex left in the stash; I like the contrast but it might also be a little pajama-y? That’s ok, though–anything goes in the gym.

I sewed with LEATHER for the first time and it wasn’t that hard! Even six years later, I’m still impressed by what my Bernina 740 can do. I just put in a leather needle, selected the “leather” setting, and went to town. 

I used the Noodlehead “Petal Pouch” pattern I already owned (the small size is great for holding knitting notions) and a soft leather scrap from my trip to the creative re-use store. For the lining, I had the perfect size Liberty scrap leftover from a 2017 shirt. Blammo! A luxe, shiny little pouch made from, essentially, garbage.

I haven’t gotten into a big project since that travel backpack in January. It’s not that I don’t have sewjo, it’s more that I don’t have focus (due to work, the world at large, riding the Old Kitty Roller Coaster). But that’s OK, because there’s no shortage of smaller projects I can do, like gym stuff.

This is a Greentstyle Sky Tank in the shortest length with added powernet, auditioning to be a sports bra-top combo. This is fabric I bought vs. stash fabric but I only got a half yard (from Harmony, now sold out online).

Why is it auditioning? Because I wanted to try the clean finish construction method, even though I’ve made this before, and because I wanted to see if I liked the idea of a longline bra-top before I cut into … the Liberty activewear deadstock prints I just got from England (whoops).

Once we knew Toby was going to be ok on Saturday morning, there was a chunk of six or so hours when we could stop worrying but before we could bring him home. What do you do while you wait? Sew, of course.

This is another “in between top” (last seen in the fall), when you don’t need a full sweatshirt but could use long sleeves. Like before, I used the Named Patterns Sloane Sweatshirt, but I added about an inch total to the center front and back for a boxier shape. I also left off the bottom band–was it because I like the cropped look or because I forgot to add width to it to match what I did to the body? Who can say.

And that fabric! I just got rid of a lot of fabric I didn’t LOVE, so it was time to start using the good stuff. This is from a print run from Doops Designs, who usually does ready-made clothing but will offer some yardage periodically.  Obviously  I didn’t hesitate to get it shipped from Australia last year.

Using fabric I already have to make a pattern I’ve already made, twice in a row, was not thrilling sewing. But I needed gym bras and I was on a tear to sort and use all my sewing detritus, so the timing was right.

This is my trusted Greenstyle Embrace pattern with a layer of powernet between the front and the lining. The powernet was leftover from the bottle pocket on my travel backpack (!) and the scraps have been sitting in my “big athletic scraps” box for 3-5 years (!!).

I couldn’t be bothered to change the thread in my cover stitch machine so I just did a honeycomb stitch around the neck binding, but I immediately regretted it because the cover stitch looks so much more professional. Oh well! They’re finished and I already wore one to the gym yesterday. Plus I can check something off the “sewing intentions” list.