Sewing Stats for 2015

Yay! My favorite time of year! I love seeing my sewing stats and reading about everyone else’s!
I’ve been keeping up on a spreadsheet this year and it tells me I sewed a total of 173.75 yards of fabric and $910.01 worth of material!



It’s no surprise to me that MissK and I dominate this category.  However, I was quite surprised to see that I made 61 things for myself this year and 60 for MissK.  One of my goals was to sew more things for me and I am glad I reached that goal. 



I’m not surprised at all that Jalie and Ottobre dominate my sewing pattern usage.  This next year I would like to sew more from the Big 4 as well as Burda patterns.




Another thing that doesn’t surprise me is that I sewed mainly with Jersey fabrics.  I decided to lump together Cotton Lycra, Rayon Jersey, and Poly Spandex.  I just love sewing with knits and all of us love to wear them.



This chart surprised me a bit as I thought that tops would have been a much higher percentage; also, I didn’t realize I sewed so much underwear! lol.  My goal this next year is to work on more pants and dresses.



Can you believe I sewed 29 things in December!  I was very surprised at that.  Taking the month off in November really helped me get my mojo back.  Other than December, I am pretty consistent each month in sewing about 11 things.

So.  Looking forward. 
I hope to remain consistent with my sewing.  I want to sew more patterns from the Big 4 and from my Burda magazines.  I will continue to sew more for myself.  I will work on sewing more pants (jeans) and dresses too. I'm not going to make any set resolutions this year.  I won't be going on a fabric diet or a pattern restriction.  I'll join contests as they align with what I'm sewing.  I want 2016 to be less stressful so I'm not going to place any limits or goals upon myself.  How about you? Was 2015 a good year for you?  What do you hope 2016 brings?

Goodbye 2015 and Hello 2016!!   May this year be a great one for all of you!

Last Sewings of 2015

Here are the last things I’ve sewn in 2015.  I made them all in the last week and hoped I could get pictures before the new year! 

Pattern: I just couldn’t stay away from the Patterns for Pirates patterns.  I wanted to try the Henley.  It is a bit more fitted than the Raglan so I went with my actual measurements.  I cut and sewed a size L in the bust/waist and XL in the hips.  I sewed the placket neck, long sleeves hemmed, and curved hemline.  Of course this pattern has a ton of different options to sew, like all P4P patterns. 



Instructions and Sewing: The instructions are great but I was just slightly confused with one step of the placket.  You know how I struggle with those plackets!  I still think Jalie’s 2562 incturctions for a placket are the best yet.  The curved hem was very sharp too.  Usually there is a small flat part at the hip which makes it easy to turn up the hem.  This one met at an angle and was a bear to hem.  I had to snip my fabric just to get it to turn.  I’d modify this curve a bit if I sew it again. 



Fabric: The very softest French Terry I’ve ever felt.  Wearing this fabric is like wearing a cloud!  2 yards of Navy Two Tone French Terry Fabric from Stylish Fabric.  Purchased Nov 2015 for $14.80.  I thought it would be much thicker and have 4 way stretch.  It only has 2 way and is really thin, but still super soft.  87% Polyester 9% Rayon 4% Spandex mix.  I can’t recommend Stylish Fabric as a place to buy though.  They took forever to get my fabric to me and most of it was so thin. 



Thoughts: I love the feel of this top.  I love the color.  I’m not sure if it looks to much like Pajamas to be worn in public though.  I also have a bit of pulling across my butt so I need to add a 1/2” of fabric there next time.  I don’t want to take it off, however, so it must be a win!




Pattern: The P4P raglan strikes again!  This is the 3rd one I’ve sewn this month.  This shows how much I love this pattern!



Instructions and sewing: You can read my thoughts on the instructions in my other two posts: elephant raglan and hooded raglan.  I added 2” to the length.  This one is also a size M bust/waist to an XL at the hip.  I used the curved hem, long sleeves with cuffs, and round neckline.  The curve on this hem is perfect and I had no issues turning it up to hem it.  I slimmed 3 inches off each side seam from nothing at bust to 3” at waist to nothing at hip.  I like the slimmer fit. 



Fabric: 1.25 yards of Teal/Purple Print Double Knit, 97% Polyester 3% Lycra; purchased from fashionfabricsclub in Oct 2015 for $6.19 and 1 yard of Peacock Blue Solid Cotton Spandex Knit from Girl Charlee, Aug 2015 for $6.50.  Total for shirt: $12.69



Thoughts: I love this one just as much as the other two I made.  I like that this one is long enough to wear my leggings with!  My hooded one was just a tad too short for leggings.  I feel that leggings aren’t pants, and my tops must be long enough to cover my butt to wear the leggings, lol. 


Next I made a ton (7) Pairs of Jalie 3242 underwear for myself with fabric scraps.  I found this blog post showing me how to have the front and back crotch seams enclosed so I modifed my pattern for this.  I love them all but the bird one (yellow) has to be my fav. pair.  Yes, I used my silhouette to vinyl my underwear!  I’m addicted, what can I say : )  Anyway, I’ve made this pattern numerous times and I just love the fit.  They are so comfortable and actually cover my whole backside.  The best part is that they do not ride at all.  I used fold over elastic on all the leg seams and waists. 




Miss K received two new pairs of Ottobre 01/2009 #29 Saija Sweatpants.  This is her favorite pants pattern.  I think if I counted right this is the 8th and 9th pair I’ve made for her.  I sized up to the 152, reduced the front rise by 1” and shortened by 2” in length.  I use 2” wide elastic inside the yoga waistband to help hold them up. 



Fabric: 1 yard of Bright Purple Velour purchased Oct 2015 from fashionfabricsclub for $3.75; and 1 yard of “mouse” gray velour purchased Dec 2014 from Natures Fabrics for $9.




And Mr. T received a new pair of pajama shorts from the pattern he loves most Ottobre 06/2011 #37 Green Check Boxer Shorts



These shorts have been made 10 times before!
Bear Flannel and Space Nov 2014
Bart Simpson and Perry the Platypus May 2014
Long pjs pants and fuzzy shorts Jul 2013
Altered to shorts with piped pockets Jun 2013
Terry Cloth pj shorts Feb 2013
Space pj shorts with mock fly Jan 2013
Blue gingham shorts with mock fly Jan 2013

Fabric: 1.5 yards Pokemon Characters Blue Cotton Woven.  From Hancocks in Sept. 2015 for $7.71 on sale. 

I sized up to a 164 this time and added 1” to the waistband to fit in my 2” elastic.  They were a bit low before this and is rear was starting to show.  Now they fit great, if a little bit to grow into. 




So that’s it for 2015.  My next post will list my stats for the year and such.   I'm giddy with excitement to look over all my charts and data because I'm a numbers geek like that :D

What I’ve Been Up To

I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing the last week, craft wise.  I have been working slowly on my flannel shirt; I’m still in the pattern altering stages because I can’t make up my mind if I want a boxy fit or a more tapered fit.  Tapered seems to be winning though. 

I’ve also made up my mind to start working on some jeans.  Jalie jeans.  You will see more on that in the future. 

Since I received my Silhouette I’ve been playing with it quite a bit.  I love using it and feel like I want to vinyl everything!  It sure is addicting.  Here are some of the things I’ve vinyl-ed this week. 

A shirt for my husband who is an “Office” fanatic

*note* I purchased these next 3 tees at Walmart for cheap because it was faster than sewing them)

A Christmas T-shirt for Mr. T (from the movie Elf)

A Christmas shirt for Miss K (also from the movie Elf)

This toilet monster was made to play a joke on Mr. T (who didn’t even notice, sigh).  But I saw it on Facebook and had to do it; I actually really like it.  This is Mr. T’s toilet, not the main bath

Miss K helped me make this cup for her teacher and ornament for her Great Grandma

This tee was made for my nephew

And this was made for his brother, my other nephew

Mr. T requested this Pokemon Shirt (tee from Hobby Lobby as they are on sale this week)

And I made the kids these Sleep masks for Christmas; sewing the mask and then vinyling them

I also made Miss K a “mermaid tail” blanket.  She crawls inside it so it’s like she is a mermaid on the bottom half (it’s like a tube)  ** I forgot to add, this pattern is free and can be found here **

1 yard Purple Heart Polar Fleece, purchased Jan 2015 from fashion fabrics club for $4.50; and 1 yard Pink Zebra Minky, purchased from Mill End in Aug 2013 for $4.  This blanket cost $8.50 total

And Mr. T got a “shark” blanket, made to look like the shark is eating him.  He crawls inside this one too.  1.5 yards Fleece Hockey/Football from Fabric.com purchased way back in March 2012! $5.99  I was glad to finally get this out of my stash.  as well as 1 yard Royal Blue Fleece purchased from Hancocks sometime for some price. lol.  We'll say this blanket cost $10 to make. 

I vinyl-ed Miss K’s wall. It was hard to photograph this because her walls are pink.

In other random life things, we got our new washer 2 weeks ago and I love this thing!  It's our first front loader.  (Nala is not so sure about it)

What Nala is sure of is that she must help me with all my projects; Thanks Nala

We attended Mr. T’s winter band concert with my mom

We have a weird animal that made a den in our backyard next to our tree stump that is turning green

‘   

Oh and the dogs are finally getting along better after 11 months of torture

Other than that we are just hanging out and enjoying family time for the holidays.  I hope your family is all safe and well and that you are enjoying your holiday with them too! 

Hooded Raglan and Leggings

Have you ever made an outfit you just fell in love with immediately?  Ah I just love this outfit!  I feel sort of like a badass when I wear it. 

Both patterns are Patterns for Pirates

I promised you I would remake the Ottobre raglan into a P4P raglan because I had enough leftover fabric.  And since my serger was ready to go with black thread, I made it right away. 

The raglan is size M (one size down from my measurements).  I scooped in the waist by 3 inches on each side for a more fitted look.  This time I added a hood and thumbhole cuffs as well as a curved hem (all options with the pattern).

Fabric: 1 yard black cotton lycra knit from Wal-Mart for $5.98 and 1 yard White/Black Lace Print cotton lycra knit purchased in Nov. from Fashion Fabrics Club for $2.63.  Total for the shirt: $8.61

The leggings are called “PegLegs” and you can actually get this pattern for free if you join the facebook group.  The code is in the pinned post I think.

I made the size for my measurements, XL.  They looked so tiny when I was done sewing them!  I put them on and thought they were tight but after 2 minutes they molded to my body and I didn’t want to take them off!  They are super comfortable.  Plus, they were the fastest sew.

Fabric: 1 yard Black Cotton lycra knit from Wal-Mart $5.98

I have my flannel shirt traced out, I just need to build courage to cut the fabric.  I also want to get 5 Christmas presents sewn up this week.  Have you gotten all of your holiday sewing finished?

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Merryweather Top & Dress Pattern

I recently tested this new pattern by Stitch Upon a Time (SUAT) and was pleasantly surprised.  As you know, I usually have to make adjustments to every pattern I sew.  My typical adjustments are 1/4” square shoulder, full bust, swayback, and to widen for the hips.  So when I was assigned to make a straight size M I was a bit skeptical. 

Surprisingly the top fit perfectly!  With NO adjustments!  When does that ever happen? lol.  The pattern is a PDF but has the no trim pages so if you print with “borderless” settings on your printer and make sure size is “actual” or “100%” then assembly is a breeze. 

This pattern has great options too.  You can make slim fit, normal fit, flared fit. A top, a tunic, a dress.  Short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, long sleeve.  Cuffs or no cuffs.  Round neck, V-neck, or a cute “turtleneck”.  Color blocked or not.

My first top was made with a lightweight sweater knit that had tons of stretch.  I made size M with long sleeves, hemmed; rounded neck, and normal fit.  This took 1.75 yards of Gray Stripe Sweater Knit that I purchased in May 2015 from Hancocks for $7.39.

I love, love, love this top.  It is really slimming and the fabric is so soft. 

Next I tried to make the color blocked option because we all know I’m obsessed with color blocking

I made a M again, normal fit, long sleeves with cuffs.  This time I used cotton lycra which has good stretch, but not as much as my sweater knit.  The fit on this one was also perfect.  I made no adjustments either.  This is actually my new favorite shirt! 

The fabric is 1 yard of “Midnight Kaleidoscope” cotton lycra from Purpleseamstress, purchased in March 2015 for $10.  And 1 yard of “Peacock Blue” cotton lycra from Girl Charlee, purchased August 2015 for $6.50.  The total for this shirt is $16.50. 

I’m super happy with this pattern.  I can’t wait to make the “turtleneck” option.  I have that in quotes because it is not a true turtleneck, but a split one that lays flat.  It is really cute!

I would never recommend a pattern I didn’t’ truly like.  I do recommend this pattern though!  The Merryweather Top & Dress pattern is on sale for only 2 more days if you are interested in the pattern.  Use coupon code merryweather25 for 25% off (Through 12/15).  You can find the top here: http://stitchuponatime.com/product/merryweather-top-dress/

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~