SEWN: all the things in the second half of 2020

In the second half of 2020 I still sewed all the things. I think this year, in particular, many hobbyists turned to sewing as a creative outlet. For me, sewing also became a job. Both as a freelancer doing technical pattern/marketing/blogging work, and also blogger makes. This massively contributed to the amount of output. Here’s the breakdown of the July to December sewing makes.

If you’re keen to see my January to June makes, see this post.

All the things from July – December: 40 makes

• Fibre Mood sewalongs: due to lockdown, this was the year of the sewalong. Between July to December, 15 of the garments I made were related in some way to a sew-along.
• Sewing for others: 10 items (of which 5 were sewalong related).
• Pattern promotion: there were 4 things from sponsored patterns. I also had a few pieces of sponsored fabric but I used all of it for work-related makes.

The handful of clothes I made that don’t fit into any of the above categories were items I made because I felt like it. Also not included in the 40 things are a couple of quilt tops, a load of kids stuff (for my own kids and that I sold), and 100+ masks.

July (6 items)

• Fibre Mood Norma x2 (sewalong): full details on this post. The blue Liberty lawn was because I fancied it and the white broderie anglaise was to refilm the sewalong when the live video didn’t save. I gave that to my friend.
• Fibre Mood Hettie (sewalong): another sewalong make; read about that here on the Lamazi blog. Alas, the shape wasn’t right for me even after a ton of design adjustments so it’s been refashioned (blog to come!)
• Fibre Mood Rosalie (sewalong): the Storrs cotton lawn was gorgeous, but the dress did not suit me at all! I re-fashioned it into Fibre Mood Holly, see this post.
• I Am Patterns Cassiopee: Storrs London blue floral cotton lawn. I’m on the fence about this one, it may get refashioned later. Pattern sponsored by Makerist.com.
• Named Inari tee: in double gauze from offcuts from another project. It was in my WIP pile for 2 years so I thought I better bust it or ditch it.

August (7 items)

• Fibre Mood Mary: for my niece in blue seersucker. I might have bought extra fabric for myself but I haven’t done anything with it yet.
• Just Patterns Stephanie skirt: statement yellow cotton with paint dabs from my stash. Best. Skirt. Ever. I wore it to both my in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary and my mister’s 40th birthday and felt like a million bucks!
• Just Patterns Kate bias top (pattern since retired): black silk from my stash.
• Just Patterns Naomi bias skirt (pattern since retired): Tencel™ from my stash. The elastic a clean finish, but the elastic I have curls, making it uncomfortable to wear. I’m debating whether I want to refashion it next year or put in a zip (ha! Zip on a bias, good luck with that….) And that top? A really old silk one made years ago. I replaced the sleeve facings with bias tape and now it is great!
• Common Stitch Loungewear set shorts: from scraps of leftover linen. I forgot to post or photograph them! I’m a subscriber to Peppermint Magazine anyway, but even you are not you can download the patterns from their website here.
• Just Patterns Tyra tee: a beta test to feedback on the design. I posted about Tyra tees here.
• Fibre Mood Lola top (sewalong): a blog about that here on the Sew Me Sunshine site (they sponsored the fabric).

September (6 items)

• Fibre Mood Indira: in a funky viscose linen painterly stripe. The fabric was meant to be for a sewalong but it did not arrive on time. So I made this instead for a friend.
• Fibre Mood Guilia (issue 11 link party – where bloggers are invited to preview new patterns from the new issues): made in Tencel™ from my stash.
• Fibre Mood Ida (sewalong): Tencel™ from my stash. Not a fan of this shade of buttercup on me so it might be ditched.
• Just Patterns Tyra Tee: a big green tee! I posted about Tyra tees here.
• Fibre Mood Paris (sewalong): made for a friend. A blog about that here as the fabric was sponsored by Minerva.
• Orageuse Laurier: cotton lawn from Storrs with some leftovers, pattern sponsored by Makerist.com.

October (8 items)

• Vogue 8964: pics and details here. a dressing gown for the mister and my very first big 4 pattern (really!) It was for his 40th birthday, there’s a pic below of the dressing gown at rather fancy place where we stayed.
• 3x Papercut Rise turtlenecks: because I decided that turtlenecks would be my new basic! I bought fabric from Madeline de Stoffenmadam and a local shop. Round up here.
• 2x Fibre Mood Bertha (sewalong): I liked the first one so much I made a second!
• Just Patterns Tatjana trousers: favourite fancy trousers ever, read about them here. This was a beta test with fabric sponsored by Meter Meter
• Paper Theory Kabuki tee: a refashion from the sewalong Hettie skirt I made in July. Pics etc and separate blog post to come!

November (6 items)

• Fibre Mood Daniella (issue 12 link party): a turtleneck with a twist! Read my turtleneck round-up here.
• Just Patterns Tyra sweater: I bought some grid sweatshirting for a Fibre Mood sewalong, but the schedule changed. By then I fancied a sweatshirt anyway, read about it here.
• Fibre Mood Frikka (sewalong) x2: made for a friend. Alas, she is very tall and has a longer body and longer arms than the pattern, so I had to make it again! I’m taking the old one for myself.
• Fibre Mood Bonnie: my sister’s name is Bonnie + I loved the blouse, so naturally I wanted to make one.
• Fibre Mood Luz (sewalong): made for my sister in law. Forgot to take a photo of this one before I gave it to her!

December (7 items):

• Fibre Mood Holly x2 (sewalong): first one as a blouse – a refashion from the failed Rosalie earlier in the year – read that here. And a second one for my friend during the sewalong.
• Fibre Mood Carole: (sewalong): Tencel™ from my stash, for a friend. Can you tell I was in orange / rust colour mode?!
• Lotte Martens Cypres box: a sweater with a sparkle print for my sister, sponsored by Lotte Martens. Read about that here.
• Tessuti Apron: free pattern. Made as a Christmas gift with Marimekko fabric courtesy of my friend’s destash. My mister decided he wants one too …
• Plisse skirt: it took me 3 years to buy the fabric for this! Another blog to come.
• Finally, a Nani Iro special with Minerva fabric which is to be finished imminently! You can see what it’s going to be here.

Other stuff

• Quilt tops: two completed for charity. The blocks had all been sent to me previously. I love all Suzy Quilt patterns and it was super fun to play with the colours.
• Masks: 100+. My favourite pattern is the Japanese Sewing Books one (free). Great reviews from anyone who has received one.

2020 Sewing Tally

January to June: 23 makes

July to December: 40 makes

Total for 2020: 63

That’s a lot of sewing and clothes…

It sure is!!! Whilst I am detailed with my finishings etc. I still sew pretty fast. This year was not about sewing for my wardrobe or curating a wardrobe – that was already full before the year began. Instead, it’s mostly been about teaching and inspiring others. I even taught some in-person classes as well as online when Covid rules permitted!

Next year? Well, sewing is still my job so there will be sewing. And maybe a bit less, or if not, then more to give to others and more refashioning. I am still looking forward to trying new styles or construction techniques that I may never otherwise try or use. After all, every make as an opportunity to improve and practise skills!

And sustainable sewing?

I plan to go back to sustainability blogging as well. There are actually several unfinished posts in the works, I just need to give myself a talking to and actually finish and publish them!

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with my favourite outfit. My fancy yellow skirt, and a sports jacket that I made for mister some years ago. It was his birthday and probably the best day we had this year!!!

Happy New Year!

Kate xx