Mending a rip

I was asked to repair a rip in the back panel of this garment. As you can see, the rip was horizontal and quite long. 

In this kind of rip, I will have to provide a backing layer of fabric on the wrong side, and darn over from the right side to sew the rip closed. 

Although I used the thread that matches the fabric, the repaired area is visible. However, since this is a night shirt, I hope the user gets more use out of it for a while longer. 

Snow skirt

A while back, my friend gave me an outerwear fabric that is meant for an outer shell. The outside blocks wind, and the inside is lined with a thin fleece material. 

I thought I would make a jacket with the fabric, but I had a different idea and executed it. 

This is a snow skirt! 

I would be wearing it over a pair of pants when I go outside if I have to be outside for an extended amount of time. A layer of this fabric blocks the wind from going through my pants, as a result my legs should stay warm. 

I had to make sure I measured my waist with a fleece or hoodie because I want to wear it like a jacket for my leg. 

I do have a long down filled coat that goes almost to my ankle, but that coat is so hot. I have to wait till it gets below -20 degrees Celsius before I wear it. So, I wanted to make something that is suitable for the in-between coldness. 

I reused an open-ended zipper from an old jacket that I saved when the jacket was no longer viable as a jacket. (I kept all the zippers from that jacket.) That is why the colours do not match, but the zipper does not show while I am wearing the skirt. 

You may ask, "Why snow skirt?" This is because if I have to take off a pair of snow pants, then I would have to take off the boots. That can be quite a lot of work if I am bundled up with a heavy jacket, scarf, and huge mittens. Once I take off my mittens to undo the boot laces, my hands get cold, and when I take my boots off, the toes may freeze off! But with this snow skirt, since I can unzip it all the way down and it separates at the bottom, it's just like taking off a jacket. I don't have to take off my mittens and boots. 

I wore it for a walk of 1.5 hours at -18 degrees Celsius, and it kept me warm (with jeans underneath). It was not in the way of walking at all, and it was like having a longer coat covering my legs. This time, we did not stop at a cafe at the end of the walk, so I did not have to take off my snow skirt. 

I think it will be used quite often this winter. 

Train cushions

These are a set of pillows with a train fabric. The outer layer has a zipper, so if it needs laundering, it's easy to wash.  

I was a little concerned if I had enough matching thread... This is what was left when I finished. Phew. 

Shoulder bag and pouches

This shoulder bag is for a special boy who loves trains. 

With the remnants, I was able to make a couple of pouches as well. The fabric is mostly grey, so I chose a colourful zipper to make it a little more fun. 

Jeans waist adjustment

I had to adjust the waist of the jeans to make the pair fit my shape. If I forget to use a belt, the pants kept on lowering, and that feeling is just not good. 

I saw darts in the yoke of her pants on my friend's handmade pants, and I thought, "Why not darts on the yoke?" This means I can adjust the waist of the jeans without touching the side seams (where there are often rivets at the end of the of pocket openings). 

 It's hard to see above the two darts. So, here is another photo. 

I put two darts and I cut the waist band in the middle to fit the new waist length. On the right side, there is a belt loop, so no one sees the waist band seam at the centre back. 

Now the pants fit me well. 

I had bought these pairs a long time ago (about 10 years ago?), and I don't know why I bought a stretchy pair. The stretchiness was one of the reasons that the entire pants feel like they don't stay. Now they stay on better, but I feel like I am just wearing a pair of stretchy leggings. Ten-year-younger me must have thought it was good to have some stretch, but now I feel I should have just bought jeans with no stretch. Well, the next pair of jeans I own will be the pair I make myself! :)

A short sleeve raglan top

I have made myself a top. It has short raglan sleeves, and it's really comfortable to wear. Since I am of the age when it gets hot and cold many times a day, it is always nice to be able to layer. 

I am running out of photos of what I have made in the past, so the blog posts will be made less frequently now.

Bra

Yes, bras can be sewn. I wanted to try making some, and I stumbled across a cute pattern on Etsy. 

The pattern is called Brigette Triangle Bra by OhhhLuluSews. It was a PDF pattern, so the download was quick and easy. 

There are so many styles of bras out there, and I wanted something simple and comfortable. I made one, and it is pretty good. 

I don't like frills and girly embellishments, so I just went with simple contrast of blue and white. 

Shirt remake

This shirt used to be my husband's shirt that I made a long time ago. It was slightly fitted style, and he did not like it all that much, so he wore it only once in a while. So, I confiscated the shirt and remade it into my sleeveless shirt.  A few little tweaks, and it fits me perfectly. 

Baby jinbei

Another baby outfit! This is called Jinbei, and it is a Japanese summer outfit with shorter sleeves and short pants. 

I did not have a pattern for this, but I found how to make it on a Japanese website, and I followed the instructions. Again, I made this a little while ago for a friend's baby, and the then-baby is growing up so fast. :) 

Shorts

I dug up this photo in an album from a while ago. It's a cotton twill short pants. I did not like shorts that were too short, so I decided to make shorts with longer legs. They are just around the knee length. 

I wanted something summery for warmer weather, so I chose white cotton fabric. But after I wore this pair of shorts for a while, I remember why I didn't have white pants for a long time. They are harder to keep clean. 

Baby dress

This is made of McCall's sewing pattern 2053. 

It was fun making this tiny dress, and the then-baby is now a beautiful girl who is very talented. :) 

For me, challenge of making a baby dress was that everything was so small. I am used to sewing adult size clothes, and the size of the arm scythe was so small, making it harder to set in the sleeves. But I managed. Phew. 

Belt

I made this lace-up belt a while ago and used it a while on dresses that did not have pockets. I wanted to have my cell phone with me as I go about my day, so I had to have something with a pocket. 

I used the belt pattern that came with the peasant shirt pattern (Simplicity 5799). 

The belt was handy while my phone fit in that little pocket. The phone sizes grew, and my current phone does not fit in it any more. So, I should make another one with a bigger pocket, but you know how a "to make" list keeps on growing... 

Knapsacks

 Here are a few knapsacks I made a while back. 

I always like to add a pocket just in case you want to get organized inside the bag. 

Fanny pack

This is a fanny pack I use when I go for a quick walk or a bike ride around the neighbourhood. I just pop in my keys, phone, etc., and it's a perfect size. This is made with Simplicity 8069 pattern. 

I lined it with a remnant from an old project. 

I added an extra pocket on the back side of the bag, but I hardly use it...  Maybe when I make it next, I can omit this extra pocket. 

Obi remake bags

As mentioned in yesterday's post, here are some bags that are made of previously loved obi (sash) fabrics. The fabrics were taken from obi (kimono sash), and they are silk. 

These bags are perfect for carrying small things around that do not fit in your purse or pocket. 

There is an interior pocket with a pen slot.

Also a little D-ring for clipping your key chain, etc. 

Each bag is slightly different in sizes because I try to make the most of the available fabric to make a bag, but this one is about 11" x 11". 

Kimono remake pouches

These are made of previously loved Japanese kimono or kimono obi (sash) fabrics. 

I believe in giving previously loved textile items new lives by remaking them into something else. Since I enjoy making bags and pouches, I often remake them into this kind of pouches. The ones on the left are made of wool fabrics from kimono (yes, not all kimono are made of silk), and the ones on the right are made of obi (these are silk). 

Zabuton (sitting mats)

I don't know if you heard of Zabuton. A zabuton is a sitting "futon" or sitting mat. It is used to sit on. :) In Japan when I was growing up, it was pretty common to sit on the floor and we used zabuton all the time. 

I know people in the west don't usually sit on the floor much, but sometimes it is still comfortable sitting on the floor. Therefore, I had to make some zabuton myself. 

I researched the size for them, and they are usually about 50 cm x 50 cm. I am sure you can make it smaller or larger as you like. I upcycled an old Japanese futon to to use in these zabutons and other bench seats. The old wool mattress has gotten quite flat to use as a mattress, but it was still good for these uses. 

Simple drawstring bags to replace gift wrap

Have you thought about switching to using cloth bags for your gift giving? I see after Christmas a lot of wrapping paper and materials in the recycle bags. It is fun to rip into paper-wrapped gifts, but the amount of waste is mind boggling (even if they are supposedly "recycled"). 

Simple string bags are easy to make, and you can ask the bags back to be used again and again. Or you can ask the gift receivers to use them for something else. 

You can come take a sewing lesson to make them yourself. One hour should be enough to make a bag if you already know how to sew a straight line on the sewing machine. 

Sleeping shirt and about sewing time

I made a simple sleeping shirt without a collar in raglan sleeves. Sometimes I find a collar to be in a way when I'm sleeping, and I wanted to have my night shirt without it. I also made the sleeves a little shorter because I find full length sleeves to be a little too hot. (For this sleeping shirt, I modified Butterick B5261 pattern designed by Connie Crawford.) 

It's nice to be able to just make something I feel comfortable in when I sleep. 

Sometimes people think it is very quick to make a simple project and when I tell them how much time it may take to make, they do not want to hire me to make it any more. 

There are four pieces to make this shirt: front, back, and sleeves. This shirt took about three hours to make from cutting the fabrics to finishing the hems in simple finish. If I were to break it down to each steps, it is like this:

1. Lay the prepared patterns (cut to the size) on the fabric, pin them in place and cut the pieces out. 

2. Mark all the necessary marks so you can identify the pieces of the fabrics. 

3. Prepare the edges with serger to prevent the fabrics from fraying. 

4. Put the pieces together to sew one seam at a time. (This shirt has about 6 seams to sew.) 

5. After sewing each seam, press the seams. (Without this step, the garment does not look good.)

6. Finish the neckline with a binding and installing a placket and snaps. 

7. Finish the hems of the sleeves. 

8. Finish the bottom hem. 

I am talking about a very simple shirt like this one takes about three hours to make. Imagine if this shirt had a stand collar, front buttons, back yoke, and cuffs with plackets. 

Have you ever thought about how factories make so many pieces of garments to be sold at a very low price at a store? It is because they streamline the work to cut down on the cost, time, and all else that can be cut. Each person who sew at a factory like that would be sewing one thing all day long... 

This means the person who is sewing is just sewing one part of a garment and does not have the sense of satisfaction of finishing one project, but he/she can't do anything about it because it's just a job for him/her. I know that the apparel industry does provide jobs for those who need them. 

But I like making my own clothes because I can make it the way I like and can have the satisfaction of finishing a project. I also know that I do a high-quality job in sewing. Sometimes with the ready-made clothing items, you can see all the shortcuts... I don't do shortcuts when I make my own clothes, and they last longer. 

A linen jacket

This is a jacket I made a couple of years ago. It's made of a navy linen fabric. This is made with Simplicity 8177 pattern. 

I had a black fabric with a pattern on it, and I decided to use it as a back panel as shown below. 

As I was running out of the navy blue linen fabric, I used contrasting fabrics (remnants I had in my stash) in the hidden places just for fun. 

This is a nice jacket to use in warmer days at night or in the morning. 

Patchwork blanket

I had a lot of small pieces of Japanese cotton fabrics and Japanese-like cotton fabrics in my stash. I wasn't too sure what to make out of them. At that time towards the end of the COVID time, the demand for the face masks had dwindled because more and more disposable masks were available at stores. Rather than just keeping them in the fabric stash, I decided to make them into a small blanket by piecing them together. 

 This is a perfect size to use on my lap when it's a little chilly while sitting on a couch. 

Some fabrics were actually from Japan and are called kasuri, and others are Japan-like prints. But I think they went well together. 

Cushion covers

I wanted something that completely matched my futon couch. So, I got a sheet set, and for the mattress, I used the fitted sheet, and for the pillow or cushion covers, I made pillow/cushion covers using the other sheet from the same set. 

I also have sensitivity issues with different fabrics, so I wanted to have 100% cotton fabric for this. However, the quilting fabrics are too narrow and I would have to piece fabrics together to make the mattress cover. In addition, the quilting fabrics are not cheap... 

I went shopping for a good cotton sheet set on a sale, and here they are. I actually find that some cotton sheets are a better quality than some fabrics you buy at a fabric store. So, when I find a good sheet, I will not hesitate to use it for making clothes as well.  

Hand woven cushion cover

A potholder loom is so fun! You may think it is for kids' craft. But why not enjoy it as an adult, too. I had a few pieces of squares woven, and I decided to make them into a cushion cover.  

I stitched them by hand using a pice of green yarn, and here it is. Colourful, fun cushion cover! 

I am no means a professional when it comes to weaving, so I do not take orders for this kind of item. But I whole heartedly recommend you try it out. I sewed in a zipper on one of the edge of the pillow cover. 

Some raglan shirts

I was itching to make myself some new tops for the fall, and I did! I wanted some fun and colourful shirts, and here they are. (The pattern used for this shirt is a modified one based on Simplicity 5799.)

There are some foxes, porcupines, acorns, mushrooms, and leaves. I like it. 

The next one is a carrot print. 

Here's the closeup of the carrots that are scattered all over. This reminds me that I should arrest some carrots in a pot before it gets too cold. 

My friend gave me those fabrics, and I am very grateful for the generous length of each fabrics she gave me. They were both at least 2 metres in length. 

If you're thinking of gifting some fabrics to friends who sew clothes, at least 2 meters is a very good length. With 0.5 metre or 1 metre, one cannot really make much. Of course, one can make small items and accessories, like pouches, bags and scrunchies, but not too many clothing items. If you are going to surprise your sewing friend, a minimum of 2 metres is often needed to make something that is wearable. For example, with 1 metre, maybe a sleeveless top for a medium sized-person can be made. But 3 to 4 metres of fabric can be made into a pajama set or a dress. This also depends on the width of the fabric. Sometimes, 1.5 metres of a wide fabric can be enough to make a shirt with long sleeves. It also depends on what the clothe size is, too. 

Red pouches

I was asked to make a gift set, and here they are I had enough fabrics to make a pouch (a pen case? cosmetic case?), a triangle case, and a cable holder with a lobster clip. 

Making these are fun, and it takes about 1.5 hours altogether because I already have the patterns. from cutting the fabrics and sewing them all up. Just to give you an idea. 

No-waste pants

I made a pair of Jones Trousers using the pattern by Goldfinch Textile Studio, using poly-cotton twill fabric. 

This is what it looks like. I made a few changes including the directions of the front tucks, the pant lengths, and elimination of the pant leg band, in order to fit my preference and my leg length. 

It's a wonderful pair of pants. It has huge pockets, and it's very comfortable. 

What I was really excited about this sewing pattern is the fact the pattern pieces are designed to be no waste or minimal waste. As you can see below, there's almost no remnants after cutting all the pieces. 

Below is the view after the pieces were cut. 

So, if you don't want to leave any wasted fabric, this is wonderful. It does what it promised. 

However, after wearing it several times, I found the pants a little too baggy for my preference, and this time I did not make any adjustment for that. I just wear them baggy. Also, when I shortened my pants, the gusset pieces made it a bit bulky at the ankles, and I know there has to be a better way to shortening the pants, but I did not try to make it better in my first try. 

I look at other patterns by the Goldfinch Textile Studio and other ones in the cyber space, I wonder if the issues for me are the fit. I you like roomy, comfortable garments, maybe it's all right. But I am not sure if I like shirts without nicely fitted set-in sleeves right at the shoulders, for example. The pants with gussets, rather than curves for the crotch area, have a couple of spots of tension points where it starts to rip. 

Although I love the idea of leaving no or minimum waste, I'll have to think hard about what I will do with the fit issues and length adjusting with this pants before I make another pair using this pattern. 

Fleece mittens

It is getting a little cooler these days, and I wonder when I have to take my mittens out. 

These are made of some leftover fleece fabric I had on hand. The fleece fabric isn't very thick, so this pair of mittens make very good liners to wear under knitted mittens for a cold day, or I wear them alone on not so cold days. 

It was fun adding this little detail with chain stitches.