I’ve been logging my sews as a celebration of time and creativity. Here is my sewing journal from the first half of the year!
Last year I was inspired by Sharaine’s journal pages she shared with us in our Autumn Inspiration blog.
I felt deeply that this was a practice I wanted to begin.
So much of my sewing is for pattern testing these days: First draft toiles, fit test after fit test, then eventually a finished product. Amongst that, a smattering of personal sewing for me and my family.
I decided that this journal would be for celebrated sews – one’s we use and enjoy – not the process of testing garments and usable toiles.
Want to see?
((My handwriting and doodles don’t reflect who I am as a person, haha.))
Sophie’s Sewing Journal Jan-June 22
I began the year by sewing a sleeveless Pōhutukawa Dress.
I was sewing it while I should have been packing for an 8 day camping trip, oops! Instead of packing I was sitting at my machine in my underwear (for quick try on’s!) whipping up this sleeveless version.
I omitted the sleeves and used bias binding to finish the sleeve and neckline. Next time, I would cut in the front of the sleeve armscye on the front by about 1cm to create more shape and movement (this goes for any sleeve to sleeveless hacks if you ever want to do your own!)
Sewn from cotton scraps from a large quilt top (that is still a WIP)
While I was coming down with covid I frantically sewed together this cushion cover. Then, hand quilted it with cotton while I was recovering. I spent many afternoons watching Outlander and stitching straight lines. They are nice warm memories to reflect on amongst the rest of life at that time.
This quilted cushion cover now sits proudly on our couch.
The Rimu Dress and Autumn Embroidery were both new pattern releases this year.
This was one of the promotion garments for the Autumn Embroidery design, but if I can be honest the dress wasn’t finished at the time of shooting the photos! It was pinned together and we took photos cropping out the centre front. Shhh!
The Rimu Dress is a purple pinwale corduroy and it is so lovely styled for winter wear. Katie loves this dress!
Sewn from necessity, Katie needed a new robe. I used the free Sleepy Robe pattern by Melly Sews.
The pattern max’s out at size 8 (Katie is a 9), so I lengthened the arms and body by 5cm.
Graeme kindly pointed out that the mermaid scale nap was sewn in the wrong direction. Who gave him nap accreditation?!
Thanks Melly Sews!
New Pattern Release
The big one! The Tio Trousers sewing pattern release, along with 2 tops to co-ordinate!
I sewed these outfits up over a few weeks, or maybe even a month!
For Milla: Green linen gingham (Kea Top Dolman) + green corduroy Wide Leg Tio Trousers.
For Katie: Rust (Rawe Top) and stone linen Tapered Tio Trousers.
Both girls wear the garments from these outfits a.lot! Milla loves pairing them together, but also wears these trousers all of the time with different tops. I have a blue cord pair in the works and need to work on some more for her!
I thoroughly enjoyed putting these fabric combinations and looks together. Like, really really enjoyed. I think I’d like to sew more outfits together in the future. It felt hugely rewarding.
PS I put together a dolman top sewing hack tutorial here.
Knit T-shirts for a fun little niece we haven’t met yet.
I used a pattern for this but can’t find it anywhere in my history, sorry folks!
This was a fun and quick project and I enjoyed sewing with knits for a change!
Want to start your own sewing journal?
I hope you enjoyed delving in to my Makes for the first half of 2022. Already I am looking forward to this journal being full of sketches and swatches one day. Its so lovely to flick through and remember each one so clearly!
Of course, the productive person in me wishes there were more sews in there already, but I’m staying content and enjoying the Makes that come.
Want to start your own sewing journal? Don’t wait for a new years resolution, now’s a good time! Please share your pages in our VIP Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!
Love and happy sewing,
Sophie x