12.28.2019

Another Auld Lang Syne

Now that all the packages have been delivered and opened I can share some of the Christmas sewing that I have been doing...

I had such fun making a little linen romper for my new great niece.  I made it a few sizes bigger than she is now because I remember that when my kids were babies I received lots of things that were newborn size up to about three months and then all of a sudden....nothing!  I also figured it would be easier to work in the bigger size!!!  Luckily she lives in L.A. so I didn't have to worry about which season of the year she will end up fitting into it.

I was careful to steer clear of pink and totally fell in love with a soft aqua linen.   It's a bit hard to see, but the selvedge of the linen has a single red thread and I wanted to incorporate it in the design.  I ran it along the lower edge of the bodice.   I am very pleased with the end result. I love the way the twill tape works for the straps and the hat was just too cute to resist!





Last year I made an oiled cotton canvas jacket for my "baby" and he was very excited about it.  Living in London, it is the perfect fabric for rainy, damp days.  I decided that since I knew the pattern  (Merchant and Mills Foreman) was the right size I would try another version for this Christmas.  I chose a bonded wool thinking I would not need to line it.  About half way through I realized that a lining would make it a much nicer finished garment so I ended up basically making two coats and fitting them together.  A bit of a puzzle, but OK in the end.



 

I used a nice heavy weight lining and it gives the jacket a nice hang.  So glad I added it.

The trim of the coat is a really, really soft supple leather that was the perfect match for the wool.  (Oh the things that come out of my stash closet!)  I tested a bunch of different buttonholes and settled on a leather bound version.  I think I spent more time on those buttonholes than the rest of the coat!





The pockets were fun to figure out.  I don't think patch pockets are the most comfortable pockets to actually put your hands into but they are useful for 'stuff.'  I added inseam pockets for hand warming.



The under collar is a wool jersey that really worked well to help shape the leather collar.  I'm going to remember that combo.


...AND, it fit just right!  Even when I am working with a pattern that I know has worked in the past I worry about the fit.  Different fabrics can change the fit, so when I got these pictures I breathed a sigh of relief.  Yeah!





We stopped in Captiva for Christmas with lots of my family before heading to Key West for the month of January.  I wanted to figure out something that I could make a bunch of, something that was 'gender neutral' and something that I could pack and would be easy for the recipients to pack as well. I ended up making a whole passel of little fabric 'buckets.'  I have one that I use for bread and chips.  It's just the right size and it folds up nicely into a drawer when it's not full.  Again my stash was full of great choices!  I really didn't plan that it would be a stash busting project...just worked out that way!






I didn't actually count how many I ended up making.   I kept pulling out fabrics that would work and thought, "Well, just one more!"  I think I ended up with about 2 dozen.  I still have some fabrics that I like, so I may make another batch when I get home in February!

It makes me feel old when I hear myself saying, "I can't believe another year is coming to an end!"  BUT, I can't believe another year is coming to an end!!!!!!   I already have some fun sewing adventures planned for 2020, so I am looking forward to the New Year.  Sending these little notes and stories out into the universe often feels a bit self absorbed.  I'm never sure if anyone will see them...so thank you for letting me share and commenting when something catches your fancy.  I love the virtual connections.  Thanks for coming along and wishing you your own sewing adventures in 2020.







13 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas, the jacket looks absolutely amazing.

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    1. Much appreciated! ...Happy New Year! and thanks for checking in.

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  2. Replies
    1. So glad...I do enjoy hearing that they are not just out floating in the void somewhere! Happy New Year!

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  3. Love the rumper also having two boys so fun to sew for a little girl,

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    1. It's been a while since I worked on something that little! Very fun. I hope I get a picture when she grows into it! Happy New Year!

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  4. Love everything! What romper pattern did you use? I have 3 pregnant nieces right now. And the bag pattern? This year I made vinyl front zip bags for the Christmas sack. I like those bags and the way they fold.

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    1. Alas, both patterns are of my own concoction. The bag is pretty straight forward I think I started with 10" X 10" squares and made a tube and boxed the corners. Hope that helps a bit.

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  5. Always nice to see what project you are now doing. And ever wondering when do you sleep!

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  6. On the beach in Key West!!!!!!!! ;-)zzzzzzzzzzzz

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  7. The romper is completely adorable, and a complete contrast to the well fitting man about cold foggy town jacket. Enjoy your nap in the sunshine! Happy new year.

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    1. I love that name, "Man-about-cold-foggy-town" jacket! 75 and sunny ;-)

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