Yes, Virginia, I sewed this year: Sort-of self drafted turtleneck tops

Nothing like the end of year for some slapdash posting about the garments I made in 2020. To be honest, I didn’t sew or knit that much: between my concussion, other family member’s debilitating health concerns, a massive relapse and living in a society with people who value their desire for a monthly holiday over Disabled people’s right to live, my brain and body were in no state for any kind of demanding motor/mental task.

Please enjoy my truly atrocious COVID self-haircut.

Anyway, I made a few things, including these tops. Like many others, this project was born of a need for a specific garment in my wardrobe: a long sleeved turtleneck top, semi-fitted, with the collar close enough to keep me warm, but loose enough to allow room to breathe. Particular, I know! I looked and looked for patterns but didn’t find any that fit the bill, so turned to a TNT (tried ‘n’ true) t shirt pattern for a base.

Sew Over It Molly Top and Maria Denmark self-drafted stretch skirt

Unlike some sewists, my sewing output isn’t that great to warrant multiple garments per post. So you know when I do have a few creations together, they are super-simple makes. These two fit that description: easy-to-sew wardrobe staples made entirely from scraps. They were sewn way back in March (or earlier), and only photographed recently!

Named Inari again – Indie Pattern Month 2018

I didn’t have any particular plans to enter The Monthly Stitch’s Indie Pattern Month this year, despite my all-out efforts last time around (New To Me, Hack It, Indie Pattern Royalty). It was pleasant happenstance that one of their challenges – Around the World – perfectly aligned with my existing sewing plans.

Say hello to my little friend. And our new garden bench from KMart.

Three more Hemlocks

Just recently I was writing about sewing pattern repeats, and here I am sharing my fifth, sixth and seventh versions of the Grainline Hemlock Tee!* I wasn’t completely enamoured with it upon release, but it’s proven to be an easy to sew and easy to wear wardrobe staple.

In the Folds Jersey Dress for summer

When I made my Aliexpress fabric order for mid-weight cotton slub knits (destined to become two winter dresses), I threw in some plain cotton/spandex jersey to keep on hand. As with the cotton slub knits, I was impressed with the quality of the cotton/spandex and decided to sew it up straight away.

It was REALLY windy when we tried to take these photos, so these are the best of a bad lot. All of those drape lines basically disappear in person.

Two winter dresses: Frankie vs Ottobre

This winter I was on the search for a comfortable jersey dress, one with long sleeves and reasonably thick fabric which wasn’t a mini. You’d think that would be an easy ask, but apparently not. After scouring the shops, both local and online, I resorted to making my own. I ended up making two dresses using two similar patterns, so if you’re the kind of sewing nerd who likes detailed pattern comparison (or a PATTERN SHOWDOWN), read on!

Left: Tessuti Frankie Dress, right: modified Ottobre #18. Ladder Stripes – viscose knit dress from Autumn/Winter 5/2017.

Pattern Fantastique Glacial Tee – Skivvy Variation

I’ll confess – I love a good skivvy. It has this gloriously daggy connotation, and reminds me of a childhood wearing out our VHS tape of The Wiggles’ Big Red Car.

I found a series of screencaps of the whole video because OF COURSE I DID.

Two more Hemlock Tees

Warning: contains GIFs

I went on a knit-sewing session a while back, resulting in my ponte skirt and a couple of long-sleeve tees. I actually meant to blog them together, but the weather has been so offensively hot this Autumn that I’ve had to wait until it cooled down enough that I could wear long sleeves without swooning like a 20s film star.

Or Alba. I’m kinda obsessed with Jane the Virgin right now.

Maria Denmark knit ponte skirt (self-drafted)

Even though I’ve been trying to keep up with my blog posts, I haven’t really been sewing as much lately as is usual for me. Sitting at the machine requires a lot more effort than I can muster most days, so my output has slowed considerably. This has led to a rethink of my sewing strategy: I can’t buy a lot of fabric with the guarantee that I will burn through it quickly, so I’ve been taking stock of what I already have and working out what to do with it.

Leopard print matches leopard print, right? That’s my In the Folds Peplum Top, BTW.

Ottobre 2/2017 merino statement t-shirt

After a few successful garments, I’m back to sharing one of those creations which I love but will likely never wear. I really should have known better – I overheat easily over summer, and tend to spend my days inside in cool cotton and viscose, huddled near the air con. Yet after extolling the virtues of wool fibres and seeing Amanda’s gorgeous merino Plantain tee, I couldn’t resist making myself a merino knit t-shirt.