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.

Outlander-inspired shawl and mitts; and a note on Ravelry

What does one do when one’s best friend is an avid Outlander fan, and her first overseas trip EVER to Scotland was postponed due to COVID-19? Knit her an Outlander-inspired shawl and mitten set that Claire Fraser would be proud to wear.

How to make a Regency bonnet

When I shared my Pride & Prejudice inspired Regency gown project, I said I’d go over making my bonnet in more detail. I can’t claim to have come up with the idea myself – I directly followed the instructions from Stephanie Johanesen’s YouTube tutorial, and the accompanying blog post from Better Dresses Vintage who also followed the video.

A Regency gown fit for Lizzy Bennet

Happy new year! Let’s cast our minds back to October and my much preferred holiday, Halloween. My friends and I planned to have a quiet morning tea* wearing costumes, which naturally I wanted to make myself. I was quite pleased with the end result, so prepare for lots of pictures!

Spoiler alert: this is what I made.

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!

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.

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.

Free vintage lingerie patterns

Hey folks! I was discussing vintage patterns on Pattern Review and mentioned that I had a few images of vintage patterns for lingerie, which I thought might be worth sharing.

They are draft-your-own patterns, based on diagrams from which you plug in your measurements and draft a perfectly-fitted pattern. If you want a vintage slip, some cami-knickers or tap pants, this is an easy (and free!) way to get started. I can’t vouch for them all, but the pattern I made from the Princess Slip diagram was a success.

Click the images below or check them all out on my album.

Edit: someone has informed me in the comments that the first image is from Complete Dressmaking in Pictures by Constance Howard.

Panelled Slip

Lindy Bop Ophelia knock-off (or why I despise drafting)

BABE.

Last time, I shared with you a few dresses I’d made for my friends. I felt this particular dress deserved a post of its own.

This dress is my pièce de résistance – a knock off the Lindy Bop Ophelia dress, drafted from New Look 6773. It was made from Spotlight poly poplin. Before you ask, I am aware that Gertie produced a pattern for Butterick (5882) which is similar in style to the Ophelia. I did consider using it, but the bust piece is so small that it looks less like a design feature and more like a pair of small birds landed on the model’s chest.

Burda / McCall’s 6696 shirt dress hack: on slopers vs blocks

Warning: contains a GIF

Any sewing aficionado not living under a rock will be aware of McCall’s 6696, their famous shirtdress pattern. Gorgeous variations abound online, and for good reason – it seems to be one of those unicorn patterns that looks good on just about anyone. Except me, of course.

But you made a shirtdress, you say! Read on.