The End Of Summer-Thinking Of Fall

This post, The End of Summer-Thinking of Fall is about some plans I have and some recent pattern purchases. It’s that time of year where before you know it, the weather will be changing and leaves will be falling off the trees. In fact, I’ve already heard some of the (very small) acorns hitting the deck in the back yard.

Wardrobe Planning

Because it can be so hot and humid in the summer where I live, I don’t really wear pants very often during the summer months. I’ll wear dresses and skirts, shorts and skorts – that’s basically my summer “uniform”.

Once things start to cool down, I have a lot of different items I’d like to sew. I’ll show you some of those in this post. If you’d like to follow along with a more formal “class”, Seamwork offers a free for subscribers process for the Fall (and in the Spring). Here’s an affiliate link to become a Seamwork member or check them out if you’re interested. I’ve been a member for years and I enjoy making many of the patterns they offer.

Recent Pattern Purchases

One of the projects I’d like to tackle is using KnowMe 2052.

I have saved three pairs of jeans that either don’t fit or that I just don’t wear anymore. I’d like to try to repurpose them into this pattern, or something similar. I also have some denim that I can add to the pattern as well. In fact, one of the jeans I want to repurpose is in a picture in this post I wrote years ago. Looking at this, I see it’s been a VERY long time since I’ve written about this topic. But, I can also see that my process is basically the same –

Clean out the closet and figure out what’s needed!

Have you gone through this process (or something similar)? I find that it’s helpful, especially since I sew so much. I’ll donate as many things as I can.

Another project I’d like to try is a cropped jacket. I haven’t really made anything like this before, but I purchased this pattern recently.

KnowMe 2089 pattern envelope for end of summer

Blazers are another things that’s lacking in my closet. I have some patterns that I tend to use for a basic lined blazer that are really good.

The Plans

Basically, I want to use as much fabric stash as I can. There are lots of patterns that I have that are suitable to make all the things I’m thinking of. I hope this will inspire you to go through your fabric and patten stash and see what you can use for your own seasonal sewing.

Currently, I’m about to start this pattern from Seamwork – the Iggy pants.

Usually I don’t try a new style by making it myself, but this time I decided to challenge myself. These are a slightly barrel shaped pant with a fly front and elastic at the back. I’ll do a later post to show you how they turned out.

That’s all for now. I’ll keep you readers updated on how my ambitious plans are going.

2023 Sewing Goals And Plans

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that a new year is upon us. It seems like 2022 flew by. Every year I like to set some goals for myself, so here are my 2023 sewing goals and plans. As always, things can change so I always leave room for some flexibility.

The Sewing Room

I would like to rearrange or reorganize my sewing room. As you may know, I sew in my basement, so there are some things in my sewing room that don’t have another place to go in the house. But I’m thinking that if I can at least reorganize, I could freshen up the space and maybe make it work better. I always like an organized room because it just helps me think better.

Stash Busting

This year (more than previous years) I want to intentionally and purposefully use my fabric AND pattern stash. There have been times when I didn’t want to take the time to go into the fabric bins to find a perfectly good and suitable piece of fabric for a project. That is something I definitely need to change this year. Not only is there a lot of fabric, but I have some really nice pieces that I want to use and have plans for.

As far as the pattern stash is concerned, I have some terrific patterns that I have never used. Most of the patterns I buy are more classic styles, so they don’t really go out of style so easily. Once you determine your own style, trends become less important anyway.

Currently Working On

I always like to start the new year off with an easy project. This year I am making myself a pajama set. I’m combining two different patterns for this. For the pants I’m using the Lexington loungewear set from Sewing And The City patterns.

I’ve made the short pj set from this pattern before. And as you can see, I’m using donut fabric. I bought this at JoAnn Fabrics a few years ago. This is a woven fabric. I have a piece of solid blue knit fabric that I’ll use for the top. I haven’t quite made a final decision on what pattern I’ll use for that.

Clean Machines

Here’s a reminder for you sewists out there. If you haven’t cleaned your sewing machines and sergers recently, now is a good time to do it. I started the year by cleaning and oiling my serger and sewing machine. I also changed the needles in both. No one wants to stop sewing or damage their sewing machine because of a broken needle or accumulated lint.

Conclusion

Any ideas that you might have for what you’d like to see in video or on the blog, please let me know in the comments. I have some ideas, but I’d like to hear from you as well.

So those are my 2023 sewing goals and plans at least for now. I would like to get back into lingerie sewing as well this year. I have quite a supply of materials for that as well. And there are some new patterns I have that I’d like to try.

8 Ways To Inflation Proof Your Sewing

I decided to write this because it’s been something that’s been on my mind for quite some time. I’m always looking for ways to save some money. But I also want to be able to continue to do what I love. So in this article, I’m going to give you 8 ways to inflation proof your sewing. In this article I’m expanding on my video in which I give you 5 ways to inflation proof your sewing (the video will be uploaded over the weekend).

Tip #1

Sew your wardrobe essentials.

In this way, you can see what you already have and fill in those wardrobe gaps you might have. Whatever those essentials are is up to you. After all, it’s your wardrobe.

Tip #2

Use what you’ve got.

By using what you already have, nothing should go to waste.

plan projects based on the fabric you have
use those notions you have, which we sometimes forget about (zippers, buttons, elastic, etc)

Tip #3

What can you make with the patterns you have?

I have bought a few patterns lately, but not many. I have been more determined to use the vast collection of sewing patterns I currently own. And as we all know, many older patterns aren’t out of style. In fact, so many patterns have been repackaged and renumbered lately!

Tip #4

Sew wardrobe-builder pieces

It’s possible to focus your sewing on those pieces that you can get the most use out of. That can be things like:

T shirts/tops
Jeans/dress pants
Dresses/skirts
Jackets/blazers

I don’t think you can have too many basics because those are the pieces that can go from day to night or casual to dressy.

Tip #5

Think outside the box

Think of what you want to wear and create a unique wardrobe for yourself. Since you are already creative, use that to cultivate your own style. Remember, you don’t have to be like anyone else. Just be you!

Tip #6

Thrift stores

While a lot of people think of thrift stores for sewing patterns, I have shopped them a little differently. These are great places to get large sheets that can be used as fabric for making a muslin or mock-up. I have also bought men’s shirts for a few dollars that I used strictly for the buttons.

Tip #7

Organize

One of the ways many of us waste money is that we are buying things we already have because we can’t find something. If you can organize your supplies, that can save you from repurchasing those notions, etc that you need for a project.

Hanging jewelry organizer

And the last tip in my list of 8 ways to inflation proof your sewing is…

Tip #8

Make a list

Personally, I use a whiteboard on the wall of my sewing room to jot down things like thread colors (by manufacturer and color number) I’m running out of. Or if you don’t have that, a simple piece of paper will do just as well. It’s also a good idea to keep that list on your phone as well. If you find ourself at the store and want to get those list items, having it on your phone is a great idea.

Small white board

So those are my ways to save some money while still doing the thing I love to do. Many of these tips will also work for other types of crafting, or just life in general. Let me know in the comments if you have other ways of saving.

*This post contains affiliate links