Butterick 6674 in rayon from Fabric.com. Imperfect and in need of ironing, but it’s a breezy pleasure to wear.
Here in L.A., we’re starting to take tentative steps toward reentering the world. My husband and I are fortunate to be fully vaccinated, and we’ve slowly started to expand the list of activities we participate in. Two kids complicate the situation, but we’ve been able at last to allow Dora to participate in some playdates, which she’s sorely, sorely missed. It’s clear that her healing from the isolation and anxiety of the previous year will be a long, complicated process. But we’re fortunate that her school is really supportive and we have some good professional help.
It’s been a good year! Definitely not the easiest year of my life (in fact, it’s been exhausting), but I had some professional successes that have made me proud — an article in the New Yorker, a book deal, some published articles, and students who’ve had exciting successes. Personally, there’s the pregnancy, of course, but also seeing my daughter growing into a joyful, very silly, thoughtful person, and watching my husband flourish in his job. Most important, my family is healthy, financially OK, and continuing to grow together. If I can say the same at the end of 2020, that’s all I need.
Sewing-wise, it has also been a fun year of growth. I have learned a lot, especially about technique and finishing, even though it still often seems to me as though I’m a rank beginner. When I returned to sewing a year and a half ago, I think I thought I knew a lot more than I did. I had no idea that I have a lifetime’s worth of knowledge to gain! Nevertheless, sewing has been a source of uncomplicated happiness for me, one I sorely needed. It’s wonderful to have something to think about and do that has nothing to do with work, and never will.
For that reason, I really have no interest in setting goals or evaluating progress or anything like that. There’s enough of that happening in my work life, believe me! I prefer to just make what I like, when I like. No curating closets or setting intentions for me.
It is fun, though, to think about what I made back in 2019. So, let me think, what were my biggest wins?
Tilly and the Buttons Etta
I just think this looks really good, and it’s great for a lot of different settings. Of course, it doesn’t even come close to fitting me right now, but hopefully it will postpartum!
I am very behind on posting things! Not that anyone cares, obviously, but I do like to record what I make. Earlier this month, I finished an Ellis skirt (a Cashmerette pattern), a denim skirt with nice jeans details. I chose the Ellis over the TATB Ness mostly because the Ellis offers options for both apple and pear shapes. In the event, even the pear needed some taking in at the waist, but I’m nevertheless happy this pattern.
I made View A, the knee-length version. I really enjoyed making this. Denim is fun and satisfying to sew, and I liked doing all the topstitching details. The instructions on the Ellis were great, except one point that I think they should clarify, since I’ve noticed that other people have mentioned being confused, too. The zipper will be too long for the fly. You’re supposed to cut off the excess at the top, where the fly meets the waistband, not try to make the whole thing fit.
Because of the zipper confusion, the fly is a bit poochy, but other than that, I’m very pleased with how this came out. I worked hard to find a denim of the right weight and percentage of stretch, but I’m sorry to say that it actually stretches too much. After wearing the skirt for a few hours, it droops significantly, and putting my phone in the pocket drags the whole thing down.
Next time around, I might go a size smaller. I made a 14 at the waist, grading to a 16 at the hip, but I think I could stand to do a 12-14.
Dora, as always, has demanded a steady stream of handmade clothing. I made her a red t-shirt with a design she specified, cut out with my Cricut.
I need to figure out how to make the vinyl adhere better, though, as shortly after this photo was taken, the vinyl started peeling, and my attempt to iron it back down just made the whole thing smudge. Now, I’m afraid, this is only really suitable for pajamas. Oh well.
I’ve also been making Dora a lot of leggings, since she’s got holes in many of her existing pairs! I used this free pattern from Life Sew Savory. My first attempt was way too baggy, which she did not like one bit, but after I went down a size, they fit perfectly. The only thing is, they seem to slide down in the back a lot, so I think that for the next pair I make, I’ll try raising the waist at the back.
And I made another Saraste top! For this one, I cannibalized a skirt I made early in my return to sewing, made from a Cotton + Steel cicada print. The refashioning was all going fine until I realized I’d cut out one of the side panels in the wrong direction. Ugh. Since I only had scraps left at that point, I had to piece together a new side panel. It ended up being made of seven pieces, but happily, you can’t really tell, and I’ve been wearing this shirt a lot.
At the moment, I’m making a Hadley tank out of some fancy silk I got as a remnant at Michael Levine, and I still have some as-yet-unblogged garments to post. My sister has requested a linen shirtdress, so I think that will be the next project I tackle!
