2017: Top 5 Hits and Misses

It's that time of year again! Gillian's hosting her insightful Top 5 sewing round-up again, in which you look at what you've made over the year and take stock. 

I am going to do hits, honorable mentions, misses, an update on my 2017 sewing goals, and a few 2018 plans. I'm not sticking to 5 in all cases, because I can't follow instructions, apparently.

Knitting: Bunny Hats

Now that I'm back in the land of winter, where knitwear is de rigueur... nay, essential... I have picked up my long-dormant knitting hobby again.

McCall's 7262 Sweater Jacket in Ponte

It's gift-giving season and I pulled my sister's name from the proverbial "hat" for our Christmas exchange this year! 

Toaster Sweater Week: Quilted Jersey #1

Toaster Sweaters for everyone this Toaster Sweater Week!

Toaster Sweater Week: Simplicity 8529

Recently I stumbled upon the latest version of the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater, Simplicity 8529 while paging through the Simplicity pattern book at Joann Fabrics during a sale week. I figured it was kismet and that I should make one for Toaster Sweater Week!

Toaster Sweater Week: Vintage Velour #1

I am rapidly turning into my mother.

Toaster Sweater Week: Quilted Jersey #2

Toaster Sweater Week continues with my first Toaster Sweater #2!

Toaster Sweater Week: Rust Fleece #1

Toaster Sweater Week kicks off with this fluffy, fleece-y number!

Toaster Sweater Week! And a Giveaway!

It's Toaster Sweater Week here at Cookin' and Craftin'! And I've got a giveaway for you!!

Dude Sewing: True Bias Men's Hudson Pant

Some dude sewing in anticipation of the holidays!

Quilted Knit Tallinn Sweater

My mom really liked the Hey June Tallinn sweater I made for my sister and dropped a few not-subtle-at-all hints that she would like one, too!

Knitting: Mountain Cowl in Magnum

My comically large cowl!

Tutorial: (Christmas) Fabric Bunting

A bit outside my comfort zone with this seasonal, crafty, non-garment sewing! But let's roll with it.

Testing, testing: Cashmerette Ames Jeans

Cashmerette has a pants pattern! Jeans, specifically!

Fitting a Potential TNT: Style Arc Elle Pant

After writing up my epic TNT sewing pattern round-up for the Sewcialists blog earlier in the month, I was inspired to try a pattern that many others consider a TNT: the Style Arc Elle Pant.

Knitting: Assam Cardigan in Tahki Tandem

This is a bit unusual for the blog in that it's not something I've sewn, but I thought it worth sharing: my mom knit me a sweater!

Tutorial: Stabilize Knit Shoulder Seams with Selvage

Today I've got a tutorial for you on how to stabilize knit shoulder seams with strips of woven or knit selvage!

Mammoth Flannel Cheyenne Tunic

It's flannel week at Imagine Gnats!

Herringbone Flannel Cheyenne Tunic

I've been meaning to make the Hey June Cheyenne Tunic for a while now; the pattern has been in my stash for approximately forever. I love the unique V-shaped neckline and popover style. Here's my first go!

Sweater Knit Tallinn

Sorry, Adrianna, I know it probably pains you to see your patterns sewn up in purple...

TNT Pattern Roundup on the Sewcialists Blog

Hey all! In honor of the Sewcialists TNT pattern month, I've written an epic round-up of some of the online sewing community's TNT patterns. Is yours in there? Go check it out!

Here are a few of my own TNTs that I slipped in there:

Fabric Mart Fabricista: Liesl + Co Recital Shirt in Tencel Chambray

So... some fun news: I'm now a Fabric Mart Fabricista! I'll be blogging over on the Fabric Mart blog every few months. Here's my first project!

Handmade Halloween: Tina Belcher Costume

Let's take a break from our regularly-scheduled cool weather clothing making. I needed a Halloween costume to attend a party this weekend. I have no idea why this idea popped into my head and would not leave, but I really wanted to go as Tina Belcher from Bob's Burgers:

Source

Plum Week: Flannel Margot Pyjama Pants

My last Plum Week entry is certainly not the most glamorous, but is sure to be the most worn: pajama pants!

Plum Week: Made by Rae Beatrix

Plum week continues! Today I'm sharing a plum-colored double gauze version of the Made by Rae Beatrix blouse on Imagine Gnats, but I'm talking about my wearable muslin (which also reads plum) here!

Plum Week: Lander in Organic Cotton Plus Twill

It's plum week here in my little space on the interwebs! Plum, prune, wine... I am really feeling all of these fruity red/purples. So plum week it is. Last week I had a wine dress, today I've got plum pants, and later this week, a plum top. I also received plums as part of my farm share this week (made this magic apple plum cobbler from them), so clearly this was meant to be, right?

Style Maker Fabrics Fall Style Tour: Neenah + Estelle

I'm pretty jazzed to be back for another Style Maker Fabrics blog tour!

Sew Your Hart Out September: Kalle Tunic in Sienna

Beginning and ending September with projects for Sew Your Hart Out September... can't complain!

Sueded Scuba Style Arc Halle Skirt

In which I share awful photos of an awesome skirt...

After admiring Halle Skirts from Lara and Pauline, I bought the pattern during the most recent Style Arc sale.

Sample Sewing: Grainline Hadley

Last month I was busy sewing up sample garments for classes I was to teach at Nido this fall. I already shared my Linden with you, but this is my sample version of the newest from Grainline Studios, the Hadley top! 

Testing, testing: True Bias Lander Pant

I was a tester for the latest True Bias pattern, the Lander pant and short and I've got my tester version to share today!

Sew Your Hart Out September: Jalie Helene Cardigan in Blake Jersey

It's Sew Your Hart Out September and I'm joining in the fun!

Style Arc Thea Paperbag Pants in Tencel Twill

New favorite pair of pants? Quite possibly, yes.

Pattern Hack: Ruched Drawstring Blanc T-shirt

A pattern hack in honor of the Curvy Sewing Collective's Pattern Hacking Month!

Sample Sewing: Grainline Linden

I think I might be the last person on earth to sew up the much-loved Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt!

Testing, testing: Chalk and Notch Fringe Dress Pattern

Sometimes the stars align and the perfect combination of fabric and sewing pattern is dropped in your lap...

Rayon French Terry Tallinn

I love my last Tallinn sweater so much, I made another one!

Grainline Willow Tank x 2

Two Grainline Willow tanks for your viewing pleasure... a wearable muslin and a more refined linen/cotton version.

Simplicity 8378 Knit Joggers

Sometimes you imagine a sewing project resulting in a sleek, wearable, basic jogger, but then you end up with sweatpants.

Quilted Cable Coral Cardigan

Sometimes a piece of fabric has to marinate in my stash for a while before finding the perfect project. Other times it's barely out of the bag before it's been assigned to a pattern and sewn up... this fabric falls into the latter category!

Book Review: The Dress in the Window by Sofia Grant

A book review is outside the normal course of business here on this blog, but the subject matter was too appropriate to pass up and the timing was right with my machines being on the slow boat from Thailand.

Willamette in Arroyo

Made from Arroyo Essex linen (a linen/cotton blend), this Hey June Willamette popover is making me so happy this week!

MyBodyModel: Fashion Sketch Templates to Your Measurements

Fellow sewcialist Erica Schmitz has launched a KickStarter campaign today for MyBodyModel, technology that will make fashion sketching templates (croquis) to your measurements. 

I love MyBodyModel's mission, create body-positive design tools for garment makers and designers. I volunteered to be a tester for MyBodyModel, along with a group of experienced sewers, knitters, and designers who will test the croquis builder software and user interface. 

Here's what Erica says about MyBodyModel's Kickstarter campaign:

"Kickstarting today! @MyBodyModel is creating a web app to make real-body sketch templates to your measurements. Because every body is different. Getting lots of backers early on Day 1 is the most important predictor of Kickstarter success. Thank you for your help to make MyBodyModel a reality!"

All backers will get early access to the MyBodyModel Beta website. You will be able to make and download your own croquis, made to your measurements. You can print your croquis on paper, and sketch your designs by hand. Or import your croquis image into your favorite sketching app or illustration software.

Go check out the Kickstarter and consider supporting your fellow sewcialist in developing this incredibly useful tool!

Testing, testing: Helen's Closet Suki Kimono Robe

Just when I was in the market for a new robe because my old one had begun to disintegrate on my body, Helen of Helen's Closet had a new robe pattern ready for testing!

Seamwork Loretta in Arizona After

My first sewing project back in the U.S., and my first project on my new baby, an all-metal vintage Bernina! 

Floral Dove Blouse: The Sequel

My mom really loved the Megan Nielsen Dove Blouse we made her a few months ago, and I had a piece of cotton lawn purchased from Belleboo with her in mind, so the combination was a no-brainer.

Plaid McCall's 6044: Now with Sleeve and Yoke Mods!

My husband was green in the face over the classic plaid shirt I made for myself. If it weren't for the oversized buttons and bust darts, I think he might have tried to steal the shirt for himself.

Bangkok Fabric Shopping Guide

Since I lived there until very recently, I receive almost weekly emails through my blog from people asking where to go fabric shopping in Bangkok when they visit on holiday or work travel. I've also met up with lots of sewcialists who've stopped through and people seem happy with the fabric shops I've taken them to, so I've decided to do a little write-up on fabric shopping in Bangkok. And by little, I mean epic. Long post!

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list, by far. Bangkok is a massive, sprawling city with probably hundreds of fabric and haberdashery shops. I am focusing on the major highlights as well as my regular haunts.

Scrapbusting Racerback Dresses

A few months back I made these dress for the little ladies in my life: my two nieces and the two daughters of our friends in Bangkok.