September 2019

September was spent readjusting to life in Bogota, getting our homeschool year started, and catching up on work that had piled up a bit.  I knew that it would be easy for me not to get near the sewing machine unless I made a concerted effort to do so, so I applied for a pattern test the first weekend I was home to get the motor running. That worked, and I did a good bit amount of sewing this month.

Shared bedroom sewing space tour

We've been living in Bogota for 13 months now, which means we've passed the halfway mark of our time in Colombia. So it's probably time that I get this shared bedroom sewing space tour published, don't you think?

Green Blackwood

Three years ago, I made a bright green Lisbon cardigan. It was, hands down, my favorite item of clothing. I wore that cardigan constantly for two years, until a giant purple splotch, about the size of a half-dollar, appeared on the back.  I have no idea what caused the stain or where it came from, but no amount of stain-treating would get it out. It was a sad day when I realized this, so I'm just going to take a moment to reminisce about my favorite me-made ever ...

Janome Magnolia 7325 Review

I bought a new sewing machine a little over 2 years ago, and I've been making notes since to share my thoughts.  Recently I was asked how I liked my machine, so I thought it was time to publish this review of the Janome Magnolia 7325.

Plantains again

Today I've got a couple more Plantain tees to show you, which I think brings my total up to roughly 11,000 items sewn from this pattern.

I made both tees from the original (non-updated) pattern in a size 40 shoulder widened to a 42 under the armscye and size 42 sleeves.  I think, at a glance, these tees look like they fit perfectly well, and I certainly would agree, were I to happen on them in a store.  But as usual, here I am picking apart every wrinkle and pucker.  Every time I critique the fit of my garments, I get encouraging comments saying that I'm too hard on myself, etc.  And I totally appreciate and get that.   I do wear these tees a lot, so my fit critiques don't really hinder the amount of use I get from a garment.  I just find that I kind of enjoy analyzing fit issues. I guess it's almost like a secondary hobby to my sewing. Anyone else do this?

Men's Shirt Pattern Showdown: Fairfield Button-Up vs. All-Day Shirt

Let me begin with a disclaimer: I am not a menswear sewing expert. But I have tried to branch out from pajama pants and t-shirts when sewing for my husband. I've sewn eight men's shirts in the last two years, using three patterns - the Colette Negroni, the Thread Theory Fairfield Button-Up Shirt (affiliate link), and most recently, the Liesl & Co. All-Day Shirt.  While sewing the All-Day Shirt, I was comparing it to the Fairfield every step of the way. I thought others might be interested in the comparison of the Fairfield Button-Up and the Liesl & Co. All-Day Shirt too, so I wrote them up. I'm comparing the two patterns on the parameters of fit; pattern format and instructions; pattern options; and finally construction and finishes.  I hope someone out there will find this useful!

Another birthday Fairfield

I made my husband another Fairfield Button-Up Shirt (affiliate link) for his birthday.  The last one I made him was for his last birthday, and he still wears it all the time.  Like the last time, I made him up a medium, graded to a large in the chest and waist.  I sewed the sleeves at the prescribed length (last time I messed around bit with the length).