2016 in Review

Because I need to remember to post at least once a year right?

Hi readers! (those left!)  In order to not be a completely failed blogger, I thought I'd post a round up of my makes this year just in time!

As you all should know by now, you can find me regularly on instagram @oldhousemamawears where a regularly post my makes and other tidbits of my life!  If you don't follow please do!

However in the interested of blogger posterity, here's a round up!  I wanted to make some fancy infographics like I've seen other awesome bloggers do, but who am I kidding!  Here are my photos, gathered loosely in a couple of themes.

I'll end off with some goals and plans for next year.  Happy New Year everyone!

SELFISH SEWS- I made 37ish things for me this year!  not bad!

Zircon Dress, Dress from Boundless Style, Wrap Dress

Arum Dress, Brassie Joggers, Everyday Skirt

Yalu Coat, Saith Tunic, Self Drafted Apron

Schoolhouse tunic, Marbella Dress, Lane Top

Ginger Jeans! - First attempt at jeans and loved it! and another new favourite the Inari Tee Dress

Saith Tunic (ok I made it last December, but close enough), Charleston Dress, Mesa Dress (I love this pattern!)

Mesa Dress altered to a swing dress, Arum Dress, Fen Dress

Texana Tank x 2 and Blanc Tee

Dress E from Stylish Party Dresses (Japanese Pattern book), Hannah Dress (this is a favourite!) and Colfax Dress

Splash Swimsuit (Left and Right) and Soma Swimsuit (Middle)

Everyday Skirt x two and another Inari Tee

Paper cut Sway Dress, Alder Shirtdress, and Bowline Sweater

Julia Cardigan and Jade Skirt, Washi Dress, and Lola Dress

KIDS AND OTHER 
I did instagram some of my kids stuff and didn't really make as much as my kids didn't need to much.  I made a few more things for the Mr. and tried my hand at a few more bags!  I've learned that I dislike how long it takes to make bags and am reminded every time I sew for my kids how quick it is and I should do it more!

A few more Recess Raglans (my go to for a raglan tee) and Alex and Anna PJs (my go to as well!)

Stellar Tunic, Self drafted Car poncho, Twisted Trousers

Rowan Tee, Anytime at all tee, and Modified with a hood Hawthorne Sweater

More Rowan tees,  Halla Stardust Tee, Fishsticks Tank, and Jayden Jammies

Negroni Shirt, Brassie Joggers, Campfire Messenger Bag

Maker's Totes x Two, Art Tote, and Pencil cases

GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR

1. Sew some lingerie!
2. More separates, less dresses (HA!)
3. Make more jeans!
4. Have more fun!

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!  Maybe I'll even blog again before next December.

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Fall KCW - Sewing with Knits

Full disclosure up front.  I'm using this post as an excuse to share a few things that I've sewn for the kids over the last err months.  I'm actually terribly behind in blogging my projects.  Most seem to only ever appear briefly on my instagram.  They then get worn and never photographed further... oops?

So I thought I'd use the excuse of Kids Clothes Week to blog about how much I LOVE sewing with knits for kids!!  I've developed a slight knit fabric obsession over the last 6-12 months.  I blame the internet mostly, and as a result have realized how easy, cute, comfy and quick sewing things up in knit is.  I also finally have a working SERGER which basically changes the game of sewing with knits completely.

The internets are covered in cute knit fabric and adorable patterns to use them with.  My Pinterest Boards has some links and I'll share a few more with my projects below!

But first a few of my favorite stores for knits!  I'm personally obsessed with all the cute prints that come out of Europe and  L'Oiseau, Simpli Fabric and Duncan and Kate are my Canadian Favs.   I also order sometimes from some custom print groups on Facebook, a few now have non Facebook presences like The Fabric Snob and Sweet N Charmed.   My local shop Fabrications is now getting in Art Gallery knits and should have them online soon too!

Raglan tees - probably my favorite sew for the boys, and I've made a bunch.  My go to pattern is See Kate Sew's Recess Raglan.  Quick and an awesome fit of my guys!  Here are a couple of my favorites:

Oh and that's me in a See Kate Sew City Girl Frock in my Mother in Law's house back for Easter!  Not my decor style...

And the companion to that R2D2 shirt would be these pants from Max and Meena's Maxaloones pattern.  They are all the rage in the cloth diaper world for their roomy butt fit and general adorableness.

 

And now that I've reminded you all of summer,  here are a few pictures of the adorable tanks I made for the boys.  After I made little E the bus shirt, he just ran around saying bussssss, busssss.  These guys are too much some days!  These were made using the FREE Fishsticks Tank pattern!  I'm thinking I can layer them over button down shirts for the winter.  That wouldn't be too much would it?

Recently I also made a second Bimaa Hoodie for my oldest first every school picture day!  Sadly it may be the only time he wears it as he's recently declared he no longer likes knights...  argh!  good things his little brother will fit in it soon!

 

And I've recently started sewing up a few girly knits for little friends.  Most recently this Raglan Pocket Dress by Brindille & Twig!  

And LAST but not least, something I actually sewed during this KCW!  Pajamas!  Used the top and cuffs from Peek-a-boo Patterns Alex and Anna Winter PJ's.  But used the Clean Slate Pants from Blank Slate Patterns as a starting point for the flannel pants. I've decided PJ's are the perfect knit fabric stash buster!  you can use crazy colour combos that work as PJ's, but not necessarily as other clothing!

So I'll end this with a link to Made by Rae's awesome Sewing with Knits series.  Full of excellent tips on sewing with knits.  Have a good KCW everyone!

8 Days a Week - Neptune Tee

So excited to start sharing my tester versions of the newest Pattern Anthology collection 8 Days a Week!  This collection is basically a wardrobe in one!  A great combination of basics and special pieces.

I thought I'd start of my posts with the Neptune T-shirt!

I usually shy away from sewing basics, like a t-shirt, as I have little time to sew and tend to want to only sew things that I can't easily buy.  BUT this shirt has some awesome details that you can mix up to make a special tee you definitely can't buy!

Ideally this shirt needs a more stable knit, so I sewed mine up in some french terry.  It made for a cozy shirt! I think though, especially if you opt to put other fabric in the triangles to stabilize the bindings you could use any knit! I have my next fabric already picked out!

I hover between a XS and an XXS, and in this case made the XXS.  In hindsight, it's not my best size, given I have broad shoulders for my bust size, so I'm sizing up next time.  Regardless this version is still totally wearable regardless (just pretend you don't see those lines under my arms, ha)!  One of the reasons I love a knit, it stretches!

One thing I particularly like about this pattern is the low/high hem option, I love the look, and the length is just perfect.

So don't forget to go check out the 8 Days a Week collection.  The special bundle deal is only available for a limited time!

Adventure in a Tee shirt

Yesterday, I shared my Bookworm button up, the first of four tester projects from the new Pattern Anthology Make (Believe) collection!

Next up is the Adventure Tee!

I love sewing with knits for my boys, so was super excited to try out some of the many, many awesome options in this pattern!  I opted to use many of them in this shirt.  The placket, tabs and zipper pocket in particular.  They are such an awesome way to fancy up a comfy tee!

The pattern calls for these to be made in knit like the rest, but I wanted to use orange, and only had woven fabric and it worked perfectly!

This was also a great opportunity to cut into some of my treasured Lillistoff Euro knit from Simplifi Fabric.  This boy loves dinosaurs, and I love putting bright colours and patterns on my boys, so it worked out perfect (and he likes it!)!

This kid is turning into a real poser.  Whenever he sees a camera come out the posing starts.  In these photos he tells me he's being a rock star.  So adorable.

Check back tomorrow for my next project!  and in the meantime, go check out the pattern collection and pick up your own!

One Year Old in a Bimaa Hoodie

Hard to believe this sweet, sweet boy is already one!  It seems just like yesterday we snuggled into bed after his birth a chilly morning in December.

And today he's a bundle of silliness, just starting to form almost words, and just starting to stand on his own.

To help celebrate, I thought I'd make him something new, and made him up a Bimaa hoodie.  I got this pattern in a bundle a few months ago, and loved the slim fitting style and oversized hood.  And it delivered exactly what I wanted.

I made the 12 month size, and it fits exactly.  I plan to make more, but I'll definitely size up.

I wasn't 100% sure of the big hood, but it's the perfect oversized hood!  Look at it! it's too much cuteness!

And now he can sorta match his brother when he wears the cardigan I made him!  I need to get a picture of that at Christmas!

Selfish Sewing Week: Lemon Saltspring Dress!

I finished something!  For me!  It's kinda miraculous!

It's the new(ish) Saltspring Dress by Sewaholic Patterns.  I've been on the lookout for a go to knit dress.  One not too simple, but not too involved, and I think I might have found it in this dress!

It's a pattern for wovens or knits, but with a good knit you can omit the back zipper which I did and it's an easy fit, and super comfy dress!  And it hides those middle bits you might not like so much too!

I'm not convinced yellow is my colour, but I thought I'd try it, and it sure brightened up my fall!  And with a sweater and some boots I think this dress, despite it's rather summer friendly looks, can be an all season dress!  And well I even wear my summer dresses in the dead of winter with sweaters and tights so for me there are no seasonal limitations on sleeveless dresses!

Despite some issues with this fabric (I really think the triangles should be point up, but thats not the way it was printed)  The weight of it was perfect, and I actually cut this from 2 meters (probably aided by cutting a size 2 and having narrower back pieces without the zipper.)  And I think it's the perfect size.  I'm a size 2 up top, but a umm.. 6 or 8 at the waist (depeding on time of day)  But all I did was cut my elastic the length recommended for the size 6 and it worked fine!  I suppose the skirt is a teensy less full, but I like it!  I Also cut the bodice and skirt longer (the length of the largest size) to accommodate my long torso and long legs!  

And bonus (and one of the reasons I like this dress) it's nursing friendly.. just untie a strap!

Now off to hopefully finish my second project before I fall asleep or a baby wakes up!