FO: Stowe Bag

Since I finished my Stowe bag a couple of days ago I have been loving my new knitting bag. The Stowe bag stands on it’s own and acts more like a basket when you're knitting, but it still bunches up nicely when I need to stuff it in my backpack. The Stowe bag is a pattern from Grainline Studio, designed by Fringe Supply Co. 

I made mine in a brown cotton canvas, and I used some extra quilting cotton I had for the bias binding. I had a go at waxing the canvas after I sewed the bag using a wax bar from Otter Wax and a heat gun to set it. To use the wax bar you need to apply a couple coats. I decided to stop after 2 light coats for a lightly waxed bag, which adds a bit of protection against water and dirt. You wouldn’t want to soak this bag, but I like knowing my knitting would be safe if I set my project bag on a wet floor or something like that. I decided to sew the gussets for a more permanent shape, and I ended up doing those by hand because my machine probably wouldn’t have liked all those layers of canvas. Even doing it by hand was tough!

I'll definitely be using the wax again, I still have most of the bar left that I bought and I would buy it again. The next thing I decide to wax I might try doing a much heavier coat so I can see the difference. Maybe a jacket or a canvas backpack?

Stowe Bag: http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/accessories/products/stowe-bag

Fringe Supply Co: http://www.fringesupplyco.com/

Otter Wax: https://www.otterwax.com/products/otter-wax-regular-bar

FO: Moss Skirt

My first sewing FO of the year: the Moss Skirt by Grainline Studio. This was a pattern which I honestly thought I would really struggle with, because the only garments I’ve ever done before this are pajama pants and the Scout Tee, both super simple projects. But the instructions are excellent and every time I came across something new I would watch a couple YouTube videos before attempting it myself. The only mistake I ended up making was sewing the waistband on upside down! And that was the thing that put this project into hibernation for a couple months, because I didn’t notice I had made the mistake until after I trimmed all the seams and did all the top stitching. But after fixing that mistake everything else got finished super quickly and the skirt fits perfectly!

I used Robert Kaufman Essex linen cotton blend for the skirt, and one of the Cotton + Steel Rifle  Paper Co. prints for the pockets.

Moss Skirt Pattern: http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/bottoms/products/moss-skirt-1

2017 Sewing Goals

Last week I wrote a post up about some of the knitting I’ll be doing in 2017, but I’ve also fallen in love with sewing this year so I wanted to write a little list for my second hobby too. These two crafts go well together especially because I want to work on building a well-rounded quality wardrobe this year. So I’ll start with some garment plans I have and then this list may trickle into smaller projects I have planned and even some embroidery.

Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio

One project I’ve been wanting to make since it was released is the Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio. I want to get into quilting and I think this jacket would be a fun way to work on that. I’ll probably practice my quilting on some even smaller projects before the jacket, things like potholders and oven mitts.

This next sewing goal I’m sure will lead me into an entire new world of it’s own. I want to learn to make my own jeans, and I’ve already been learning so much about different types and weights of denim, and all sorts of new terms too. I was inspired by these embroidered Citizens of Humanity Jeans that I can’t afford, so I decided to embroider my own jeans. And that way the embroidery will be unique too. I was just going to buy a plain pair of jeans and do the embroidery myself, but I think this is a good chance to learn a lot of new sewing skills. So I have a couple patterns ready to go and I will update as I make more progress.

Citizens of Humanity Liya Rock on Blossom

The only other garment on my mind for this year is a pajama set. I’m deciding between the Lakeside Pajamas (Grainline Studio) and the Carolyn Pajamas (Closet Case).They’re both so different and I’m sure I will eventually make both, so I guess I’m just deciding which to do first!

Lakeside Pajamas by Grainline Studio

Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Case

Some other projects include something that incorporates waxed canvas (I’m thinking the Stowe bag), a pin cushion, a fresh cover for my ironing board, and a huge embroidered map. The rest of this post is just some pictures that have inspired me lately. I obviously have a lot to learn and do this year!

My Handmade Wardrobe: Scout Tee

Almost a year ago I walked into a lovely little sewing store and decided I wanted to start a new project. Initially I picked up a pattern for a button-down shirt, but ended up deciding on what looked like the simplest pattern in the shop, the Scout Tee by Grainline Studios. I picked out some beautiful Nani Iro fabric to go with it, and I tucked it all away, feeling too intimidated to start for a year. I’ve sewn a lot of bags and pillow cases, but never any garments except for a simple pair of pyjama pants, and I think the idea of making a shirt that I was actually supposed to wear in public sort of scared me. I didn't want to mess this up.

But it turns out the Scout Tee really was a great project to get me excited about sewing my own clothes. I later bought some inexpensive grey fabric, because I wanted to test the pattern before cutting into my beautiful Nani Iro double gauze. I sewed the first top in a size 0, which did fit, but I decided I wanted to go up a size for the “good” version of my top. The size 2 feels perfect on me. I didn’t have any trouble with the neckline, which was so satisfying to sew and I love the clean look of the bias neckline. I decided to use the overlock foot to finish the seams and so far they’re holding up really nicely.

All in all, this is such a good beginner project that I would recommend! I’ll probably be making more sometime in the future, but for now it’s onto something new.