#choosing the right size in a sewing pattern

[needleinkandthread]

5 Tips for Using Sewing Patterns

Oh, my crafty friend, I’m thrilled that you’re diving into the magical world of sewing patterns! They’re like roadmaps to your creative dreams, guiding you to easily stitch-up masterpieces. Let me sprinkle some sewing pattern wisdom your way with these five tips that will have you dancing with joy in your craft room. Read and decode: When you first lay eyes on a sewing pattern, take a moment to…

[nerdyearthquakeunknown]

FREE POETSHIRT PATTERN

Some assembly required

Ok so. I made a sewing pattern that involves a lot of maths on the end users part - this is the only way I, a complete pattern making novice, can make this 100% size inclusive. Luckily it’s super simple and it just a whole bunch of rectangles.

Yes it’s written in cm. Bite me.

So to elaborate a bit:

It’s pretty straight forward. You plug in your own measurements in the places it’s needed.

Body x2: should be twice your either shoulder width or your widest point (if you’re more pear shaped you might want to use your hip width) by the length from your shoulder to about mid thigh* (you can make it as long or short as you want. This could probably also work as a shift pattern in a pinch). In one of the pieces, you should cut a slit in the middle, which as shown above should be about from your neck to your sternum.

Sleeves x2: these should be 2-3 times your bicep measure (this will determine the poofiness of the sleeves), by your arm length. Adding a few cm to the length can be a good idea here. I usually just round up to what seems most logical.

Cuffs x4: your wrist measure + 3-4cm of ease, by how ever long you want them - 5-10cm is a good place to start.

Collar x2: your collar measure** by however tall you want your collar. Keep in mind that it will be folded over.

Gussets

Oh glorious gussets. The whole reason this pattern works! But also where it gets a bit mathy

Sleeve gussets: these are square. The diagonal should be about 1/6 of your total armscye (all the way around). Rather a bit too small than too big - it can fuck up the fit (it did for me)

Shoulder gussets: these will depend wholely on how buff your trapezius muscles are. If your neck/shoulder is at a right angle, they’re not strictly necessary, but if you’re super buff, they’re very necessary. I’d say an average shoulder gusset is about 5-7cm, but it’s up to you.

Reinforcements

Again, these aren’t strictly necessary, but if you want your shirt to last it’s a good idea to put them in. You can choose to use between 5 and 10 total. These don’t need to be very big, they just go at any split in the fabric. About 2,5cm is good.

Instructions

I used these videos for assembly instructions

This is going to be hard without pictures…

*you can also keep the body as one piece, which should then be twice the length you want it. The slit at the neck will also have to be cut in the middle of the piece.

**your collar measure is the measurement at your neck going over your collarbone rather than tight to the neck.

[garaksapprentice]

Sewing Zero Waste Culottes from The Craft of Clothes

Zero Waste Culottes From The Craft of Clothes

Behold! Fancy pants!

The pattern for these pants was one of my Christmas gifts. It comes from Liz at The Craft of Clothes, a zero-waste designer. I've really gravitated towards self-drafting and zero-waste sewing in the last couple of years, and this pattern has been on my list for a good six months, so I was excited to get into it.

Drafting

The first step (after reading the pattern through twice) is drafting the pattern pieces.

My biggest starting hurdle was deciphering "the culottes are designed to sit on your waist" when choosing the correct pattern size. Most designers consider "the waist" to be the teapot - that is, the true waist. (It's easiest to find if you bend to the side and stick your hand in the crease - like you're singing "I'm a little teapot".) But some consider belly button height to be "the waist". I generally wear my pants at the latter height, and there's a good 2" circumference difference between those two for me.

I eventually decided to call my belly button my waist, on the grounds that that's where I prefer to wear my pants. It's also easier to take seams in than out, if I guessed wrong.

Decisions over, it was smooth sailing from there. Pattern drafting is not a technically difficult process, as long as you have good instructions, and Liz's patterns definitely fit that bill. But there's a lot of attention to detail required to make sure the end result is good. That sort of thing always makes me nervous. Fortunately there was only two pattern pieces to draft, and they're 98% straight lines and based off rectangles.

Interestingly, this is the first zero-waste pattern I've tried that has you draft pattern pieces to use. The others I've seen (most by the creator of this pattern - our library had a copy of her book, Zero Waste Sewing) have had you draw directly on your piece of fabric to create the layout. (In fairness, I didn't have to draft my own pieces. The pattern came with the option of self-drafting, printing on A4, or printing on A0.)

I much prefer the direct-draw method to faffing about with pattern pieces. But given that this pattern is designed to have the pieces tesselate, having a set of physical pattern pieces does make more sense. It's also got me wondering if I could successfully make a pair out of old jeans legs, using one leg per pattern piece. But then, I'm always looking for ways to use up my denim pile...

Sewing

I prefer structure rather than flow in my butt coverings, so I was somewhat limited in my fabric choices for this first pair. (I know the fabric I really want to use, but I am being a sensible apprentice and trying things out on a nice-but-less-hideously-expensive fabric first.) Most of my stash acquisition has focused on stuff for shirts, since I wear those out faster than pants. I eventually settled on this nice brick red, 100% cotton, table cloth.

The picture is suffering from sun exposure. It's nowhere near this bright in person.

I laid out the pieces and huzzah! The fabric was just big enough! ... But only if I unpicked the hems (they're monsters, a full 3 cm/1.2" each side) and ironed them flat first. Thus, it was time for a marathon unpicking and ironing session.

After that was done, I checked the pattern fit again. Huzzah! I had enough space for all the pattern pieces, and not very much scrap left over once I'd cut them all out. (Of course, it was late and I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been, so I didn't add an extra inch when I was forced to cut the waistband in two pieces. There was enough extra fabric that this was only an annoyance and not a complete disaster.)

The fabric at the top is scrap. All but a few inches of the stuff on the right became waist bands and plackets.

Sewing was a fairly straightforward exercise, though it required enough brainpower that I completely forgot to take any progress shots as I went. Almost every step of the pattern comes with a diagram to show you what to do, which helped me immensely. So did having the seam allowances specified at each point, as there's three different ones used in different places.

That's not to say I didn't screw up, of course. While sewing the crotch seam, I somehow managed to close up the front of the pants entirely and leave a gap for the placket open at the back. (That will teach me not to double check the direction the pockets are facing before I pin and sew that seam. Maybe.) 

I also made a highly decorative and completely awful to sew with choice for topstitching thread, which I quickly became too stubborn to stop using. So the topstitching is, uh, not great. But it is purple and sparkly, and if I'd had any sense at all I would have left it til last (or even done some sort of hand embroidery with it).

I was tricked by the first line of stitching being so easy. LIES. It was all lies.

Why should I have left it til last? Because it turns out that the culottes are, in fact, designed to sit on one's true waist. Which meant I had a two inch difference between what I needed to fit me, and what the waist measurement was. If I hadn't top stitched the panels, I could have simply ran another line of stitching down the seams that didn't have pockets in the way, and taken the waist in without much fuss or bother. Unfortunately, I didn't do that, so I was left with two choices.

Take out the topstitching and take in all the panels, bitching and moaning about the effort I went to and the number of times the topstitch thread broke while I was sewing the stupid sparkly goodness onto things.

Work out how to take the waist in by the necessary two inches, using only the crotch seam and maybe some darts or pleats or something.

Choice #1 would have been the logical, rational decision, so of course I went with option #2.

An hour and change of basting, pinning and unpinning the waistband, and completely forgetting how seam allowances work later, I managed to get a fit I was happy enough with. I ended up grading in a dart-like object at the centre back. (If I decide later that I'm not happy with the fit after all, I'll try out the modification for adding elastic to the back waistband that the pattern also includes. Probably while questioning my life choices and lamenting the amount of time I spend with a seam ripper in hand.)

The original stitching line is in blue, the new one is in black.

After all that fitting woe, I wasn't in the mood to try buttonholes (my good machine, the one with the automatic buttonholer, is currently out of action). Instead I dove into my snap stash to close the placket.

I love using bright, vivid colours for inner details. It's the sewing equivalent of wearing leopard print underwear.

A nice bonus of using the snaps is that I could put them through just the placket, leaving the fly front clean. This did make the placket pull slightly when I'm wearing the pants, exposing a trace of bright red. I fixed that by invisibly whip-stitching through the placket and outer fabric to hold everything in place. Next time I'll also double check the understitching, and topstitch the edge if needed, before installing the snaps.

Field Test and Adjustments

Trying stuff on as you go is all well and good, but nothing tells you what you really need to fix like being out in the field. I quickly discovered several things:

The waistband needs serious help to stay where it's supposed to be. Which, y'know, I did make a size larger than I should have. This was not surprising.

The crotch needs to either drop a wee bit or (preferably) rise a couple of inches. The latter will likely spoil the skirt-effect somewhat, but it will be far more comfortable for my legs.

I need a loop on the waistband to hold my keys.

For the waist woes, I had a few choices - 1) belt loops, 2) suspenders, or 3) add elastic to the back waistband. Belt loops are fiddly to make and sew on, but would solve the key-hanging issue. Suspenders technically wouldn't need any sewing changes, but the clip-on style are notorious for pulling off when you're doing things. And while the pattern includes instructions for adding elastic to the waistband, I wasn't confident it would do the job I wanted (I stick a fair amount of junk in my pockets and elastic can't always cope with the weight).

After some dithering, I went with the suspender option for this pair. I like the look of them, and the "floating" effect they give when they pull the waistband a bit above where gravity wants it to sit is extremely comfortable. But I didn't want to deal with clips always popping off. So I indulged in a quick side-quest of improving my suspenders, then sewed buttons into the waistband of the culottes.

This used to hold the clips, but the wire was easy to bend flat with needle-nose pliers.

Gee, I wonder which buttonhole I did first?

Fashion Show

Overall, I'm quite happy with how it all came together. I'll definitely be making at least two more pairs - the "men's" version (less flare in the hems), likely out of recycled denim, and a pair in heavyweight stash linen.

The back panel adjustment is basically unnoticeable.

They have great range of movement - maybe I need to make a workout pair?

And I even have somewhere to hang my keys.

This post was originally published on my blog, Garak's Apprentice . I currently syndicate my content at Micro.blog, Tumblr, and Ko-Fi.

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[20dollarlolita]

20dollarlolita pattern school step 3) prep and pattern selection.

NOTE: Here's a link to the pattern school discord. If this link has expired, please message me off-anon and I can send you one. I like to get to know everyone in the pattern school and so I don't let too many people in at once, so that I don't get overwhelmed.

So quick summary of where we were: Pattern School is a project that I'm working on in this blog, and that has an accompanying Discord server. The purpose of Pattern School is to teach people, though hands-on experience, the consistent conventions that sewing patterns use. It also teaches basics about how to transform patterns into designs that do what you want them to do. Pattern School is divided up into steps. Each step builds on the skills of the previous one, and each one teaches new elements.

Here's the pattern school tag, in chronological order.

In step 1, everyone follows a commercial pattern with notches, grainlines, and written instructions. This pattern is for something that is not fitted to a human body/is not multi-sized. In this step, we make sure that everyone has a basic foundation understanding of how commercial patterns are made. We choose a non-fitted item so that selecting the correct fit and adjusting for body shape is not necessary. If the student wishes, an additional challenge for step 1 will be to look at a pattern, see if it's usable in lolita fashion, and make good fabric and trim selections to make a usable lolita item.

In step 2, we take a pattern for pajama pants and use it to create bloomers. This step introduces the basics of pattern manipulation. We go into how to remove seam allowance, measure ourselves for fullness, and assemble a garment from a modified pattern. Once again, there is a challenge of choosing good trim and fabric options to build a usable lolita garment.

In step 3, we will be making a lolita or lolita-adjacent garment for ourselves. This garment will be a fitted item, and it will have a closure. What's a closure? Closures are something that opens and closes to allow the wearer to get in and out of the garment. Closures can be zippers, button plackets, hooks and eyes, IDK freaking magnets or something, if you want to put velcro as a closure then more power to ya, but your garment needs to have some kind of closure. I've made resources for how to put in zippers, but other closures are probably also acceptable. Pullover elastic is not a closure. We are making a garment for ourselves because it's a lot easier to make a fitted garment when you have the body you're using right there with you at all times. If you are always with another human being while you sew, you could probably use them, but the critical component is that you have the body accessible to you all the time.

This time, the challenge is also to make something that either can be part of your lolita wardrobe, or that forces you to choose and style something that has a lot of lolita fashion aesthetics. If you want to pick a lolita-adjacent concept, like Aristocrat or Fairy Kei, you're probably fine? If you're doing this on your own, the person who decides if you're cheating is you. If you're in the Discord, you can ask if something's acceptable and like 15 people will disagree with it before tagging me and then I make up an answer on the spot. I firmly belive that Ouji is just lolita with pants and doesn't need to be stated separately.

I previously made a very long list of garments that you can make EGL fashion with, but it's older and some of the patterns are out of print. So, here's a few hours of me going through the big 4 pattern website and finding stuff that has potential.

Dresses:

Left | Center | Right

So quick note: my image editing software kept refusing to function with images off simplicity.com, so we're going to alternate between funky screenshots and semi-competent images. I'm not sorry.

Left | Center | Right

Any time you're making a lolita dress from an existing dress pattern, you'll need to check that the skirt will hold our petticoats. Frankly, most of them don't. You've done the bloomer step, so you do have experience with this kind of modification, but I'll do a tutorial later about checking this and drafting your own skirt onto an existing bodice. For step 3, doing a commercial pattern for the bodice and then following a web tutorial for the skirt totally counts. What we're looking for in a dress pattern is the ability to mod it into a working lolita dress. Please note that Simplicity 8444 (the pirated-but-not-pirate lolita dress) and Simplicity s9735 (the “why'd you use Derpy-chan??”) dresses are not eligible for Step 3, as they are both elastic pullovers.

Top Left | Top Center | Top Right Bottom Left | Bottom Right

Blouses: However, Simplicity 8444 and s9735 both have blouses that work for step 3. If you want to build the JSK on your own and then follow the blouse pattern for step 3, you're good.

The McCall Titanic looking thing is a really fun blouse to make for this, and it's got a back zipper, so if you're not confident in your button-sewing then it's a good option.

Any button-up that goes all the way to the neck has some lolita potential. M8463 is actually pretty loliable on its own.

Top Left | Top Center | Top Right Bottom Left | Bottom Right

Vests are easy to make, don't take a lot of fabric (so you can use some really fancy fabric and have it not break the bank). You're going to have to find a good reference image for lolita but they're really good for ouji and aristocrat, so they get a category.

Top Left | Top Right Bottom Left | Bottom Right

I've just always wanted to make my own lolita coat so they get a category. Once again, you're going to need to double check that the flare fits your skirts.

Left | Right

Welcome to the weird shit category. There's a costume shop near me that sells these funky bolero steampunk things and I've always wanted to put it in a coord, so it's on here. The other one is a top that you could probably use as the top half of a JSK, so if you want to make a coordinating skirt then you could have some fun separates. I think handmade lolita needs more coordinating separates. They're a real thing but I want them to be more common.

So that's in no way a complete collection of patterns you can use, but I hope that's got some kind of inspiration about pattern. My test garment was made off an etsy pattern. There's plenty of other patterns out there. This was just the fastest way for me to showcase some patterns that do work.

We'll do a little more about looking at style lines and finding how to understand this a little better in the future, but for now here we are.

[silverfoxstole]

And… it’s done! One finished waistcoat and shirt combo.

Apart from a few hiccups (such as when I accidentally dyed the first lot of cotton lawn for the shirt cream - oops), it’s all turned out pretty much as I’d envisioned.

The shirt is my go-to shirt pattern, the Sewaholic Granville, which I’ve made many times. I removed the back princess seams a while ago to save matching a busy fabric, and this time I opted not to bother with pockets as they never get used. It’s very light and should be cool to wear in the summer, either as a coverup or tied at the waist.

For the waistcoat I’d originally intended using the Style Arc Joy pattern even though it doesn’t have a collar and I ideally wanted one; before I bought it however I happened to receive an email full of waistcoat patterns (serendipity or what?) and found New Look 6914 which features five different styles, two with collars. Normally I shy away from Big Four patterns (unless it’s for outerwear) because they’re so unreliable regarding measurements; fortunately I read a few reviews that mentioned the ridiculous amount of ease (5 and a half inches!!) so opted to go down a couple of sizes which turned out to be the right decision. I didn’t bother to toile and it’s more or less spot-on though I did have to make my usual alterations for princess seams, taking them in over the bust and into the armholes front and back. It’s a straightforward pattern to follow, but one thing I would do if I make it again is change the way it’s bagged out as the method used makes it awkward to sew and impossible to adjust the side seams.

The instructions use the main fabric for both back and front but as that’s not what happens with traditional waistcoats I opted for satin as both back and lining, which turned out to be something of a headache. The fabric was less stable than the one I used for my coat lining and I really should have overlocked all the edges before I started; I decided to zigzag so as not to have to re-thread the overlocker, which I hate doing, and the stuff just frayed through the extra stitching, resulting in some holes that had to be (not very neatly as I’m a poor hand sewer) fixed afterwards. I’m just hoping the whole thing doesn’t disintegrate after a few wears! It’s definitely not going near the washing machine just in case.

While I wanted a waistcoat anyway, not having worn one since the early nineties, after I’d made my Dark Eyes jacket I thought it would be fun to make something else that was a take on one of the Eighth Doctor’s costumes but that I could wear as part of my usual wardrobe. There wasn’t a lot of choice as far as fabric went; I wanted brocade, and this was the closest I could find. In colour it’s more akin to the one Paul wore for Power of the Doctor, but if you used the wrong side it would actually be a little closer to the one from NotD, something I didn’t notice until I was partway through. It frayed a lot, though not as much as the satin, and as i worked I got covered in bits and threads. I have no idea why I always choose to wear black jeans whenever I sew with fabric that sheds but it happens every single time! Thank goodness for lint rollers!

Now, because I’d based these pieces on a costume, I just had to get a couple of other bits to finish it off, didn’t I? 😉

The scarf is a little chiffon one that I could wear with other things for a vintage look; the chain is just that, no watch as the pockets are false welts.

Cue the obligatory mirror selfies (for once turned the right way round)! Unfortunately I haven’t owned a pair of lace-up knee boots in about twenty five years, which is a shame.

I also recreated that transitionary look I drew a while ago, with the jacket:

Now I am starting to really want to take on the NotD coat. I love frock coats and I’ve always wanted one, plus I’ve found some fabric and a perfect pattern…

[eusuchia]

now having tried a couple of indie-commercial sewing patterns as-is, and running into issues with basically all of them because of my 'unusual' proportions, I am coming to the regrettable but inevitable conclusion that I just have to learn actual tailoring and drafting skills because yes the sizing is more inclusive than buying clothes off the rack and the materials are of course much nicer because I am choosing them, but none of these patterns fit me quite right either. and yes I know the point of learning to sew was to make things that actually fit ME specifically and that was always going to involve tailoring but also it's hard and I don't want toooo

[somediyprojects]

DIY Color Wheel Pouf

Project by Brett Bara:

Add a burst of color to your room with this crafty pouf! At 17” wide and 10” deep, it’s large enough to serve as floor seating or a foot stool. (And if you have pets, I have a feeling they may want to make this their new favorite spot!)

This project is a little challenging to sew, but it’s not too difficult, so if you’re comfortable with the basics of sewing, give it a try. You can make a colorwheel effect with a range of solid colors, or choose a variety of patterned fabrics for a louder patchwork effect. Medium-weight cottons work well for this design (check out quilting shops for great selections of solids and prints).

I love the idea of making a set of these poufs in a range of sizes, for a sculptural stack of cushions that will become a room element in their own right. Or if a pouf isn’t your thing, you can make this in a smaller size for a cute throw pillow for the sofa or bed. Let’s get started! –Brett Bara

Finished Dimensions: 17” diameter by 10” tall

What You’ll Need

¼ yard each 12 coordinating fabrics (I used quilting cottons)

1 yard muslin

3 pounds fiberfill stuffing

2 large buttons (approximately 1 ½”)

2 flat metal washers, slightly smaller than your buttons

12” upholstery needle (get this where upholstery supplies are sold)

fishing line

sewing thread

hand sewing needle

sewing machine

sharp scissors

iron

1. Print the template

DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE HERE

Download and print the template above. This template will work if sized to any dimension, so you don’t have to worry too much about getting it to print to the exact size specified. (And if you prefer a smaller or larger pouf, just size the template accordingly!)

2. Cut & Arrange the Fabric

Using the template, cut 2 pieces from each of the 12 fabrics, and 24 pieces of muslin.

Arrange one piece of each of the 12 fabrics in the order you plan to assemble them.

3. Assemble the Wedges

To stabilize the fabric and discourage stretching, a piece of muslin is sewn behind each piece of colored fabric. To do this, just align a piece of muslin on the wrong side of each piece of fabric, then sew them together as one as you assemble the pouf.

To sew the first two wedges together, make a little fabric sandwich with a piece of muslin, the first wedge right-side up, the next wedge right-side down, and another piece of muslin. Pin all four layers together along one side.

5. Sew the Wedges

Beginning at the wide end of the wedge shape, sew the layers together using a ¼” seam allowance. Sew a gradual curve along the angle at the base of the wedge (rather than sewing a distinct point). Stop the seam when you reach the point.

6. Iron

Iron the seam, pressing the seam allowance to one side.

7. Sew the Remaining Wedges

Place the piece you’ve just sewn right-side up on your work surface, and align the next color wedge right-side down, then place a piece of muslin on top of it. (Be sure to take a moment and double-check that you’re assembling the pieces in the correct color order; I found it was easy to get mixed-up and accidentally sew the pieces in the wrong order!)

Continue to assemble the wedges in this order until you’ve assembled six wedges for a half-circle. Then, assemble the other half circle separately. When both half circles are assembled, place them together along the straight edge, and sew them together. (Assembling them in this way ensures that you won’t have a hole in the middle where all the points meet.)

8. Sew the Other Half

For the other half of the pouf, you must arrange the colors in the opposite direction as you did for the first half. To test if you have the order correct, lay out the pieces in the reverse placement, then place the first half right-side down on top of the pieces to be sewn. If the colors are matched up, you’ve got it right.

Sew the wedges for the second half in the same way you did for the first half.

9. Join the Two Halves

Pin the two halves with their right sides facing together, aligning the pieces so that the seams meet.

10. Join the Two Halves

Sew the two pieces together around the perimeter, ¼” from the edge. Leave an 8” opening to stuff the pouf, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam so that it doesn’t unravel during the stuffing process.

11. Iron the Seam Allowance

Turn the fabric under ¼” on each side of the opening and press. (Folding and pressing this edge will make it easier to sew the opening closed after the pouf is stuffed.)

12. Stuff the Pouf

Stuff the pouf, pulling off handfuls of stuffing and adding them in smallish clumps (to avoid a lumpy appearance, it’s best to add the stuffing little by little). Take care to spread the stuffing into the far edges of the pouf so that each nook and cranny is fully stuffed.

When the pouf is nice and firm, sew the opening closed using a hand-sewing needle and matching thread.

14. Make the Tuft

(SAFETY NOTE: Be very careful when working with the long upholstery needle. I nearly poked myself in the eye as I struggled to push the needle through the pouf while leaning over it to observe – yikes – NOT a good method! Always insert the needle AWAY from yourself, not toward yourself!)

In this step, flat metal washers are used to hold the tufting in place in the center of the cushion. The tufting is sewn with fishing line because regular thread is not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the tufting. The buttons, which are decorative only, are added later.

Thread an approximately 60” piece of fishing line (here I’m using heavy thread since fishing line wouldn’t show in the photos) through the long upholstery needle. Tie both ends of the fishing line onto one of the washers and loop it through the washer twice.

Insert the needle all the way through the center of the pouf, so that the washer lies flat against the center point of one side the pouf. On the other side, loop the thread through another washer.

Looping through the center and around the edge of the washer, insert the needle back through the pouf and out through the center of the other washer. Pull the fishing line tight while pressing down on the top washer to create the tufted effect. Keeping the tension, insert the needle around the washer and back through the other side. (It’s helpful to have someone else lend a hand at this stage, though it’s not impossible to do yourself!)

Make a few passes with the needle and fishing line, each time looping through and around the washers. Tie off the line on one side, knotting it onto the washer.

15. Add the Buttons

Cut an approximately 30” piece of matching thread and loop it through the upholstery needle, doubling it. Insert the needle through the pouf, going through the center of the washers. Next, loop it through a button, then back through to the other side of the pouf. Finally, loop it through the other button. Tie the threads in a knot so that the thread is pulled taut and the buttons are nestled against the washers.

And poof — you’re done!

[inkofamethyst]

August 24, 2024

My bass case came in!!!  I’m actually quite glad I didn’t choose a black one.  I’d love to do some embroidery on it, but it’s supposed to be weather resistant and I worry that poking holes in the finish might screw with that.  It’s kind of funny, I’m so short that I can carry it on my back and still fit under doorways despite the case being nearly my height.  Tall bassists could neverrrr.  Anyway now the bass doesn’t have to just sit in a cardboard box in the living room.

Also also also! I might be going to the renn faire next month for a friend's birthday!!!! This absolutely means I have to gather the equipment for a kit. I'm thinking of going as a bard and picking up a recorder from amazon then maybe sewing or crocheting some kind of holster for it to strap around my waist (while I'm obviously much better at flute, I'd rather carry around a fifteen dollar instrument all day than my hundred dollar (or, obviously, my thousand dollar) pride and joy (and there's no way I'm bringing my uke up even though I'd probably be an even better look)). Alternatively, I could use my already mostly trashed piccolo that I've no intent to really ever use again, though the metal instrument wouldn't go as well with the renn faire aesthetic compared to a wood (or wood-look) recorder (plus picc is lowk annoying lol).

I'll design anything I'd want to make and cut out the pattern pieces before leaving home then sew them while at uni. I also really want to get my twists redone then. Time to scour my pinterest dress-up board for inspiration! I'm fairly certain I know that I need/want a ruffly cotton shift or poet/pirate shirt at the very least, and I have this blue wool unattached to any specific project which could very well become a cape/cloak... eek I'm so excited!! I'd planned to go to bed early tonight but now I have at least another couple of hours before I can.

I did a bit of depopping last week and ordered things to my house. Two of four have come in and one of them is unfortunately not great quality. It's a floral tapestry vest, and about two sizes too big (I always learn my lesson when I don't ask for measurements, ugh ugh ugh). But! I think I can deconstruct it carefully then attach an entirely new back panel and fit the shoulders correctly. I may be able to dart the front for an even better fit, but that's not part of the plan. If it works it could be a nice addition to the renn faire 'fit.

Today I'm thankful that moving my sibling into their dorm was a pleasant experience. I'm thankful that I felt comfortable with the roommate, unlike last year where I almost immediately got bad vibes and turned out to be right, unfortunately. I'm also thankful for all the people who love us.

[anielskaaniela]

Learn How to Sew a Slip Dress with Flounce Sleeves and a Free PDF Pattern for Beginners!

Do you love slip dresses? They are one of the most versatile and chic garments that you can have in your wardrobe. In this video, I will show you how to sew a slip dress with flounce sleeves, a corset waist tie, and pockets. You will also get a free PDF pattern in 5 sizes to download and print.

A slip dress is a simple and elegant dress that can be worn in many ways. You can dress it up or down, depending on the occasion and the season. A flounce sleeve adds some drama and flair to the simple silhouette. A corset waist tie accentuates your curves and gives you a flattering fit. And pockets are always a bonus, right?

In this video, you will learn how to:

Print out the PDF pattern and cut out the pieces according to your size

Sew the front and back bodice pieces together at the shoulders

Sew the front and back skirt pieces together at the sides

Sew the bodice and the skirt together at the waist

Sew the flounce sleeves to the armholes

Sew the neckline facing to the neckline

Sew the corset waist tie to the waist seam

Sew the pockets to the skirt

Hem the dress and the sleeves

You will also learn how to hack the pattern to create different styles of slip dresses, such as:

A basic slip dress without pockets and ties

A slip dress without sleeves

A mini dress with a ruffle

You will also get some tips on how to choose the right fabric and size for your slip dress, and how to style it for different occasions and seasons.

To watch the video, click on the link below. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share if you enjoy it. And if you want to see more videos like this, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow my Tumblr blog.

Watch the video here

Detailed post with sizing guide and free pattern here

Happy sewing! 😊

[bomberqueen17]

well now what

I have polls now, I've just realized, but here's the thing I was looking forward to them because I used them so heavily on Livejournal back in the day, but that was such a different site than this! Now you're supposed to vote and reblog and it's all about getting a big sample size to extremely-subjectively and non-scientifically settle Big Questions About Society by asking leading questions and making as many strangers as possible weigh in with no way to correlate the "explain in the tags!" with people's votes and no way to select what audience sees the poll except by using phrasing one side will like more. (Not to be a downer, they're fun, but everyone knows this is not how you do science, right? I am not a scientist but I do know that much.)

I used polls for things like... I'm looking at shoes, should I get the black ones or the red ones. And that was awesome. And the people on my f-list would vote, and it would help me choose in the way that asking RL friends for help did, where when everyone said "black" you were like "oh i was super hoping they'd say red" but you hadn't realized that what you were looking for was validation not actual input. Anyway so you'd get the red ones even though black had a better photo and won in a landslide, and it'd be the right choice, that's how this goes.

If that got reblogged it'd be a wild disaster and there'd be discourse.

So. I don't have any earthshattering data science to do, I just wanted to ask my friends their opinions on things. I guess I could still use them that way and the reason I haven't seen other people using them that way is that they're not getting reblogged?

Anyway so I should put my first poll in this. And set it to no-reblog so well-meaning people don't spread this outside of its context, which is one middle-aged lady talking to people who presumably know who she is on the Internet.

Mmm what shall I ask. Oh I know. I have fabric and patterns and very little time.

[gaviicreates]

Journeys in Amigurumi (Bingo Roll 1)

Spoiler: This was a challenge!

For my first roll of the bingo card, I got "make an amigurumi" - and as someone who is most comfortable with flat 2D projects with little sewing, I knew this one would really be taking me out of my comfort zone. I'm not happy when I have to sew, and I am incredibly not happy when I have to attempt embroidery.

I may not do a full blog post for each bingo roll, but as this is so completely new to me and a large part of this bingo is the journey, here we go!

For full disclosure, I've made ONE amigurumi project before this, and I haven't picked up the technique once since. So before we dive in - have a quick picture of where I started 12 years ago.

I had to dig some really old photo archives for this one.

This lil' guy was made to be a warbler for my fandom at the time. I am sure he was based off a pattern, but it's unlikely I'll be able to find it now. I also don't think I know where this lil birb is anymore; he's gotten lost in the shuffle of moving a few times since.

Step 1: Research

Research - Before even choosing a pattern to begin this challenge, I wanted to first understand more about amigurumi, so I took to Youtube, which is my usual place to learn all things.

For my intro to amigurumi, I started with a few channels:

LePetitSaint Crochet, especially this Amigurumi fundamentals playlist; olliehollycrochet, especially this beginner tutorial video; For inspiration, I've also found Skein Spider

There are quite a few amigurumi channels out there - these are just a few that I enjoyed across my youtube dashboard.

The next step of research was finding a pattern, and I feel as though this is the part of the rabbit hole I am going to ADORE continuing to explore.

Step 2: Practice

Before I started "the" project, I wanted to first get a sense of the tension and play around with a project. Just something small. In effort to avoid buying more materials, I took to stash busting some of my scrap cotton. For the test piece, I found the pattern Octobuddy by the blog, Sweet Softies.

As someone with already pretty tight tension, working with a smaller hook took some getting used to, but I liked the way this pattern was written - he's an adorable little Octopus, but it also helped me get used to the shaping and stuffing process. I used household cotton balls since poly-fil isn't the type of thing I just have on hand. I did end up buying some for the final project.

This was a good exercise for me, as I started to feel comfortable with the actual crochet and using a tighter gauge. As I was sewing the eyes, I ended up pulling the cotton up or not being able to push the needle through. He was a bit overstuffed, or maybe I tried to assemble out of order, or maybe it's just my lack of sewing experience striking again.

Beyond that, the hardest part was in fact the the embroidery of the eyes, and his are quite... something. I was not originally going for the wink, but as the two sides became less uniform, I decided to lean into it. They still turned out pretty shoddy, and I can NOT stand doing this. I told myself never again, but for another spoiler... I did it again.

My Octobuddy might still be a bit overstuffed, but he's super squishy and relaxing to squeeze, just like a stress ball, the perfect size for my palm. So he's been hanging with me at my work desk.

Step 3: Do the thing

I won't say I was ready for the next thing, per se, but I also wasn't getting anywhere just looking at the cool things that could be made with this technique. So why not jump right in?

For my actual pattern selection, I chose "Hubble" by Projectarian, available on ravelry. I love me an aquatic creature, and it called to me that not only was this pattern free, it also came with a beginner friendly pdf, quick reference, and an entire selection of written tips for the new-to-amigurumi crafter.

Squid time!

Again, I wanted to use up scraps, so my first challenge with this pattern was adjusting it for the yarn weight I had on hand to use. As a result, the eyes were made with a way too tight tension. The pattern called for some crochet for the sleeping pupil lines, but there was no way I was going to get my hook in there. For the second time, I took up a sewing needle and attempted embroidery. This time turned out a bit better than the Octopus. I adore how soft he looks with the brown cotton yarn I decided to use when I couldn't find black.

At some point in attaching the legs and tentacles, I did lose track of where I was - but that was on me since I got lazy with the stitch markers. It was so close to the end, I was able to wing it to decrease the final row and stitch up the center. Before then, I added a bit more poly-fil.

I chose not to add pom-poms at the end of the legs for the same reason as I didn't add tassels to the blanket I made. Being a mom of three dogs makes you super aware of the types of things the furbabies will get into. You should've seen their faces when I brought home the poly-fil.

But I'm ranting away and you haven't even seen him yet!!

Step 4: Finished Object!

Body: Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 - Rosewood, 3.5mm Eyes: Hobbii Rainbow Glitter Gold 8/4 - Natural White, Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 - Light Brown, 2.00mm Legs and Tentacles: Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 - Rosewood, 3.25mm Pattern: Hubble the Squid by Projectarian I call him Hubblet since I made him so small. Sleeeepy squid baby.

Make an Amigurumi✔️

[sweaterkittensahoy]

More thoughts on JackHarding A/B/O with Chick as an Alpha from a long line of Alphas and Jack an Omega who has spent a LOT of time hearing how he's not much of one because he looks and acts all wrong:

Jack, being an Omega, was expected to learn the homemaking arts. Which he refused to do whenever possible because he's getting in one ear that he needs to know them to get a mate and then hearing in the other he'll never get a mate because he's not the right kind of Omega, so he very intentionally refuses to learn anything he does not find immediately useful to himself. He's an excellent cook because he LIKES cooking, and he keeps a neat house because he likes it that way.

Chick, being from his ultra-Alpha family, was always told not to worry about homemaking things. He'll have a mate for that. But sometime before meeting Jack, he'd decided to figure some shit out for himself, and it turns out he enjoys several of the "Omega" homemaking skills including knitting and crochet and embroidery. He finds them soothing. He is a major proponent of teaching men to knit when they're in the hospitals during the war to give them something to concentrate on.

Chick can cook fine, but Jack's a better cook.

When Jack and Chick get engaged, Chick gets to work on a proper hope chest for Jack because he knows Jack doesn't have one and doesn't want to create it himself. He tells Jack the night he starts it because he doesn't want to make it in colors or patterns Jack doesn't like.

Jack makes the actual chest for all the linens. It's metal, not wood, made of various cuts of scrap from the forts. He gets Ken to help him cut it to size and line it with silk from an old parachute.

Jack ends up being so curious watching Chick make blocks for a bedspread that he asks Chick to teach him.

Turns out Jack enjoys quilting when it's something he chooses to do and isn't forced on him. He hates knitting. He's good at crochet. He enjoys cross stitch when the pattern is stamped on the fabric but hates working from a pattern. It reminds him too much of maps.

When Chick finally collapses from ignoring his gallbladder for weeks, Jack deals with the stress by crocheting, then embroidering a dunce cap. Chick gleefully wears it the moment it shows up at the hospital.

Chick's family are SCANDALIZED when they find out the monogrammed handkerchief Chick pulls out during a visit was monogrammed by their own son. He digs the knife in deeper by asking Jack to take out his, which has a tiny B-17 stitched into one corner and very lovely bunches of flowers stitched into the other corners.

When Jack gets pregnant, they work together on the christening gown. Jack sews it all. Chick makes all accessories. His family try to pretend like Jack did all the work in front of their asshole friends, and Jack DELIGHTS in correcting them. Chick delights in watching Jack correct them.

Jack's family is just happy Jack found someone who loves him as he is and think Chick is absolutely wonderful. They have Chick's permission to mention his family's Alpha bloodline to anyone who tries to scoff about how "I'm surprised Jack found someone. You know we love him, but he can just be a bit difficult." / "Well, Chick is from a long line of Alphas, so we guess he's just got a natural inclination to handle Jack." / "He's from a long line of what now."

[embroidery-pro]

All about sewing tools

Sewing Tools for Professional Results As with any profession or hobby, using the right tools can make all the difference in the world and can make the difference between amateur or professional results. Even if you’ve only sewn a few projects and collected some basic sewing tools, it may be time to learn about some of the advanced sewing tools designed to give your project that professional edge. Most sewing projects can be completed without the following tools, but as you improve and fine-tune your skills and develop an affinity for quilting, home decorating or clothing construction, you’ll find these tools indispensable for saving time, increasing accuracy and simplifying tasks Cutting Tools Needlework Scissors and Snips Small, 3"- to 5"-long needlework scissors or snips are indispensable for clipping close to the stitching line or trimming intricate areas of a project. They can be used wherever your large bent-handled shears can’t reach. Snips have spring-loaded handles. Keep a pair alongside the sewing machine, at-theready to cut stray threads. Rotary Cutter Used with a self-healing mat and a clear plastic ruler, rotary cutters are ideal for straight cuts in one or more fabric layers. Look for blades that can be easily removed and replaced and a handle that is comfortable. Rotary mats and rulers are made specifically for rotary-blade cutting, and the materials don’t dull rotary blades as other products might. Both the mat and the ruler feature gridlines and angles for cutting accuracy. See more about: rotary cutters Measuring & Altering Tools Grid Board Use a large grid board under the fabric and pattern to align the fabric grain while pinning and cutting. A padded grid board allows you to pin into it when stretching or blocking fabric. Some have ironing surfaces that are also helpful for fusing large fabric sections. Consider a rotating grid board if your space is limited. Mats and wide rulers used for rotary cutting are actually modified grid boards used both underneath and on top of the fabric. See “Rotary Cutter” above. French Curve or Fashion Ruler These rulers have a variety of curves to mimic the body’s curves and are used when altering patterns. It’s helpful for the simplest length adjustment and indispensable when actually changing the style of a garment. Depending on how you turn the ruler and what segment you use, one ruler gives you all the curves necessary to complete pattern lines when altering or drafting patterns. Marking Tools FabricMarking Pens The space-age chemicals used to make these clever pens become more high-tech every day. The disappearing ink allows you to mark most projects at the exact location needed—even on the fabric right side— without fear of staining or discoloration. Look for an ink color that is in high contrast to your fabric, and for accuracy select a fine tip. Choose a water-soluble pen for long-term projects, when you want the markings to remain until you remove them with water. Air-soluble pen inks disappear within a few hours and are ideal for fabrics that can’t be washed or dampened. Some air- and water-soluble pen manufacturers caution against exposing marked fabrics to sunlight or the heat of the iron because heat may set the ink permanently. Always test the pen on a scrap of the fabric before using it on your project. Pressing Tools Tailor’s Ham Resembling a ham, this pressing tool is used as a base or a mold when pressing curved or shaped seams. It’s available in several sizes and should be covered on one side in cotton and the other in wool. The ham’s curves are designed to mimic garment curves and are used to set the shape of collars, lapels, sleeve caps and more. Point Presser & Pounding Block The raised points of this wooden tool allow you to press deep into a corner without creasing the surrounding fabric. The base is used as a pounding block, or clapper, to flatten seams. Needle Board A flat, flexible board with a bed of short needles placed very close together, a velvet board or needle board is used for pressing napped fabrics, such as velvet and corduroy, without crushing the fabric’s pile. A lessexpensive, and less-effective, version of a needle board features a canvas backed fabric with a raised pile front that takes the place of the needles. Sewing Tools SewingMachine Needles Sewing needles are designed for the type of fabric, thread and stitches you’re using. Using the right size and type of needle will greatly improve your sewing success. For more information on choosing the best needle for your project . Tip: A stitching problem, such as skipped stitches or looping or shredding threads, at firstmay appear to be a problemwith themachine when actually it’s a call for a new or better-suited needle. Bodkin Used for drawing elastic, cord or ribbon through a fabric casing, bodkins are available in several different styles. The pincer is usually the shortest with teeth at one end designed to clamp down firmly on ribbon or elastic and pull it through a tubular casing. Longer versions have a safety pin style closure at one end, and the slimmest version, designed like a large sewing needle, has a large eye for feeding narrow cord in narrow casings. A bodkin’s ball-point end comes in handy for turning fabric tubes right side out. Point Turner A point turner is a hand-held, pointed plastic tool designed to poke into tight corners. For crisp, sharp corners and points, use this tool to push out the corners of collars and cuffs before pressing. The opposite end is flat or rounded; use it to hold open seam allowances while pressing, so you don’t burn your fingers.Basting Tape Much faster than hand basting with needle and thread, use narrow, paper backed basting tape to hold zippers, bias tapes and trims in place while stitching. Fray Preventer A drop of this liquid on the cut edge of a woven fabric will bond the edges and prevent the fabric from raveling. Before using, test the product on a scrap of the actual fabric, or in an inconspicuous area of the project. Allow the test piece to dry thoroughly. Then wash, dry and press it as you would the finished project, to be sure the product doesn’t discolor the fabric. Read the full article

[guchet]

Free Crochet Blanket Pattern (Scraps of Yarn Blanket)

(COPY BELOW)

FINISHED SIZE

Varies

Showing in finished size: 65” L X 42” W

YARN

Weight - #4 Worsted

Color: Assorted

Qty: (2) Balls per color of any combination

Showing In: (2) balls each of 7 shades of gray/white

MATERIALS

Yarn needle

HOOK

US N15/(10.00mm)

ABBREVIATIONS

Beg = Begin                

Ch = Chain(s)      

Cont = Continue

Dc = Double crochet   

Rep = Repeat      

Sc = Single crochet

Sp(s) = Space(s)          

St(s) = Stitch(es)

PATTERN NOTES

Change color at the end of row.  

To avoid having several loose ends to weave, use this joining technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXBdlRMjO40 

·Need color combination inspiration? Our Pinterest “Color Scheme” has 100 + photos: https://www.pinterest.com/guchet/color-schemes/

STEP 1: BLANKET GRID

With 2 strands of color #1 joined together

Ch any EVEN number until you reach your desired width.

Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook (sk sts count as 1 dc + ch 1), *ch 1,  skip next ch,  1 dc in next ch*. Rep from *to* across to last ch. End with 1 dc in last ch (so 2 dc at end of row). Ending stitch count should be 2 less than original chain count.

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), turn; *skip next dc,   dc in next ch-1 sp,  ch 1*.  Rep from *to* across to last ch-1 sp, dc in last ch-1 sp.  End with 1 dc in top of ch 3. Rep row 2 for a total of 5 rows.

Switch to color #2 and work another 5 rows.

Cont to work in stitch pattern, switching colors every 6th row, until desired length is achieved.

Note: Length of blanket will grow considerably, as the stitches will stretch a lot.

You will end with a “grid-like” piece of work.

 STEP 2: CREATING & WEAVING CHAINS

You’ll be creating longs chains that will be weaved through each ch-1 space.

With 2 strands joined together

A.    Join yarn to last dc made at lower edge. Determine number of chains needed by using the following calculations:   Beg chain count_   x   5 Rows  =  ____  (Ex: 100 chs  X  5 rows = 500 chs).

B.   Create long chain.

C.   Fasten off.

D.   Thread chain through yarn needle.

E.    Weave chain, from left to right, under and over 5 rows, in ch-1 sps to create woven appearance.

F.    Fasten off.

Note: After creating the 1st long chain, you’ll have a better of idea of the exact number of chains you’ll need.    Add or omit chs as needed for the remaining 5 row blocks.

G.   Add next color to last chain made and create next long chain.

H.   Continue to create long chains and weave into ch-1 sps, until you’ve reached the end.

  STEP 3: BORDER

A.   Work one row of sc down both sides of blanket or any edging that you choose (Showing with an additional 5 rows down each side in white).

  OPTIONS/TIPS

If you have enough of (2) color left over, use 1st color to create 5 more rows to your blanket and the 2nd color to create your chain.

use 1st color to create rows down long side of blanket (See: White rows down both sides of my blanket) and the 2nd color to create your chain

If you have enough of EACH color left over, add fringes to each ch-1 space on short ends of blanket. Remember: The goal is to use up all your scrap yarn!

  STEP 4: FINISHING

 Sew in loose ends.

[tj-crochets]

I havent been here for the quilting saga, very cool that you're done your squares, what were you going for with this quilt? Like what were ur quilt goals, why did u choose those fabrics? Is it meaningful or all just stuff you like?

This latest quilt is my scrap quilt, which means it's entirely made of fabric scraps from previous quilts I've made. Well, mostly from quilts I've made, plus one bag's worth of scrap fabric from a local quilt shop, plus a few scraps from various peoples' destashes I've been given over the years? So there wasn't really an overarching goal, per se, except to use up fabric scraps because I couldn't bring myself to throw them away but didn't have enough of any one color palette to make a cohesive quilt top. I put zero thought or effort into color distribution except to try to keep different pieces of the same fabric from touching each other, and I had a few very dark fabrics that stand out against my usual "everything is as bright as possible" color choices so I made sure those were distributed evenly across the quilt. As for the quilt pattern itself, it's made of two kinds of 12" blocks. Block A is made of six rows of 2.5" strips. I made them by sewing my 2.5" strips into a very long single piece of fabric and then cutting that into 12.5" by 2.5" rectangles, then sewing those together Block B is basically a 4 patch block, but the upper right and lower left squares are made of smaller 4 patch blocks. So it's two 6.5" squares and eight 3.5" squares per Block B. I chose those sizes because they were small enough to be easy to cut even out of small scraps and scaled well with each other to make a pattern I would not get bored sewing. Every few weeks I'd collect my fabric scraps, iron them, cut them down to those sizes and put them in the scrap quilt drawer until I had enough to make the quilt top I'm working on now

[creations-by-chaosfay]

Goals for 2023

I had a lot planned for 2022, but the year of madness made it virtually impossible to reach all those goals. The IRS requiring I pay back the "no strings attached" stimulus check because I'm a "non-contributing" citizen, aka Disabled, was just the beginning. Then the eviction without cause, seeking out a new rental and finding none, searching for a house to buy within our limited budget (yay for first time home buyer programs), arranging the move, the person handling the paper failing which then resulted in delaying the move and losing all our cold and frozen groceries, the former landlord trying to pull illegal nonsense with keeping our deposit (threatening small claims court changed their mind), Husband starting a new job, contracting covid and spending weeks recovering, Husband's grandmother passing away, euthanizing Jasper due to cancer, long term effects of covid (severe inflammation in my ears) and being treated for it, and now we're at the end of the year. All this delayed or prevented me from being able to start and finish projects in time for the holidays.

But we did have good things happen. We're now homeowners, Husband requested he be moved to a different location and position, which has been granted, successfully acquiring commissions, sell what I've made, recover from covid, purchase a new cutting table, sewing chair, and sewing desk, finished quilt tops, starting and finishing little things like ornaments and coasters, and soon we shall see about replacing our garage door with a wall in order to turn the space into a library and D&D game room. 

I'll keep my goals for 2023 very simple and far more achievable. The long term effects of covid have left me with my eustachian tubes (tubes in your ears) inflamed. This resulted in partial deafness for a few days, with zero equilibrium, pressure in my head that had me feeling like it was going to pop off as though it were a cork on a bottle of shaken bubbly wine, and in pain. I'm on powerful medications right now, and the side effects are enough that I'm not comfortable standing for long periods of time and my hands are unsteady. This will pass in a couple weeks, and my ears have improved quite a bit. It likely won't be until the middle of January before I really get back to work in my sewing room.

Now let's focus on the sewing and art goals I have for 2023, shall we?

Make at least three lap size quilt tops, measuring no less than 50x50 inches. All the quilt patterns and fabric I have pulled meet the criteria, and these are fairly simple patterns. It'll make for quick work once I get to it. These quilt tops will be listed on the commission page later, providing a clear image of what the finished quilt will look like. More on that later.

Make a bookshelf wall quilt for the bedroom. A bookshelf quilt is simply a quilt that looks like a bookshelf. I high recommend using a search engine and checking out what you find. They're often made using foundation paper piecing. Most of the blocks I'll be using are free, but I there are several I plan on purchasing. This will hang on the wall at the head of the bed, made using patterns that reflect the interests and hobbies my husband and I have. It won't be a show piece, but something to make the bedroom have less of an echo and have a much more homey effect.

Open commission in April 2023. The commissions will have finished quilt tops as mentioned above. Several clients informed me this gave them more confidence about results. People unfamiliar with quilting may find it difficult to "see" the quilt in their mind. Having the information there on the screen makes it easier to decide on commissioning me. They can then choose which quilt I work on. This gives me more focus, and I also don't end up with several finished quilts taking up limited space while they wait for a buyer. 

Make at least one queen size quilt for home. I want to make a warm weather quilt, something light and breathable, and very colorful. I have two queen size quilts from my mom, but they're earth tones, nothing vibrant. I do have one finished quilt top that qualifies, and that one I intend to have machine quilted by a local quilter. The fabric and pattern were a gift from my mom, which I love, but I want to make something a little more personal and handquilt it. 

Make a sampler quilt. This will also fit in with a couple of the other goals. What's a sampler quilt? It's a quilt make using many different blocks that don't repeat. You get to sample different blocks and designs this way. I have fabric set aside for a sampler quilt, and have found a pattern I like. I might keep it, seeing as it's queen size, though it will likely be placed on my commission page.

Create at least three tree wallhangings that will be placed in my shop. I had hoped to make these this year, but things didn't quite work out that way. I intend to start these early, and make them using scraps. They're small enough that I can machine quilt them comfortably. 

Make more pins and magnets. These are tiny things, about 1.5x1.5 inches. Easy and quick to make, but I haven't had the energy or focus to make them this year. I hope to make at least 10 batches of four, and spread the work throughout the year.

Close commissions in August 2023. Depending on what sort of commissions I have, it may be earlier. This will provide me with time to make more holiday quilts. I know August may sound early, but keep in mind my work takes weeks and even months to finish. A December quilt is best started in September in order to have it finished by November.

Reach my Ko-Fi goals. I intend to purchase a filing cabinet, a printer that uses toner, vertical storage for my sewing room (hanging baskets, tack board, shelves), and fabric (I'm out of yellow, low on orange, very low on prints in black, white, grey, and black & white combinations). Commissions and successfully selling what I have in my shop, plus donations, will cover these quite nicely.

Learn how to make my own pants and shorts. I'm barely 5'2" or 1.57 meters tall, aka very short, and pear shaped. Women's clothes for short people tend to assume we're also very thin. Finding clothes that fit and match my style and preferences is virtually impossible. If I want something I like, I'll have to make it myself. When I was a teenager, my favorite shorts were a pair my mom made for me using Hawaiian prints. I wore them to the point of threadbare, and have missed having such wild shorts. Plus, they went to my knees, and most of women's shorts are too short and tight for me to be comfortable. Making my own pants will also be great because I prefer mine very baggy, wide leg and not boot cut/bell bottom. Finding those has, in fact, been impossible. Once I learn how to make my own, I will be a very happy lady.

These are all achievable, especially with the help of clients, supporters, and members. Member will, of course, have the option of commissioning me earlier. Commissions will be open for them starting probably in mid-March, giving them first dibs. If you want to have this early advantage, sign up to be a member here. It works like a friendly version of Patreon. I currently have just three members, resulting in $29/month in support. Members also receive and automatic 15% discount in my shop and on commissions, as well as a few other goodies you can read there.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. As a show of gratitude, use 2023GOAL for a 20% discount in my shop. It expires January 2nd, so use it soon. 

I hope 2023 treats us well, with a dull and uneventful year, a time of calm and recovery from the madness we have enduring since 2020. Remember to take care of yourself, especially in regards to wearing a mask so as not to get sick or make others sick. Wash your hands, treat yourself and those around you with kindness, and find things to look forward to. Give yourself an achievable goal, make them easy, and reward yourself when you have reached them. Don't be shy or ashamed of asking for help; we are mortal and no one can truly survive entirely on their own. Find something to look forward to, be it a new game that's coming out, finishing a book you've been reading, whatever simple thing that will provide you with gratitude and happiness. May 2023 be a happy new year.