I knew there would be time for sewing as I use a lot of annual leave in the winter months rather than summer. In spite of December being a busy month, it is much easier to carve out sewing time when work doesn’t interfere with life!
My dear friend Lisa (bobo_bun ) and I were hosting a month long challenge on Instagram – #AVeryVintageChristmas2021 – which kept the momentum up even when time was becoming a luxury!
Schultz Apparel, Gerda dress
I started off the month with a firm favourite; the Gerda dress from Schultz Apparel. I just love the large collar and sleeves of this pattern and find this dress suitable for all kinds of occasions; from the office to country walks.
Tara Deighton Atelier, Vintage Tassel Beret
I found my love of knitting again when I picked up the knitting needles to try Tara Deighton’s wonderful vintage tassel beret pattern, transposed, I believe, from an original vintage pattern. I did not actually use the tassel this time as I loved it without but I’m sure I’ll try it again.
Decades of Style, E.S.P. Dresses
I toiled this at the start of the month so when I went to make the first version, I thought I would be ok – it turns out this brushed cotton, being softer, didn’t really have the same effect as calico…
So I toiled again, this time just in cotton and discovered I started making the dress a size too big, so by sizing down and doing an FBA (and making a few more basic adjustments, I was able to get a really good fit on my Christmas Eve dress, made up in the caroller print from Spoonflower pictured below.
Christmas Sweaters
Again, from Spoonflower, I made Simon his Christmas sweater in this retro Santa print – the pattern I used was his favourite, the Helen’s Closet Jackson Pullover. Meanwhile, I couldn’t resist the cute mouse print from 1st for Fabrics and made a cropped sweater to wear over dresses – the Seamwork Astoria.
Boatneck dresses, Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses
I revisited a pattern I never quite got the fit down at the start of the year. The boatneck dress is quite simple but required a lot of pattern modifications which I will specify in another post.
For some reason, the cotton sateen version came up bigger than I had toiled but the red tartan version (knocked up on Christmas Eve for Christmas Day) turned out really well. I just have to tweak the arm a little more.
Peter Pan Boleros
I love these Charm Patterns boleros and have quite a few colours now but I was lacking a plain black and navy version which I have now made after getting some ponte roma from Jenny Stitches.
Colette Moneta Dress
I knew the moment I received this fabric from Rainbow Fabrics that it would need to be quite a simple dress as the fabric speaks for itself.
So I opted for the Moneta bodice (which is one of my ultimate go to patterns) and added a circle skirt rather than the gathered skirt of the Moneta for a little more vintage party vibe.
Charm Patterns, Princess Cropped Jacket
I loved my last Princess Coat so much that I decided I needed another one – this time in black so it would go with the majority of my wardrobe. I absolutely loved working with this vegan wool from Fabric Godmother. I’ve already bought some red wool to make another one.
Fitiyoo, Maitai Boxers
I used up all the remnants from my jersey makes this month to make some boxers for Simon. can never see good quality fabrics put into the remnants box!
Poinsettia Corsages
Lisa @bobo_bun was hosting an online workshop to teach people how to make her beautiful poinsettia brooch – sadly my delivery of wool felt from Billow Fabrics never showed up (still hasn’t, 4 weeks later, which is incredibly frustrating) but I managed to get some from Jolif within 2 days and Lisa kindly showed me over Zoom while chatting and enjoying a beverage or three! I decided to make mine interchangeable as a hairpiece and I do not regret it!
Juno Pyjamas
These were made with a fabric gifted from Minerva – it is a fur backed jersey and may well be the cosiest things I have ever worn, making me so ready for the winter chill when it inevitably hits. Details of the make can be found on my Minerva profile.
Cashmerette Alcott Dress
I have a blog post coming once I take pictures of this make so you’ll see it properly soon enough as I plan to wear it tonight.
What a lovely, productive December. I can’t believe that 2021 is gone already. Looking forward to seeing where my sewing journey takes me in 2022.