Sewing Challenge – Em Sew Happy Blog

It’s getting to that time of year where time is a scarce commodity. I came across the Blomma Tank, a free pattern from Paradise Patterns, a few months ago and have been meaning to sew it up but things just kept popping up. I saw that other makers have said that it only takes a short time to sew. So, last weekend, I thought that I’d give myself an hour and I’ll see how far I get. For a laugh, I recorded my time. It was a surprise to me that I got as far as I did! I ended up making the whole thing in under two hours. So, no. I can’t sew it in one hour, but it was motivating to try!

The Blomma Tank is a core piece for the wardrobe. Great for layering in winter and just so comfortable on its own in summer. I didn’t toile the pattern as other makers had commented that the sizing was quite accurate. My sizing of 35-inch high-bust, 37-inch bust, and 33-inch waist sat between the size E and F in the B Cup. I decided to sew size F without any modifications. It is a close-fitting top so there is negative ease in the stretch fabric. I’ve used a bamboo stretch jersey which is very soft. I hadn’t realised that I needed bias binding, so I used the same fabric which was ok.

Knit fabric sewing is still unfamiliar to me. I think this has been the year where I’ve sewn the most with knits. I do love how comfortable wearing those knit fabric makes are so I’m going to persevere with it. You’ll see on my Blomma Tank that my neckband is a bit floppy which is showing my lack of skill. I deviated from the pattern instruction and attached the neckband and armhole bands with the overlocker as I’ve done in the past. I thought it would be fine but you can see that I don’t have the more sporty look as intended by the design of the pattern.

Back to the sewing challenge! I decided to start the Can I Sew It In One Hour hashtag (#CanISewItInOneHour) to keep myself motivated. I’m an over thinker and sometimes my need for perfection stops me from just giving something a go. It’s also that time of year when everyone is short on time and motivation so I thought it would be a fun way to connect with others who are feeling the same way. I’m excited to see what patterns others might suggest for me or what everyone will try. I hope to make it a safe space for anyone wanting to join in. It’s not a serious challenge with a hundred rules and there are no prizes apart from the joy of sewing. It’s a place for connection and support. I hope it inspires a lot of joyful sewing and laughter.

Pairing the Blomma Tank with Freerange Slacks, Wooster Jacket and Revisible Tote

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Unbelievably, it’s December which makes it time to review my sewing year. Even though I haven’t completed all my Make Nine Projects, I’m very happy with how much I’ve progressed and learnt this year. I find that challenges like the Make Nine are a really useful tool for my learning. I’m not sure who to attribute the creation of the Make Nine Challenge to but a lot of the making and sewing community use it. I love to plan and document with everything that I do so this challenge really appealed to me. The idea of the challenge is to list nine patterns you’ll sew in the year. Last year, I didn’t list exact patterns, but I listed the set of skills or types of patterns I wanted to sew.

Let’s walk through the planned projects. The Amy Jumpsuit was the first project that I completed. I love the idea of a jumpsuit, but I find the closer fitting jumpsuits or boiler suits very uncomfortable to wear. The Amy Jumpsuit is by Closet Core Patterns, and I just love the roomy fit around the legs. I found this jumpsuit to be the perfect summer smart casual outfit.

Next, I made the Kalle Shirtdress, which is also by Closet Core Patterns. I chose this because of the collar and placket instalment. Prior to this, I had never sewn anything with a collar, and I found the instructions were great for a beginner like me. Also, I made it using this wonderful “faces” linen fabric. I’ll be revisiting this lovely pattern to sew the other versions of it.

The Closet Core Pouf is a free pattern! It’s a great piece of furniture and it’s made and filled with all my sewing scraps. The pouf was photographed with some pillows for stuffing, but my pouf is still not one hundred percent full yet. It’s still being filled with all the little scraps that can’t be used for other projects. You can tell by now that I was having a bit of a Closet Core crush!

The Nellie joggers was the next project that I tackled. I love the beautiful designs by Pattern Scout. I find all her pieces so easy to wear. I chose the joggers for the zip fly installation. Trousers require a lot more skill to fit so I try to find trousers that have elements like partially elasticised waists to make fitting a bit easier while I build up my confidence.

I didn’t manage to sew the Nova Coat by Papercut Patterns, but I have the pattern in my stash. I often find myself ruminating over projects before sewing. I bought the pattern, then I found some beautiful fabric from Potter and Co, and I think that was the downfall of the project. The wool was dry-clean only and I found that researching about how to prepare the fabric was a bit overwhelming, so I put it aside. I really want my sewing to be enjoyable so I’m not afraid to step back. I’m finding that sewing helps me in the most surprising way, I’m better at forgiving and being more patient with myself. This will definitely be revisited soon!

It was close to winter when I moved on to sewing the Meridan Knit Dress. I didn’t have a set pattern initially when I put this on my Make Nine. I just wanted to branch out into sewing with knit fabric. I’m glad I came across this dress by Sew To Grow. It’s very beginner friendly but a bit different from the usual T-Shirt dress.

One of my favourite discoveries was the Meridian Dress by Papercut Patterns. The design is just beautiful with the wrap front bodice. It allows the wearer to adjust the bodice piece which is so handy for dinner parties and events where you need to look elegant but want to be comfortable as well.

The Persephone Pants by Anna Allen Clothing was a pattern I bought in my previous Make Nine and I still haven’t made it. I toiled the pattern and I just kept finding reasons not to sew it. I think I wasn’t keen on the grey cotton drill that I bought for it, so I just kept putting other projects in front of it. I’ve now discovered cotton lyocell drill in the Maai Design collection, so my plan is to revisit this project with better fabric. It will get made!

Finally, the Dawn Jeans. I’ve only recently purchased this as I kept vacillating between the Dawn Jeans by Megan Nielsen Patterns and the Ginger Jeans by Closet Core Patterns. Then I started thinking that I don’t like wearing jeans anyway, so I put it off until finally deciding that I love the classic look of the Dawn. So, this will definitely be on my next Make Nine list.

I’m so grateful for a productive year of making and learning with these beautiful patterns. Most of all, I’m grateful for all the connections made with the sewing community. Hoping everyone is a blessed.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

x Em

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Can I Sew It In One Hour

Make Nine Challenge 2021