Let's continue exploring my favourite sewing projects from the second half of 2021 together. If you would like to see those from the first half, head this way.
What do you think I have chosen for the second half of 2021?
Let me show you!
July
I knew there would be at least one month when I would not be able to choose 😊, and July is one of them! I must say, with no holiday this year and torrential rain in Belgium despite a few lovely days... I "treated myself" to more sewing sessions to lift my spirits! July turned out to be a particularly productive month! And how could I possibly choose between these wonderful makes? Let me tell you about my Tamara dress by La Maison Victor, my "patchwork" Bahia belt bag by petit patron and my Monceau cardigan by Cozy little world...
My first July make was the Tamara dress. I really fell for this design as soon as the May/June issue of La Maison Victor came out (in fact, if you only buy one 2021 issue of La Maison Victor, choose this one: all the women's designs are gorgeous and varied!). I immediately loved its retro look, with the gathers at the bust, the lovely fitted waist, the front button placket and the little sleeves... I pictured it straight away in a slightly romantic floral fabric, and as I had just received some American fabrics of beautiful quality with just the right floral prints... I went for it, and I have absolutely no regrets about the result. I cannot wait for the warmer days to return so I can wear it again!
If you would like to find out more about Tamara, head this way.
Next, let's talk about Bahia, a belt bag that proved very practical and came with me all summer on walks in the parks and to evenings with friends (well ventilated, as Covid required).
I chose this project because it was a great upcycling opportunity for me. I had lots of very small scraps of lovely floral Kokka poplins and really did not want to throw them away. So I decided to piece them together to create a burst of floral colour. I wanted to try patchwork on a small project first, so a belt bag was just perfect!
If you would like to find out more about Bahia and the technique I used to piece it together, head this way.
Finally, I have to tell you about Monceau, my cardigan in Mind The Maker herringbone jersey 😊. A little story: my colleagues Karin and Greta gave me this remnant when I left my hospital job to devote myself to C'est du Joly! They introduced me to the incredible quality of this Danish brand, so I started looking for a cardigan pattern that would do it justice... as well as suppliers who would allow me to offer these wonderful fabrics for sale in the shop 😊
I am really happy with this combination, which allowed me to sew a comfortable cardigan that I love to snuggle into.
If you would like to find out more about the Monceau cardigan, head this way.
August
In August, I invited you to sew your pencil case for the start of the school year in September using scraps of poplin and continuous zips, which I find so practical! You will find them in the shop from YKK, as well as a blog article explaining how to use them😊.
It is a simple, quick and enjoyable sewing project. I love my pencil case so much that it has become the "official" one that sits beside my sewing machine. I keep my chalk pen, tracing wheel, tape measure, compass... in it: all those little things I often need that can easily end up scattered around the room if they do not have a place to live...
If you would like to make your own, head this way.
September
It was time to sew underwear, and I had written an article on the subject about making beginner-friendly underwear.
I wanted to try making men's boxer shorts and made a pair for my dad in a quirky jersey from the shop. I chose the Jacques boxer shorts, a simple-to-sew pattern that the designer has thought through carefully. For the occasion, I brought in some lovely soft boxer elastic offering excellent value for money. As you liked it so much, it is still available in the shop in a wide choice of colours.
I know I will make more Jacques boxer shorts in future, particularly for my partner. If you would like to find out more about Jacques, head this way.
October
October was wonderful because I was able to make a pattern that had been waiting for a very long time... the Gotham cape from the now closed (and much missed) brand Louis Antoinette. This project had been waiting patiently with my other printed patterns for its moment. When we needed an original couples' costume for Halloween, we decided on Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf (from Thriller: do watch the music video and you will understand why I also made a yellow sweatshirt for my partner).
Of course it is a costume, but I still wanted impeccable finishes! So I made bias binding to match the hood lining and bound all the seams. I wanted something made for dressing up to be able to join my everyday wardrobe, and at one and a half metres tall I am not afraid to walk around in a red cape, even if I do occasionally notice a few smiles 😊.
November
In November, I only made a sweatshirt for my godson Martin for Saint Nicholas Day. It was not a good month for sewing. As I explained in my article about my 2022 resolutions, my sewing room was very untidy, which affected my desire to sew. After a good tidy-up, my creative energy returned, and December was much more productive 😊. It just shows how much your working environment matters!
That said, I am very happy with Martin's little sweatshirt, made from sweatshirt fabric scraps; a lovely way to make use of both large and small scraps of sweatshirt fabric, French terry and jersey of various kinds.
If you would like to find out more about using your jersey scraps, head this way.
December
With my energy restored, I sewed quite a lot in December and have not shown you everything yet 😊, but what I would like to share is the third pair of jeans I made for my partner, which I gave him for his 40th birthday.
I am very proud of the topstitching and pocket design... All the supplies came from the shop. I used black denim, fluorescent Gütermann threads, Organ denim needles, rivets, a YKK zip and jeans buttons.
I am really happy with the result and delighted to have pleased my partner, who loves the pockets 😊. As soon as the weather improves a little, we will do a photo shoot to show you the jeans being worn.
If you would like to find out more about sewing denim and making jeans, head this way.
That brings this look back at my favourite sewing projects of 2021 to a close. What about you: do you have favourite makes from 2021? What would you like to sew in 2022?
