Summer Sewing

I can’t believe that we are less than two weeks away from school. I was not really looking forward to this summer because I’m tired of people being around all the time, but it’s been pretty enjoyable. Unfortunately I have spent much of the summer suffering from back issues that make it painful to sit, so it feels like I have literally laid around half the summer! I did get a fair amount of sewing done at the beginning, and now that I’m finally on the mend, I can sit and sew for short periods, so I’m once again resuming normal activities, just modified. Right now I’m sitting down to type this but I anticipate by the end, I will have moved the computer to my cutting table so I can stand and give my back a break.

I started off the summer sewing bathing suits for almost all my kids. One child still fit into his from last year, so only three kids needed new suits. They all chose their fabric and patterns and the result was lots of cuteness.

Left to right they are the Nahanni Tankini from Pollywoggles Patterns and the Gym Shorts by My Childhood Treasures, the Bahama Mama top by Peek-a-boo Patterns and Tidal Wave Swim Shorts from 5oo4 patterns, and the Cowabunga Swim Shorts from Peek-a-boo Patterns along with a raglan pattern that I can’t remember with a zip hack.

For some reason I ended up making a bunch of shorts this summer. Some are for daytime, some are pajamas. Most of these I had the fabric on hand, so that was nice. I usually don’t bother making pajamas, but if I have the fabric and can save some money, I’ll make things. Generally my rule of thumb for my kids is that if it has pockets, it’s for day time, and if it doesn’t, its for nighttime or lounging at home. Many of these patterns are from Pattern Niche and Love Notions, and I tried out the Hermosa Shorts for my daughter (top middle) by Itch to Stitch Patterns.

I did have a few orders this summer and made a cute new purse for myself that may end up as a pattern. I have taken down all handmade items from my website and Etsy shop, except for stockings. I’m burned out on making and selling clutches, but still have some energy for stockings left. I had an order to make a custom stocking made from a cross-stitched panel and it ended up gorgeous.

Last week I started going a back-to-school sewing frenzy. It’s time to refresh wardrobes now that my kids will be going back to school five days a week in person. Last year half the year was digital only and the other half they went in two days a week. Combined with the incredible growth my oldest two went through this last year and a half, all wardrobes needed an update. The top row were sewn early in the summer before my back issues, the rest have been in August. July was a month I’d rather not dwell on! Though I’ll share some sewing I managed in July too.

Last week I started sewing some new clothes for myself as well. I actually have a huge pile of fabric and patterns on my table to make more new summer clothes for myself. I know it’s the end of summer soon, but we will be able to wear short sleeves for awhile still. I got really tired of my clothes this summer so I want to update my wardrobe while I have the energy.

The dress is a stretchy suede fabric made into the Yasmin Dress from Sinclair patterns. I made the Daisy top from Sinclair patterns, but the arm holes are too tight! You can see my less than impressed expression. I may be able to fix it if I use my seam ripper, but that fabric is super fiddly and I think I’m just going to ignore it for awhile and work on other things. The shorts are my own self-drafted pattern that is my go-to for knit shorts and pants because I have perfected the fit.

Finally, I did make a couple things in July even with a really bad back, and I’m very proud of that! My daughter and I worked together to design a dress. I used the Tadah Tea Party dress pattern as a base for the bodice and then hacked and changed it to get the look I wanted. Basically it was a starting point and the final result was pretty much a new pattern! I was inspired by the photo on the top left. She also wanted a lace overlay and beaded neckline. I love the result! I lined it fully with pink satin. She was so happy at her baptism and loves her dress. On the bottom right I included a photo of the dress I made her older sister five years ago. I love seeing the differences and how each dress reflects the different personalities of the girls.

I also made her a scripture case, which is a tradition for my kids and nieces and nephews when they turn 8. She chose the style and fabrics and I chose the embroidery. This is from my Sweet Sunday Bag pattern.