2020 in Review: Sewing

[forestofglory]

In 2020 I was anxious and unemployed so I did a lot of sewing! Making things with my hands, and playing with fabric are very soothing to me. I finished four quilts: an engagement gift, a rainbow baby quilt, a mostly pink one, and one with pigs. I also finished an additional three quilt tops: a gray and pink baby quilt, a forest quilt, and a Sea Quilt. For a total of seven finished tops.

None of the quilts I worked on in 2020 featured traditional blocks. Instead I used two basic designs -- improv blocks (eg the Forest quilt) or strips of fabric (eg the pig quilt). I hadn’t made any strip quilts before this year, but I wanted to make something fun and quick at the start of the pandemic. They go together really fast!

I also made five garments for my kid. They are a rabbit button up, a mouse button up, a bunny dress, a sheep shirt, pink shirt, and tan ‘pirate” shirt that I forgot to take a picture of. This year I mostly stuck to patterns I have made before for kids clothing. New patterns are stressful, plus I think I have devolved a reasonable set of cute gender neutral patterns to work form.

I also made three things for other kids; a baby shirt, a toddler shirt, and a baby jacket. It was nice to use some of my hoarded fabric that's now too small to make stuff for my kid. And the toddler who I made the shirt for really really liked it!

One thing I regret is that I didn’t sew any garment for myself. For some reason the prospect really stressed me out! I’m not sure what that’s about but I hope to maybe finish the one thing that I’ve had cut out for over a year now in 2021. Other than that I’m planning to continue with more of the same, more simple and soothing to sew quilts, more things for my kid, and the occasional thing for other kids.

Comments

[clevermanka]

BEAUTIFUL! Do you do your own quilting or do you take it to a shop with one of those giant quilting machines?

[forestofglory]

Thank you! For these I did all my own quilt with my home sewing machine. I have in the past had some of my quilts done by a pro, but it is expensive. My quilting is pretty simple, mostly just lines

[lunabee34]

That's a lot of sewing and beautiful work, too!

[forestofglory]

Thank you!

[wrote_and_writ]

These are so good! I'm inspired to try the stripe quilt this summer when I am home. I also adore your fabric choices. Are you able to get those locally from an independent store? I've ordered some cool fabric for clothes I want to make during summer break (I got the navy blue version of the rabbit fabric you made that shirt from), but usually I'm stuck with whatever's on offer at Joanns.

[forestofglory]

Thank you!

My local independent fabric store has been curbside pick up only since March. I've ordered some things form them, but their online ordering system isn't that great so I've also ordered form some online shops.

[libitina]

Sorry I'm slow to read.

So much good sewing. It sounds lovely. I hope it helped, too.

I find it much harder to sew for myself than for other people. Because I can't see what's happening. I can't reach out and pinch at it while the person it's for is wearing it. I have to guess how things will work and then see how they feel, and it's much harder and less intuitive.

[forestofglory]

I'm happy to get comments whenever!

I'm not even doing a lot fitting when I sew for kids -- they grow so fast there's not a lot of point to it.