20 Sewing Goals for 2020

I read about "20 for 2020" on Instagram. The idea is to set 20 life goals, but I'm going to apply it just to sewing. So, here goes. I don't know if this will be realistic, but why not try?

1. Publish at least 20 blog posts during 2020. I only managed seven or so in 2019, but between my mother's illness and eventual death, the plumbing leak, and new flooring, I'm surprised I managed that many!  

2. Participate in at least two challenges. Maybe sewalongs or ...?  I plan on participating in #SewTwistsandTies on Instagram in January. I'm sure another interesting challenge will come up. Here's a "twist" I just made:

3. Perfect a work-appropriate trouser pattern for my daughter.

4. Organize my sewing studio.

5. Take a sewing class. Maybe this one:

6. Make a lined jacket.

7. Learn how to make bound buttonholes.

From Threads Magazine

8. Continue my personal challenge: My Pattern Challenge.

9. Continue my personal challenge: Conference Capsule.

10. Create a retirement wardrobe plan (it's about time!).  I need/want a casual but stylish and put-together wardrobe for my newish lifestyle.  These are some examples and all are things I could make:  

Top row: Pix 1, 3, 4: www.instagram.com/styleatacertainage/; Pic 2: www.instagram.com/thiswiththis/
Bottom row: Pix 1 & 2:www.instagram.com/styleatacertainage/; Pix 3 & 4: www.instagram.com/thiswiththis/

11. Continue to visit fabric stores and fashion-related exhibits on my travels!

Part of a "Diana" exhibit at Kensington Palace, May/June 2019

12. Be more active in the online sewing community.

13. Get over my fear of selfies and try to post some things I've made for myself. This is a hard one as  I'm camera-shy.

14. Make zip-front jeans. I've made oodles of pull-on Eleonores, but I'd like to make more traditional jeans.  Might work this one in with a class. Two birds!

15. Make some local sewing connections.  

16. Make a coat. Maybe this one or this one or this one.

17. Make a vest. Maybe the Envigado:

18. Make a casual jacket/coat.  Maybe the Kelly Anorak:

19. I haven't smocked anything for a long time.  I'd like to reacquaint myself with the process and complete a smocked project.

20. Embellish an item with embroidery or needle felting.  How cute is this?

From https://creatinginthegap.ca

Thinking up 20 sewing goals was a bit harder than I thought! But I think these are all achievable. What about you? Do you have sewing goals for 2020? 

McCall's 7447 in Flannel and Fleece

Aloysius successfully unleashes his inner model

Hi folks! I hope you're enjoying the holiday season. Here at the bespokeability factory, I've had a splendid Christmas. This afternoon, my small (but not short) family came over and what fun we had! First appetizers and presents, followed by a walk, then back to the house for an early dinner. After that, we played Sequence and had Christmas cookies. My heart is fuller than my stomach, and my stomach is FULL!

I didn't do much holiday sewing this year, but I did make a shirt for my son-in-law, Aloysius (not his real name). I've never sewn any clothing for him before, so trying to make something for him in secret had its challenges. For instance, getting accurate measurements was tricky!

I erred on the side of too much length, figuring I can always shorten it. I think it's too long, but he likes it! He's 6'7", so he rarely has clothing that is too long; it's usually too short in the sleeves and body.

For my first venture into son-in-law sewing, I selected McCall's 7447 which is now out of print. Aloysius has lots of dress shirts, so I figured something a bit more casual would suit him.  

I ordered the Robert Kaufman "Mammoth" plaid flannel in red, white, and blue, as well as navy blue sweatshirting and ribbing from Fabric.com. The flannel came out of the dryer with nary a wrinkle!  That's my kind of fabric.

The pattern isn't difficult to sew, but I had a few head-scratching moments, and my good friend the seam ripper spent some quality time with me. It's fun tearing out navy thread on navy fabric. Sure it is!

I made sure the horizontal lines of the fabric matched. I used the sewing machine on all seams, often using the stretch stitch except when sewing the front plackets. I finished the seams on the serger, and either topstitched on my regular machine or used the coverstitch.

Checking that the plaid lines up

I interfaced the placket with Fashion Sewing Supply's ProWoven Shirt-Crisp Fusible Interfacing which may have been a bit too heavy for the shirt.  

I forgot to take a picture of the back, but it's the same sweatshirt fabric as the sleeves and hood.  The cuffs are ribbing. You'll notice that the hood is plenty large!

I'm so glad Aloysius likes the shirt! I'm on the look-out for another fun, casual shirt for him--maybe the Thread Theory Finlayson Sweater.

Two wonderful people with two wonderful doggies!

Next up, I'm finalizing my sewing 2020 plans and I'll post about them soon.  Happy holidays!

Basic T with a Twist: McCall's 7975

Yesterday, I wanted to make something.  I had the itch to stitch.  The urge to serge.  The--I don't have a rhyme for cover stitch!  Well, you get the idea.  I wanted to make something!

And I did!  Keeping in mind my pattern challenge, I selected McCall's 7975 for my next project.

For the fabric, I used the softest rayon lycra brushed jersey from Fabric Mart.  This fabric drapes beautifully, and I also love paisley. It was purchased a year ago for $11.99 per yard. I have almost three yards left, so I need to figure out what to make with it. 

Before I started, I was a little apprehensive about the twist.  But like so many things, once I started it it wasn't so bad.  In fact, it all came together pretty quickly.

This is a basic T-shirt with a twist (see what I did there?).  I like that the twist creates an asymmetrical hemline and a similar look to the currently popular front tuck or French tuck.  I also think the hemline is flattering because it isn't a straight line across the hips.

The shirt fits Mehetabel well in the shoulders and arms, but it's a little boxy in the bodice; however, she told me she prefers it a little roomy so I'll leave it as is.  When I make this again, I'll lengthen the sleeves slightly (or make them 3/4 length) and I'll definitely add a little length to the top because the highest point of the hemline can expose some skin.

This top was a quick project--finished in just a few hours.

I used my Pfaff's stretch stitch for all seams, and finished them on the serger. The hems were cover stitched. I reinforced the shoulder seams with fusible interfacing.  I also put the sleeves in flat, so that changed up the order of operations. 

I don't know if I'll have a chance to post again before Christmas, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all happy holidays!