Coming into this year, I was resolute to improve my sewing skills. I had sewn a few things here and there over the last couple of years, but I was waiting for that sewing bug to bite. And it finally did… a couple Sunday’s ago while walking through a drizzly Brooklyn on my way to my weekend yarn shop gig, I decided I needed a bucket hat and that I also needed to make it myself. Fortunately, Merchant & Mills has a free bucket hat pattern available to download and the aforementioned yarn shop that I work at also happens to have a lovely fabric selection. A few hours later, I was printing out the pattern and prepping my new fabric.
This bucket hat was all I could think about for about 72 hours, so it came together pretty quickly despite some trial and error. It required some new-to-me techniques (ease stitching! using interfacing!), which made the finished hat feel all that more like a big accomplishment. I learned something new! What a confidence boost!
It really was a good reminder that skills are just building blocks, and I can keep adding to my tower of blocks with each project. I did that with knitting, spinning, weaving, and now I can do the same for sewing. We can learn anything with a little bit of self-confidence and determination. 🙂
The following weekend, I spent a rainy Saturday almost entirely in front of my sewing machine. I’m working on a small patchwork quilt with burgundy and floral print fabrics, so I made a handful of blocks. I’m just seeing where this project takes me since I only had one yard of each fabric. And then I also made a Wilder Gown (short-sleeve, top version) out of some Blackbird Fabrics linen I’ve been sitting on for a while. This project helped me learn some nice finishing techniques, and I’m so pleased with it! I think it will be a spring and summer staple in my wardrobe, for sure.
I have a list of patterns I’d love to try someday, and I’m excited to see how garment sewing will change my personal style. I’ve always been so inspired by all the sewists’ outfits during #MeMadeMay. More to come (as usual!).
While sewing has been taking up the majority of my brain space these past few weeks, I am still slowly working on other makes. My most recent warp is hanging on my wall, waiting to be finished into something (if anything). I may just keep it as a sampler, TBD. My spinning is very intentionally slow at the moment, but I have made a daily practice out of spinning fleece to my spindle for 15 to 20 minutes each morning.
After a few weeks of knitting on my vintage blouse recreation, I decided that I didn’t like it and felt a little defeated by the realization. C’est la vie! I’m letting it sit in a cabinet for a while until I decide to either pick it back up or rip it out. Once I put that project on pause, I didn’t have a strong conviction for what to knit next, so I’ve been cycling through some smaller projects as the mood strikes. Stockinette and garter stitch are always a comfort, and I’ve been enjoying them in my blue stripe socks (I’m working on the second sock!) and the Tiny Tassels kerchief by Loop London (a new cast on!).
That’s my story for today. I’m anticipating a busy summer and am looking forward to doing more work, seeing more people, and learning more things. Some fun things in the works behind-the-scenes—can’t wait to share soon!
x,
Madison
