Busy hands | Disquiet mind

Named Saana puffer vest

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:18:59 GMT

Named's Saana is a puffer vest/gilet, but the sides are completely open, facilitating the wearing of dolman-type sleeves while staying cozy.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Lex jumper (aka sweatshirt), v.4

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:59:11 GMT

Time for something practical. Let's make another Seamwork's Lex jumper!

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Colette Myrtle, v.2, as a woven top

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:55:12 GMT

Colette's Myrtle is a knit dress pattern that is supposed to work in a woven fabric too. Let's test that.

I'm cutting the same size L as the knit v.1, but just the top Front and Back pieces, not the skirt. There are special woven instructions, that have you finish the back armholes and neckline with bias binding, and have you fold the waistband casing up (instead of down) to cover the elastic. But I'm forging my own path here.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Riley woven top

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:52:36 GMT

Seamwork's Riley is a simple sleeveless woven top pattern. With a high neck, and self-fabric ties at the waist. Just a front piece, with bust darts, and a back piece. Bias tape facings. No closures.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Chip knit jacket, v.2

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:42:25 GMT

When I made Seamwork's Chip, a moto-style cardi-jacket, last time a few things went quite wrong. So, eh, let's try again?

( Details )

Finished, front, half zipped closed
Photo by chebe

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Vogue V1944 (2023), view b, oversized shirt, v.2

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:02:31 GMT

I loved v.1 so much that I made another one! Everything is the same, except I overlocked/serged the raw edges before doing the clean seam finishes. And feel I managed most things more neatly the second time around.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Vogue V1944 (2023), view b, oversized shirt

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:02:11 GMT

Vogue V1944 is, well, I'm not sure how to describe it. It's a strange woven collection of bias cut skirt, with two dropped shoulder shirt-inspired top options, one both fitted and cropped. I was interested in view b; the boxy oversized shirt.

But being a Vogue pattern, sizing is not straight forward. The measurements corresponding to the sizes are only shown on the envelope flap (not visible in the online envelope scans), and the useful finished garment measurements are typically only to be found on the pattern tissue itself. Being at the edges of the size range is quite risky. Last time I made a Vogue, I found the sizing ran large, and that a size 22 was the better starting point for me. Which is just as well, as size 22 is the maximum size available for this pattern. A size 22 is given as bust 112cm, waist 94cm. This would not fit me. But I'm looking at a boxy oversized shirt. So, I took the gamble. Turns out the finished garment measurements for view b are bust 132cm, waist 128cm. This is 20cm and 34cm of combined wearing and style ease. That should be plenty.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Elmira cropped wrap cardigan, v.3

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:00:11 GMT

Seamwork's Elmira, cropped cardigan, again. I like v.2, but let's make it more. Firstly, downsizing to the XL. (Third time tracing out this pattern.)

Secondly, let's colour block! Measure the centre-back, divide in three. Mark similar measurements at all the side seams. Notice how they don't line up, and rough out some compromise with gently curved lines. Trace out (for the fourth time) the colour blocked pattern pieces with seam allowances. Shorten the sleeve length to better fit the visual balance. Lengthen the cuff piece to fit.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Elmira cropped wrap cardigan, v.2

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:46:39 GMT

Seamwork's Elmira is a close fitting, cropped cardigan, in a ballet wrap style. I have previously made the front-tie variation, but didn't like the (lack of) front coverage. On top of having made v.1 in only a size L, and with a knit fabric with insufficient stretch, it wasn't comfortable to wear.

Coming back to the base pattern, I wasn't vibing with the bulk of the wraps, nor the excessive amount of fabric that goes into them. Then I noticed that the inner layer is kept closed with two buttons and button loops, and resolved to have both sides close in the same way, eliminating all ties. And this time in a size 2X.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Butterick B6287 (2015), view D, knit tunic

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 17:54:18 GMT

To refresh, receiving Butterick B6287 was a surprise, as it was used as the packing material in an order, and was not actually part of my order. But I enjoy a good puzzle so I made view C; a knit tunic with diagonal pieced front and back sections with a raw hem. But now I want to make view D, which is the version with the complete/regular hem, sleeves, and no cowl.

( Details )

Butterick B6287, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

(The sewing area has been packed away, so probably won't be any more sewing projects until the New Year.)

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Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book - Floral Day Dress modified to v-neck top

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:13:37 GMT

I have tried self-drafting basic blocks a few times before. Unfortunately I have not yet found any instructions that actually work for my body proportions. I have, however, gotten fairly competent at altering existing patterns. So how about I try that route instead?

Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book is a course in book form, about learning how to fit the basic blocks of dress patterns (from woven fabrics), and then mix-n-matching for near endless possible combinations. The Floral Day Dress project is the most basic there is; basic bodice, a-line skirt, no sleeves, all-in-one facing. The prefect place to start.

( Details )

V-neck bodice with a-line peplum, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Milo cardigan

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:27:43 GMT

Seamwork's Milo is a cardigan with neckband, hem band, cuff bands, and button closure. With the sudden turn to days with a high of 4°C and nights with a low of 2°C, the timing is perfect. Look at me doing something seasonal!

( Details )

Finished Milo cardigan, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Hansie woven tee

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 10:01:52 GMT

Seamwork's Hansie is your basic t-shirt, but non-stretch woven. I'd toiled this pattern some time ago, but found I didn't have a suitable fabric for it, so it sat unmade. In the old stash I got down from the attic I found a very non-stretch red lace fabric. I was trying to come up with an outfit for a vampire themed event and my brain smashed the two together.

( Details )

Finished cropped Hansie top, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Aberdeen v-neck t-shirt, v.3

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:15:57 GMT

Seamwork's Aberdeen is a batwing style long t-shirt with a v-neck that I've made before (v.1, v.2). I am happy with the fit of v.2 so did the same size L with no sleeves again.

The special bit about this version is the fabric. For this year's Worldcon, Glasgow2024, Sara Felix designed a bunch of prints and made them available on Spoonflower. I chose the Black Armadillo Planet in Organic Cotton Knit, medium-weight interlock knit, 215g per sq metre (Estimated shrinkage: 2-4% in length and 6-8% in width). I'd forgotten what interlock is like, this is a bit stiff for a regular t-shirt, but at least this t-shirt isn't meant to be fitted.

( Details )

Seamwork Aberdeen, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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George + Ginger The Teen Spirit Top, v.4

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:02:55 GMT

George + Ginger's The Teen Spirit Top is undeniably my go-to top pattern. This is v4, but basically the same as v3; size 14, regular length, straight hem, with neckband. But no sleeves this time (other than the included drawn-on/dropped sleeve).

For the fabric I'm using old t-shirts. More specifically the backs of very old t-shirts I had cut up, to use the fronts in a quilt. Which, I hope, will get done sometime in my lifetime.

( Details )

Teen Spirit short sleeve top, made from old t-shirts, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Clarke vest top, v.2

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:15:21 GMT

Seamwork's Clarke is a loose-fitting tank top, that is meant for bursting your stash. Clearly I've misunderstood that term this whole time because this top requires a significant amount of fabric for the type of top it is. I have made this before (version 1), and there are some changes I'd like to make.

( Details )

Seamwork Clarke, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Aurora knit tank, v.2

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:52:13 GMT

How about something a bit more seasonal? Seamwork's Aurora is a slightly fancier knit tank top with a shoulder yoke. I have made it before (version 1), but have since misplaced that top.

( Details )

Seamwork Aurora, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Alice long-sleeved t-shirt, v.2

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:55:26 GMT

Seamwork's Alice is a basic long-sleeve high-neck knit t-shirt. I have made it before, but the end result was not really a success. Largely because the fabric wasn't stretchy enough. This time I'm going to make this without any changes, with a view to wearing it as a base layer.

( Details )

Seamwork Alice, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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George + Ginger The RuLo Top and Dress pattern

Tue, 07 May 2024 14:58:57 GMT

George + Ginger's The RuLo Top and Dress pattern is mix-and-match knit top pattern with a range of body and sleeve options. Still in the outerwear mindset I wanted something I could layer over other things, but under actual outerwear.

( Details )

George + Ginger RuLo, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Lex jumper (aka sweatshirt), v.3

Tue, 07 May 2024 14:52:59 GMT

The last project was stressful, so that means it's time for another Seamwork's Lex!

( Details )

Seamwork Lex, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Chip knit jacket

Tue, 07 May 2024 14:51:51 GMT

Seamwork's Chip is a motorcycle-style jacket. Except it's actually a knit cardigan, just a funky looking one with an overlapping front section and zip closure. You might be noticing a trend in layering and outerwear pieces of late. And you would be right on the money. I'm going camping at the end of the month, and am over-thinking the whole thing. I was saddened to discover that the natural fibres I'd been favouring are the exact worst possible thing to wear while camping in this wet and often chilly climate. The best natural 'fabrics' are wool, and down (duck or goose). Otherwise polyester is what I need. *sigh*

( Details )

Seamwork Chip, finished, front view, buttoned opened
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Lex jumper (aka sweatshirt), v.2

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:12:18 GMT

After a project as tricky as that last one I need something simple as a palette cleanser. Remember Seamwork's Lex? Last time went so smoothly, and I want that energy again.

Same size 16 Curvy as last time, but with the Front and Back shortened by 10cms for a slight crop. I found a fun Fleece Backed Sweatshirting, Smiley Face Print, 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton, 275gsm that I want to use. With the same black knit cuff ribbing, 95% cotton 5% spandex, 285gsm, and black thread.

Seams are finished with the overlocker/serger, but I was feeling cheeky and used only straight stitch everywhere for construction, with only a single row of top-stitching at neckline and hem for a less sporty look.

I adore this jumper. With the cropped length I don't find the print overwhelming, it's colourful, but dark. It's cheery, but a bit cynical. The fabric is really comfortable, and the cropped length feels less casual. I'm in danger of making a million of these tops.

Seamwork Lex, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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McCall's 7952 (1995) Vest (aka Waistcoat), v.2

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:06:59 GMT

Remember that McCall's 7952 (1995) princess-seamed waistcoat I made last time? I wore it a bit and came up with some changes I'd like to try.

( Details )

McCall's 7952 (1995) View C - altered - waistcoat, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Lex jumper (aka sweatshirt)

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:16:45 GMT

Seamwork's Lex is your classic jumper/sweatshirt; medium-weight knit fabric, contrasting neckline, cuffs, and hem. Even includes pouch pocket and optional hood bonus. A wardrobe stable.

( Details )

Seamwork Lex, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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Butterick B6287 (2015), view C, knit tunic

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:48:55 GMT

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I ordered a bunch of sewing supplies. When they arrived I discovered that the shop had packed the items using pattern tissue as padding. Well, I do love a good puzzle, so after unpacking I sorted through it all. I had four complete patterns, two in both size ranges, the other two in just one size range. One of those is Butterick 6287 (from 2015). Pattern Review is not as helpful as it could be, but I was able to find the front envelope and back envelope elsewhere. Which I feel is enough information to be able to make this tunic.

( Details )

Butterick B6287, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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