Akram's Ideas

Sew N’ Tell – My Summer Sewing Makes

This post contains affiliate links – see full disclosure

I woke up this morning and the temperature outside was 46 degrees! What happened? Last weekend I was running around the park in my summer playsuit in 85-degree weather. 

Oh, well I guess that means that autumn has finally arrived. With that said it’s about time that I share my summer makes with you. 

Summer Sewing Makes

I always anticipate having more time to sew in the summer, since I don’t officially teach classes during the summer. 

Though I didn’t account for the time I would be busy facilitating summer camps and going to conferences.

Still, I did make quite a few things and am really happy with the outcome. 

Honeycombs Dresses and Shirts

The first thing I made this summer was the Honeycomb dress from CocoWawa Crafts for the #HoneycombSewalong

I loved how this dress turned out so much, that I thought I’d give the Honeycomb top a try. 

After making the top I couldn’t really decide if I liked the dress or the top more. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

Not long after making the Honeycomb I came across some colorful sea turtle fabric and knew it would have to be yet another Honeycomb dress. 

With two Honeycomb dresses and one top, you probably thought that was the last of that pattern.

But by the middle of August, I knew that I had to have yet another Honeycomb top in my wardrobe. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.
This dusty rose colored Honeycomb top was one of my last Honeycomb makes of the season

In the end, this is probably one of my most used patterns this summer. 

Paper Bag Waisted Culottes

About the same time, I made the Honeycomb dress I whipped up two pairs of Simplicity 8605

For some while, I had wanted to give a go at some paper bag waisted culottes.

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

Simplicity 8605 looked like a good pattern to try out before I headed out on summer vacation.

I ended up making two pairs of culottes, but am still uncertain if the paper bag waist is really my style.

Sew Over It Silk Cami

Near the end of spring, I made my first Sew Over It Silk Cami and knew that this would be a staple pattern in my wardrobe. 

By the time summer was over I had made four more silk camis. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

Two of which featured hacking the pattern to fit the amount of fabric I had. 

I’m really happy with the look of these tops and plan to make more later on.

Summer Simplicity 8019

Last fall I made six versions of Simplicity 8019 a reproduction of a 1970’s button down skirt pattern. 

While I loved these skirts, I made most of them in a heavy weighted fabric, plus I’ve lost a bit of weight since I made them.

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

So, I decided to make a lightweight summer version this time around. I even ended up going down one size.

Color Block Top

After stumbling upon some sewing themed fabric at an antique store I knew it was destined to become a top. 

I decided to try mashing up Simplicity 1364 a reproduction 1960’s top pattern with a true vintage 1960’s Butterick 3286 top pattern. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

The two tops are relatively similar I just liked the armhole fit on the Butterick pattern a little more. 

Once I cut out the front bodice piece, I realized I didn’t have enough fabric to do the back. 

Giving some thought to my predicament I decided that this would be a great opportunity to do a little color blocking. 

Megan Dress in 3 Styles

By late summer I realized that I really needed to knock out more of my Make Nine plans. 

So, having finished the Mimi blouse in spring, I decided to make the Megan Dress from the book Love at First Stitch

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

I loved the Megan dress so much I ended up making the dress in 3 different styles. 

Summer PlaySuit

In August CocoWawa Crafts released the Cherry Shorts/Culottes pattern. I had been living in my ready to wear shorts around the house and thought I could use me made a pair. 

So, one weekend, I purchased the Cherry Shorts and decided to make a quick toile to test the fit. 

I used an ultra kitschy print I had in my stash forever. 

After making the toile I thought, hey I have a lot of fabric left over, how about making a top to go with these shorts.

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

I used my Simplicity 1364 and Butterick 3286 mash up pattern again for the top. 

Once I tried on the shorts and top together I realized that I had made an accidental Von Trapp Family Singer playsuit. 

Instead of freaking out, I just whipped up a quick bandana to really pull that look together. 

Two Orla Dresses

The last summer makes which kind of leads us into autumn are my two Orla dresses

My first Orla dress I made as part of my #Sewtember2018 #sewalong. 

I loved the first version so much I decided to make a second one. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

For my second Orla dress, I ended up using some vintage floral fabric I had in my stash for a while now. 

I really like the 1960’s vibe I get from the Orla dress and intend to make more next summer. 

What have you been Sewing? 

That’s quite a lot of sewing, but remember this is everything from June to early September. 

I’m really happy with my summer makes, and can’t wait to get started on my Autumn sewing plans. 

I’d love to hear in the comments below what you made this summer. 

Another Sew 'n' Tell where I share my sewing makes, this time my 2018 summer sewing makes.

Add comment

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Akram Taghavi-Burris

designer, writer, educator, tech nerd, crafter, baker, sewer and vintage collector, who Brings Creative & Crazy Ides to Life.

Follow @akramsideas

Archives

Advertisements