Akram's Ideas

Sew ‘N’ Tell – What I made for Summer 2017

It seems like summer has just flown by and here we are amidst our first week of September. Before I officially start my autumn sewing plans I thought I’d do a quick Sew ‘N’ Tell of the many sewing makes I completed this summer. 

My Summer Sew ‘N’ Tell

As many of you know, your original plans don’t always go as you intend them to. That is so often true for me especially when it comes to sewing. Still, I was quite surprised how many of my summer sewing plans I got done. 

Coco Wawa Crafts Lily Blouse

The first item that was on my summer sewing plan was my make for the #4thofJulyProudDressProject, which I co-hosted.  For this project, I made the Lily Blouse from Coco Wawa Crafts.

Reveal of my #4thofJulyProudDressProject , a USA themed the Coco Wawa Lily blouse; plus a full pattern review.
My USA inspired Lily blouse

This top turned out exactly how I envisioned and the pattern was super easy. Feel free to read my full review here: http://akramsideas.com/4th-of-july-proud-dress-project/

Summer Moneta 

After making my first Moneta dress by Colette patterns back in February I knew I needed to make more. Then I found the perfect fabric in my stash, a lovely bold floral print knit. 

I knew I wanted a summer Moneta that would be sleeveless and have a rolled collar. I was super lucky because I had just enough fabric, literally using every square inch to whip up this dress. 

Akram's Ideas: Moneta Dress
This dress screams summer

What I love most about this dress has to be the print, it’s amazing. And while it fits, it is a bit snug, but I’m hoping by next summer I’ll have lost some pounds and it will fit just right.

Agnes Top 

I’m a big fan of Tilly and the Buttons patterns and for my birthday last October, I bought a few of them, including the Agnes top. This top had been on my make list for a long time, but this summer I vowed that I would finally make it.  

Not only did I make this top I made 4 and actually have a dress hack cut out and setting on my sewing table.  

Akram's Ideas: Agnes top red
This top is so fun

What else can I say but I love this top, it’s easy to make and super fun to wear. I’m hoping to have a full pattern review on the blog in the next week or two after I wrap up the Agnes dress hack. 

Grant’s Out of this World Quilt

The last item on from my original plans that I managed to make this summer was the space themed quilt for my nephew Grant. 

While overall this project was relatively easy it was a bit tedious. It was also the first time I made a quilt and decided to share the process with all of you in a video tutorial.

Learn to sew an easy baby block quilt using a standard nine block method for creating a basic quilt design.
Grant’s out of this world quilt

Despite taking a longer than anticipated and having to do a lot of hand sewing I did manage to get it done, and it looked great! 

Unplanned Makes 

Even though I made quite a few planned items there were some I didn’t get to and some that were totally unplanned. 

Butterick 3286 

With my new job, I realized that I was in of more tops to wear to the office. I also wanted something that was super quick and easy to make. 

Review of my latest #vintagepledge2017 make Butterick 3286 a great 1960's summer top made with only two pattern pieces.
Butterick 3286 is my most worn make of the summer

After going through my stash I ended up making vintage Butterick 3286. This simple pullover tank was a great stash buster and I ended up making 4 in one weekend. 

Butterick 6464

On Instagram, I’d been seeing a lot of people make the Sew Over It Kimono jacket and I was debating whether or not to get the pattern when Joann Fabrics had a Butterick pattern sale. 

At the time Butterick had recently released Butterick 6464 which featured not only a kimono jacket but halter top and knit pencil skirt.

Akram's Ideas: Butterick 6464
Not usually an orange person, but like the combo of colors.

 

I plan on reviewing this pattern really soon, but I’ll just say I love the kimono jacket so much I’ve already made a second one. The skirt and the top on the hand were a bit more of a challenge. 

Simplicity 8019

While I was having issues with the skirt on Butterick 6464 I decided to switch gears and work on something different. So, on a complete whim, I pulled out Simplicity 8019 a reproduction of a 1970’s button-down skirt. 

Simplicity 8019
Plan to make many more of Simplicity 8019

This pattern was super easy and looks amazing. In fact, I made 2 in the same weekend. I also did a few hacks to the pattern, which I plan to record a tutorial on for the next version I make. 

Super Secret Pattern Testing

The last project I worked on was a pattern test for a brand new indie company Octavia Patterns. Their first pattern is due out this month or next and I’ll just say it’s so easy and I want to make a ton more.

I can’t wait to share this pattern with you, I really like. 

Final Tally 

I made 4 of the 8 makes I originally said I would make. However, I did end up making another 4 makes which were unplanned. 

Since I made multiple versions of several of the patterns, at the end of my Sew ‘N’ Tell the final tally is, 20 sewing items, and for me, that’s pretty amazing. 

I’d love to hear what you have made this summer? 

Sew 'N' Tell - What I made for Summer 2017Sew 'N' Tell - What I made for Summer 2017

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

  • Sulky.com Free Projects, Tutorials and Webinars