Monthly Makes: August Wrap Up

I don’t always have time to create a post for every item or garment I make, (although I give more of a play by play over on Instagram), but I do try to create posts out of the ones I think utilize a technique that would be interesting to you all, but I definitely don’t get to share every make here, so I thought it would be fun to take some time at the end of each month to show you what I made!

We moved across the country in July, so as I wrote this post, I was a little surprised at how many things I was able to make in August. I don’t waste time unpacking and moving in, and I make sure sewing time fits into my life a few times a week. It’s definitely good therapy!

Let’s get to it :)

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First, I made myself a few new tops. Summer tops are so fun to make. They don’t require very much fabric and they often don’t have sleeves, so they’re not fussy and they sew up quick.

These two are using Simplicity 9045, which definitely wins the pattern of the summer award from me! I’ve made this soooo many times. I should create a full post of all the versions of this pattern I’ve made. It’s a super easy one to hack and I just really like the fit on me. For this blue version, I used a pretty eyelet edged cotton from Hobby Lobby.

And this version is out of a remnant of crinkle rayon I grabbed at JoAnn. There was a yard and two inches and I used every bit! I used the keyhole neckline of a different pattern in my stash and I love how it turned out.

The third top is made from a rayon jersey knit using an older Burda pattern. I wasn’t sure what to do with this fabric for a long time because it’s too thin for a dress or anything fitted. I remembered I had this ruffled top pattern and thought it would be perfect and it was! I used the rolled hem on my serger to hem the ruffle in gray thread and I like how that detail turned out.

I did some sewing for my daughters this month too. If you have teen girls, you may know that’s it’s nearly impossible to find dresses for them. My girls are on the tall side, about 5’6” and 5’7” (and growing!) so it’s even harder to find anything that isn’t crazy short, not to mention well made.

My 13-year-old wanted a simple skater skirt to wear to church, so I grabbed this black fabric at Hobby Lobby and whipped one up for her real quick. She wore it to church today and looked super cute, but I didn’t think to take a picture. Rookie mistake!

My 15-year-old had a couple things she had some ideas for altering. Three Easters ago, I helped her make her own Easter dress and it was so pretty. She’s hung on to it and had the idea to turn it into a shirt since it still fits her, but was just way too short as a dress. So I cut it off and re-hemmed it for her and it’s so super cute now as a top. We went downtown and took some photos when she wore it the other day. I have an entire post on refashioning clothes for tweens and teens right here. We always try to brainstorm ways to get more life out of old clothing.

Ok, I know this is mean, but I’m only going to give you a sneak peek of this next one because it really needs its own post! Natalie had a jean jacket she wanted refashioned because the sleeves were too short. She told me what her vision was and I bought a yard if chiffon and got to work. More on this project later! It turned out beautifully and she loves it.

I just remembered I made another shirt for myself in August! This one is for Fall, but I was just in the mood, even though it's still pretty hot here (90 degrees today). I made this shirt out of a 100% cotton sheet from Pottery Barn Teen that I got at the thrift store several months ago. I always look through the linens section at the thrift store for things to sew with! There’s something so satisfying about making a tailored shirt because it involves several advanced techniques that take practice. I’m always proud when I finish one. I even harvested the buttons from a thrifted dress that I had already cut up and made something else out of. Be sure and read my post about frugal sewing right here.

I also made a pajama set out of a one yard remnant of this soft knit from Hobby Lobby! There are more details on this set, including how to make the lettuce edge ruffly hem in this post.

I think that’s everything, although I also made some masks of course, since I discovered the best combination of style and elastic! I shared it here on the blog with a printable pattern and tutorial and apparently I wasn’t the only person desperate for a a better mask, judging by the popularity of that post! Be sure and check it out right here.

That’s everything I made in August, I’m pretty sure. We started our homeschool year last week and the ballet and other extracurriculars schedule is starting over the next few weeks, so I’m sure September won’t result in quite as many finished sewing projects, but we’ll see! I have a few things in the queue that I am super excited to get started on!

What did you sew in August? Do you sew for Summer until Summer is over, or are you getting started on Fall sewing? Do tell :)

Cheers!

Nikki