Hello sweet friends, I hope you have been having a wonderful week! Over on my fashion Instagram account last week I announced A Patchwork Project.
A Patchwork Project
Like any good sewist if you sew long enough you develop quite a stash of fabric scraps. I regularly donate my scraps to our local senior center quilting group. But there are some scraps that I just can’t seam to part with. The problem is they are now taking up a large section of space in my sewing room.
I have always had a fondness for patchwork.
Patchwork has probably been around almost as long as people have created clothing for themselves.
Mid-19th century pieced diamond patterned patchwork vest.
Circa 1825 dressing gown. I can’t even imagine the hours this took.
One of my favorite finds was reading about was the nationale feestrok. It is a national liberation skirt or national celebration skirt that was first created by resistance fighter Mies Boissevain-van Lennep after WWII.
The idea was that these skirts would be worn during national holidays and other celebratory events as a symbol of both individuality and national unity. “Weave the pattern of your life into your skirt”. The patchwork was a result of limited fabric availability due to postwar reconstruction.
The skirts were then embroidered with special dates marking historic or family events. Some skirts have multiple dates.
The skirts are now considered folk wear and makers are still creating them today. You can watch a fabulous video HERE.
Meaningful Stitches
As I am not a quilter I am now gathering up ideas for future patchwork creations. The sky truly is the limit for all that you can create. I love this pillow!
The First Disastrous Project
The first patchwork project of 2023 I wanted to make was a smock to wear while gardening or doing housework. I had purchased a McCalls pattern on a $1.99 sale at JoAnn’s.
Longtime readers will know that I try to be as positive as I can be here at DTA. But this time, I beg of you, DO NOT BUY THIS PATTERN.
I wish I had read the reviews by others also saying it was not great before I had cut into my vintage fabric. 
I had decided to make view “B” as it seemed like a cute way to use up scraps. The only thing that saved me from throwing this project in the fire multiple times was that I truly did love the vintage fabric used to create it.
Long story short: the back seams are challenging. The biggest issue was the interior facing didn’t fit. I struggled for hours to find a workable solution. I tried so many options that I can’t really remember what finally worked. I cut it larger. I sewed it differently.
If you are insistent on making the blouse I would recommend just serging all the fabric piece edges and then hand drafting a simple collar edge facing.
The facing also feels really weird when I’m wearing the blouse. Full disclosure: I am wearing a t shirt under the blouse to help with this issue.
I tried cute topstitching to see if I could get the really wonky back seams to lie flat. It didn’t work. But let’s appreciate that I got four pieces of fabric to line up. On a curved shoulder.
So Why Share It?
I did hesitate if I should share this project since the pattern is so not good.
But I think it’s important to be transparent that sometimes projects don’t go as planned. Some projects can make you say really bad words under your breath.
Sewing is not all ribbons and mice.
The necklace was made back in 2009 from vintage materials. You can see another similar one I created HERE.
The pockets were not an option in the pattern. I added those so I could carry my phone, seed packets and other small supplies.
Moving forward I’ve already created my second patchwork project of the year and it is SEW CUTE and cozy! I’ll share it next week.
If you create any type of patchwork projects I’d love to feature you on Instagram. Just tag me on my fashion account @LauraIngallsGunn #apatchworkproject
Laura
Ohmygosh, I think that top is absolutely adorable! Whatever the challenges you struggled with, they sure don’t show. The fabrics are gorgeous.
I actually think yours even with any bad words said under your breath turned out way cuter than the pattern samples! You are amazing and that decorative stitching is something I never see. Not that I would probably notice. But now that I see anything handmade, I’m going to see if they are as clever as you are! Looking forward to seeing your patchwork piece when you get it done. Those skirts were amazing!!!
I love the top; you did a great job. Also really like the fabrics and embroidery.
I love tunics and that is so darned cute on you! I’m not sure what you mean about the pattern because I think it’s darling and I love the prints and color.
Yes, Laura, the tunic is adorable. The ruffle on the pocket, the special stitching design, and fabric patterns are fabulous. It sounds like it was literally Hell to make it and the only good that I can think about that is that it added to your knowledge and expertise. Isn’t that pillow divine. I have been saving barkcloth for several decades as I came across it and will now make curtains. However, as I divided the prominent colors, I don’t have enough of my patterns with a background of pink, so I shall go with those that are predominantly green. I’ll need four panels for a set of two windows in the dinette, so I hope I have enough to balance the panels. I am truly in awe of the patchwork dressing gown. My goodness, besides the tiny pattern, I like the fashion of eras where the clothing had an inborn structure, like those in the 1940s, that made most body types look good. Boy, that is so beautiful.
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