A Hand Stitched Life
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28/02/2026
Somehow making kids this is significantly easier to photograph too - or maybe that’s just because I don’t feel like I have to be in them and get Alex to take the photos. Plus it turns out our clothesline has quite a nice backdrop!
These tops ticked off another project, but they’re also the most incredible scrap busting project! I added the to my list as I wanted to branch out from the two kids dress patterns I’ve been seeing from years and this has become a quick favourite. I can get a size 3 top from about 50cm of fabric, and a dress from 75cm, and I think I’ve finished 9 to date, with more that only need binding.
They come together very quickly, especially if you batch sew them, and have resulted in some adorable little outfits from fabric I’ve loved. These two tops are both made from fabric. The gingham is a linen I nabbed on clearance ($15/m!) and used from my Silversaga Ella Dress. The fun print was a drill remnant I picked up cause I loved it but with only 1/2m struggled to use, until I found this. There is also an option for a centre front seam, which adds to the scrap busting ability. This binding is also one of my favourite yarn dyed ginghams from Spotlight. I made a dress out of it and had a metre of so leftover so I made a heap of bias. When it was on sale the other week I purchased another 2m to turn into more bias. It adds the perfect pop of fun into a project - who can go wrong with rainbow!
Overall these have been a delight to sew and have really bought some joy back into my sewing practice, which I think is what I needed for 2026!
I purchased a few pattern from last year and finally got around to sewing one of their kids patterns (I made the Ophelia as my dress for Christmas and it was wonderful), when I was looking for something different to my normal go to. I made the Lily of the Valley Dress an it was a lovely, but still fairly easy make.
The fabric is a beautiful print, printed on their seersucker base and it was a delight to sew, plus it has that beautiful seersucker texture.
I know I’ll reach for pattern again and I can’t wait to make the version with all the ruffles. Overall a delightful make and I can’t wait to see this on the recipient.
SILVERSAGA PATTERNS ELLA DRESS
My first make of 2026 was finished on New Years Day, and promptly worn to lunch with my husband at one of our favourite places on the second. I was complimented on it as soon as I walked through the door which is always a lovely feeling.
This was my first time making the and I’m sure it won’t be the last. It came together quicker than I expected and the results were better than I imagined.
I went the View B, so the drawstring neckline was a little more work friendly if I ever decided I wanted to wear it to work. I also end with the short flutter sleeves, largely due to fabric constraints. I had 3.8m of linen and managed to get this out with a little to spare towards the top end of the size range. I do wish I’d pattern matched the skirts a little better but I was too worried about running out of fabric to worry too much about that.
The fabric is a linen gingham I picked up in clearance last year from - it’s been lovely to work with and wear which is such a win.
Overall, I really recommend this pattern, I know the price point had be a fraction concerned but honestly it’s resulted in such a beautiful make I have no complaints, and plan on making more!
Also, this might be my best invisible zip ever.
My bag is a Picton Kit from - this is my second kit I’ve made and it’s such a good couch project.
02/01/2026
2026 SEWING PLANS
I like to go into each year with a few things I want to make, but it’s been a few years since I’ve done a Make Nine. I figure that it’s a good idea to help keep me on track with some other goals.
My main goal is to purchase 10 (or less) pieces of fabric during the year. Fabric for gifts doesn’t count but I’ve got to try and use my stash first. I was doing well for the first half of this year but the second half of the year resulted in too many purchases.
This list differs a bit from my normal lists, however we’re following the dopamine and not making what I think I should, we’re putting the fun back into sewing if that makes sense.
My Make Nine for this year comprises of:
- A by - I’ve got some dreams of a waxed canvas coat, and fabric to make it happen. Though I will be waxing it myself.
- A by for my niece, this is already cut to getting it finished seems like a win.
- Another project for my niece in the form of a by there might actually be a few of these, I think they’ll be good to use up some scraps
- Another already cut project - A by I’ve got some embroidered cotton for this one.
- A current fave - the by .marye
- This one should’ve further up the the list Flint Shorts by
- This one is driven by dopamine - A Stuffed Goose for my Neice using a
- A Ella Dress using some gingham linen
- A Max Tee - I have one I wear regularly and it’s getting a little worn so it’s time for in update.
I feel like there’s a mix of complex makes and simple enough projects. I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
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