I was so excited to get back into pattern testing. Since closing up my indie pattern shop and trying to get back into the swing of sewing while adjusting to sewing time based on c’s toddler schedule during the day and the life of two teenagers schedules keeps my day to day pretty full. My sewing time has been at a minimum, but that is slowly starting to change.

I jumped at the chance to test this previously released pattern which would now feature extended sizes and style options in the re-release. The timing was perfect in my schedule and I was lucky to make it into the testing group filled with many talented sewists.

Overall thoughts: This pattern is an absolute winner! If you don’t have it, I would say it would definitely be a fantastic addition to your wardrobe. It’s a great fitting staple with enough options to let you make lots of combinations.

The Stats:

Pattern // Montlake Tee by Straight Stitch Designs

Size // I cut a straight 18

Cup Size // D

Sleeve Length // Elbow

Neckline // V-Neck

Fabric // French Terry from my fabric stash

Customizations // Machine embroidered bonjour

I already have plans for at least two more, fingers crossed possibly next weekend I will have enough time to cut and sew them! This pattern is one I can see myself sewing again and again due to great results and a fairly quick sew. Make sure to grab your copy today!

So, I am a bit behind on my 2019 temperature blanket. The photo above is exactly January 1st through July 31st and is now officially just one super-extra-large blanket. Since this is really my very first crochet project, I just winged it! The blanket is actually folded in half (width wise) lengthwise it hangs over both sides of the couch. I absolutely love how the first part of the year turned out 🙂

This blanket is already getting lots of love: it has been outside and curled up in by the fire pit, used for fort making for a busy toddler, the snuggly cats have napped in it, and it has been the blanket of choice for the teenagers when watching tv. All around I can see that it is going to be a family favorite for years to come!

I actually started the second blanket this past week. The second half of the year is going to end up quite a bit smaller in size. The photo above is just the first few days of July. It’s moving along much quicker since it is smaller and, yes, it is probably cheating a little since I am changing up the project halfway through the year, but live and learn! Now, I am just working on crocheting a couple of rows each day in order to get caught up sooner than later. I really want to finish up this project on time or as close to as possible. My plans for the 2020 version have already been made and I literally can’t wait to get started on it! It’s going to be totally different then this one in pattern and colors.

What do you think about temperature blankets? Would you rather crochet, knit, or quilt them?

• currently reading— Sew News Magazine and Threads Magazine
• currently sewing— the Laurelhurst Cardigan by Straight Stitch Designs
• currently adoring— the leaves falling Autumn is my favorite time of year.
• currently baking— scones! well they are on the agenda along with muffins 😉
• currently drinking— Extra hot non-fat Hazelnut lattes
• currently coveting— these 24kt gold pins
• currently watching— Silent Witness season 6 on Amazon Prime
• currently quilting— the Get Cozy Mini Pattern by Pen + Paper Patterns
• currently cooking— homemade pizza
• currently designing— a sewing mat for an upcoming class at TFSC
• currently crocheting/knitting— the second half of my temperature blanket because I made the blanket so big I am going to have to the first 6 months and the second 6 months into a second blanket.
• currently machine embroidering—halloween decor
• currently added to my must sew list— Cielo Top & Kalle Shirt from Closet Case Files

The other morning I spent C’s nap time working on a few projects that I have laying about my sewing room. I have lots of fall sewing plans, however, time always seems to be in short supply around here.

Little man is busy being a fun, loving toddler, and the middle schooler and high schooler are getting back into the new school year groove, needless to say our normal routines have been shaken up a bit.

Anyways, today I picked back up on one of my wip’s from awhile ago: The Portside Duffle by Grainline Studio. I have had most of the parts cut out for quite some time (still haven’t decided on a lining but I have narrowed it down). I managed to get several parts sewn up and started working on the dopp kit as well. I also need to get the webbing for the straps and some hardware.

My goal is to have the set finished up (along with some more garments to put in it) for when I go to the Makers retreat this November. I will be working on it here and there throughout the week and I am going to be going back to sewing for me on Sundays. It makes a great stress reliever and keeps me expanding my skills.

I also spent a few minutes ironing on this metallic iron-on to a pre-made shirt for fall! I have plans to make a Halloween themed shirt as well.

It’s been way longer since a week on my last post about my 15 minute a day sewing. However, I have been making progress on lots of projects here and there. My sewing lately has been lots of work related projects, so not a lot of personal sewing time. With that said, now is the time I really need to dedicate the 15 mins first thing when I can. Here’s what I worked on:

• 3 more cat beds. I used some random batting and tons of fleece scraps to fill the beds. The one above is going to eventually go in a basket sooo hopefully the two cats will like that. *side note: they have also finally discovered the love of the sewing room, being involved in projects and of course getting into things. Often you can find them napping on my cutting table.
• The start of a fall table runner
• The start of another halloween something (probably table runner or mat)
• The start of some cat mats for the cats food dishes.

One other thing that I have been busy working on is cleaning out and organizing my sewing room. Expect more on that in another post with lots of details. I even shampooed the carpets yesterday, so I will be ready to start tackling my fall sewing!

Well, I have been a little behind on my weekly recap, mainly because I have still been getting in the groove of the 15 mins a day. So far some days I haven’t squeezed it in and others I have managed to fit it in twice. Here’s what I have been sewing:

• Finished piecing X’s Minecraft quilt top. It’s a huge quilt and now for basting and quilting
• A scarf for my autumn wardrobe (more on that in another post 😉 )
• A cat bed for Gracie & Stella (I have another one in the works)
• Mended another two pairs of jeans
• Started piecing a halloween table topper using up scraps

I made quite a bit of progress on lots of random projects over the course of the last couple of weeks. It was a little bit slower on what I would have liked to have sewn up, however, I have been on a huge clean out/organize everything band-wagon. In reality that clean out bug hardly ever hits me, but I am determined to get everything organize which has been taking up lots of time. (expect a full blog post about how I organizing my sewing room) The other bonus is that it has lit a fire in me to finish up lots of WIPs and get them out of my sewing room. It feels fantastic!

Now that we are almost half way done with MeMadeMay, it has spurred me into the fact that I need to work on my wardrobe. Not a little bit, but a complete overhaul. C is over a year old and I have recently gone through my closet and removed all my maternity clothes. What’s left is really not the best except for a few select pieces. I did pick a few rtw garments when I went back to work, however, I pretty much have the same things on repeat every week.

In light of all this, I have decided to focus on curating my closet with lots of handmade makes a build me my dream wardrobe. Finding time to sew is going to be a must and I will be documenting my process and makes here on the blog and on instagram. Even though my body isn’t where I would love it to be, instead of letting that hold me back, I am going to focus on making things right now that make me happy.

My first steps are going to be going through my wardrobe inspiration to figure out what colors and silhouettes I am gravitating towards this season of my life. Then I will be “shopping” the sewing patterns I already have, maybe add a few more from my favorite indie pattern designers, and what I can’t find I will just draft myself. One of my goals will be to redo my sloper or basic bodice, so I can easily draft a few patterns that I have whirling around in my head.

I am hoping to create a list of must have pieces along with everyday basics that are going to help me build the wardrobe of my dreams that will last for a long period of time. Of course, I will need to add speciality pieces in accordingly. I can’t wait to organize my ideas and then start sewing!

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Wow, its seems like March moved at a crazy fast rate. I have been busy not getting anything really tackled sewing-wise, but that is going to change this month. I am busy cleaning, sorting, and organizing my sewing room. (Hopefully a little atelier tour will be in the works later this month.)

One thing that I have been working on and still playing a little catch-up on is my temperature blanket. I love that I am finally adding a few new colors to the mix the past couple of weeks.

This project has been very enjoyable and relaxing, even when I fall behind. To customize this blanket even more the cream stripe is actually our family birthday’s. There will be 5 total in this blanket and so far 2 have already made there way into the stitched up blankets.

Lots of cooking in the kitchen has been happening as a result of a lifestyle change. Lots of clean eating (I.e. no sugar, no processed food, no junk food) so far trying the best I can in the switch up. One thing I plan on doing is expanding my technique skills in the kitchen since I am in there quite a lot now.

One thing I am looking forward to is planning out my Me Made May goals and really starting to add some new pieces into my wardrobe in the next couple of weeks. I am planning on using the Seamwork Wardrobe Planner to sort out what I will be sewing up plus I will be breaking out lots of Me Made goodness through out the month.

I am also making it back in my sewing room aka atelier, which always makes me feel better and it has been way to long since I have done and sewing especially garments which is my favorite thing to sew! That is going to change this month for sure as I plan on keeping things under my needle more often this month. Until next time-KZ

Well it’s the beginning of March and things have been busy around here. This year I am trying to tackle several works-in-progress each month. Mainly, the goal is to finish it up and get it out of my sewing room in order to make space for new projects. My sewing room is in a constant state of flux with the crazy amount of projects I keep switching back and forth from.

I have been busy packing and sorting all of the remnants from closing up KZJO’STUDIO women’s sewing patterns. On thing on the agenda is to start re-working and re-building my wardrobe. Be prepared for lots of clothing makes in between machine embroidery projects and quilting and more.

Today, I am tackling some samples for work which involves lots of fun thread colors:

What have you been working on?