Handmade Presents
This year, as every year, I set myself a pretty mammoth task of hand making most of the Christmas presents for my family.
Starting with the most involved, I made my brother a bomber jacket. He has been asking for one for years now, and I did make him one for his 30th birthday using a now obsolete pattern from Elbe Textiles called the Essendon Bomber. However, this turned out way too small. I was actually pretty disappointed with the sewing pattern, I thought the instructions and construction details were far inferior to the other Elbe patterns I’ve made (which is, I think, why the pattern has been discontinued until it can be brought up to meet the high standards of the other patterns on offer).
For my second attempt, I chose the Larkin pattern by Seamwork. This is a unisex fit bomber jacket, and anxious not to go to small I cut the largest size of the standard block, which I think is the US 16.
The fabric I used was from the Knitting and Stitching show a couple of years ago. I can’t remember where I bought the ribbing from, but it is nice and heavy and perfect for this use. As both fabrics are really thick, it was an utter nightmare to sew! My poor machine really struggled with the thickness, I had to up the stitch length a lot and really shove it through the machine.
The Larkin pattern is a typical bomber jacket, with a zip and a full lining. It was not particularly difficult, but sewing heavy wool and ribbing and welt pockets, zips, lining is all quite time consuming. Plus, I find I put more effort into finishings and general neatness when I am sewing for others.
The second make was a cross body bag for my younger sister. This was based on the pattern from SewGirl, which I have made twice before (other gifts) but this time I made the body of the bag bigger at Kate’s request. Kate has the Uniqlo bag already, so there was no point replicating this and she thought a bigger one would be more useful.
Making the pattern bigger was quite straightforward. I just folded the front pattern piece in half and redrew the curve at the bottom to be longer and wider. I then measured this to draw the gusset piece bigger. I left the strap tabs the same, as I was using the same width webbing and notions as the standard bag. In hindsight, I wish I had added more height and depth to the bag, but it looks better when it’s being worn.
I also decided to add a zipped inside pocket, which isn’t on the original pattern, but I’m a big fan of zipped internal pockets.
The presents in action on Boxing Day, from left to right; bomber jacket, cross body bag and making backpack.
For my mum, I decided to make a rucksack. I bought some British Millerain waterproof cotton, and all the notions came from Country Cow Designs (who’s quality is excellent I think).
The pattern is the Making Backpack by Noodlehead. I have made the smaller one for my son and I like the construction and the details, so made the larger one this time round. It is another straightforward pattern, the most difficult thing being the bias binding internally.
This fabric was thick and difficult to work with, but I’m pretty please with the finished thing!
For my brother’s girlfriend I made some Bisque Trousers. This is a pattern she has requested I make her and she bought the fabric when she was last in Hong Kong. She gave me her waist and hip measurements and I cut the size 12 in the wide leg view. She is a few inches shorter than me so I took 3 inches off the leg length, but left the rise as drafted. This is the first time I have made the Bisque trousers and I am really impressed with the finished article. I had to read the instructions for the pockets twice, but only had to unpick once, so that wasn't too painful!
She tried them on and they fit perfectly, so I’m really happy. She would like the tapered leg view next, which I need to get printed. I want to make myself a pair too :)
I also made some leather goods for my family, including personalised notebooks and purses. I cut out and engraved the leather using our laser cutter and then glued the seams and sewed them up on my machine.
A little personalised notebook from some tan leather. The insert is replaceable so it should last years.
Another, slightly larger, notebook in red leather
and a matching card wallet
A little card purse in green leather with snap closure
And another one in tan leather
Some knitting and crochet was done this year, but not a lot. Some of the things included a hat for my next door neighbour’s daughter. I drafted the pattern myself using a chunky merino yarn, it’s great because it’s really quick.
My lovely friend had a baby a few days before Christmas, so I crocheted a Toft monkey from the book Edward’s Menagerie.
I used Toft wool because I bought loads a while ago and I enjoy working with it.
She sent me this gorgeous picture of the monkey with her beautiful baby.
Some of the presents in action on Boxing Day, from left; bomber jacket, cross body bag and making backpack.
I’ll be honest, I took on too much and it was really stressful and exhausting making sure it was all finished in time. I love making presents for my family and friends, but I definitely need to start in the summer and be finished by November! December is a busy month anyway and the pressure of making some quite involved projects was a lot!