Hi Sewing Friends,
My goal for 2024 was to keep a Google spreadsheet of all my sews. I organized it by using the following columns: Month, Item, Brand, Type, Fabric, Size, Mods and Recipient. As a brand rep it was also interesting for me to record how many of my sews were for promotion. Finally, I recorded any notable sewing achievements, such as changing serger blades or servicing my machines.
My records indicate that I’ve sewn 37 Ellie and Mac patterns in 2024! Fifty-nine and a half percent of my sews were in adult sizing, 21.6% in kids and the remaining 18.9% were craft, doll and bags.
The bar graph below clearly illustrates that my most frequent sews are dresses and tops.
TOPS & BOTTOMS
My absolute favourite kids pattern is the Kids Discoverer Tee. I sewed it five times this past year and more are planned for 2025. It’s a tried and true pattern!
Pro tip: You can use WOVEN fabric for the front panel without modification!
The Adult Discoverer Tee is the perfect companion to the kids version. I slightly modified the pattern by adding colour blocking to the sides.
I unlocked a new skill last year - suit making! The Elevated Blazer and Jasmine Jogger Skirt can be paired to make the most comfortable suit you will ever own. It only requires approximately 25% stretch. I used a suede-like material in a gorgeous aubergine hue. It’s layered over the Jessica Tee.
My final sew of 2024 will also be the very first pattern released in 2025 - the Chelsea Cardigan. I always like to use remnants for my first try at any pattern. In this case it was a beautiful floral that I had bought a few years ago to make Fall in Love Sweaters. I’d like to make this cardigan in a solid colour so that it can be paired with patterned garments.
DRESSES
Of all the categories, I am most excited to reflect on all the dresses I have made. I’d like to begin with the Hipster Dress as it is one of my most used patterns. My mother is obsessed with it and she loves it so much that no other pattern will do. I’ve included the three most recent versions I made to celebrate her birthday and the start of the New Year.
In a previous blog I explained how I hacked the Hipster Dress to add a kangaroo pocket, customize sleeve length and add a button and loop to assist with her needs. I also included tips on how to make anti-slip socks using the free Sew It Forward Sock Pattern.
I also made the Adult Essential Dolman Dress. The Essential Dolman has extra built in ease and is great with 2-way knits that have minimal stretch. Sometimes I pick the fabric based on the pattern and other times the pattern based on the fabric. Luckily I have a large fabric collection to choose from (but who am I kidding? I love buying new fabric as well!).
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my self-care sews of 2024. These are items that I made for myself. On Instagram (Sewingfun101) I include #sewingismytherapy to my posts. Sewing is both relaxing and therapeutic; it puts me in my happy place.
This past year I’ve made two modified Felicia Custom-Cup Size Dresses, a modified Lakeisha Cottage Dress, and an Adult Cuddle Tunic Dress. I paired the Cuddle Dress with the FREE ear warmers headband pattern.
Felicia Custom Cup Dresses
Modified Lakeisha
Cuddle Tunic and Earwarmer
In 2023 I made 5 Breezy Dresses. In 2024 I decided to use the bodice as a template for modifying other patterns (such as the red Staycation Dress, as pictured below). I like the high crew neck and the overall fit. The shoulders fit my narrow frame and it has just the right amount of ease.
The Kids Breezy Dress is also super adorable! I used the very last of my tie dye scraps to make a peplum version for myself as well as a dress for my niece. Since I was using odd-shaped scraps I had to be creative. In February there will be a two-part blog series on how I use Affinity Designer to play “Digital Pattern Tetris”.
The Daphne Drawstring Dolman was released this past year and I am so happy that I made it. It’s designed to be blouse, however there are instructions on how to make it into a dress. If you’d like to add long-sleeves as I did, you can use the sleeves from the Be Graceful Dress. I predict that there will be more Daphnes made in the upcoming year!
BAGS/CRAFTS
Ellie and Mac has so much more than just clothing. There are patterns for the home, dolls and even bags.
In the home category I made the Sweet Dreams Pillow Cover and Stuffy Ball Pattern. Both are practical sews as you always need pillow covers and the Stuffy Ball helps contain the abundance of stuffed animals that many children seem to own. My kid estimated that his ball contains at least 200 stuffies. I haven’t counted, so I’ll have to trust him on that!
Sweet Dreams Pillow Cover
Stuffy Ball
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There’s something satisfying about making teeny tiny doll dresses. Zoe was outfitted with a fabulous Sweetie Pie Doll Dress.
Another reason why Ellie and Mac is so absolutely fabulous is that patterns are often found across categories. So if you’d like to match your doll, the Sweetie Pie Dress is also available in child and adult sizing!
A quick tip: It’s best to first fit your larger sized pattern pieces on your fabric and then to use whatever is left to clothe your doll. If you are going to make a child and doll set with the same fabric, fit your child sized pattern pieces before you place the doll ones and adjust as necessary.
As much as I love making clothing, I also like making bags! My kids don’t understand why I need more, but I do. And I will continue making them.
I’ve focussed several of my blogs on bags, including:
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Transforming the Stephany Travel Bag into an insulated medical bag
2. How to waterproof wovens using the Hydro Water Bottle Sling Carrier Pattern
I made the Florence Foldover Bag with all the options! It was fun to decorate my bag with double capped rivets and a metal “handmade” label. I used silver thread to quilt my vinyl. It looks luxurious and high-end. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped and asked where I bought my purse. It brings me great pleasure to be able to say that I made it.
SWIM & COVERUPS
A secondary goal of 2024 was to conquer my fear of swimwear. I dove right in and made the ultimate modest bathing suit by mashing the Candi Square Neck Swim Dress, Waverider Rash Guard and Urban Leg Shorts.
The process of designing my outfit using Ibis Paint X was detailed in this tutorial.. I often use Ibis Paint X to help me decide how I want a garment to look.
Finally, I upcycled thrifted towels to make a Kids Yvonne Robe and the most epic Adult Oversized Tee . To create your own Oversized Tee Dress you would upsize by 2 to 3 sizes and lengthen the hem as desired.
What will I sew in 2025?
When I started sewing six years ago I would never have imagined that my wardrobe would one day be almost entirely “me made”. Back then I struggled with threading my machine and figuring out the very basics. Reflecting on last year’s makes has reminded me of how much I have achieved. I am no longer a beginner, but I have so much more to learn.
In the upcoming year I would like to continue working toward my goal of having a self-made wardrobe. I carefully went through my closet and curated the items that I wish to keep. Anything that was too small, or no longer my style, went into a donation bag. I found that the majority of the garments were ready-to-wear. I’m embarrassed to say that some were over two decades old. On the bright side, I now have more room for my handmade garments.
I’m looking forward to a year full of new pattern releases. Adding patterns to my collection is a separate hobby, though I do try to sew at least some of them! There is a certain degree of anticipation to a pattern release. I like the excitement of trying out a new pattern and learning new technical skills.
Happy 2025 to the entire Ellie and Mac sewing community! I look forward to another year of beautiful sewing creations. As always, please be sure to post your sews on the Ellie and Mac Facebook Group so that we can admire and compliment your work.
(Written by: Sarah Callahan)