I bet you can make that

We have always been interested in making things ourselves rather than buying them, and, when confronted with an interesting item (be it food, clothing, housewares, etc.), one of us usually says “I bet you can make that.” The secret is that most things aren’t really that difficult to make - if you are willing to put in the time and do the proper research, you can make almost anything. This collection of photos is a simple way to share some of the things we’ve made. This isn't meant to be a "how to" site, but if you'd like to know how we did something please leave a comment or use the "ask us" button below - we're happy to share what we've learned. more sewing projects here

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I’m not sure if anyone checks this page or not, but I’m not posting anymore. If you’d like to see things I’m working on, go to my Instagram at the link. Thanks for your interest!

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Handmade wardrobe tour: woven t-shirts. This time it’s all about modifying the Grainline Studio Scout Tee pattern is as many ways possible!

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Handmade wardrobe tour: woven tank tops. Favourite patterns include True Bias Southport Dress (modified), Salme Patterns Hannah Top, and Grainline Studio Willow Top.

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Handmade wardrobe tour: knit long sleeve tops. Favourite patterns are Grainline Studio Lark Tee, Hemlock Tee, and Driftless Cardigan.

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Top: handmade items, bottom: purchased items. I’m really happy with this ratio! I rarely purchase clothing anymore, and the purchases I do make are always quality items that fill a gap. Not pictured here: pants. I’ve made lots of pants for Paul, but never for myself. One day...

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Handmade wardrobe tour: knit t-shirts.

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I love stripes and I always buy several meters of striped jersey when I find some of good quality.  This is the cardigan variation of the Lark Tee, and although I had always sort of associated the drapey cardigans with old ladies, I’m pretty into this one...

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I bought this light grey 100% rayon on a whim because I love rayon and loved the colour.  After letting it sit in my fabric stash for a while, I decided I would use it to copy this shirt.  I drafted the pattern myself - pretty simple with a dolman sleeve, a facing around the bottom, and bias-bound V-neckline.

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Yet another olive coloured item.  I looked at this fabric (Polartec windstopper fleece) at the fabric store for months before actually buying any.  I couldn’t decide whether the colour was hideous or great (the fluorescent lights in the store definitely didn’t help).  This is another fleece hoodie based on a MEC one I bought nearly a decade ago (you can see the blue version I made a few years ago here).

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Another olive coloured item!  This is a Seamly Basic Tee sewn in a stretchy mixed-fibre fabric.  No alterations to the pattern except that I left out the pocket.  I never thought I’d bother sewing basic wardrobe items, but this is such a great cut and such a quick sew...

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This is another great blazer pattern (Victoria Blazer by By Hand London), and it’s the first one I’ve made.  I believe the fabric is “scuba” (sort of like a very light neoprene), but the description on the bolt was quite vague.  Whatever it is, I love it - it has a great drape, weight, and stretch.  The only thing I’d change on my next go ‘round with this pattern is I’d make it so that the lining doesn’t show at the front lapels - it’s drafted in such a way that the collar always rolls to the outside, and no amount of under-stitching will fix it.  The way it is now doesn’t bother me too much (I still wear it a ton), but I plan to change it on the next one.  Lots of potential for this pattern - it has pockets in the side seams in the pattern, but you would always add another type of pocket for a little more visual interest.  Worn here with a Native Clutter necklace.

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This is one of a few Morris Blazers I’ve made - I love the pattern and only had to make a couple of minor adjustments to get the fit just right (widen the shoulder and drop the armhole).  The fabric is navy 100% wool suiting, so it’s warm despite being fairly lightweight.

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I bought the pattern for this Docklight Sweater before I finished knitting my first sweater because I loved the look of the brioche stitch pattern.  Finally finished it last spring.  Since it’s knit in the round (you do the whole body at once) it feels like it takes forever...  This is the first olive coloured item in my wardrobe, and since making it I’ve decided that olive is my colour and have made a bunch of other things in that palette.

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I’ve made a ton of Hemlock Tees since the pattern was released, including 3 for Christmas gifts this year.  This one (for myself) is the only one I have a photo of.

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A couple of modified Camas Blouses, including one I wore at my wedding!  I adjusted the pattern so that instead of a button band it has a facing - I like the look more, and it’s cleaner to sew.  The one for the wedding is a light green tencel fabric, and the other is a dark green polyester.

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Finished my Tiller Scarf!  This one has been about a year in the making (off and on - I also knit a sweater at the same time).  I really like the bobbles on the side, and the cable pattern was easy to learn.  It’s wool so it will be warm!  (December 2015)

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A man apron for Paul for Christmas. (December 2015)