2024 Third Quarter Recap

Here’s a little update on what I’ve been up to in July, August, and September. During this quarter, I managed to post about:

• Our adjustments to the Arrowsmith Undershirt by Thread Theory Designs
• My pattern update to the Sophie Hines Median Knickers and GreenStyle Simpatico Leggings
• Redesign of the Shop Pant from Open Studio
• My additional updates to the GreenStyle Simpatico Leggings
• And a quick project to make myself new silk bonnets for sleeping

There are still a few projects I haven’t had a chance to blog about yet:

• Strathcona Henley by Thread Theory Designs
• Sunday Zip Jacket by Style Arc

Works in progress that I’m taking with me into next quarter:

• Down hiking pants
• Sun Hoodie (pattern to be determined)

Totals

So far, I’ve completed 63 projects this year, though some of those involved making multiple items or using different patterns. Altogether, I’ve sewn 72 individual items! This quarter, I had to remake the activewear I finished in March since my body had changed shape so much that the original pieces didn’t fit anymore.

I’ve spent $2,945 on sewing this year, which averages out to about $327 per month. September was a big one, mostly because I had to get my serger fixed. I had the upper and lower cutting blades replaced, the timing adjusted (the upper looper was hitting the right needle), and the diaphragm for the air threading repaired.

While I’ve had the time and energy to sew mentally, it’s been challenging most days. I’m currently waiting for an MRI to figure out why I’ve lost sensation and muscle control in my right inner thigh. It’s been deteriorating since February, and despite my best efforts with exercise, the muscle has atrophied, and my leg keeps giving out. Hiking on trails doesn’t feel safe right now, and even walking a mile or two can be really painful.

Stash Usage and Fabric Waste

One of my goals this year has been tracking my fabric usage when cutting out patterns. It’s been interesting to see how much less waste pant patterns generate in general.

I’ve bought a lot of fabric this year, but I’ve also been using it up just as quickly.

What’s taken a backseat, though, is my knitting. I started a pair of socks back in May and still haven’t found the motivation to finish them.

Given my limited mental energy, I’ve been focused on only buying fabric when needed and jumping straight into the project as soon as it arrives. Most of my projects are started within the first week after the fabric gets here.

Cost and Time Breakdown

Of the $2,945 I’ve spent, $1,908 has gone toward fabric and $287 on notions, which makes up about 75% of my spending. The rest has been on things like machine repairs, patterns, yarn, samples, and fabric for pattern testing.

Here’s how my time has broken down this year: almost 106 hours of knitting, 98 hours of sewing, 31 hours of testing, almost 19 hours of mending old projects, 12 hours of cutting fabric, and 5 hours of taping together PDFs.  Taping together PDFs takes less than 2% of my time, and it’s a great way to get familiar with the pattern pieces and think about construction ahead of time.

For most projects, I can finish them within a day or two, though more complex ones like trousers and jackets take longer. Knitting socks and sweaters, as you can imagine, takes the most time.

Project Breakdown

One of the things I love most is the variety of projects I get to work on—it’s not just pants and tops all the time.

This year, I’ve spent more time redoing or mending old projects, which has been great for practicing the best ways to remove serger stitches on different fabric types. I enjoy having the space to let my mind wander while unpicking a garment.

For now, I’m still sewing mostly for myself, and I’m okay with that.

Working with a wide range of fabric types has been really good practice. I didn’t have any trouble sewing the silk bonnets this quarter, and when I finally blog about it, I’ll share how easy it was to work with Alpha Direct fabric too.

Here are the stores I’ve shopped so far this year.

And I’m thankfully keeping my self-drafted patterns to a minimum.

I’m balancing my color choices well. Ryan and I aren’t big fans of red, so that’s the one color that hasn’t seen much love this year.

Conclusions

Anyway, I’m hoping to get some answers about my leg weakness by the end of the year. In the meantime, I’m preparing for cold-weather walks and maybe even some cozy hammock time in the snow. Happy Autumn!