Plush Loungewear Set

I made myself a new set of loungewear and I am quite happy about it. It is another part of my 2026 Make Nine pledge, featuring Fabric 11 (asphalt-colored plush) and the remnants of Fabric 12 (brick-colored fleece). I sewed the heck out of these fabrics: two zippered jackets, one pair of joggers, and one hoodie, all from just 3.5m of fabric!

The pants use the same pattern - Burda #135 (11/2012) - that I made earlier this year for Gaby, but I opted for a larger size 36. I made some major modifications: I elongated the crotch by 3 cm from the top (including seam allowance) and the legs by 11 cm from the bottom. I also straightened the leg below the knee to get a nice straight-leg fit .I am thrilled with the result; the fit is much, much better than Burda #117 from 06/2021, which I’ve sewn a few times before. This is now my go-to pattern for straight joggers!

Pattern: # 135 Burda 11 / 2012

Size: 36, elongated

Fabric: plush fleece

Time to make: 4 days

My only regret with this set is making the jogger pockets entirely out of the main fabric. I had planned everything carefully, intending to cut one pocket piece from plush and the other from a thin black cotton knit. However, it was late in the evening after work when I started sewing, and I accidentally attached the plush piece to the front instead of the lining.

I only noticed the mistake after the pocket was fully assembled. I made a calculated choice: instead of undoing the seams—a nightmare since this plush frays like crazy and hates being unstitched—I decided to just cut two more fleece pieces. It’s not a dealbreaker, but the pockets are a bit thicker than I’d like. Next time, I’ll remember: the best combination for fleece or plush is one piece of main fabric and one piece of thin lining. Trust me, I know from experience!

After the joggers and jackets, I still had some large remnants left, so I decided to make a matching hoodie. This little project took so much effort - measuring, browsing patterns, and Googling colorblock inspiration. I’d wake up with one image in my head only to scrap it and replace it with another!  In the end the choice fell on Burda #103 (01/2017), which I've already made once for myself, out of sweatshirt fleece remnants.

Pattern: Burda #103 01/2017

Size: 36, modified

Fabric: plush fleece, polar fleece

Time to make: actual sewing - two days

I chose the pattern, as raglan sweaters suit color blocking exceptionally well. Besides I know the pattern and my "Page" hoodie, with its relaxed fit, is still one of my most favourite winter wears. 

The hoodie is hemmed with a mirror piece of fabric on the inside; the polar fleece front is hemmed with polar, and the plush back with plush. Yes, I am that pedantic!

For the hood lining, I originally cut a blue polyester piece left over from my zippered jacket. However, I realized I preferred the feel of the brick-colored fleece against my skin. I gathered all my scraps and played a little "fabric Tetris" - one side of the hood lining is made of two pieces, and the other of three! The seams are hidden inside, the look is consistent, and I am so proud of myself for pulling it off. (And don't worry, the blue lining was used in my next project, so nothing went to waste!)

My overall impression - I am so glad I made this hoodie happen, never underestimate the potential of fabric scraps - you just might find an entire hoodie in there:)

Joggers for Gaby

My first make for the new year is ready and it is a pair of joggers for Gaby. This is my first Make Nine for the year, and I hope the list of fabrics from the stash, successfully made into garments, will grow steadily.

The pattern for the joggers is an old Burda acquisition, that I've already made twice, once for myself and once for Gaby. As my daughter is a bit slimmer and taller than me, the joggers are a little tighter around the hip area and longer, than if I was making them for myself. However, Gaby is in Vienna and me posing is the second best way to demonstrate my new make.

Pattern: # 135 Burda 11 / 2012

Size: 34

Fabric: french terry

Time to make: 2 days

 

My mods to the pattern - as per usual - I added 3 cm to the upper part of the pattern pieces (including 0.8 cm seam allowance), as the joggers are cut too low. I also added 6 cm (including 0.8 cm seam allowance) to the length of the legs - the original envisions long cuffs, I prefer normal 6.5 cm cuffs.

The joggers have deep and comfortable inseam pockets.

The cuffs are out of rib knit and I made the waistband out of the main fabric and added a 3.2 cm wide elastic inside. All in all I am very happy with how these turned out and now I want a pair of similar joggers for myself, I will only have to find another piece of quality french terry.

My Make Nine in 2026

Over the years, I’ve made a habit of trying to organize my sewing life with a bit of planning. There is a common fallacy in the sewing world—one I’m certainly not immune to—of impulsively sewing "interesting" garments that don’t actually fit my lifestyle or wardrobe. The result? A closet full of clothes, but "nothing to wear."

On the other hand, buying fabric is a hobby in itself, often completely separate from the act of sewing! It’s the purchase of a dream or an image of oneself that rarely comes to fruition.

In an attempt to curb my fabric shopping and impulsive sewing, I’ve been trying to match my fabric stash with my pattern collection. My goal is to fill my wardrobe with items I truly need, plus a few "curiosity" projects—after all, this is a hobby and it should be about joy and pleasure.

This is just a small scoop of the fabrics I've collected over the years, which I would very much like to turn into garments this year. 

1 is a piece of black stretch denim, which could be another pair of  calf-length jeans for myself. I loved the ones I made last year and would definitely appreciate a second one with even better fit.

2 and 3 are sweater fleece and ribbing for a hoodie for Gaby's boyfriend. I'll probably make him another Brad hoody by Viki Sews, as I know how it fits him.

4 is a small, but gorgeous piece of viscose gabardine, that could become a pair of shorts for Gaby, she likes to wear such summer pants.

5 and 6 are chiffons, that I mean to try to turn into a bias sundress. I've made the Bailen top many times, I'm curious to try the dress with these fabrics, though the cutting and sewing of the chiffons will be a nightmare. And on that note - no more chiffons, I'm done with buying these!

7 and 8 are transfers from my previous year plans, I really, really would like to sew them this summer into a dress and jacket, respectively.

9 is a new acquisition and i'm curious if that wouldn't make another gorgeous Metra blazer.

10 is some georgette, that I intend to try to make into straight pants for myself. It would be more like a test garment, I have another precious fabric, that I would like to cut into, once I've perfected the fit.

11 and 12 are big pieces of plush and fleece, which should produce some sportswear for myself - a fleece zipped sweater and some wide pants, probably.

13 and 14 are knit fabrics, intended for leggings for Gaby and myself.

Unlike last year, I’m setting more realistic goals this time. 

What happened last year? I started strong, buying almost no new fabric and immediately sewing the few pieces I did acquire. But then summer arrived, and I was caught in a "chiffon madness." I bought meters of chiffon and georgette, fraying my nerves trying to turn them into flowy dresses. 

I ended the year with 32 meters of new fabric, only half of which was sewn. I hope to do better this year, but if not—it’s just a hobby, not world politics!

Quick Christmas Sewing

The time around Christmas, when Gaby visits us, is usually, apart from all the family cooking and feasting and all the other activities we do together, also time for some last minute frenzied sewing. I'm just that kind of person, I love it when I can make something with my own hands for my close and extended family.

This summer I sewed some curtains for Gaby's kitchen and as an addition to my Christmas presents I decided to sew a matching tablecloth for the kitchen table. I bought a big piece of fabric and made two tablecloths - one for Gaby and Vali's kitchen and a smaller tablecloth for our kitchen table too, out of the remaining fabric. Yes, I love using up all the fabric, when possible!

Earlier this year I made a t-shirt for Vali, which he loved, so I bough another piece of cotton viscose fabric and made him another t-shirt for Christmas.

The fabric is divinely soft and pleasant on touch, I really hope he likes his present.

Pattern: Burda #132 from 12 / 2020

Size: 46

Fabric: cotton viscose knit

Time to make: 2 days

This year Gaby joined a folk dance club in Vienna and she asked for a simple black t-shirt and short black skirt for her folk dance practice. For the t-shirt I chose a true-and-tried-many-times Burda basic t-shirt pattern - 6820. My light modifications - I shortened the sleeves to make them 7/8 and raised the neckline, which I finished with a simple covering band.

Pattern: Burda 6820

Size: 36, shortened sleeves, raised neckline

Fabric: black cotton knit

Time to make: 1 day

The skirt is a shortened version of the skirt of the Willow Wrap Dress by Love Notions, which I made this summer for myself, so I knew the pattern. It is super simple, with two seams at the sides and a waistband with an elastic.

Pattern: Willow Wrap dress by Love Notions

Size: xs, shortened

Fabric: french terry

Time to make: 1 day

Navy Blue Burda 6202

My third Burda 6202 blouse this year! I believe this is the sixth short-sleeve version I’ve made for myself from this favorite pattern.

Apart from the fact that I love the fit - and I have tuned the pattern to my preferences to perfection - it's a tiny blouse that requires very little fabric. I often manage to squeeze it out of remnants as a side project.

Thus, out of the 1.8 m navy blue knit fabric, that I bought in July, I made one pair of calf-length joggers, one long sleeve hooded top, this short sleeved Burda 6202 T-shirt and I even managed to combine the leftovers with other knit fabric scraps to make three pairs of lingerie for myself.  I love using my fabric to the last centimeter, especially when it’s this good! This navy blue is not only a perfect match for my complexion, but it’s divinely soft against the skin—a total win-win.

Pattern: Burda 6202 from Burda Catalogue 1 / 2020

Size: 34, shortened

Fabric: cotton knit

Time to make: 2 days

I especially love the puff-sleeve detail on this blouse; it's a small feature with a great effect.

We are still enjoying beautiful, sunny weather here. It’s hard to believe I’m taking photos of a short-sleeved blouse just a few days before Christmas!

Pink Flower Dress

This is my third and most probably last of the chiffon dresses, that I became so obsessed with this summer. I started it at the beginning of August, with the intention to finish it in a couple of days and wear it during the hot August days. 

Actually, the initial plan was to make another Burda pattern, one of my Make Nine plans. I printed the pattern and started with the lining. It turned to be a good idea, as it was soon evident, that the pattern did not fit me well and needed serious corrections and calculations - the upper part of the dress was too short. I abandoned the pattern and cut the upper part of Burda #104 from the remaining fabric.

After I assembled the lining,  I cut into the main fabric - cotton georgette with an interesting flower print. For this make of the pattern I decided to make a few changes, leading to a bit bigger ease at the waist - a mistake, in hindsight.

Once I had assembled the upper dress, I realized, that the lining should be a mirror image of the dress, and mine was the same as the dress. That meant, that I had to undo all the overlocking and stitching of the flimsy chiffon lining and I had neither the time, nor the patience with all the goings in the second half of August, before our sea vacation abroad. So I just abandoned the project for better days.

Pattern: Burda #104 02/2011 dress and Deniz skirt by Vikisews

Size: 17 Height: 154 - 160 cm

Fabric: pink chiffon, pink flower georgette

Time to make: one month

Once back from our Greek vacation, I decided, that it would be a shame to leave all the cut fabric lying around, so I gathered all of my inner strength, undid almost all the seams of the lining and some of the upper dress and finished the job. 

I am still not sure how to even these dresses with semicircle skirts - I let the dress hang on the tailor's dummy, measured and cut the hem and it is still uneven - but it is what it is. I'm glad it is finished and I even wore it a couple of times. Now I can move to new, probably more colder weather oriented projects. The summer seems to be over and autumn is already here.

Green T-shirt

One more short-sleeve T-shirt for my husband. I had a piece of green cotton fabric with almost no stretch, which was a remnant from another project, so in this year's spirit of clearing my stash, I decided to turn it into a blouse.

I used again my true-and-tried Burda pattern, size 50, but with some tweaks. The pattern is tailored, but I made it straight and I also played a little with the neckline, widening it 1.5 cm at the front. 

As I often make t-shirts for husband, based on this pattern, you might think, that I can make these now by heart - but nothing could be farther from the truth. Every time I decide to cut a new t-shirt, I start measuring and tweaking and guessing what had I changed the previous time to get a good fit.

So, I've decided to make a cardboard copy of the pattern and to introduce all of the tweaks and mods I find necessary, based on this latest t-shirt, so that next time I wouldn't need to guess what kind of elongations and other changes I need to make, to get the perfect fit. And as I am really curious how this would work, I am very much inclined to visit my favourite fabric shop and buy a piece of knit fabric, just to try the modified pattern with all the latest alterations. Expect a new men's t-shirt here in the nearest future :)

Pattern: Burda #132 from 12 / 2020

Size: 50 with with added length

Fabric: cotton knit

Time to make: 2 days

Beige Dress for Gaby

Last year I bought a large piece of viscose and made a Rhapsody for Gaby out of it. I had a fairly big remnant - probably half of the fabric, so this year I decided to use it to make a summer dress for Gaby.

I am modeling the dress, but it is supposed to fit Gaby, who is taller and a bit more broad-shouldered than me.

The pattern is a mesh-up of three dresses and it took me quite a while finally to cut it. The skirt is a slightly widened skirt from the Roliz dress by Vikisews. I love my Roliz and my only regret is that I didn't make the skirt a bit wider, as I had plenty of its gorgeous fabric.

The bodice is again Burda #104 02/2011 dress, but only up to the armholes. The back is cut straight and flat, and the front continues into Bailen dress by Pauline Alice, with wider straps, as I was aiming at strap width that could cover the bra straps underneath. The dress closes with a zipper on the side.

Pattern: Bailѐn Top by Pauline Alice, free pattern, Roliz by  VikiSews, Burda #104 02/2011 dress

Size: 34 

Fabric: 100% viscose for the outer dress, polyester for the lining

Time to make: 3 days

 

The dress is fully lined, as all of my woven fabric dresses lately, with simple beige lining fabric for the bodice and smooth poly-acetate lining for the skirt.