Thankful Sewing: Man Sized!

Sarah

6 years ago

It’s easy to get caught up in the hoopla of the holidays, the chaos of shuffling to and fro and baking the perfect pumpkin pie, and forget about the spirit of the season: Thankfulness. This month, I’m delighted to be co-hosting the Thankful Sewing Blog Tour with Melissa of Mahlica Designs. We have an awesome month lined up with several sponsors and giveaways- so be sure to check out everyone on the tour at the end and enter to win a little something!

Being “Thankful” is always a work in progress for me- I’m very blessed, in so many ways, but it’s easy to let life get us off track and develop an attitude of frustration rather than gratitude. Since my blog is not only a way to chronicle my sewing adventures but also a way for me to hold myself accountable, I’m putting it out there as an intention to be more grateful this month (hopefully all year!), and I’m starting with the man who makes so many things possible for me: my husband Stephen.

At the end of the day, when we’re both exhausted, he often gets the tail end of whatever energy I have left, but he never complains about letting me burrow away into my sewing projects, and often clears the dishes while I sew away so that I can make the most of my kid-free moments to get my sewing “work” done.

He has also thrown himself head-long into photography and blog development this year, so that we can spend more time together. Many people see my blog as a reflection of me, and wonder how I can possibly do it all- and the answer is that I can’t! I have an awesomely talented and supportive husband, three awesome children (who can be bribed with duct tape and donuts for photos!), and a very involved extended family. And housekeepers. I’m very grateful for them too (and for Stephen for embracing my desire to have help with the house!)

It would take me a whole year, or more, to show my appreciation, but I thought I’d start with something small: a sweater for my favorite man. I haven’t sewn many things for him in the past, but that’s starting to change, in part because he totally deserves it, and in part because he’s my most appreciative customer.

The boys can be super picky with their clothes (but mama, it ITCHES!), the baby sees photo shoots as a game of catch-me-if-you-can, and I sometimes have trouble looking past the flaws on projects, but Stephen embraces each handmade item with genuine appreciation and love. And then he actually WEARS them, and brags about me. Which is embarrassing, but super sweet.

For my gift to him, I made the Newcastle Cardigan by Thread Theory Designs.

It’s not easy to find independent men’s patterns, but Thread theory does a great job of combining professional drafting and instructions with styles men really want to wear.

I made the Newcastle up in a wool/synthetic blend from my stash, using a few wool merino scraps for the shoulder accents (I wish that stuff wasn’t so hard to find in the US!) and big wooden buttons from JoAnns.

By some stroke of luck I was able to make the buttonholes work in the knit fabric, and it all came together quite well.

The style suits Stpehen perfectly, and I’m really jealous of how quickly he can get ready for a photoshoot!

Don’t forget to check out the other bloggers on the tour and enter the giveaway below for a $20 shop credit to Simply by Ti Fabrics! I know I’m dying for some of Ti’s stretch twill for a fall jacket or pants!

Enter to win this week’s giveaway: a $20 shop credit to Simply by Ti Fabrics!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Thankful Sewing Bloggers are creating something special to share with you to celebrate this month of Thanksgivings! As an extra special surprise, we also have a couple giveaways during each week of the tour. Share your thanks with Petite Stitchery who has a new pattern to share with us, a free pattern giveaway from Sew by Pattern Pieces, and a chance to win a shop credit each week from Simply by Ti!