Thankful Sewing: Man Sized!

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!

Intro to the tour

November 1st:

mahlicadesigns

Sewing with Sarah

Week 1:

Nov 1st: Tenille’s Thread

Nov 2nd: Candace Ayala

Nov 3rd: Hazelnut Handmade

Nov 4th: Musing of a Seamstress

Monday Nov 6th: mahlicadesigns

Nov 7th: Seams Sew Lo

Week 2:

Nov 8th: Margarita on the Ross

Nov 9th: Stitched by Jennie

Nov 10th: Sewing with D

Monday Nov 13th: 5 outof 4 Patterns

Nov 14th: Tales of a Southern Mom

Week 3:

Nov 15th: Hazelnut Handmade

Nov 16th: Octaves of Color

Nov 17th: Kainara Stitches

Nov 18th: Kutti Couture

Nov 19th: The Petite Sewist

Monday Nov 20th: My Heart will Sew On

Nov 21st: Needles to Say

Week 4:

Nov 22nd: Back 40 Life

Nov 23rd: Lovemade Handmade

Nov 24th: Sewing by Ti

Nov 25th: On Wednesdays We Sew

Nov 26th: Paisley Roots

Monday Nov 27th: Mermaid Mama Designs

Nov 28th: Sew Haute Blog

Nov 29th: Ma Moose Handmade

Nov 30th: Everything Your Mama Made & More

 

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54 Comments

  1. Thankful Sewing Blog Tour | mahlicadesigns on November 1, 2017 at 3:01 am

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  2. Thankful Sewing – Tenille's Thread on November 1, 2017 at 4:13 am

    […] November 1st: mahlicadesigns, Sewing with Sarah […]

  3. Mary Ann on November 1, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Great job on the sweater! Lucky husband!

  4. Sharon Isaacson on November 1, 2017 at 6:15 am

    that is one awesome cardigan. love the rolled? collar.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:29 pm

      That’s my favorite feature too!

  5. Alison on November 1, 2017 at 8:44 am

    I like the aqua stripe ponte. That would be a cute dress.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Oooh, yes it would!

  6. Carmel Steindam on November 1, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Your menswear sweater is really nice. I’ve been wanting to make something for my husband, and this might be just the thing. Thanks!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      I bet he would love it!

  7. Sharon K on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Some of the French terry! And I’d make some Jalie men’s tees for my husband.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      The Jalie patterns are always winners!

  8. Sherry on November 1, 2017 at 9:29 am

    I have 2 adult sized boys that I would love to sew for. I can hardly wait to check the cardigan pattern! and keeping the men in mind, I know they would love the denim french terry!!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:24 pm

      that would be a great match!

  9. sonya k on November 1, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Great job as always!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      Thank you sonya!

  10. Trista DeBerry on November 1, 2017 at 10:11 am

    I love looking at everything you make. You are such an inspiration to me. My hubby is my biggest fan too. I’ve been looking for patterns all week to make him something with some awesome French Terry I got in an SR mystery sweater knit box. I remember one day we were talking in PM and I was praising how awesome you are and how much you sew. You told me you had housekeepers. I giggled to myself. And thought ahhh that’s how she does it. She’s really not a witch. 🙂

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      Well….not literally. But if you ask my children when I’m making them do handwriting, you might get a different answer!

  11. Theresa on November 1, 2017 at 10:17 am

    I would pick the Diamonds ITY in Black/Turquoise and make a dress for our daughter. : 0 )

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      Very fancy!

  12. Rebecca Pelletier on November 1, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Love this!! Looks so” store bought”.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      Thank you!

  13. chinapat on November 1, 2017 at 10:36 am

    Stretch twill for some jeans

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      I need to make some jeans too!

  14. KLujan on November 1, 2017 at 10:40 am

    I keep eyeing the olive stretch twill. I would love to use it for Sabrina Slims.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      I haven’t sewn that pattern yet- but I like the details on it!

  15. Shiloh Greenwood on November 1, 2017 at 11:42 am

    So many choices! Either stretch twill for a Provence Pea Coat or French terrycloth for a hoodie!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      I haven’t heard of the Provence! Sounds fun!

  16. Maria on November 1, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    Love the cardigan. I actually bought that pattern to make myself one. LOL Maybe I can convince dh he needs one after seeing these photos. As for the fabric- hard to pick! I have some of the stretch twill and love it. I think I’d get some more of that or the French terry in denim.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      I kind of want one now too!

  17. Victoria on November 1, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    Stretch twill and denim! I need some new pants 🙂

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      yay! What pattern are you thinking?

  18. Danielle on November 1, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    Very nice!! I find men’s patterns pretty scarce too.

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      You should check out the other Thread Theory patterns- if they’re as good as this one they’re winners!

  19. Brenda on November 1, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    That looks great! I have this on my list for my son…now seeing yours, I’m goo g to bump it up!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Happy to inspire some sewing for the guys in your life!

  20. Jill on November 1, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    Love the cardigan! The shoulder accents area perfect!

    • Sarah on November 1, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      Thank you! It adds a nice distinction!

  21. Thankful Sewing Blog Tour | Candice Ayala on November 1, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  22. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  23. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  24. Diane on November 6, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Very nice! I want to have housekeepers and blog help to be grateful for, haha!

  25. Mommy and Me Thanksgiving Leggings - Seams Sew Lo on November 7, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  26. Jessica J on November 7, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    I’d love to sew up the brown leopard DBP!

  27. Thankful Sewing Blog Tour on November 8, 2017 at 6:18 am

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  28. Thankful Sewing Blog Tour on November 9, 2017 at 1:02 am

    […] November 1st: mahlicadesigns Sewing with Sarah […]

  29. Sew Thankful Sewing Tour – Sewing with D on November 10, 2017 at 3:19 am

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  30. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  31. Sew Thankful Blog Tour – Kainara Stitches on November 17, 2017 at 10:28 am

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  33. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  34. Thankful Sewing Blog Tour – My Heart Will Sew On on November 20, 2017 at 4:17 am

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  35. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  36. […] I originally signed up for the Thankful Sewing Blog Tour, hosted jointly by mahlicadesigns and Sewing with Sarah and Sewing By Ti, I had planned simply to make my dress for the Christmas season and touch briefly […]

  37. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

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