New Job - New Tie

My husband just started a new job, the first civilian job after 20 years in the military.  SEW, I thought it would be nice to commemorate this momentous event by making him a neck tie.  I found a lovely Italian silk jacquard in gold with a blue pattern.  I used a pattern from one of the BIG 4 and though it took some playing, I was able to decipher the directions enough to come up with a pretty pleasing result.  The benefit of making your own neck tie is that you can make it any length you want - a big plus for taller guys.  I found these lovely little "P.S. I love you" labels at a quilt shop in Estes Park and have had the most fun sewing them into items I've made for my family.  I thought about saving this tie for Valentine's Day, but instead couldn't wait that long and gave it to him after his first day.  There's not many sewing projects I would tackle for the man in my life, but the neck tie turned out to be a winner!

A Third Item from Butterick 5394. . .

Happy New Year! I have now made three separate items from this same Butterick 5394 pattern.  This last item is a kimono jacket made from an ultrasoft fleece print.  I've had this fabric in my stash for at least 10 years and never knew what I was going to make from it.  I chose this jacket because I wanted to pair it with jeans and a taupe turtleneck sweater.  I went ahead and lined it even though the pattern does not call for a lining.  I thought the slippery-ness of the lining would make it slide on and off when wearing it with sweaters.  Probably not necessary, but I had the lining in my stash too, so it fell into my resolution to use up what I have in my stash before purchasing more fabric.  I even cleaned out my stash and decided that some fabrics no longer interested me and were ready to be given away. I like that I was able to get three totally different looks from this one pattern.  My resolution for the year is to make more of my own clothes, and hopefully to wear at least one handmade item every day.  I better get started!