Remi raglan, lunch bag, sewing kit, A-line skirt

Oh dear - I am behind in my posts. But not in my sewing!

In April and May I have made a blouse, a bag and a skirt, and put together a sewing kit.

I made another Remi Raglan.

This time with silk twill purchased on the Montreal trip.

Looks pretty good - except maybe for the off-centred, decorative buttons I put on the front!

The silk print was so lovely that I did not want to cut it up, so instead of the seam up the front or back, I removed the seam allowance and cut both on the fold - after I had checked that I could get it on without a button. I did have a back up plan, though - to add a mini-slit and button in the back if needed.

Japanese rice bag

I also used up scraps from my recent pants, and shirt upcycle (and a few other scraps) to make up another 'Japanese Rice Bag'. I added handles to this to use it as a lunch bag! It is a bit big, but that's okay!

sewing kit

A few weeks ago, Ottawa daughter called in a panic. She was going hiking, and the drawcord on her pants had come partially out. So I instructed her to get a safety pin. "Aah, no, I don't have one of those" So I was inspired to put a little sewing kit together for her. (She managed to use the plastic string end to push it through, so crisis averted... this time!).

I thought about sewing up a little kit, but in the mean-time, local frock-friend DB had a few different pouches (freebies from flights), and I used one of those.

What does the sewing kit include?

thread, needles, scissors, tape-measure, buttons safetypins (of course), straight pins, seam ripper.

Finally, let me write about the A-line skirt I made this week.

In the Fall of my year off my local frock-friends went out to Almonte to see the textile museum, and make a trip to an upscale fabric shop there (Darrell Thomas). We also stopped at Makers Lodge in Carleton Place. I bought three pieces. I used the white linen to make a cropped Kalle shirt; I used the denim coloured ramie/linen blend to make a Santorini tank for Australia daugther. And I had purchased a minty green ramie/linen blend to make up the Antwerp pull=over woven hoody.

I think I was not convinced in the end about that colour, nor the use I would get out of such a garement. I ended up making up that pattern last year for the Sewing Sprint contest (make a hoody inspired by a natural protected area), and I made my Gatineau Park inspired hoody using a tan coloured linen bedsheet. So now I really did not need the minty green version.

This month (May 2026) Pattern Review is hosting an A-line skirt contest. and I decided that this fabric would be perfect for that. So I pulled out the Schnitchen Marta skirt. I have not worn the other two I have made much, so of course I need a third!

No, really - the grey one needs some attention (the underlining pulls it out of shape); the glittery corduroy one needs better footwear, so I thought a longer one which I could wear with more casual shoes was needed.

I am happy with the result. I lengthened in eight inches. I lengthened from the middle, in order to keep the width at the bottom the same. This was a bit tricky, but I got the seam lines trued.

In the end, the width at the bottom was still too large, and the stiff fabric stuck out like Pippi Longstocking's braids! So I played around with it, and ended up making a new seam at the side, just beside the other seam. I could not take in both panels, since the pocket would be be sacrificed. I did not topstitch this new seam, and it blends in well!

The pattern is a bit weird. The button placket and waistband are very narrow. It is not always easy to see what piece matches with what (notches are unclear). But I love the pocket!

I also added some decorative topstitching using one of my machine's fancy stitches (Juki DX7) ... I am pleased with it!

Also pleased with the bias binding I did on the facings - the instructions don't leave a very nice finish.