Of course I had to sew up a garment using Quarry Trail*, and the Ilford Jacket by Friday Pattern Co. was on the top of my list! Essex is such a versatile substrate, one of my favorite uses is for garments. The linen cotton blend makes for a quality garment that’s relatively easy to sew. Unlike a lot of garment fabrics, Essex is very stable, so it’s great for beginner garment sewsists and experienced sewists alike!

Details

The Ilford Jacket is such a fun a straightforward sew. I’ve seen so many great variations of it as well, have fun checking out the #ilfordjacket hashtag on Instagram. I chose to do a hong kong finish on my sleeve seams because I knew when I’d wear this particular jacket, I’d most likely want to wear it with the sleeves rolled up. Plus it adds such a nice detail to the sleeve. I used some scraps of chambray to make the binding.

I’m definitely wanting to revisit this pattern again. I can’t wait to try a few different options. For instance, maybe adding a lining or adding the different styles of pockets.

When designing Quarry Trail I wanted to make sure that the designs worked well for garment making (as well as quilting and bag making), and I think it works! I’ve made a few other garments using my past collections if you’re interested in those:

• Pearl Dress (Forage)
• Kalle Shirtdress (Forage)
• Cleo Skirt (Forage)
• Wiksten Shift Dress (Driftless)

Here’s my I’m excited to try making a few more garments as well. I’ve got the Burnside Bibs on my list, so maybe those? What garments have you made using Essex?

• Pattern: Ilford Jacket by Friday Pattern Co. (here’s the PDF, and this link is for the paper version)
• Fabric: Aspen, Quarry Trail by me (Anna Graham) for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

*Quarry Trail is slowly trickling out to shops. Be sure to check with your favorite shop! Or try an online search for “Anna Graham Quarry Trail” or check out the #quarrytrailfabric hashtag on Instagram.

Whew! 2020 was quite a year, we made it! Looking back at pictures is always a fun way to remember a year.

On the personal side of things my family was able to spend so much time together thanks to the pandemic. I am grateful for that aspect of this year! We spent lots of time outdoors and with our dog, Frida.

New Patterns & Supplies

On the business side of things, I released a few new patterns, the Buckthorn Backpack + Tote, Sandhill Sling, and Pepin Tote. Your enthusiasm for these patterns was contagious! I am blown away by your support even in this year when everything seemed uncertain. It makes me so ready for what’s to come this year.

I added lots of fun supplies to the shop this year, too including zipper pulls, Loxx fasteners, and cotton webbing.

Quarry Trail Fabric Collection

My newest fabric collection with Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Quarry Trail, is actually shipping NOW! I’ll be sharing more of the projects I made using Quarry Trail this month!

I also contributed to Making Magazine’s No. 10 issue (Pepin Tote). It was released as a PDF in my shop in a few months ago.

I also had fun hosting a sew-along in November for the Pepin Tote. It couldn’t have happened at a better time! I was feeling sort of disconnected, but after the sew-along was finished I felt so incredibly inspired! Thanks to everyone who joined along. I loved sewing along with you and am looking to doing more sew-alongs in the future!

I hired a company to merge past customer accounts from my old shop platform, which is an in-progress project right now and will hopefully wrap up at the end of the month. It was a long-term goal to get that all fixed up for my customers!

I also started a scholarship for our local high school, excited to award that to a couple of local aspiring artists/entrepreneurs in the Spring!

Video

One thing I’d love to hear back from you is about video! Everyone wants it (seems like it to me anyway) and I’m ready! For me I’d love to know how you’d like to see that happen. Here’s a few options for you to think about: (sew-alongs like the Pepin Tote sew-along with video included, a Patreon page that contains videos you could view for as many patterns as needed at your own pace, patterns to include video [pattern cost would probably increase], videos for purchase individually in my shop, or whatever else you’d want to share with me!). It would really help if you’d let me know!

I am so grateful for the support from this amazing sewing (and knitting!) community. Thank you for your support, comments and encouragement over these past 11 years that I’ve been in business. There’s so much fun to come in 2021 that I cannot wait to share with you!

If you’re new here, take a trip down memory lane and check out my previous year-end posts from 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Wow, that’s a lot of years! I say that every year, but it’s true!

Today I’m showing off this Caravan Tote that I made using Quarry Trail, my newest fabric collection! I couldn’t be happier how this one turned out. I hadn’t sewn a Caravan Tote for a while (here’s my last one), but I love how it comes together in the end.

Organization Tips

Yes, this pattern does have quite a few pieces to cut out (although of course some are optional), but if you make a little label for each piece you’ll be surprised how they all come together. My recommendation is to follow along step-by-step and as you get to that piece in the instructions, grab it from your labeled stack and sew.

I also find it really helpful to make a stack of all the exterior pieces and then a different stack of all the lining pieces once I’ve interfaced everything. I’m normally not a super organized sewist, but keeping things separated does really help with bag making.

Modifications

Anyway, after making this Caravan I’m itching to make another! It would be easy to leave out the divided pocket that’s inside the front zippered pocket, makes it quicker yet! You’ll also notice that I left off the front pocket for this sample!! Again, another time saver. Plus you get to show off the print you’ve used on the main panel. For the next one I’m making it with the reverse (so the print will be along the top (where the denim is) and it’ll be the pocket/flap fabric as well. A totally different look using the same pattern.

My daughter claimed this one once she saw it! I love that! I totally have heart eyes for all the black/white/gray prints from Quarry Trail. You know I love some contrast!

• Pattern: Caravan Tote (without front pocket/flap)
• Fabric: Quarry Trail, denim is an 8 oz. Indigo Denim by Robert Kaufman fabrics. Lining fabrics are Quarry Trail as well!
• Notions are all available in my shop if you need anything:
  • Leather Handles (28″ length set)
  • zipper (14″ length for front zippered pocket, mine is brass)
  • magnetic snap

I think this might be my last regular post for the year, I’ll have my usual year-end wrap up post next week. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday! Thinking of you…