Yanta Overalls in Red Denim

As I look back over my sewing experiences last year I find that I mostly focused on everyday, modern clothing. Each year seems to fall into a sort of theme and I guess the theme of 2020 was machine-sewn, everyday, vintage inspired. The vintage inspired bit is from a lot of the patterns I used or took inspiration from, mainly from the 60's, 70's and 80's. 

Since there were no living history opportunities in 2020 I did not feel pressured or rushed to make historic clothing for any of us. The few things I did make - my 1890's undergarments and my 1860's wrapper - were fun and slow paced. 

I used my sewing machine almost exclusively, trying with each new project to stitch them well and sturdily. While hand sewing has its place, as I get older the carpel tunnel that began with my last few pregnancies has gotten more easily irritated and I can only do so much hand stitching without needing to take a break. I used my serger a lot more, but not as enthusiastically as I did when I first got it. I find that for most woven garments I prefer french seams or felled seams if there is no lining. Serging is great for finishing seams on knits, however. I also used the serger extensively for mask making. (I sewed up a fresh batch of masks for the 3 littlest just last night and it was fun using the serger again!) 

In May I turned 34 and as a present to myself I got the Yanta overalls pattern from Helen's Closet.  This was purely impulse because at that time the sewing community on Instagram was having their #memademay challenge and so many people were sharing their Yantas. I loved them! And had to make some for myself.

I used some light red (pink? Not quite. Light cranberry?) denim I had in my stash and quickly cut out and sewed my very own overalls. I immediately wore them but as we were going into June by that time and it was very hot I didn't really wear them again  until fall and cooler temperatures came back. It was a hot summer.

The sizing is meant to be rather loose and baggy but I wanted a more fitted look so I went down a few sizes. The finished overalls fit me just how I wanted them to but then when I washed them they seemed to shrink a bit (I did prewash my denim, so I'm not sure what happened!) Now there is the very slightest wedgie feeling in the bum and they are just a tad snug when pulling them on over my hips but after wearing them awhile the fabric seems to relax and stretch out a bit and they fit as they should. 

Next time, though, I think I'll go back up one size and make them in linen for a looser, airy garment that can be worn more in hot weather. 

The instructions were beautifully clear and precise and I love how professional the topstitching looks on these! 

The only thing I don't really like about overalls is having to take them down every time I need to go to the bathroom. Oh well, there really is no help for that! It does make these overalls a less-reached-for wardrobe staple but I love these for hiking in the woods and days that I am mostly outside. 

I have such happy memories of the day most of these pictures were taken. It was just a few weeks into autumn and the day began cool but warmed up as the hours passed. That was the day I first foraged oyster mushrooms. After a few hours of looking and finding none we came across a huge fallen log on top of a hill and it was simply covered in rows of frilly white mushrooms! They were soooooo good! I can't wait to get back out and look for more! We also found pawpaws that day. I think I still have some of the pulp in the freezer. 

Hope you all are staying warm and staying healthy! It snowed here yesterday and we had freezing rain but today it's much warmer with the damp smell of earth and damp fog and it just feels so happy and hopeful that spring is not so far away. 

Much love,

Sarah