My news alert from my local weather forecasters says “seasonably cold weather coming for 2 weeks” – and for most of you that is UN-seasonably cold weather, but we’re finally having winter (and maybe on the cold side of it too.) So I want to do all the sewing winter cozy outfits to start 2025.
Already on my queue is a quilted vest. I am using up scraps and stash fabric. I had hoped to upcycle an old (1990s) sherpa fleece pullover for the lining, but I either didn’t have enough or misplaced what I cut out (the former is more likely). I will need to dive into my stash and find some regular fleece to work with for the lining of the vest. It’s a basic zipper front vest with sideseam pockets, but I split the top third to use a quilted fabric scrap and the bottom 2/3 to do a quilted fabric.
I can’t get enough of cozy wide leg pants and have several yards of ribbed knit fabric (heavier weight) to sew some pull-on pants. I want interesting cozy tops to go with it, so I’m making a tried and true Nikko turtleneck in 2 different printed knit fabrics. They whip up fast and go well under vests, cardigans and jackets. I also have some knit “donegal” fabric to make a funnel neck top and wide leg pants.
Pants patterns for cozy pants here and here. I also have the Ukranian designer (now lives in Germany) Dudas patterns’ Paula Set – a cozy funnelneck top and wide leg pants – the perfect 2-piece set you see all over social media without all the fast fashion associated with it.
Nikko turtleneck here
Toaster sweaters here
I also really like this wardrobe from last year, complete with a really fun pullover hood/balaclava pattern from Sew Daily. I took the pic on my hotel room bed at an away hockey tournament when it was REALLY cold out (in downriver Detroit – aka, nothing special, nothing nearby, I spent a lot of time walking around a Meijer superstore since it was too cold to walk outside.)
And I’m a beach girl – my beaches are covered in snow (and are cold, but beautiful) right now. But there’s something special about winter beach too. Here’s an inspirational winter-beach capsule wardrobe that is both cozy and echoes the colors of winter beach (yours might be warmer than mine!)
From top left, long waffle weave wool sweater (thrifted), plaid and gray pullover hood/balaclava, black “Wave” pants (ME2033), charcoal gray leggings (fleece lined, freecycled), cashmere sweater, thrifted, sherpa pullover, thrifted, bag, hand sewn (but not by me.)
I also shared this more sophisticated black/white/cream/dark red capsule cozy wardrobe last year too, full of easy me-made garments. You can see details on that wardrobe here.
There are always more projects to sew than I have time but my goal for 2025 is to SEW MORE, and to do that, I have to sew in small increments – the “two seam challenge”
And some cozy winter pattern video, the “quiet luxury” edition with a secondhand cashmere turtleneck and “fast fashion” style sweater pants. There are a number of places to get brushed sweater knits: Nature’s Fabrics, ISeeFabric, Mood, indie store Confident Stitch had two colors in the fall. My LFS carries a bunch of ponte, rib and some jaquard cozy knits SeamsFabric. Ponte and rib will hold their shape better than cotton sweater knits will (in the knees and bum).
If you’re looking for fast to sew and cozy, this roundup of patterns above are perfect. The best thing you can sew are things you wear every day – that you reach for if you’re feeling the cozy (or under the weather.) Because if you DO sew those things, they’ll get a lot of wear, and that’s the joy of sewing.