Three Tops for Holiday & Winter Season '24 + Sewing Chat

[@janefranklin8679]

I, too, have boxes of buttons from my mother and grandmother. Have you ever started the creation of an outfit from a button that you love? I have. Buttons can truly make an outfit. I just love the top you are wearing. And, yes, always wear colors in the dark of winter. We need that joy!

[@debtaylor2387]

Beautiful tops and fabric choices that suit you. Our Christmas revolves around husband who has PD and dementia, children and grandchildren come and go every day through the holiday period. Nice relaxed time for all of us all playing games, watching films, and eating..... Happy New Year Janine x

[@gingergraves2581]

Love you in bright colors! i think all of those fabrics would make great tunics.....which I have yet to make.

[@purllletteknit9103]

The tops are all lovely and great winter colors. I would wear that shiny on any dark day to cheer me up. There are no rules about around the house clothes except anything that is comfortable and makes you happy.❤

[@JanineSews]

Thank you, and I agree, comfortable and happy is all that matters! ❤️

[@aleciacope3503]

Hi Janine! I can't believe you had surgery a few weeks ago. You look fantastic! Must be all the bright and sparkly makes. I was swooning when I saw your buttons. I'd buy any silver and muted ones from you. I'm a Soft Summer to your Spring. When you mentioned your mom's velour robe, I instantly thought of the one my mom wore back in the day. Thank you for brightening my morning!

[@JanineSews]

Thanks for the kind words! I will definitely keep you in mind if I destash those buttons. My neighbour has told me that she's giving me a big box of buttons so 2025 may be the year of the button! It's nice to have happy memories from days gone by 😄

[@cindyw4278]

Beautiful tops and fabric recommendations! We have a busy Christmas with all the trimmings. We have 3 grown children,their partners and 5 grandchildren various ages. No littles though. I host Christmas for 11 with the help of my children and 😍. I am going to check out the patterns. I do really like pattern emporium patterns. I recently made the last chance dress i believe. The patterns always have a lot of options without having to purchase add ons. Have a great Christmas season and happy new year 😊

[@Southlagal26]

I love all your tops Janine! Please, please wear all the bright and shined garments! Let’s make the trend of women over 50 being invisible a thing of the past, even if it’s our clothing that gets attention first! 😊 I look forward to keeping up with what you’re sewing in 2025!

[@downtoearthsewing]

I love the shiny top! Everyone needs a comfy party top in their closet. I need a silver version please😂. I’m going to be on the lookout for a warm, cozy fabric and a long sleeve pattern to make my own shiny top to be worn repeatedly over Christmas and New Year’s

[@SunShine-000]

You look so lovely in that pink top! Love all your tops! ❤❤❤ I agree! Wear flattering colors and wear your good stuff! Sun sets here in Japan at about 4:30 pm in the winter and it is just so depressing, especially if it has been a grey day. Lucky you -that you can go to real hockey! In my youth, I recall driving hours (usually through winter storms) to go to the old Montreal Forum for real Canadian hockey from upstate NY where I went to college. Your videos are a delight, always visually pleasing and with such warmth in your voice! See you on the next one! Merry Christmas! ❤❤❤ Suzanne

[@loreleig5062]

Your makes look great on you! Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays 🇨🇦

[@JanineSews]

Thanks! Happy Holidays to you, too!

[@helganeufeld230]

Oh wow, I love those tops. Definitely going to look into the Whistler. I agree, with less stress as we age. Even though we have young grandchildren, we don’t purchase gifts. We play games and enjoy time together.

[@JanineSews]

Helga, how nice that you play games and don't just open gifts! Kids remember those things, and there's nothing like having a 9 year old beat you in Risk or Monopoly 🤣

[@upcycledcopycat8389]

I am always drawn to shiny & for me weird also catches my eye too not to mention heavily discounted... But nowhere to wear it until I started sewing toppers, vests, bomber jackets etc. When don't toppers come in handy (with pockets & zippers etc) Pattern emporium always come out well for me and many parts from different patterns can be interchanged like sleeves and the "wide neckband" is my favorite go-to on just about any knit neckband from any pattern.

[@elizabethmoore6918]

Happy Christmas Janine. Lovely makes.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you, and hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

[@brendaforret9931]

Janine such beautiful tops! I love the Kwik Sew (such a shame the pattern is out of print). Also love your choices of patterns to the fabric! We decorated very little this year, just enough to put the festive in the season. We have a real tree (small) and my grandson (7) helped to decorate, I love to sit with the lights on and enjoy the peacefulness it brings. I recommended a casual family gathering Christmas day, absent of all the stress and it was delivered which I think all of us appreciated. We received over a foot of snow Christmas Eve day in Southern New Brunswick so it too contributed to the festive vibe. Thank you for all you contribute to this great online sewing community. Best wishes for the remainder of this festive season and Happy New Year!

[@nancyhilborn885]

Love all your tops. Dopamine sewing at its best 😊. Like you, I try to use buttons from tins and jars handed down from grandparents and parents. It makes a simple sew a reminder of those who loved us. Our adult children aren't coming home till the New Year so we are having quiet time. Paired back decorations and meals. It was nice to spend Christmas Eve with my step-dad in his LTC room eating his favorite foods around a card table. Hubby and I went skating in a local park Christmas morning and enjoyed people watching. No drama, high enjoyment 😄

[@JanineSews]

Nancy, what a lovely way to spend Christmas Day. I know your step-dad treasured time with you. Hope the rest of the holidays are just as nice.

[@nancyhilborn885]

@JanineSews thanks. Hope your recovery goes smoothly. Sometimes we need a reason to slow down and relax. The universe provided you with a good one. Have a happy healthy 2025!

[@victoriahannah1633]

I love the tops you made especially the shiny one. Maybe it made you happy but it brought out a radiance in you. Yep it’s me getting the gallbladder out. My surgery is January 14. I went today for EKG. So hopefully everything is good. I finished a skirt I was making. It isn’t a happy bright color. It’s a brown skirt but has yellowish orange threads running through it. Really haven’t been able to do much sewing this week getting ready for Christmas, doing the Christmas stuff with family, and going for procedure today. However next couple days I’m going to be in my sewing room a long long time. I really like this week between Christmas and New Year’s. I do minimal housework and just take a nice break and do things I enjoy.

[@Heyreneesews]

We are having a quiet Christmas and New Year. I will be donating 2 boxes of decorations. Your tops are beautiful ❤

[@reginafetty6374]

I love your shiny top! I love shiny things too. Every day is special. Why not have special clothes that make you feel good. Color helps with these dull winter days. Enjoy them. Hope you feel better soon from your surgery. Happy Holidays!

[@JanineSews]

Thank you so much! Happy holidays to you, too. ❤️

[@seaside2001]

your V neckline turned out beautifully.

[@JanineSews]

Thanks, I think it really worked out well, too! All credit to the pattern instructions :)

[@LisaFaiss]

Very nice makes. I particularly like the champagne metallic on you…good color for you. I really like your little Christmas trees behind you.

[@nancynewman6592]

LOVE the top you are wearing... wow!

[@JanineSews]

Thanks, Nancy! It's so comfortable. The fabric feels really good against the skin.

[@janfranklin2114]

Lots of inspiration here, thank you. I’m at the age/stage when letting go of expectations around the holidays opens up the possibilities for better memories. I have grown children and grandchildren and spending time with them (any day) is the best gift of all. I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s I have a chance to work on projects I’ve been wanting to get to and kicking back and relaxing 😎. Looking forward to more content form you in the new year and thank you for all your hard work.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful perspective on the holidays! The best gift is taking care of ourselves and spending time with loved ones.

[@francesfrancisco3381]

I always look forward to your videos. The tops you made are all beautiful. The green one is particularly flattering to your coloring. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamelaliebelt9967]

Lovely tops. I especially like your gold one - so fun. Our holidays are quiet as well. We spent time with our daughter and her husband. Our sons all live out of state and there are no grandchildren yet. I did get a new sewing machine so I plan to learn how to use it.

[@JanineSews]

It sounds like you had a lovely holiday. And winding up with a new sewing machine is very exciting!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Love your tops and I absolutely love that you wore the beautiful shiny top at a hockey game!! I keep forgetting about L’Oiseau - I really should have a look at their website. Christmas was fabulous with time spent with family but not stressful in any way. I don’t have any New Year’s plans which is by design. I really don’t feel the need to be out celebrating. I plan on watching lots of World Juniors’ hockey and Montreal Canadiens hockey and that’s it! 😂

[@JanineSews]

Izzy, I hope you kick back and take some time for yourself. You have been so busy with Vlogmas. I don't know how you do it! Fingers crossed that you see lots of hockey games where the home team comes out with 2 points.

[@jamilehbaadarani4740]

Love all your tops great choice of fabric and patterns,enjoy your holidays

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

Happy Christmas to you and your family! Oh my goodness, I love all three of your tops. PE is having their Boxing Day sale starting today. I have several in my cart and need to check out the Sweet Cheeks top. Kate has the best instructions! Glad you are doing well post surgery! I had cataract surgery a few weeks ago. The first thing I sewed was something sparkly 😊

[@JanineSews]

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! So glad to hear that you were able to sew quickly after surgery. I have heard that seeing is much easier and brighter after cataract surgery. 😊

[@jandimarco3113]

Lovely tops. Is that Kwik sew pattern current? I echo your Christmas thoughts, my husband had a medical procedure on 23rd so is recovering. We too have decorated very lightly, just not feeling the need. A quiet Christmas lunch was enjoyed by both of use. Happy New Year Janine.