So the free Plantain tee pattern was released by Deer & Doe, what, like 20 years ago? I had printed the pattern, taped it all together and then promptly slide the entire thing under the bed in my sewing room. I don't recall the circumstances that put it there, but there it sat for months.… Continue reading Late to the Plantain train
After posting about this semi-fail dress, a reader suggested trying out the wrap dress by the pattern company Onion (I can't find a webpage, but you can purchase pattern 2037 here or here). After dragging my feet about buying another dress pattern, I bit the bullet when I found this lovely Stenzo cotton/ lycra fabric from L'oiseau Fabrics.… Continue reading Wrap Dress (Onion 2037)
So I'm going to be a bit of a grump about this dress. I jumped on Colette's pre-sale of the Dahlia dress, mostly because I always need work dresses (especially wool!) and I love raglan sleeves. But when I received the pattern I was immediately disappointed...first off, the dress isn't lined (wool dress - lining… Continue reading Dahlia in baby wale corduroy
See this blazer? I designed, drafted and sewed it myself! And since I'm no longer actually attending lecture (conflicts with my teaching schedule), I'm using the book and my professor's office hours to get the job done! (By the way, here she is, walking through the construction of the jacket on YouTube. She's an amazing sewist!)This… Continue reading Self-drafted blazer!
Okay, I know this notice is coming mere hours before the end of the day, but I've been at a wedding New Orleans for a long weekend, so hopefully we can all understand the reason for the delay 🙂 Anyhow, Britex is having a 30% off sale on EVERYTHING on the website (and in person,… Continue reading Go get some fabric for 30% off!
A slim fit wool skirt such as the Charlotte really begs to be lined. Adding a layer of smooth and slippery fabric makes a wool skirt more comfortable to wear (especially with tights) and extends the life of the garment. Sewing a lining is fairly simple, however, there's another technique that serves the same purpose:… Continue reading Tutorial: Hong Kong finish + underlining in one step
The Charlotte from By Hand London is a lovely high waisted, slim fitting pencil skirt, with a below-knee length. It's a great shape for work, but with all the walking and stairs I have to do around campus, it's a tad narrow around the legs. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to draft a… Continue reading Tutorial: drafting a kick pleat for a pencil skirt
Okay, there are three posts associated with this lovely tweed skirt, but after that, I promise: no more skirts! I'm sick of looking at my bottom half, and I'm sure you feel the same! Don't I look grumpy about it?This final pencil skirt is a project for Britex. The fabric is a truly incredible silk/wool… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt: (Part 3 of 3). The Charlotte Skirt in silk/wool tweed.
So my pencil skirt project for Pattern making II is jumping the line because it's done and due tomorrow (and thus won't be back in my hands until next week). I sewed it today, taking a little more time than normal since the inside finish of the lining is very professionally assembled (I had to… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt (Part 2 of 3)
Gosh, it's been a while! Sure, school starting back up (for the kids, and fashion classes for me) and prepping for my quarter teaching biology (which starts next week), have really slowed down my sewing. But the main reason I haven't been too active here lately is because the contractors put one of our toilets… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt (Part 1 of 3)
Bea & Lucille 