I'm not a huge fan of shorts, but I recognize that living in California requires I wear such items (and probably with a sweater and scarf in November :). I've been doing the "sporty skirt with built in shorts" for a while, but a girl needs some variety. After cutting out the Plain Jane Dress,… Continue reading Plain jane shorts
I know, it's a boring blue dress. But guys, before taking these photos, I'd worn this for two days and it even spent time folded in the bottom of the stroller during Mom-tot swim class this morning. And it still looks respectable! If I have to choose something to wear, I'll grab the boring… Continue reading Plain jane dress
When I discovered the beautiful and vintage-y modern plaid at Britex, I knew I had found the fabric for which I had been searching. I had in mind a short sleeve button-up shirt for my husband, but wanted something different than classic dress shirting. This fab plaid completely fit the bill! However, once I… Continue reading Man’s button-up: Matching plaids
After sewing up the last button-up for my husband, I got really excited to make another. The process just wasn't as hard as I had envisioned and the final product actually got worn--a lot! So, using what I had learned making the "wearable muslin", I got started on a plaid version, with this beautiful and… Continue reading Man’s button-up
Hooray! My "Little Birdy Skirt" made the Top Ten for A-Lines in the Skirt Week at Crafterhours. How exciting! There are some really beautiful skirts in there, so even if you don't vote for mine, please go support these incredible seamstresses in all their hard work! (Vote here! Today!)
I got the bug to make myself a bathing suit after splurging on a suit from Anthropologie, only to have to send it back because of a disappointing fit. So, a quick search of Etsy for a pattern and I found the most incredible set of suits, vintage McCalls 5036 (1976). A year older than… Continue reading My first bathing suit!
Some projects take longer than others. Some walk that fine line between "worth finishing" and "garbage-worthy". Case in point: this dress. This dress hovered over the trash can on numerous occasions. So many ripped out seams, so many alterations, so many changes to the construction. The pattern (Vogue V1086, by Tracy Reese) had sketchy instructions… Continue reading Sundress struggles
I love skirts. Other than the logistics of sitting on the ground, I so much prefer them to shorts. And just when my thoughts swing toward sewing up some leg-baring options, Crafterhours announces their annual Skirt Week. How fortuitous! This lovely Echino linen blend fabric was purchased for another purpose (an apron), but I kept… Continue reading Little Birdy skirt
The garment factory accidents in Bangladesh have really opened my eyes to just how our clothing is made. This article, which I heard on our local NPR station, painted a very vivid picture of the awful working conditions. (The article is short, please read it.) As seamstresses, we have a unique opportunity to do something… Continue reading Scoop neck tee from Skirt as Top
With a whole week devoted to my two little boys recently, I thought I should turn my attention to my well-deserving biggest guy. Apart from a quilt many (many) years ago, he has only ever received a pair of linen shorts from my sewing room. Not sure why I've taken so long...perhaps it has to… Continue reading Menswear: a sorta-Negroni
Bea & Lucille 