If you're coming from Britex, welcome! With the holidays coming up, surely there are a few parties to attend, right? The iridescent magenta-black color of this stunning silk taffeta is so joyous and opulent that I knew it had to be a sassy, swingy skirt for an evening fête! When the fabric arrived, I was… Continue reading Fancy holiday skirt in silk taffeta
If you are visiting from Britex, welcome! I was won over by the Linden sweatshirt, designed by fellow Guest Blogger Jen from Grainline Studios, after making it in a sporty quilted fabric. But the wheels started turning immediately, and I felt like a lace-overlay version would take this basic wardrobe staple up a couple of… Continue reading Wool knit Linden with lace overlay
I've made the Renfrew cowl neck top a couple times (here and here), and I love it. The cowl is more like a floppy turtleneck, so for it to hang nicely, the fabric has to be pretty lightweight and drapey. After sewing up the Renfrew in this cute bicycle print (purchased at Harts, but it… Continue reading Renfrew top and a neckline conversion
With a cute blouse or sweater, skirts are great for my job, so the unusual shape and nice details (pockets!) of the City Stroll Skirt by Liesl & Co definitely caught my eye when the pattern was released. For this version, I used a "scrap" of fabric leftover from my self-drafted blazer project. I couldn't… Continue reading City Stroll Skirt in cashmere
I wasn't particularly excited about Grainline's Linden Sweatshirt pattern when it was released. It's cool, but I don't wear too many sweatshirts, and I wasn't sure I could make it look as hip as Jen does! That all changed on my last trip over the mountain to Hart's Fabric. I spotted this a-mazing white quilted… Continue reading Quilted Linden sweatshirt
A few months ago, I learned how to make corn tortillas from scratch....just in time to teach a class of 4th graders and then a class of 4 year olds 🙂 After making (and eating) that many tortillas with the kids, I was completely hooked! And after purchasing a press, the obvious next thought was… Continue reading Tutorial: Tortilla warmer
When I made my petal skirt (no.5) from Drape Drape 2, I was struggling to find appropriate tops to wear with what was otherwise a pretty rad skirt. So, at the suggestion of the lovely Kristin from Skirt as Top, I transformed it into a dress! Seriously, this was the best advice because I am… Continue reading From petal skirt to Best Dress Ever
I was relishing the finale of "The Great British Sewing Bee" (season 3) with a bowl of popcorn this evening, when I was surprised and thrilled to see that the contestants' first challenge was to sew the Drape Drape 2 no.2 top that I posted the other day! It was the exact pattern! It was… Continue reading Drape Drape 2: skirt no. 5
After my first go with the Drape Drape patterns, I had to make another! This top, garment no.4, is another single-piece garment with asymmetrical sleeves and dramatic side drape. Here's the pattern piece on the floor:I went with the sizing on the chart (L/XL), but should have cut the S/M. After sewing the garment and… Continue reading Drape Drape 2: no. 4
Have you guys tried any of the books in the Drape Drape series? Even though it's a bit out of my standard sewing repertoire (to say the least!), I was seriously intrigued by the amazing, draped creations in these books. Many are single pieces that are "origamied" (my word, made up 🙂 into a garment.… Continue reading Drape Drape 2: dress no. 2
Bea & Lucille 