So a couple of years ago, I loved the pencil skirt with fine-gauge sweater (with scarf and boots) for work. This year, I can feel a new uniform developing: the pencil skirt with high-waisted "sweater" (with cute flats and statement necklace or brooch). I had to make some fit adjustments to the original pattern, but this… Continue reading Work uniform, Fall 2017
The temps have dipped a teeny bit and school starts on Monday; for the moment the Bay Area feels like Fall! This amazing sea green and black fabric, a medium-weight stretch rayon, felt like a gorgeous choice for a new cooler-weather dress. Since the style is always flattering and effortless, I chose a vintage Diane… Continue reading Reversible wrap dress in stretch rayon
After three and a half years of very part-time classes at West Valley College, I finally graduated a week ago with my A.S. in Apparel Production! Since I made a new dress for my very first day of class at WVC, it was only fitting that I drape, draft, and sew the dress in which… Continue reading Graduation dress in summery eyelet
I was definitely not kidding when I said I tend to sew up a pattern twice! Since I made this two dresses just days apart, I thought I would post them together :)The pattern is McCall's M6891. It's a good, classic shirtdress style with a convertible collar and pockets. I love the full skirt, waistline… Continue reading Two summer shirtdresses: M6891
I have a thing, apparently. If I like a pattern, I make it at least twice, in quick succession. There are many examples, but this is the most recent instance; the Bronx cowl dress (see first version, here). Clearly, I love this pattern. More specifically, I love this silhouette and look for me. A fit… Continue reading Textured check Bronx dress
Did you ever consider that stretch lace could be used to sew up a simple tee shirt? It just takes the right pattern and a few small sewing modifications! Here, I've used this lovely stretch lace in "Naughty Navy".When choosing a pattern for a stretch lace tee, here are a few guidelines:Keep the number… Continue reading Stretch lace tee tutorial
Initially, I had envisioned this tomato and pink wool tweed fabric from Britex for the perfect chic work dress, but since said chic dress pattern is not in existence (yet...), the fabric sat for a while. I've tossed a couple of ill-fitting wool pants recently, so this fabric seemed like a fun option with which to… Continue reading Tomato wool tweed trousers
Who says you can't wear linen in the winter? Using some amazing linen knit fabric from Britex, I sewed up a beautiful and warm color-blocked infinity scarf, perfect for the colder months. For my version, I chose two different colors--turquoise and navy--but this tutorial would work equally well if you wanted to go with a… Continue reading Tutorial: Super-easy two-tone infinity scarf
My favorite "dress" rain jacket is now about 12 years old. Despite its age, the lovely aqua color is still in style and fit is still so good...however, there are stains and discolorations that dry cleaning can't fix. As sad as it is, I think it's time to pitch it. Well, this is one of those… Continue reading Dress rain jacket with silk lining
Okay, now for how I sewed insertion lace around the bottom (check out my previous Tutorial, for how to sew lace on a curved seam, such as those princess seams above). The hem band of the Hayden top is a folded, bias cut piece. To insert the lace within that seam, I first sewed the… Continue reading Tutorial: Insertion lace along the hem band
Bea & Lucille 