Heralded by beautiful pink cherry blossoms in our back yard, spring has officially arrived in Northern California. All the gorgeous wool and plaid fabrics I purchased this winter, with unrealistic dreams of making warm and toasty work clothes, must be packed away for another couple of seasons. But remember this fabric, purchased on our trip… Continue reading Heidi top for spring
I've been dying to share this silk blouse with you all! As a resident of the Bay Area, I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be collaborating with Britex Fabrics as a Guest Blogger, and this is my first official project! I remember my first trip to Britex in San Francisco; after spending decades shopping… Continue reading Peplum silk blouse
I bought that sweet mug at a student pottery sale at my college yesterday! Even in a land where I know the location of 3 pairs of sunglasses and no idea where my umbrella is (and it's currently raining), cozy pajamas are a must-have in the "winter". I purchased this fabric (In the Clearing Winter,… Continue reading Cozy PJ bottoms
School has started for the kids, the weekly dinner menu has moved toward longer-cooking and baked meals, and I found myself buying tights today. Even without the crisp air and colorful leaves that I grew up with, Fall has most definitely arrived in the Bay Area. My own teaching quarter starts next week and I… Continue reading Vogue pattern: V8755
This is the first Salme pattern I've tried--the Minna blouse. I had purchased the fabric on sale (Cocoon Voile, Shine in aqua, by Valori Wells) and really wanted to sew *right* then, so I went looking for a printable pdf blouse pattern. Minna fit the bill. It's also really simple, with some interesting details at… Continue reading Minna blouse
San Francisco is a scant 40 or so miles away from my house, yet the thought of driving into the "big city" is completely daunting to me. This makes not a bit of sense since I have taken public transit (with children) all around Tokyo and London, and just spent two weeks driving myself and… Continue reading Trip to Britex and fall fabrics
For my birthday, my awesome brother signed me up to get Vogue Patterns magazine. It's mostly just a giant ad for Vogue patterns (hence the name), but it's working; despite previously eschewing store-bought patterns, I walked into the fabric store "just wanting to look" at the instructions for a couple of dresses featured in the… Continue reading Vogue patterns: V8663
The Shorts on the Line viewer's choice voting is going on right now--all submitted entries are up for vote, so go check out all 101 fabulous entries! I loved seeing all those little kid shorts (once again making me wish I had girl children to sew for...). I've been grateful to this sewalong for the push I needed to… Continue reading Shorts on the Line voting!
What do the kids call short pants these days? 🙂 I've always wanted a pair of white capris, but with two kids who routinely use the clothing on my lower half as their personal napkin, it's not super practical. However, with a 40% discount at the fabric store and a tested pattern, it isn't such… Continue reading Pedal pushers
After (mostly) liberating myself from commercial sewing patterns, I've started looking at clothing completely differently. On more than one occasion (and particularly when the item carries a hefty price tag!), I've tried on a top or a dress, or saw something online and thought, "I could make this!" I've started a Pinterest board to collect… Continue reading A take on a top
Bea & Lucille 