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
After seeing SBCC's new cowl-neck addition to the Bronx dress pattern, I couldn't resist. I loved the look of a classic skater dress with a bit dressier neckline and elbow length sleeves. If I were teaching, this style would be perfect every day....But instead of teaching a lecture, this past Monday was my first day… Continue reading Bronx dress for the first day of school
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
Yep, it's been a while! After returning from Alaska (and purchasing even more land!), school started for the boys, then it started for me (for the classes I take) and a month later school started again (for the classes I teach). Somewhere in there, we did a major remodel in our house and then painted… Continue reading A dress to match a necklace
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 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
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
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)
My family and I just returned from a nearly two week vacation to Homer, Alaska to visit my husband's parents. It was lovely and peaceful, and we did a million things a person can't do in Silicon Valley: digging for clams, picking rhubarb, wild raspberries and blueberries (I made jam!), fishing for halibut, salmon, dolly… Continue reading Return from Alaska and sewing indecision
Skirt, check. Shorts, check. Dresses, check. Swimsuit(s), check. Tops, check (and then some!). One thing missing from the suitcase: capris pants. Done and done, with a new tee thrown in for fun! We're heading across country to visit family, which has been the driving force behind some of my sewing frenzy. (That, and knowing… Continue reading Packing for summer vacation
Bea & Lucille 