Catch-up time! In the past months in which I've been absent from these parts, I have been sewing (at least a little...) but no time to take photos! Today, I spent a hour or so documenting most of what I've made since mid-October, starting with a second version of my Fall work uniform. I got… Continue reading Work Uniform, Version 2
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
I should have titled this post "4 skirts from the same pattern + 1 with a slight variation". However, the reason I sewed 5 skirts in the past 1-2 months is due to a "perfect storm" of three independent events: on-going discussion I've been having with my good friend of mine + an epiphany I… Continue reading My winter uniform
There was a moment there, staring at my textbook on drafting the suit jacket a few months ago when I was actually uncertain if I could finish my Pattermaking course. See, I went to class for the first month of the semester and then had to take the rest of the class as an independent… Continue reading Patternmaking Final Project: The Suit
A slim fit wool skirt such as the Charlotte really begs to be lined. Adding a layer of smooth and slippery fabric makes a wool skirt more comfortable to wear (especially with tights) and extends the life of the garment. Sewing a lining is fairly simple, however, there's another technique that serves the same purpose:… Continue reading Tutorial: Hong Kong finish + underlining in one step
The Charlotte from By Hand London is a lovely high waisted, slim fitting pencil skirt, with a below-knee length. It's a great shape for work, but with all the walking and stairs I have to do around campus, it's a tad narrow around the legs. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to draft a… Continue reading Tutorial: drafting a kick pleat for a pencil skirt
Okay, there are three posts associated with this lovely tweed skirt, but after that, I promise: no more skirts! I'm sick of looking at my bottom half, and I'm sure you feel the same! Don't I look grumpy about it?This final pencil skirt is a project for Britex. The fabric is a truly incredible silk/wool… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt: (Part 3 of 3). The Charlotte Skirt in silk/wool tweed.
So my pencil skirt project for Pattern making II is jumping the line because it's done and due tomorrow (and thus won't be back in my hands until next week). I sewed it today, taking a little more time than normal since the inside finish of the lining is very professionally assembled (I had to… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt (Part 2 of 3)
Gosh, it's been a while! Sure, school starting back up (for the kids, and fashion classes for me) and prepping for my quarter teaching biology (which starts next week), have really slowed down my sewing. But the main reason I haven't been too active here lately is because the contractors put one of our toilets… Continue reading Month of the pencil skirt (Part 1 of 3)
Bea & Lucille 