sewing – Bea & Lucille

astoria, handmade wardrobe, renfrew, seamwork, sewaholic patterns, sewing, sewing knits, skirt

Two spring outfits

May 3, 2018February 5, 2020 Nicole Markelz

Two new outfits for spring, which can be mixed and matched!

cotton, handmade wardrobe, harts fabric, pants, sewing, stretch cotton, trousers, wide-legged pants

Flint wide-legged trousers

April 17, 2018April 17, 2019 Nicole Markelz

I was in need of some work-appropriate items. Enter the Flint trouser by Megan Nielsen.

astoria, britex, handmade wardrobe, knit, pencil skirt, seamwork, sewing, uniform, wool

Work uniform, Fall 2017

October 17, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

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

bodysuit, closet case files, handmade wardrobe, knits, nettie, sewing, sewing knits

Nettie bodysuit for the Fall

October 13, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

I've sewn a bunch of garments since returning from my Paris trip--three dresses, a few tops, a skirt, prototype pants for my class--but I just haven't had a chance to document most of them. So, this bodysuit here isn't a rare finished project, it's just one of the few I've actually taken photos of! Actually,… Continue reading Nettie bodysuit for the Fall

couture dress, handsewing, haute couture, jersey, madame gres, paris, paris american academy, sewing, sewing education

A month in Paris: the couture dress!

August 30, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

Today marks exactly two months since I arrived in Paris and one month since I departed. I guess it's about time I wrote about the dress!The primary objective of this couture techniques workshop was to sew a custom-fit dress in the style of Madame Grès. Our dresses were based on one of her designs from… Continue reading A month in Paris: the couture dress!

bronx dress, dress, handmade wardrobe, knits, paris, sbcc, sewing, sewing knits

Two fit + flare dresses

June 21, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

Again, I couldn't help but make two of the same pattern! This time the pattern is the Bronx dress from SBCC, with some fit alterations (armhole redo, back width increase, sleeve redraft). As I'm sure I've mentioned on this blog before, I just love the fit and flare shape. What I especially love about this dress,… Continue reading Two fit + flare dresses

denim, draping, handmade, handmade wardrobe, self-drafted, sewing

Draped denim day dress

June 17, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

Here it is; the culmination of my draping class at WVC! When I say draping class, the assumption is that there are going to be, like, a drape of fabric somewhere on the garment, but really draping is just another way to draft a pattern. Many of the styles we did as exercises were not… Continue reading Draped denim day dress

blouse, cotton, handmade wardrobe, knock-off, liberty lawn, ruffles, sewing

Liberty blouse knock-off

June 9, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

I've been hoarding this piece of Liberty lawn for ages. Since I didn't have a set plan when I purchased it, the ideas of what I could sew with it have run the gamut: pajama bottoms, dirndl skirt, button down shirt... However, browsing through the J. Crew website the other day, I found a blouse… Continue reading Liberty blouse knock-off

britex, britex guest blogger, cotton, eyelet, handmade wardrobe, paris, sewing, sewing education

Graduation dress in summery eyelet

June 6, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

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

cotton, denyse schmidt, fabric, handmade household, new wave, quilt, quilting, sewing, wool

Quilt finished!

May 9, 2017April 1, 2019 Nicole Markelz

Quilting really isn't my thing; I've made a handful of quilts over the years and while I have been really proud of the resulting blankets, it's not something I enjoy very much. So, clearly, making a new dress or blouse has taken priority over a long-term quilting project! On the spare bed for a momentTruthfully,… Continue reading Quilt finished!