Some projects take longer than others. Some walk that fine line between "worth finishing" and "garbage-worthy". Case in point: this dress. This dress hovered over the trash can on numerous occasions. So many ripped out seams, so many alterations, so many changes to the construction. The pattern (Vogue V1086, by Tracy Reese) had sketchy instructions… Continue reading Sundress struggles
I love skirts. Other than the logistics of sitting on the ground, I so much prefer them to shorts. And just when my thoughts swing toward sewing up some leg-baring options, Crafterhours announces their annual Skirt Week. How fortuitous! This lovely Echino linen blend fabric was purchased for another purpose (an apron), but I kept… Continue reading Little Birdy skirt
The garment factory accidents in Bangladesh have really opened my eyes to just how our clothing is made. This article, which I heard on our local NPR station, painted a very vivid picture of the awful working conditions. (The article is short, please read it.) As seamstresses, we have a unique opportunity to do something… Continue reading Scoop neck tee from Skirt as Top
With a whole week devoted to my two little boys recently, I thought I should turn my attention to my well-deserving biggest guy. Apart from a quilt many (many) years ago, he has only ever received a pair of linen shorts from my sewing room. Not sure why I've taken so long...perhaps it has to… Continue reading Menswear: a sorta-Negroni
If you're coming from Britex Fabrics, welcome! At our house, we've been exclusively using cloth napkins for a while now. I typically use quilting cotton for our "regular" napkins, so when I received the cotton and linen yardage from Britex, I almost felt guilty for using such incredible, beautiful fabric essentially for wiping dirty hands and… Continue reading Miter-cornered napkins, two ways
Anyone who sews for boy children knows that there is a serious dearth of cute clothing patterns for little men, and big men, too, actually. So I was thrilled to find the Blank Slate pattern company, which gives little boys their due attention in the cute clothing department, and I quickly purchased the Perfect Polo. The… Continue reading Kid’s Clothes Week: Days 4+5
Two days, two sets of pajamas! First up, shorties for my big boy, in the "babyish" lizard print. Having bought only one yard, I didn't have quite enough to make a second shirt AND shorts, so I used the orange rib for the body of a raglan top and the lizard fabric for the arms. … Continue reading Kid’s Clothes Week: Days 2 +3
I'm going to preface this post by divulging that I have been home without children for the entire day. Compound that with not having to deal with fit issues (yay for kid's clothing!) and I was a very productive seamstress today...as should be expected under the aforementioned circumstances, right?On to the daily report! First up,… Continue reading Kid’s Clothes Week: Day 1
As my prize for my Spring Top Sewalong Reader's Choice award last year (has it been a year already?!), I chose one of the gorgeous designs from Colette Patterns: the Rooibos. There's so much to love about this dress--piping, pockets, fitted midriff, work appropriateness, etc. The design is very close fitting, and since I was… Continue reading Rooibos, with mods
I was sad to learn that one of the lovely teachers at my son's daycare is leaving this week. She is a former elementary school teacher in Japan and is just an incredibly hardworking and dedicated teacher for the children at the daycare. My son has learned so much! Anyhow, I had given her this… Continue reading Farewell apron
Bea & Lucille 