overcome your fear of needles
It’s been 7 years and 4 babies since I first started sewing myself maternity clothes. At one time, finding maternity clothes that I liked was its own special kind of nightmare. Fortunately, once I learned the basic maternity adjustments, I discovered most sewing patterns can be adjusted for maternity wear. The difference between maternity and standard sewing patterns is the…
So you have a sewing machine, you took a class or had a friend show you how to use it, but the first time you try to use it on your own, the stitches came out all wonky. There were loops or snarls of threads on the back side, or the stitches were skipping. You try spinning…
Last June, we went on a crazy 3600+ mile road with our 6 kids in a tiny minivan. It was insane – a good insane, but insane none the less. When I was trying to figure out how to manage it, I decided each child needed a place for their hats, toys, sweatshirts, and other necessities. The solution, or…
I saw this sumptuous looking cedar ladder planter on Pinterest and fell for it hard. The project came Ana White’s website, which meant it was designed for easy-to-source materials, included materials lists, project costs, cut lists, and directions for building. In short, it looked so… doable. Except, I’ve never done anything like this before. Now, my dad…
One of the great things about sewing for yourself is that it makes you think through what kinds of clothes you like, and what styles you identify with. Although I wear a lot of florals, I’m not a super-duper girly dresser. I’m not sporty, or vintage. I’m not super glam on most days. What words…
I didn’t think it was possible to prouder of a project than I was when I sewed my Clare coat. Posting this Kelly Anorak is definitely an “Iceberg Success Illusion.” What isn’t seen in these pictures is the twelve years of sewing (including three previous jackets), four months of ploddingly slow progress, hours spent researching…
When one posts a third dress post in a row, one must admit to oneself that one is no longer classified as “not a dress person.” This was the dress I wanted to make myself last Christmas, but I was too pregnant to handle figuring out how to work for maternity. Instead, I made my…
I thought I had really sworn off dresses forever, but here I am sewing another dress pattern and totally loving it. I really appreciate these styles that are nursing-friendly and unfussy. This pattern is the Fringe Dress by Chalk and Notch. It is comfortable and feminine, and it feels like an updated classic. Not only was…
I will never cease to be amazed by seamstresses that lend their talents to pattern testing. It takes a certain kind of boldness to risk time and fabric to sew up a project without a guarantee of success, and it takes a lot of love and kindness to offer good critique to a project. I…
It’s here! The Pavia Backpack pattern is here! It feel like I have been promising and teasing this bag for forever, but it was worth the wait. I am thrilled with this pattern and the bags that can be made with it. The inspiration for this bag comes from motorcycle jackets (specifically the “Ziggi” wool…
One of the great things about sewing for yourself is that it makes you think through what kinds of clothes you like, and what styles you identify with. Although I wear a lot of florals, I’m not a super-duper girly dresser. I’m not sporty, or vintage. I’m not super glam on most days. What words…
My baby-related-sewing game has been strong of late. I finished off a batch of seven baby boy outfits recently to give to friends that will be having (or had) baby boys this year. Isn’t that wild that I know so many people having boys? What a wonderful season of life this is. I was pretty…
