Ever get frustrated when your handmade clothes look great at first, but then your facing or lining is really hard to press back into submission after the wash? There's a simple secret weapon you might be missing: understitching! Understitching is a sewing technique that may sound intimidating if you've heard about it but never known what it was. Fear not, it's actually really easy to master! And let me tell you, it ... Read more »
Color blocking a vintage sewing pattern (without the pattern)
You know when you fall HARD for an idea, and you absolutely must drop everything to work on it? Could be sewing, knitting, cooking, anything. That's what happened to me recently! I fell in love with the color blocking on a vintage McCall's pattern envelope on Pinterest, McCall's 5831 from 1961. And immediately had to drop absolutely everything to plan and make that top! Follow along in my latest YouTube ... Read more »
Batch sewing 3 Charm Patterns Hepburn tops
You know me. If I love to sew and wear something, I typically want multiple versions. I love repeating tried-and-true favorite patterns! And the Charm Pattern Hepburn top of one of them. Inspired by a recent batch sewing marathon (corduroy pants!), I decided to kick things up a notch, and I've just finished sewing three Hepburn tops at a time. A trifecta of tops, for my 100th YouTube video. (I KNOW!) Head over to my ... Read more »
How to insert a lapped zipper for skirts & pants
I've got a great sewing tutorial for you today! The first of several in a series, in fact. I know! Watch the video to learn my favorite method to insert a lapped zipper, for skirts and pants with a waistband. I've often been asked to do a tutorial for lapped zippers. They feature prominently in many of my handmade garments. In fact, I haven't done an invisible zipper in over a decade! Around the time I learned how ... Read more »
Sewing my vintage birthday dress for 2024
If you've followed me anywhere in the online realms for awhile, you'll know that I sew myself a dress for my birthday every year. Last year was my first year of my YouTube channel, and my first year sewing a birthday dress on video. My birthday isn't until next week, but since I'm going to be out of town, you're getting this year's birthday dress video a little early! Watch me sew my birthday dress for 2024 on ... Read more »
How to knit wrap & turn short rows (and pickup the wraps)
Today I have a knitting tutorial for you! What's a W&T? If you've ever wondered about short rows, specifically how to knit wrap and turn short rows, then my latest YouTube video is for you. Short rows can be used to create shaping in a piece of knitting, particularly (but not limited to) garments. They create a slope or a wedge shape of some sort. In the below two examples, the contrast color shows the short ... Read more »
Express Line Cardigan: new knitting pattern!
Ready to knit your new favorite cozy cardigan?? Meet the Express Line cardigan, my latest vintage-inspired knitting pattern. Buy Express Line on Ravely and Payhip. It's super snuggly and a lightning fast knit in super bulky weight yarn. You'll be taking the express line to a finished cardigan before you know it! Complete with a fun and easy stitch pattern to keep your interest. Express Line is a classic, ... Read more »
How to match prints at a seam for perfect pattern matching
You know me, I love sewing with prints! It's a huge part of what I sew. And one of my favorite sewing skills is print matching, or pattern matching: matching the fabric print across a seam. Often for me, I'm doing this on a center back seam (and usually with a zipper). In my latest YouTube video, I'm showing you how easy it is to do. This bit of sewing magic is closer to your fingertips than you may think! You ... Read more »
New year, new vintage sewing & knitting plans
Happy New Year! I'm not usually one to do a lot of reflecting on a year, but wow am I glad to kick 2023 to the curb for many reasons. On the creative front, I have lots of new vintage sewing and knitting plans for this year. And I'm really excited to start the second year of my YouTube channel with you all. I KNOW. It's hard to believe that it's only been a year since I posted my first video, giving you a tour of my ... Read more »
Confectioner Scarf – new knitting pattern
Happy New Year! Let's start off the post-holiday season with a little fun and relaxing knitting, shall we?! Because I have just the thing for you. Welcome in the new year with my new Confectioner Scarf knitting pattern! Get the Confectioner pattern on Ravelry and Payhip. For the entire month of January, to celebrate the start of 2024 and kicking 2023 to the curb, the pattern is 24% off. Just checkout on either Ravelry ... Read more »
Quick felt sewing machine ornament: FREE template & tutorial
I've got such a fun tutorial for you today! I adore making vintage-inspired felt ornaments, and this year I designed a sewing machine ornament. I made the template free to download, and on YouTube you can watch my full tutorial on how to make this cute ornament! Get the corresponding template for this Christmas craft here. And hey, does the dress look familiar? It should! It's my flannel snowglobes dress that I ... Read more »
Midge pullover – new knitting pattern!
I'm thrilled to announce my latest vintage-inspired knitting pattern is now live, the Midge Pullover! Get the knitting pattern on Ravelry and Payhip. Midge is a cute and casual vintage style pullover pattern. It got its original inspiration from one of my favorite 1950s sewing patterns, a cropped boxy top. Midge was designed to have a relaxed, comfortable fit with ¾ length sleeves and a slightly cropped look that ... Read more »