I'm happy to share some knitting with you today, and it's the first of what I'm going to jokingly refer to as my "Bolero Period". I started this bolero in early November after Rhinebeck, and I only finished knitting it the first week of February. I mean for a small bolero, that's basically ridiculous for me. Granted, I did knit my large red Autumn Leaves scarf in the meantime, but I think that only took me two or three ... Read more »
A dress and a fitting tip that transformed my dressmaking (and the dress)
If you sew a lot of garments, you possibly have one or two fitting tweaks that you're used to doing regularly. It can take some time to get there to know what you need to do, and it may involve some false starts, too. For me, the biggest thing that transformed my sewing—specifically the fit of my dress bodices and blouses—was when I realized I nearly always needed to shorten bodices, especially for vintage patterns. Up ... Read more »
Tiki trousers
I'm excited to share a really fun pair of trousers with you today! I've secretly been working with Spoonflower to share my thoughts on their latest fabric addition, Dogwood Denim™. I'm sure you've heard of them but if not: Spoonflower does print-on-demand, eco-friendly digital printing on fabric. They have thousands of designs to choose from, and a bunch of types of fabric for different applications. When I ... Read more »
Pendleton-inspired plaid coat
One of the reasons I try to never put down a sewing project is I know I'm liable to have changed my mind about something. Such was kind of the case with this coat right here. Which... I made back in the fall. I know, perpetually catching up in-between new projects! But I digress. Initially, I wanted to make it in early fall. I looove vintage Pendleton 49er style jackets, and they are in heavy rotation in early ... Read more »
Autumn Leaves in the snow
I am picky about my reds. Really picky. In fact, the main reason red doesn't appear in my wardrobe more often is my pickiness. I like a bright, true red. Not maroon, not burgundy, not fuchsia, not garnet. Red. It's hard to vintage in vintage clothes, it's hard to find in fabric, and it can be hard to find in yarn, too. Instagram stories is my new favorite thing, and it was through a quest to find a perfect "Tasha" red ... Read more »
A swing jacket that went to London
Maaaaany months ago, I made one of my most favorite things. And I'm just now finally sharing it! Technically, you got a glimpse of this before. When we went to the U.K. in April, I was wearing it in a few of the photos. It was the only jacket I took and it was perfect! (The dress went to the U.K. too and hopefully I'll blog about it soon as well.) Here's one of my favorite photos wearing the jacket on our vacation, in ... Read more »
Meet me in Washington, D.C. over the holidays!
I couldn't resist a title riffing on one of my favorite old movies, Meet Me in St. Louis. But it's true! If you're in the Washington, D.C. area over the holidays, let's meet! I'm very tickled to announce I'll be at Three Little Birds Sewing Co. in Hyattsville, Maryland (suburban D.C.) for a retro holiday Meet & Greet on Friday, December 22nd, from 7-9pm. Cocktails, festive music, and sewing chatter. Come ask me ... Read more »
Brown plaid dress
Early in September, I was having a hard time finding direction for my sewing. I blame the change of seasons. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to make, or I'd want to make things I didn't actually feel like taking the time to make, or I just wasn't sure what I wanted to be wearing... things like that. I may not follow modern trends in fashion, but that doesn't mean I don't go through phases of things I prefer, want to ... Read more »
Vintage dressing gown in plaid flannel
Sometimes you get an idea for a project that feels like it comes out of no where, but once you sew up the item you realize it was so YOU all along! Late in the summer, I started thinking about dressing gowns. House coats. House dresses. Hostess gowns. Hostess dresses. Brunch coats. Whatever you want to call them. Vintage dresses that zip up the front, of varying lengths and styles. I think the seed was planted when ... Read more »
Grab and go knitting: an Angel Face turban
Friends, ooh friends, am I ever behind. I'm behind but I have something small and fun to share nonetheless. I'm so behind that I'm sharing a minor knitting project after not even yet sharing one of the most monumental pieces of knitting I've ever done, in time to wear at Rhinebeck (the New York Sheep and Wool Festival) last month. Following me on Instagram or Ravelry? Then you'll know about that mystery project ... Read more »
The blouses that almost were not
I'm going to squeeze in one last summer sewing post, okay? Okay! There's actually two blouses here to show you, but the same pattern and one saga. Way back in August (how does it feel like both a minute ago and last year?) I really, really, REALLY wanted to sew this vintage Butterick pattern, 6965. So cute, right? It's a basic blouse with a chic shape. Looks like a halter neck, but actually has a full back, ... Read more »
Summer sewing wild cards and a list (mostly) wrapped up
Since we're having an unusual very hot heat wave in September and I'm cranky about the fact that the weather feels like the hottest part of summer when I'm ready for it to cool off a bit, and I admit I'm really sick of looking at my hot-weather clothing and my sandals and want to move into dresses with cardigans and cigarette pants and cute flats and light wool (light! not rushing winter!), I might as well blog about a ... Read more »
My first outfit for Mood Sewing Network!
Hello, friends! I have some exciting news to share. Earlier this summer, I was asked to join the Mood Sewing Network. I know!! I was (and am) immensely flattered! Every month, I'll be doing a post over at their blog of something I've sewn with fabric from Mood Fabrics. And then I'll share some more details about the garments here on my own blog! In fact, I've just had my first post in July—you can read it here. ... Read more »
1950s patio blouse
Before I forget completely, I want to revisit an outfit I showed you last month, because it had two things I made and I only talked about one of them. You may have noticed a cool blouse I was wearing with my 1950s pedal pushers. It's my first patio blouse! Knock another item off my summer inspiration list! I used McCall's 9925, the pattern on the left below. So this is another Vintage Pledge item, too! I debated for ... Read more »
Novelty knights in shining armor dress
Here's something I rarely do: show off something I made ages ago! In fact, this is a dress I sewed an entire year ago. Mel and I take a trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire in southern Wisconsin every summer, and I enjoy wearing something with a kitschy Renaissance-ish print because that's the kind of person I am. In rotation, I have a skirt I sewed years ago with castles on it, a beautiful vintage rayon blouse that's ... Read more »
1950s style pedal pusher jeans
Ooh friends, I've made something I'm soooo happy with. 1950s-inspired jeans, in a pedal pushers length for summer! We took photos of them at an Air BNB cabin we stayed in up north in Wisconsin earlier in the month, near the Minnesota border. Pretty there, right?? I'll hopefully put together photos from our mini vacation soon. I kind of have a lot of things to blog about suddenly and not enough time. (The ... Read more »