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 »
Tropical seersucker capris
Cross two things off my summer sewing to-do list: work out a hidden inseam pocket, and sew capris. Done and done! Frankly, I'm elated about these capris, even though they just appear to be a simple project at first glance. And technically they kind of are, but they signify a lot. Do you ever have sewing projects like that, where the project itself has a much more far-reaching impact than just the item you ... Read more »
Fun sunglasses for summer
It's kind of a rare occurrence that I say yes to a blog collaboration, and it's been quite some time since I did one that's not craft-related, too. But recently, GlassesUSA contacted me to see if I wanted to review a pair of their glasses. Here's the deal: I mostly wear vintage frames, with an exception for my Keiko frames from BonLook that I adore and actually wear as my primary pair much of the time now (first ... Read more »
Fresh face and Frida vibes in the garden
We've been really fortunate with the weather this week. Low-to-mid 70s is my ideal temperature, when you can wear long or short sleeves, a light jacket, cardigan, shorts... pretty much anything goes and you'll be comfortable! It's been beautiful and sunny, and I've been soaking it up as much as possible. I snapped a few photos outside today during lunch. I really just wanted an acceptable one for Instagram, but decided ... Read more »
Planning and inspiration (while I’m not doing)
I have basically not knit (except a tiny project) since before we went to London, and I haven't sewn since then, either. It's the end of May, and that was the beginning of April. Considering I'm someone who is more-or-less constantly "making", let that sink in. Sewing, knitting, and the sprinkling of other crafty things I do keep me sane. This is definitely a time in the world when we desperately need activities to keep ... Read more »
Last month’s vacation in the U.K.
Hi, friends! When we last met, I was bringing you a scheduled blog post on my birthday, while we were off in London! A much belated thank you for all the compliments on my dress and the happy birthday wishes! ♥ ♥ ♥ Since we got home, we've been super busy. In large part because my dad came to stay with us for over a week to (primarily) build a new fence along our alley, taking down the old fence. It's also garden time, ... Read more »
Special birthday dress for London
Today is my birthday! So I sewed a dress! I'm the ripe YOUNG age of 40! And, I'm in London! Um, not in these photos, obviously. We're actually on vacation right now and I took these ahead of time, since we weren't planning to travel with a laptop and I thought trying to do a blog post on my phone on my birthday sounded like a drag. So you get a scheduled post instead. :) Each year for the last handful of ... Read more »
I knit a cardigan. Twice.
Initially when I knew I was going to post a worsted weight sweater project in early April, I kind of thought I'd have to make a joke about how it was growing too warm to wear it. Hahahahaha. As if. Oh April, how I always forget your disgusting weather ways every year. You'd think I would remember this being an April baby, as I never get nice weather on my birthday (which is coming up next week!). There's some good news ... Read more »
Ginger the Fifth
Hey, I made some jeans! It's another pair of Ginger jeans, I know, I know. Big whoop. This is my fifth pair now and I'm done for the foreseeable future! I have the very first pair, the second pair that worked on the retro styling and fit and added a cuff, the third slightly relaxed Western pair, a fourth pair I'm going to get to in a sec, and this pair. This fifth pair technically replaces the fourth pair. And I ... Read more »