Do you ever just drop everything you're working on to sew a quickie project? I almost never do. But I did recently, and can understand why people do it sometimes! In the middle of my latest jeans project I suddenly had the urge to try out a pattern I've been thinking about non-stop since finishing my Carbeth pullover. The cropped shirt in Butterick 7557, from around 1956. Meant to be more of a sweater, or a ... Read more »
vintage sewing patterns
Tale of two blouses + a different way to construct a short cut-on sleeve
The latest two items I sewed over at the Mood Sewing Network are these blouses. Two blouses, entirely different fabrics, same pattern. Love/hate results. Okay not quite so strong as love/hate... maybe love/feel-vaguely-underwhelmed-about would be closer. ;) Both of theses blouses are versions of Butterick 6223, one of my tried-and-true 1950s blouse patterns. I've made it a few times at least, but a different view. My ... Read more »
Perfect 1950s cropped pullover, by way of modern knitwear design
I'm someone who has a pretty distinctive style generally speaking, but there's always room for trying new shapes and lines. And that's something I enjoy doing now and again. It doesn't always work out. Case in point, I made a dress last summer that I loathed as soon as it was done and it taught me I don't like straight dresses with no waistline, but belted at the waist. I've had other fails, too. But many times, it works ... 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 »
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 »