Hello, friends! No 2016 roundups or 2017 plans from me, although this is my first post of the new year. There's so much crap going on in the world that it's still sometimes difficult to focus on seemingly inconsequential things like sewing and knitting when you want to tear your hair out at the madness of it all. But when those things bring you great joy and pleasure and ease stress, to help balance out other things or ... Read more »
vintage sewing
Black cats on parade!
Happy Halloween, my friends! There's a couple of holidays for which I'm interested in sewing, and Halloween is one of them! (It's a short list: the other is obviously Christmas.) Last year, I was in London meeting up with sewing friends on Halloween and sewed myself a theme-y blouse for the occasion. I used the same pattern as my recent Bye Bye Birdie blouse, and this year, I've used the pattern again! What can ... Read more »
Plaid flannel tie-front topper
Before Mel and I went up to northern Wisconsin for a short vacation earlier this month, I had grand plans for vacation sewing (as you do), but only got a couple of items finished. The first I'm sharing is this flannel topper! I found this great Simplicity pattern from 1949 at an antique mall for just a couple of dollars! I bought it purely for the tie-front topper. I thought it would be great sewn up in a cozy plaid ... Read more »
True bra-making confessions: I finally found a retro bra sewing pattern I like!
It's a Friday confession, my friends. Pull up a chair and a beverage! I've never wanted to sew lingerie. A slip yes (not that I've ever bothered getting to it). But bras and panties, nope. (Incidentally: I cannot stand the term "panties", I call them underwear whenever possible.) In fact, I have to be honest and say that most of the bra making posts and photos I see online have kind of annoyed me. Here's why. I wear ... Read more »
For the love of checks
Aloha! I have a new dress to show off today! And technically a new cardigan too, but I'll save that for another post as I plan to yammer on a bit about this dress. ;) This dress has two things that make it special to me: first, some super dedicated pattern matching that I'm proud of, and second, a muslin that led me to a fantastic "aha!" fitting moment that will forever change how I approach a certain fitting issue ... Read more »
Sewing with Doctor Who
Today's outfit is just full of fun separates! I love trying out new patterns, and sewing things that are more in the 'on occasion' variety. For example right now I'm finishing up a collared vintage dress, and it's coming out great, I had an extremely crucial fitting "aha" moment in the muslin, but I don't wear dresses with collars that often, even though this has a great one, and the back of the neck collar was ... Read more »