A Spring Jacket with Triangle Bound Buttonholes

May 3, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

For years, my sewing bucket list has included “Jacket with Bound Buttonholes.” Well, this jacket has triangle shaped bound buttonholes and I’m saying, close enough! Yes, they were a bit fussy to sew, but I’m glad I took the leap to do them on this project. I will admit that the first two were ‘nail […]

The Perfect Thanksgiving Dress

November 19, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

You all knew I’d have to make another one of these didn’t you? Why this dress is the perfect choice for Thursday’s festivities… The fit is loose! It can easily accommodate heavy consumption of food and drink; I think I could expand to 1.5 times my current size and it would still fit. It swings.. […]

Vacation Countdown: Skirt and Vintage Wrap Top

August 10, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

It’s vacation countdown time at my house and I’m sewing like a mad woman as I plan my travel wardrobe. These new ‘makes’ scored high in the versatility category, so I’m sure they’ll both find a place in my suitcase. When I first saw this Simplicity top, I was taken with the vintage look; the peplum […]

Jumpsuit Love and Two New Buddies

August 6, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

I knew when I decided to participate in the RTW Fast this year, that I’d have my work cut out for me in a key wardrobe category – – Pants. I’ve always preferred RTW over me-made pants in past years. But in the jumpsuit category, RTW has always let me down; the fit, the fabric… […]

A off-the-shoulder look inspired by Theory

June 15, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

As you all know, I love a good designer knock-off, and Theory is one of my favorite designer lines. Last fall, a friend of mine wore the Theory shirt (on the left) to a dinner at my house, and I was smitten. She wore the shirt a bit off the shoulder and I loved the […]

An Anthro Lace Dress Knock-Off

May 15, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Which one is from Anthropologie? Ha, just kidding. As you all know, I have a thing for lace and when I saw the above dress from Anthropologie, I wanted it in the worst way. The lace is gorgeous, but the style is a bit edgy, a must have if you ask me! But the price […]

A Fall Top with Linen and Stripes

October 27, 2017.Reading time 2 minutes.

We’re in full-on Halloween mode over here (skulls, ravens, you know….the usual). In a typical year, this would mean the season for linen tops would be long past. But in Oregon, our Fall has been extraordinarily warm, a fact that has kept me from moving my summer fabrics into storage. This top is another remnant […]

A Ruffled Top Done 3 Ways

September 18, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Sometimes when you first meet a pattern, you can see so many possibilities. That’s the way it was with me and this simple pattern. I made one view, then couldn’t resist immediately trying another and….well, another. Three versions of one pattern…overkill maybe, but why fight it? When you have alot of children, you aren’t supposed to […]

Tucks, Pleats, and Sewing through grief

August 31, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi all! It’s been a rough week around here. Dustin, our little buddy for sixteen years succumbed to renal failure last week. If you’ve visited here before, you may remember him from several photos. He loved to be in the middle of everything, and blog photos were no exception. Such a character, and he […]

A Moto Jacket, part of a..capsule wardrobe?!?

March 31, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

When Pattern Review announced their Wardrobe Sudoku Contest, I said, Never! 10 garments in two months that all have to coordinate with each other and shoes and accessories? Too mind-boggling for me. So I told myself I’d play along and use only fabric from my stash. Well, the phrase, ‘never say never’ now clearly applies […]