A Cardigan for Early Spring:McCalls 6802

January 28, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Yes, I know the title of this post is optimistic. Sure, there are several months of cold weather between me and Spring, but I can dream, can’t I? This knit fabric is so soft, I knew at first sight I had to make a sweater-y wrap from it. This new cardigan is a perfect seasonal […]

A Tale of Two Toaster Sweaters

January 18, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi all – – My photos were taken indoors again because of this!Yes, that’s about a foot of snow. In Oregon, this much snow is an event! No one tries to drive and many of my neighbors just shut themselves in. Some folks freak out, and long for it all to end. But, I love […]

The Reveal: Day and Night Dress Challenge

January 10, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hi all – – I’m pleased to be showing you my dresses as part of the Day and Night Dress Challenge Blog tour. Thanks to Elizabeth of Elizabeth Made This for this challenge. What better way to jump-start our sewing after the holidays! There’s a blog tour and a community challenge so check it out […]

Vogue 8952 and the Day and Night Dress Challenge

January 6, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi all! It’s 20 degrees here in Portland, indoor photo weather of course, but also the perfect weather for sewing. There’s nothing like a cold day to drive you to your sewing room. Sometimes, after the intensity of the holiday season, I find it challenging to re-focus my energies and to get my sew-jo going. […]

2016: Top Five Hits

December 31, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi All! It’s almost time to ring in the new year, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to review my top five makes of 2016. Looking back at my sewing projects always makes me a little nervous, because I can’t bear to face the facts. Sometimes the makes that are the most fun to […]

A Missoni Inspired Boho Poncho

December 22, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi all! The weather outside is frightful but wearing a poncho is so delightful! With this cozy new make, I’m well prepared for the possiblity (fingers crossed…) of a white Christmas. Will it happen? I doubt it, but I’m glad I made this easy poncho. I loved laying out the pattern pieces so that the […]

A Velvet Kimono for the holidays

December 14, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi All – -During, the holiday season, a sewing project has to meet certain critieria to make it onto my lengthy to-do list. It must be 1. easy and quick with little chance for frustration. 2. Gorgeous fabric must be involved. 3. It must provide a healthy dose of instant gratification. This festive kimono definitely earned […]

McCall’s 7476 (#2) in textured wool

December 4, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi All – – I’m back with another cardigan, this time in a nubby sweater knit. This fabulous wool came from the remnant section of Fabric Depot, a fabric I had longed for from afar, but didn’t purchase since it was really expensive. Then, one day, Lady Luck looked my way. When I was there […]

Butterick 5789, Cropped Drape Front Jacket

November 29, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi All! ‘Tis the season for indoor photos here in Oregon. It’s also the season to sew a few layering pieces, wearables that you can wrap yourself up in when it’s damp and cold (most days here). That’s why this cropped drape front jacket grabbed my attention. The style is so versatile – you […]

Butterick 5526- One pattern, three versions

November 15, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

There’s nothing like a sewing contest to inspire you to explore the long forgotten bins in your fabric stash! That’s where I found these cottons. They were perfect for my entry into Pattern Review’s ‘One Pattern, Many Ways’ contest. As I result, my stash is considerably smaller, and let me tell you, it feels great! […]