Sew the look: A denim shirtdress

March 17, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

It’s Spring, the perfect time for shirt dresses. There’s nothing easier to wear when the weather’s warm than a simple dress, and if it’s made from denim…well, that’s even better!! Here are some of the shirt dresses that inspired me this Spring. First up…Burberry’s version. Perfect in dark denim, with princess seams and topstitching. Made well’s […]

Butterick 5927: Dress up denim with a Topper

March 11, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

I wear a lot of denim. Ha, there’s no denying this fact as it’s well documented in my blog photos! (In fact, one might wonder why I haven’t yet made a pair of jeans…?!) Even though I’m into denim, sometimes I like to dress my look up a bit so that I feel a bit […]

Vogue 9166: A sleek and sporty basic

March 4, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

When I saw the new Vogue patterns for Spring, I could hardly believe my luck. Those lovely designers read my mind!! I’ve been looking for a dress pattern with two-piece sleeves since the sporty trend began last Spring. Even though no one has ever described me as athletic, I sure like to look like I […]

Sweater Knits Rule

February 26, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

I wear a lot of separates. This fact became obvious to me when I rearranged my closet this week to make room for Spring clothes. There’s nothing wrong with a good separate, and we all need them, but OMG. My closet is crammed with mix and match items. It’s a bit overwhelming when it […]

Sew the look: Patchwork Cape

February 16, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi all – If you follow sewing blogs, you’ve probably heard that February is UFO month, unfinished objects, as in projects that have languished on your sewing table and need to be completed. True confessions. I have PLENTY of those. This cape is a perfect example, a stash busting project I started a year ago, […]

Vogue 8346: A coat just in time for Spring

February 10, 2016.Reading time 6 minutes.

It’s sunny and warm in Portland today. Yet, I’m posting about a heavy winter coat! Yes, timing is everything, and mine isn’t impeccable, but here goes. I started this coat before Christmas, and just finished it because I worked on it in sporadically. So, here I am, wearing a wool coat when it’s sixty degrees […]

Thursday Top: Vogue 8815

February 4, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Well, here we are in February, the month that straddles the seasons. The fabric stores are flaunting new lightweight cottons and linens. Yet, I’m still working through my stash of sweater knits. At this point, it’s probably ridiculous to state the obvious – I am a fan of sweater knits. As I’ve confessed before, it’s […]

McCall’s 6708: An animal print cardigan

January 27, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Yes, it’s a jungle out there! A bit of a cliche’ perhaps, but what better way is there to describe what’s happening in the sewing blog world these days? Everywhere, fabulous makes are being crafted from jungle worthy fabrics as part of #Jungle January, a month long walk on the wild side. This […]

Vogue 8831: A sweater knit top with zippers

January 19, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Since I don’t knit, I’ve become a huge fan of sweater knits. With only a few yards of the cozy stuff, you can cut and sew almost any style sweater you want. Here, in rainy Oregon, a person can NEVER have too many sweaters. For this top, I used two coordinating sweater knits from my […]

Vogue 8828: If Karl can, why can’t I?

January 11, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

I rarely leave the house in anything other than pants and sweaters at this time of year, as the weather makes layering and covering up a matter of survival. But it gets old fast, don’t you think? Pants, jeans, blah! I long to wear a dress, but how? I don’t want to freeze to death. […]