Finding Violet and Vogue 9363

March 31, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

I’ve really enjoyed the #sew happy color challenge on Instagram. It’s inspired so many lovely posts by members of our sewing community! The premise of the challenge (created by @katiekortmanart) has been to explore combining complimentary colors in new ways. For me, it’s been an opportunity to look at the colors I love and to […]

Waiting for Spring in my Wiksten Haori Jacket

March 23, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Well, it’s official. I am now a big fan of the Wiksten Haori jacket. I might be the last blogger to make this lovely jacket. I avoided this pattern at first, as I prefer fitted jackets to loose-fitting styles. But on a recent visit to a local fabric store (Bolt, such a great store!! […]

Perth dress: #So50Visible

March 15, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

This new linen dress was inspired by the challenge on Instagram, the #So50Visible, created by the #SewOver50 gang. The idea of the challenge is to find a pattern where the photo features a model who is over 50. Sounds easy, Right? If only…. In my search for a pattern, I couldn’t find any over 50 models in […]

Two Tops with a Difference from Burda Style

March 9, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

I have always looked forward to each issue of Burda Style, but the inspiration I’ve found in the last couple of issues has been amazing. The March issue had so many options I wanted to explore, I abandoned my other sewing projects in favor of a bit of quick gratification. Here are some of the […]

Two Hvar Jackets are Better than One

March 1, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

The Hvar Jacket from Itch to Stitch has been on my to-sew list for awhile because I’m crazy about cute easy-to-wear jackets. Not only are they adorable, but they help bridge the wardrobe no-man’s land between seasons. A light jacket can function as a layer under a heavy coat when the weather is severe, or […]

Day and Night Dress Challenge: Transforming a boring dress with Edge and Sparkle

February 22, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

I’m so honored to be participating in Elizabeth’s Day/Night Dress Challenge for the third year in a row (here are years one and two.) The Challenge has a great twist this year. Rather than make two new dresses, the idea is to take a dress you’ve made but ignored, and make it more wearable by […]

A Burda top you can make in an afternoon and Dior Exhibit

February 8, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

A Burda top and Dior….a lovely combination, eh? First, the Burda top…..My box of precious fabric bits and lacy remnants is overflowing these days, so I’ve adopted a new ‘tidying up’ rule. If I can’t find a use for a remnant within six months of adding it to the box, it must go. So, I […]

Sew Twists and Ties: the Ruska Knot Dress

January 29, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

When Named Clothing released their book, Breaking the Pattern, I could hardly wait to get my hands on it! I’m not a big fan of sewing books, but the Named Clothing designs really appeal to me (here, here, and here, ). Their modern, pared-down vibe is so contemporary and elegant. So, I asked Santa […]

Burda Style Cocoon Dress

January 18, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

I have to admit it…There was very little forethought behind these two new ‘makes’. I made these cocoon dresses on a whim….merely because I thought they would look pretty good with my new Cocoon coat (here)! Shallow…but true. Now that the 2018 RTW fast is over, I’m feeling quite free. I can sew anything I […]

First Make of the New Year: Sew Over It Cocoon Coat

January 9, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

If you read my post on my sewing ‘Misses’ for 2018, you know that I’ve sworn off wearing or buying fabric with beige and brown tones. Yet, I’m here today with a beige/tan coat, LOL! Well, I had to ignore my new rule, because I had this lovely wool in my stash, and couldn’t pass […]