A DIY Poncho You Can Sew in an Afternoon

October 26, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Fall weather can be so unpredictable in Oregon; warm one minute; cold the next. That’s why each Fall, I find myself drawn to add another poncho to my wardrobe. (previous makes here and here). With very few seams and lots of fabric options, it’s the ideal quick and satisfying sewing project for a Saturday afternoon. […]

An Anthro-Inspired Corduroy Shirt Dress

October 13, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Corduroy seems to always find a way into my Fall sewing plans and I can always count on Anthropologie to have a offerings to inspire me. When I saw this shirt dress on their website, I had to have a new corduroy shirt dress of my own. I’ve made a couple of shirt dresses before […]

A Floral Wrap Dress for Fall

October 7, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Fall sewing means dark florals, plaids, heathered wools…it’s all fabulous to me! The weather has turned a sharp corner here in Oregon. Yesterday was wet and blustery, a perfect day to stay in and sew. I knew exactly what I wanted to make. Wrap dresses have been on my mind since my trip to France. […]

Inari Tee/ Dress Three Ways

September 29, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

As luck would have it, I have another ‘three versions’ post for you this week. The Inari tee/dress is such a versatile pattern, it’s impossible to resist a bit of experimentation once it’s on the cutting table! The lovely Inari tee/dress by Named Clothing has been around for a while, but it hasn’t lost its appeal […]

Three Versions: Darling Ranges Dress

September 22, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

I’m back from my wonderful trip to France (more about that later) and am trying to ease back into the real world. So far, between jet lag and the growing awareness that daily life is not *quite* as stimulating as vacation life, it’s been a bit of a struggle. Lethargy and lack of motivation has […]

Kobe Top in Embroidered Linen

August 28, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

I know many of you have started your Fall sewing, but I’m still enjoying working through my stash of linen and cotton. It’s just hard for me to switch gears when the weather is still so warm. Linen is my absolute favorite fabric to wear in the spring and summer, and if it’s soft and […]

McCall’s 7780; A cold shoulder top for Fall

August 23, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

It took me awhile to fall in love with this new pattern by McCall’s. The cold shoulder style put me off at first. I thought I was over that look, but this summer, I’ve discovered that the cold shoulder tops and dresses I made last year (here, and here and here) are the ones I reach for […]

Burda Style Raglan Sleeve Dress

August 16, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

It’s been so hot and smoky here in Oregon. Heavy wildfire smoke has settled over Portland, a depressing reminder of last summer’s fire catastrophe in the Columbia Gorge. But today, things are looking up! The wind is clearing the smoke away, the outside temperature is moderate and it’s safe to be outside again. It’s the […]

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… […]