A Burda ‘Back Interest’ Dress for Summer

June 14, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

The term ‘back interest’ on a pattern always makes me chuckle, but when I’m done, I give it a long second look! That’s what happened with this Burda make. The photo on the envelope made me yawn, but then I flipped the envelope over and saw the line diagram of the V- back…Sold! The weather […]

#sewbibs: Seamwork Dani Pinafore

April 12, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Believe it or not….this Dani Pinafore is my first make of a Seamwork pattern. What took me so long? I’ve never really investigated Seamwork patterns because I assumed (wrongly) that because Seamwork patterns were part of a online magazine/club, they were simple designs, really meant for beginners. I suppose that’s true in some instances, but […]

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 […]

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 […]

A Knit Anorak in Two Hours or Less

June 10, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

It’s June, and I would love to say that this make is out of season, but it’s still layering weather here in the Pacific Northwest. When summer does arrive, it usually lands pretty hard though, so I’ll be breaking into my stash of linen this month! But for now, I’m craving soft warm cozy layers […]

Day/Night Dress Challenge Reveal

February 23, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Hi all. Today, I have a guest post on Elizabeth Made This, the reveal of my dresses for the Day and Night Dress Challenge, 2018. Here’s a sneak peak of my coffee and cocktail dresses. I hope you’ll visit Elizabeth Made This for the full post. This is the second year of the Challenge (here […]

First Make of 2018, Goals and a Few Reflections

January 5, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

It feels good to be back to blogging after the holidays! I love the parties and fun but I’m very ready to move on, to get back to the routine and back to the sewing room. So, I’m happy to welcome 2018 with a new make, a few goals and some reflections too. I took […]

DIY Date Night Dress

February 15, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

After I made a swing dress for the Day and Night Dress Challenge, I knew there would be another in my future. What is it that makes a swing dress so fun to wear?!? For me, it’s the way the skirt moves. It’s not quite ‘twirl-worthy’, but fun just the same. This dress is another […]

DIY: Philip Lim Inspired Top

February 4, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi all! The inspiration for this stash-busting top was a Philip Lim creation I saw at the San Francisco Saks a couple of weeks ago. It’s so fun to wander around in that amazing store, a real treat for me since we don’t have a Saks here anymore (wah!). But when I saw this […]