A Gift to Sew: How To Make a Fringed Circle Vest

December 8, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Sometimes the simplest make gives you the most pleasure. Every time I wear one of these vests, I feel stylish, cozy and comfortable. It’s a simple design that brings compliments and the question….where can I buy that? My love affair with circle vests started several years ago when I was gifted a pattern for one. […]

A Vogue Vintage Jacket in Plaid

November 29, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi all! I’m back from a bit of a holiday break with a plaid jacket, inspired by one I saw in Vogue pattern Magazine. If you’re like me, you look forward to each issue of the Vogue Pattern magazine because there is always something there that will spark an idea for a project. This issue […]

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 […]

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 […]

A plaid and leather ‘duster’ for fall

October 11, 2016.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hi all! Wearing a coat in the fall is a no-brainer, but finding the perfect one can be a bit tricky. There are days when it’s cool but not cold and wool is too much, but a summer jacket isn’t enough. That’s when a duster comes in handy! ‘Duster’ is an odd word for a […]

Linen and velvet all wrapped up!

December 21, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Yes, it’s a busy time of year, far too busy to take on a sewing project, right? Of course, but if you’re like me, inspiration often strikes when you have the least time to do anything about it! Here’s my story: I was cleaning out my messy fabric bins, making room for the purchases I’m […]

I’m falling for plaid…

November 4, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Fall sewing is all about plaid. For a DIY version of the fall fashion trend, visit Ellegeemakes.com.

Butterick 5927: A warm front of plaid wool

October 5, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

This plaid coat is my most recent attempt to brighten up my outerwear wardrobe with color. The base color of the loose weave is avocado green, a trendy color this fall that pays homage to some 70’s legends, namely Kitchenmaid, Sunbeam and Kenmore (harvest gold or burnt orange, anyone?). Plaid used to be the last thing I’d […]