An Anthro Knock-Off

September 28, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

When I saw this top in the Anthropologie, I fell in love with the denim blue checks, the side tie at the hem. But when I tried it on, the neck was so big on me, it fell to my shoulders like a cold shoulder top. Not a good look! And the long sleeves covered […]

Tucks, Pleats, and Sewing through grief

August 31, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi all! It’s been a rough week around here. Dustin, our little buddy for sixteen years succumbed to renal failure last week. If you’ve visited here before, you may remember him from several photos. He loved to be in the middle of everything, and blog photos were no exception. Such a character, and he […]

DIY Street Fair Kimono and a Cold Shoulder Tee

August 26, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Summer is winding down, but there are still plenty of opportunities to attend street fairs, farmer’s markets and wine festivals. Since Street Fairs are great places to get your inner bo-ho on, I’ve taken to wearing kimonos over my standard jeans and tees on my excursions. A kimono is such a great wardrobe soldier. When you […]

Easy, breezy – – the Kalle Shirt Dress

August 19, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

I didn’t set out to become a fan girl of Closet Case Patterns, but that’s what seems to have happened! After making Closet Case’s Charlie Caftan twice (here and here) and loving it, I decided I had to give Heather’s other patterns a try. I chose the Kalle, although at first glance, it didn’t seem […]

My Mini Wardrobe with Indie Patterns

July 31, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi All! Indie Pattern month is winding down over at the Monthly Stitch. The last challenge was to create a mini wardrobe from Indie patterns and I decided it was the perfect motivation to pull out the lovely Indie patterns I’ve been meaning to try, but haven’t. After looking at my patterns and my fabric stash, […]

It’s going to be a Charlie Caftan Summer!

July 21, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

If you’d asked me, ‘are Caftan’s your thing? I probably would have said, no. But I’m such a fan of this pattern by Closet Case Patterns. I was inspired to try it by Indie Pattern Month over at the Monthly Stitch. After making a muslin version, I decided it was the perfect pattern to hack […]

New to Me: a Colette Moneta

July 19, 2017.Reading time 1 minute.

It’s Indie Pattern Month over at the Monthly Stitch, a fun month of challenges designed to acquaint us with the wonderful world of Indie pattern designers. Last week’s challenge was to make a pattern from a company that was ‘New To Me’. I picked Colette patterns, a company based in my home town, Portland, and […]

Black and White Polka Dots…so french!

July 13, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

I’ve been obsessed with shirt dresses this Spring because as dresses go, they have so many advantages! For one thing, the front opening makes them ideal to let in air on a hot day. Also, they’re so versatile. You can add a pair of leggings /pants under them for a completely different look. My […]

New Look 6519: An easy travel dress

June 17, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

I’m always on the look out for stylish dresses that are easy and comfortable to wear while traveling in hot weather. That’s why the simplicity of this New Look pattern caught my eye. The shape of the dress is accomplished with the addition of a simple belt. This means the dress can be loose or […]

Shirt Dress Love: McCall’s 7351

May 28, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

If I had to choose only one garment to take with me to a desert island it would probably be a shirt dress, because they just make me happy. This one gets bonus points for being a rayon shirt dress, which is pure bliss to wear in any weather. What’s different about this dress for […]