The Saraste Shirt, my Me-Made-May Hero

May 15, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

When I completed the Saraste shirt, I wasn’t totally ‘in-love’ with it. In fact, I immediately pushed it to the far right side of my closet, the place where the ‘never to be worn’s’ go. It’s a sad corner and it makes me feel a bit guilty. It’s all the me-mades that were fun to […]

A wrap shirt from my first Japanese pattern book

April 19, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

A wrap shirt…Looks tricky, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s all in how the shirt is buttoned up! If you want to, you button it up the traditional way. But why would you want to, when you can do this? A simple modification makes the wrap possible. You add a loop to one side seam, a button to […]

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 […]

My #Sewing Top Five Misses 2018

January 3, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Each year, I enjoy a review of my #Sewing Top Five Misses almost as much as my best top five. I always learn so much from my mistakes. So without further ado, here they are!. Vogue top – Okay, when I made this, I felt pretty clever because I constructed this top from odds and ends […]

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 […]

A off-the-shoulder look inspired by Theory

June 15, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

As you all know, I love a good designer knock-off, and Theory is one of my favorite designer lines. Last fall, a friend of mine wore the Theory shirt (on the left) to a dinner at my house, and I was smitten. She wore the shirt a bit off the shoulder and I loved the […]

Three Versions – Simplicity Waist-Tie Top

May 12, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Packing for a trip always points out the flaws in your wardrobe, don’t you think? A planned visit to the already muggy east coast made me realize – I have very few easy-to- wear, easy-to-pack tops that are humidity friendly. Enter Simplicity 8601 – – An ‘easy-to-sew’ top with lots of variations. Version 1; Rayon […]

Tops That Pop – Kimono Wrap Top

April 30, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi all – I love a good challenge and so I couldn’t resist the #Tops that Pop challenge, created by the talented Faye of Faye’s Sewing Adventures. What a brilliant theme! Who doesn’t want to sew a top? I’ve been wanting a kimono sleeved wrap top for the longest time, so I was thrilled to […]

Putting Fushia Linen To Good Use

April 26, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

I have a new favorite color; fuschia. This fuschia linen jacket takes me back to my first handmade effort years ago, a Vogue Perry Ellis jacket pattern that I fussed over because it was so expensive! Everything about that project felt special to me, so I visited a specialty fabric store and splurged on […]

A Remant Busting Top X 3

February 9, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

I think I’ve found a new tried and true top pattern to add to my go-to collection. This one is a favorite because it’s perfect for knit remnants! As you all know, I can’t bear to part with sweater knit pieces, no matter what the size or shape, so I have quite the collection of […]