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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Archives for July 2013

Giveaway! Green Hues + Fabrics A to Z [CLOSED]

July 31, 2013

I'm still trying to recover from the onslaught of excess at the American Girl store yesterday. It was the birthday girl's sole wish to be able to fully experience the American Girl world, complete with a lunch (with her newly acquired doll - a gift from both sets of grandparents), so my mom and I took her and her best friend to the massive store for the day. I may talk about it some more later, but I need to go cut out some coupons or something to alleviate the guilt I'm feeling from such ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway • by sanae •

Seven

July 30, 2013

Seven? Wasn't it yesterday that I watched your gigantic eyes widen in fear and excitement at the start of kindergarten? Or just last week that you learned how to walk without me holding your hands, without me hunched over as you toddled so precariously? Surely, it can't be eighty-four months since you became a real, breathing, human in my arms? Seven. You seem at once so fragile and brazen. I see glimpses of the teenager you will become, but you still smell faintly of that powdery sweet ... Read more

Filed in: life, writing • by sanae • 21 Comments

Monday Outfit: Birthday Dress

July 29, 2013

K and I had a little conversation this weekend: Me: What kind of birthday dress do you want, honey? K: White. Me: Okay, what else? K: Balloons. Yeah, balloons all over, with a hot air balloon right on the chest, and with big letters that spell out "Happy Birthday". Make sure to use lots of colors, Mommy. Friends, I couldn't do it. My inner minimalist took over, and I struggled to bring myself to stencil her design onto this decidedly bridal-looking, but beautifully simple ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 37 Comments

Happy Friday + Guest Post for Compagnie M

July 26, 2013

Happy Friday, friends! Today, I'm guest posting over at Compagnie M, so hop on over to see the details of this here creation which was inspired by the illustration on the left. The illustration is by Caitlin McGauley, who is insanely talented and one of my all-time favorite illustrators/designers. She painted the Emerson Fry leopard coat, which happens to also be a drool-worthy and favorite clothing designer of mine (though I have yet to own anything from their line), so you can imagine how much ... Read more

Filed in: guest post, sewing • by sanae • 20 Comments

My First Washi: a wearable muslin?

July 25, 2013

I did it. I've finally become the trillionth person to make a Washi Dress. And friends, I got the buffalo checks to match perfectly on the sides. You know how hard that is for me, and I feel like I need to celebrate. But wait, not too fast. I may have reigned victorious with print-matching for this dress, but I don't think the fit is spot on. Let me preface all this with the fact that Rae's directions are awesome. So clear, so helpful, so easy. The pattern pieces are ingeniously designed ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 37 Comments

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The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing enthusiasts: zippers. Now that I have a few years of sewing under my belt I’m less cowed by them, but there’s something about long, separating zippers that still makes me nervous. I powered through, however, and made this versatile twill hooded jacket originating from a @patterncouture_ zip-up hoodie pattern meant for knit fabrics that I modified a lot. I blogged about it! Link in bio if you’d like to see the different versions I created. 

To skip zippers altogether and make a truly summery garment, swipe and check out my NEW @creativebug Tiered Dress class (link also in bio!). Back to sewing more hot weather stuff because I’m going to Japan for a special trip next week! 🇯🇵🇯🇵
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