Hello! Summer is in full swing around here, and I'm getting back into sewing mode. I know that this hooded jacket (windbreaker? hoodie?) doesn't look too summery but it's perfect for the cool mornings. I had just enough olive/khaki twill for this, and I love it. I started off with this PatternCouture zip-up hoodie pattern from etsy, and cut out the large. Then I futzed with it and made quite a few modifications. First, I sewed a wearable muslin out of knit scraps I had on hand: That ... Read more
Antidotes to Chronic Content Fatigue Syndrome
For a while now, I've mostly been promoting things here. Books. Classes. Products. I'm a lackluster marketer, I know, but needs must when creating has become a job. Or at least that's what I told myself. I don't know about you, but I've been feeling the effects of what I'm calling Chronic Content Fatigue Syndrome (CCFS). The weariness isn't just from my own consumption of too much internet-ness, but also from constantly producing for others to consume. Or not even producing content but thinking ... Read more
Autumnal Check-In and Classes!
Aaaaah, it’s autumn! My favorite. I’ve enjoyed my summer break from blogging and social media-ing, but I’ve missed aspects of them too. How are you? This weekend, my little family will fly out to Chicago to drop off K — now 18-years-old — and we are all full of big, big feelings. I am excited for her. I think back to my own first days at UCLA, how I started my journaling habit almost 35 years ago in a little coffee shop tucked into the corner of a weathered campus building. 18-year-old Sanae ... Read more
Tatter Class: Sashiko Summer Slip Ons
Hello, my friends! My brain is extremely full right now, what with K's prom and graduation and big trips (visiting my parents in Japan! Moving K to Chicago!) and other big life upheavals careening towards me. I'm keeping this month's update super mini, and just wanted to let you know about an exciting new class I'll be teaching for the incredible Tatter. The virtual class will be on July 18th and 25th, featuring hand stitched Sashiko slip ons (aka slippers or house shoes). Click here to find out ... Read more
Crazy + Cozy
Hello there! 2024 has started out rather crazily for me: injuries, financial upheavals, accidents (vehicular and otherwise), spectacular emotional blow-ups, resurgence of long forgotten ailments, and just general weirdness -- I’ve contended with them all in the last month. And of course, there are the global/national events. It definitely has NOT been boring. When I was getting my teeth cleaned last week, the hygienist was experiencing a bout of craziness as well, and we joked that maybe Saturn ... Read more