Let's face it. As much as I can't seem to stop sewing with linen, nine times out of ten, K will reach for the knits. I've long stopped feeling intimidated by the slinky, stretchy stuff, but I have to admit that it's not my favorite type of fabric to sew. But I get it. I reach for the comfy knits too, both store-bought and handmade (I'm only into day five of Me-Made-May and I've worn knits four times). So when K asked if I would make her a knit top with a giant honking bow where her boobs ... Read more
E & E Spring Showers Jacket
I love being part of pattern tours, I really do. I have a lot of fun sewing from my Japanese pattern books, but I feel like I get an extra dose of inspiration from sewing up the many fantastic indie patterns I've been lucky enough to try. Heidi of Elegance and Elephants is one of my favorite designers. I know that I'm in good hands when I follow her steps, and I'm always delighted by the clever little details she includes. And the end result is professional and beautiful. And she's so ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Moss Green Linen Jacket
Good morning! I'm starting the week off a little differently with something sewn for me. As I mentioned last week, Tuttle Publishing sent me some books to review and this one is another goodie which I'm excited to talk about. This is the popular Happy Homemade Sew Chic book in English. I don't have the Japanese version of this book, so it was a fresh experience to sew from this collection of lovely patterns. As you can see, there are 20 patterns and if you click on the link ... Read more
Fashion Revolution
There's a movement brewing. Laura, Celina and Abby have adopted this movement and reached out to those of us that create our own clothing, a call to action for solidarity to question current garment industry standards and to recognize the global and environmental impacts of fast fashion. In their words: The goal is for all of us to stand together for a united cause and help to show sewing (in all its forms) as an ethical and sustainable alternative to fast fashion and mass consumerism. It’s ... Read more
Sew Chic Kids Pintuck Dress + Tunic + Giveaway! [CLOSED]
One of the benefits of obsessively making excessive amounts of clothes from Japanese patterns books is that the publisher of the English translations of said pattern books will contact you to see if you'd like to review their books. Since "Duh!!!" was not an appropriate answer, I responded with an enthusiastic yes. Now, I have the Japanese version of Happy Homemade vol. 2, but I was curious to see what the difference(s) would be with the English translation, Sew Chic Kids. As you can see, ... Read more