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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Monday Outfit: Imagine Gnats Meridian Pattern + Giveaway

January 27, 2014

Good morning, friends! I'm not sure if the viruses are extra virulent these last few months or what, but I've been getting hit over and over and over. It's starting to feel like a constant companion, this malaise. And of course, I'm the only one in the house that gets affected and M and K are cheerfully and healthily going about their days. Sigh. But enough whinging and on to more fun topics. Not only is it the start of Kids Clothes Week winter edition today, but I also have a few sartorial ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway, sewing, sewing for K • by sanae • 23 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness (+ An Unscheduled Sewing for Me Rendition)

January 24, 2014

Happy Friday! Old habits die hard, and I did sew something for myself this week, spurred by the need to create a sample for a class I'm teaching next month. I'm going to be frank -- initially I wasn't crazy about this dress once I sewed it up in this khaki linen-blend (I might have mentioned that I planned to create a slipcover with this fabric, so it's a touch on the heavier side and I have yards and yards and yards of the stuff). I thought, "Oh no! What I have I done? I chose an awful dress to ... Read more

Filed in: life, sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 21 Comments

Origami Pocket Tutorial

January 23, 2014

I can't believe it, I've actually created a tutorial within one year of saying I would! Since several of you seemed interested in how I made the origami pocket for this dress, I went about trying to re-create the pocket yesterday. It required a few tries, but I think I got it. Below, you'll see step-by-step instructions. I didn't serge/zig-zag the edges because they would all be hidden, but it's probably not a bad idea to do so. One other note: in the original pocket, you can see fold ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, tutorial • by sanae • 14 Comments

Monday Outfit: Roots – An Origami-Inspired Dress

January 20, 2014

Good morning! Apparently all of Seattle was caught up in football fever yesterday, but I managed to spend the entire day blissfully unaware of this fact (I actually asked someone late in the day, "Is it the Superbowl?" and he looked at me like I was insane. Not a sports fan, I'm afraid...). Instead, I was working on creating this here post, having a grand old time. Let's talk about the Monday outfit, shall we? Heidi of Elegance and Elephants contacted me a few weeks ago and oh-so-generously ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for K • by sanae • 67 Comments

Sewing for Me: Vogue 8511

January 16, 2014

So I initially planned on ranting about what an absolute failure this dress was. Then M saw me in it, and made googly eyes, and when I hear words like "Wow, that looks like something from Mad Men!"...Well, I had to revise my plan. It has a lot going for it, this Vogue 8511 dress. I like the grey. Of course I do. It has a bit of shimmer, and could potentially rise to a party occasion if paired with some sparkly accessories. The fabric is maybe some kind of suiting? There's a good amount of ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 27 Comments

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I just realized that this week marks 10 years sinc I just realized that this week marks 10 years since my first craft book Sewing Happiness was published. I’ve sewn literally thousands of garments and other textile projects in the last decade! I included a Sashiko primer in the book, and I’m delighted that this humble Japanese embroidery practice has stood the test of time - if anything, I’ve noticed that there’s an ever growing enthusiasm for hand stitching. Fun news: I’ll be teaching a virtual Sashiko workshop for @tatterbluelibrary on Thursday, April 30th at noon ET. Link in profile! Would love to see you there! 💙💙💙💙💙
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