Good morning! We had a rip-roaring, thunderous storm yesterday and I almost got hit by lightning, so I'm feeling very grateful that I'm typing this post alive and well and without singed hair. I made a couple of tops for this week's Monday Outfit and zeroed in on shades of green. Let's talk about the oh-so-French inspired polka dot top first. Until I put the black buttons on, it looked remarkably like a mini-Tova (and the contrasting placket fabric is scrap left over from my first Tova ... Read more
Sewing for Me: A brown flared skirt
This week, I planned on making a skirt and realized that I should take inventory of what I actually have in my closet. It turns out I own six skirts, five of which I've made and none of which I wear regularly. Instead of jumping into sewing another skirt I might not wear, I thought I ought to see if any of them are worth keeping. Out of all the skirts, this one has gotten the most wear, but only during the fall/winter season. I made it a few years ago, using some wool tweed from my mom, ... Read more
Tiny Tots Gifts
One of M's closest friends just had a baby boy, and all around us baby news abound. I have one baby-specific Japanese pattern book, shown above, and I wanted to give it a whirl for the many pint-sized gifts I've been making. The book includes several outfits, bibs, bags including a diaper bag, a nursing cover and other sweet creations. From this photo, this onesie/romper seems super appropriate for a little freshly born guy, right? I made the smallest size (probably comparable to 3 to 6 ... Read more
Monday Outfit: Endless Tunics
Good morning! I had a productive weekend including consigning some fabric at the stash place I've mentioned before and organizing K's room. How was yours? I have quite a few thoughts on the stash place which was so very interesting, and will expand on them at a later date! For today, I have yet another tunic for you - with my class coming up, I've been "practicing" to be able to provide clear instructions so I've been making this tunic over and over. It's a good thing K loves this ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Tova 2.0
The first day of school went very smoothly yesterday and while K filled her brain with knowledge, I finished up my second Wiksten Tova. As I happily sewed, I remembered how when I was a corporate drone, a colleague once told me that I always looked comfortable yet stylish. It was really one of the few nice things that happened to me while I worked there -- I was so flattered and that has become my sartorial mantra though I don't consistently succeed: comfort without sacrificing a sense of style. ... Read more