There's something about freshly washed linen that's a mood booster. I'm talking about plain fabric here, and not fitted sheets or shams. Rumpled and textured and oh-so-soft, when I look at these, I pretend I live in the French countryside in a charming villa painted a dusty bleu-grey, overlooking fields of lavender. I can practically hear a baby goat bleating nearby. I have plans for these beauties. But because I've noticed that I categorically avoid making the things I declare as part of ... Read more
Imaginary Sewing
I do this thing, this thing that often starts with a discovery of a new book (or two), usually of the Japanese variety. I flip through the pages and daydream and plan and think, "oooh, I'll make this top from this book..." "Or this comfy looking one from this book..." And before I know it, I'm carrying the books out of the store, my checking account slightly depleted, but my spirits buoyed. I scroll through my mental fabric stash inventory and gleefully anticipate wearing my new ... Read more
How to Make Clothes That Fit and Flatter
Oof. I've been struck down by the bug that's going around, and I was utterly useless yesterday. As I floundered about, I realized that the pile of books by my bed is out of control. There are about 30 assorted books, of which I'm currently reading 10 at once. I don't normally do that, but I feel like my focus has been scattered, so I keep finding myself picking up one book and reading a couple of pages, then reaching for another book for a couple pages. It's a bit of a schizophrenic way to read, ... Read more
Minimalist Sewing for K
After receiving even more new-to-K clothes from our neighbor last week, we went through K's entire closet and all of her dresser drawers to take stock of her clothing situation. It is, in a word, crazytown. I know there's a whole lot of capsule wardrobe talk going around the interwebs, and I so admire the concept, but as we sorted through hundreds of items that I've made for K, it was time to admit that we've crossed over into the opposite of capsule: hoarder territory. "We have to get rid ... Read more
My Little Sewing Space Part 3
I covered in detail all the within-arm's-reach items on and in my sewing table a couple of days ago, and today, we move onto the cutting table and ironing station. I purchased the cutting table from Jo-Ann's about four years ago, and I have to admit that I'm not happy with it. The screws keep falling out, and the surface is badly scuffed and portions of the MDF coating are peeling (I have a piece of packing tape on those portions, which I've cleverly hidden under the cutting mat). But ... Read more