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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Freshly Laundered Linen

May 25, 2016

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

Filed in: life, sewing resources • by sanae • 18 Comments

Imaginary Sewing

May 11, 2016

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

Filed in: sewing resources • by sanae • 21 Comments

How to Make Clothes That Fit and Flatter

November 4, 2015

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

Filed in: sewing resources • by sanae • 12 Comments

Minimalist Sewing for K

September 7, 2015

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

Filed in: life, sewing resources • by sanae • 16 Comments

My Little Sewing Space Part 3

February 4, 2015

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

Filed in: sewing resources • by sanae • 21 Comments

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The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing enthusiasts: zippers. Now that I have a few years of sewing under my belt I’m less cowed by them, but there’s something about long, separating zippers that still makes me nervous. I powered through, however, and made this versatile twill hooded jacket originating from a @patterncouture_ zip-up hoodie pattern meant for knit fabrics that I modified a lot. I blogged about it! Link in bio if you’d like to see the different versions I created. 

To skip zippers altogether and make a truly summery garment, swipe and check out my NEW @creativebug Tiered Dress class (link also in bio!). Back to sewing more hot weather stuff because I’m going to Japan for a special trip next week! 🇯🇵🇯🇵
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