Hello! Summer is in full swing around here, and I'm getting back into sewing mode. I know that this hooded jacket (windbreaker? hoodie?) doesn't look too summery but it's perfect for the cool mornings. I had just enough olive/khaki twill for this, and I love it. I started off with this PatternCouture zip-up hoodie pattern from etsy, and cut out the large. Then I futzed with it and made quite a few modifications. First, I sewed a wearable muslin out of knit scraps I had on hand: That ... Read more
Helmi, Owyn, and SEWING LOVE Patterns
Happy almost May! I'm still sewing. I'm also comparing other patterns to my own. They say comparison is the thief of joy, but this is actually a joyful kind of comparison for me, and I've been thoroughly enjoying myself. This month, I've been sewing a bunch of hush-hush things for my upcoming trip to California because I'm leaving next weekend to teach more Creativebug classes (if you want a couple of months free, check out this post). Very excited. Earlier this month, in order to get into ... Read more
June Round-Up
Hello, my friends! We just survived an epic, record-breaking Pacific Northwest heatwave (108 degrees on Monday) and I’ve never been more thankful for our scary-and-fit-for-a-horror-movie basement that remained at least 15 degrees cooler throughout the onslaught of scorching temps. For some reason, I always associate heatwaves with that bit in The Great Gatsby when the characters are all resting on tasteful settees or davenports with white curtains billowing about. My own situation was decidedly ... Read more
May Round-Up
Hello, my friends! Happy Memorial Day! How's it going? May was such an exciting month for me. For the last couple of years, I've been giving tons of attention to my next sewing book, which has been postponed time and time again. The publication date has been pushed out once more to August of 2022 (most recently it was slated for Spring of 2022), but I'm gleeful because we completed the big photoshoot last week! I have a smaller photoshoot this upcoming week, and I'm avidly preparing for that ... Read more
April Round-Up
Hi, hi, hi! How are you, my friends? April has been a packed month, and the countdown to the photoshoot for my next book has begun. I have 3 weeks to get all the prep work done, which involves a lot of sewing and figuring out props and coordinating schedules. I'm getting more and more excited! As you can imagine, my days are full and will continue to be extra full for at least another two months as I wrap up all the details of book #8 (yes, #8!!!! I've published 3 kids' books, 2 sewing ... Read more