I wouldn't feel complete without rounding up all of my own handmade garments from 2013, so that's what I have for you today! My grey dress is still looking at me balefully from the sewing table, and at this point, who knows if it'll get done. But hey, I sewed a lot more for myself than I expected, and I ended the year with a grand total of 37 completed items. So let's jump in: MAY Total May items: 4 Most worn: Pink Stripes Knit Top. It's an easy, comfy top and you just can't go ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Fandango Pullover + Stripey Tee
My sewing machine is making funny noises. It started as a soft rattle, but now it sounds like an especially angry jackhammer -- so distressing. It's time to get it serviced, which means I am going to be without a machine for who knows how long. The timing couldn't be worse. But I tried to squeeze out as many projects as I could before sending it out, so that's something. This here is McCall's 6603, view B. The fabric, much like my sister-wife-on-the-compound-dress, is most likely some ... Read more
Sewing for Me: District 12 Dress
I'm a little bit obsessed with the Hunger Games these days. I mentioned in passing that I went to see Catching Fire last weekend, and lamented not having the time to create a Katniss-inspired outfit for K. It so happens, as I worked on my own dress, I realized that it sports a rather District 12 vibe. The more I think about it, the more I'm certain I belong in that fictional dystopian world -- at least sartorially. Give me some drab, downtrodden colors and I'm in my element. I made a knit ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Turkey Day Tunic
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating this very food-centric holiday! When I lived in Japan for a couple of years, a bunch of ex-pats and I would gather together to re-create Thanksgiving with the works: turkey, yams, pumpkin pie. We had to special order all the ingredients and we doused ourselves in nostalgia as we gorged on astronomically expensive Western food - good times. With my mom here this year, we're going Japanese style all the way and noshing on sushi. K isn't the biggest fan of ... Read more
Sewing For Me: Cardi + Knit Infinity Scarf
Well, I have good news and bad news about this week's installment of Sewing for Me, though mostly good. The good: I love this knit cardi pattern. As the envelope promises, this is "sew simple". I used my serger and had a completed project in my hot little hands in less than thirty minutes (once I cut out the pieces - that was a little trickier since the front pieces are ginormous). Even without a serger, it would be a very quick sew. More good: I love the versatility of this cardi. It can be ... Read more