Having gotten over my reluctance to sew the same patterns as everyone else with the Washi, I enthusiastically jumped into trying yet another highly-acclaimed and popular pattern: the Tova Top. There's so much to rave about this pattern. The pieces are superbly drafted, the instruction are very clear, and other than the inset portion which can get tricky at the corners, it's a very easy top to sew up. This has been on my to-sew list forever and I had high hopes of a perfect fit with little to ... Read more

Today, I give you not one, but two more Washis. I'm officially done done done tweaking the pattern. Not so much because the fit is now perfect, but because I don't know that I can make another Washi at this juncture. Variety is the spice of life and all that. Riding on the high of my alteration success from muslin #2, I wanted to dip into my "nice" fabric to give my changes a test run. This brown knit with white polka dots is one of my prized fabrics, and I clenched my teeth a bit as I ... Read more

I have to warn you that when it comes to sewing for myself, you're probably going to end up seeing the same patterns over and over. I've realized that I really need to work on understanding fit, and I figure this space is the perfect place to document my tweaks because otherwise it will all dribble away from my sieve-like brain. Though I'm afraid it might be somewhat unexciting for you as I go through iteration after iteration, I'm riveted by the whole process. I made quite a few changes to ... Read more

First, a little history. About 10 years ago, a good friend of mine invited me to her wedding, so M and I flew from Seattle to New York for the festivities. The ceremony and reception were both held at a swanky country club in Long Island, and I oohed and aahed at how my friend infused her Indian heritage into the whole event. She was gorgeous in a gold and green sari, and the groom (who was not Indian) looked striking in his kurta-inspired top. For the wedding cake moment, caterers wheeled in at ... Read more

I did it. I've finally become the trillionth person to make a Washi Dress. And friends, I got the buffalo checks to match perfectly on the sides. You know how hard that is for me, and I feel like I need to celebrate. But wait, not too fast. I may have reigned victorious with print-matching for this dress, but I don't think the fit is spot on. Let me preface all this with the fact that Rae's directions are awesome. So clear, so helpful, so easy. The pattern pieces are ingeniously designed ... Read more