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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

To be Shiny

November 5, 2014

Last week, when I shared the Hudson pants, I was surprised by the number of people who commented on how harsh I was being about my (let's face it), um, strong calves and other body parts. Of course, I appreciated how kind and encouraging the commenters were being, so I've done some thinking about that since then, prompted also by a conversation I had with K a few days ago. Here's how the conversation went: K: Mama, when you were a kid, did you have certain characteristics that you thought you ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration • by sanae • 29 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 31, 2014

Happy Friday! I'm dragging my feet on the girl-transforming-into-werewolf costume for K and my pleas for her to wear the ninja costume tonight are falling on deaf ears. I obviously need to re-evaluate who's the boss here. ************************* A random comment on the age-old game of tag by K: I'm not that into being "it" these days. I'm totally over it. ************************* Alright, I better see if I can muster the energy to focus on assembling faux fur...Have a great ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 4 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 24, 2014

Happy Friday! This little illustration is totally random, but these little kimono girls make me happy. I hope you've had a wonderful week, and are gearing up for a fun weekend. I'm keeping it sweet and short today since a certain 8-year-old wants me to sew up a rather involved Halloween costume. ************************************* K on adolescence: Mama, I hope I'm the kind of teenager that likes her parents...I hear teenagers are really ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration • by sanae • 12 Comments

Third Grade!

September 3, 2014

Today is the day. "I'm so nervous and excited, Mommy," K has been telling me every few hours for the last week. Third grade! Somehow, this seems major in a way even kindergarten wasn't. Time is stampeding away, and I am helpless and doddering in its wake. But the start of school brings with it the sensation of a fresh sojourn, renewed energy and extra time. I for one, could use all three. I made a dress. And last night I furiously worked on a cardigan she requested, because the weather's ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 18 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

August 22, 2014

Happy Friday! It can't possibly less than two weeks until school starts for K. I have no recollection of the last month, and more to the point, I don't know if I can sew up a new backpack/school bag for K for third grade in the remaining time. When I sat her down and told her that we might have to go BUY one, she was crushed. "But what about last year's??" she asked. Apparently, the Oliver + S messenger bag I made last year was a huge hit amongst her classmates, and she loved telling everyone ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration • by sanae • 12 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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