• Home
  • Shop
  • Illustration Portfolio
  • My Books
  • About

Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Baby Shoes – Part 2: Fail, Fail again

October 30, 2013

Few things are as powerfully "awww"-inducing as baby shoes. When I made a pair for my good friend's new baby boy a little while ago, she loved them and I immediately embarked on making girl versions. It's been baby-baby-baby around here and I thought I would be able to whip up a few dozen in a jiffy as potential gifts. That was my first mistake. Whenever I think I can do something quickly, it always takes about a billion times longer. By the time I finished these two pairs, I never wanted to ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 11 Comments

Style

October 29, 2013

If you've been around here for some time, you know that I like to hang out in coffee shops, whiling away the hours contemplating first world problems in my journal. That luxury is less frequent these days, but a few weeks ago, I was indulging in my latte + croissant respite and overheard a conversation that perked my ears right up. Two women were sitting at the table next to me, intently discussing style. More specifically, one of the women had hired the other one to become her personal ... Read more

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

Monday Outfit: A Chic Witch

October 28, 2013

Good morning! What a weekend. K seems to have recovered nicely and it's been a bonanza of parties: a school Halloween-fest, an extra special birthday celebration with her best friend, a grown-up dinner party at a delicious Moroccan restaurant that I joined at the last minute (I could have done without the belly dancer writhing in my face and the water accidentally poured down my lap, but it was fun nonetheless). I also worked on updating this here blog, and though a few nit-picky aspects are ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for K • by sanae • 11 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 25, 2013

Happy Friday! Actually, we've been having a not so happy end of the week. K suddenly fell ill again and at school yesterday, she threw up. I'm feeling like my parenting license (if I had one) should be revoked for sending her to school in the first place. She seems better now, but I'm now on high alert because she seemed fine before the incident. The guilt of "I should have known better!" Sad face. Like the illo ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, life • by sanae • 8 Comments

Sewing for Me: Houndstooth Raglan Dress

October 24, 2013

I sewed from a Japanese pattern book! It feels a bit sacrilegious to be sewing for myself during Kids Clothes Week, but there it is. I'm dead set on getting better at sewing for myself (sizing is still confounding me! Alterations boggle the mind!) and this rigorous weekly schedule is providing much needed practice. The pattern I tried was a very easy one: a short-sleeved shift dress meant to be sewn in wool. I'm not actually certain if this thrifted fabric is indeed wool, but I like the very ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 26 Comments

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address below to get blog posts delivered to your in-box. I'll occasionally include fun digital goodies!

Order My New Book of Illustrated Essays!

Order My Newest Kids’ Book!!

Order My Latest Sewing Book!!

Archives

Categories

I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few day I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few days, wading through my blog and Pinterest board of the clothes I made for K, who is not so little anymore. what a wild, fun time that was! Remember the old school days of sewing blogs?? I’m back in deadline mode for a number of projects so sewing will have to be put on hold (though maybe I’ll get lucky and sneak in some stitching time). I’m also putting Instagram on hold for the summer, as I do every year. I’ll be back in September with some exciting updates! Have a lovely season, my friends! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · Theme by Blog Pixie

© 2026 Sanae Ishida