K often runs up to me to show me something she's made: a song, a story, a drawing. "Are you proud of me?" she asks. I ask back, "Are you proud of you?" As someone who grew up needing a lot of external validation and knowing how hard and fickle and endlessly dissatisfying that can be, I do what I can to plant little seeds of self-approval in my little girl. I like to watch her glow, nod, and say, yes, yes I am. I'm so proud of me. I might be naive to think that this will instill a lifelong ... Read more
McCall 7199 – Asymmetrical Zip Outerwear
I think my body might be shrinking. Or not. Maybe I'm not understanding what "moderate stretch knits" are, since I didn't think the fabric I used was crazy stretchy. This is what the envelope image of McCall 7199 view A looks like: This is how it looks on me: I cut the size 12 and made no mods other than making the hem slightly longer to account for my generous torso length (I folded up 3/8" instead of 1"). I actually like the loose fit, but it might have been a good idea to go ... Read more
Happy Friday + Randomness
Happy Friday! I've been noticing that I like to go in cycles when it comes to making things. Right now, I'm feeling a huge resurgence of love for sewing and my sketching/painting is taking a back seat. I had a brief fling with knitting and then my enthusiasm waned, but I can tell that I'll want to go back once the sewing bug eases up a bit. Do you find that? Are you the alternating or concurrent type? I used to think I liked to dabble in a variety of crafts at the same time, but lately I want to ... Read more
SVE Prep
I'm "shopping" through my stash, looking for Secret Valentine Exchange inspiration. My partner, like me, favors blues and neutrals and linens, so I've got an abundance of choices. Ute has already completed and shipped her gift!! Isn't she amazing? By the way, if you haven't been following Ute on Instagram, it's a must. She takes breathtaking photos of nature and her projects are impeccably made and presented. I often gasp at the beauty she creates. Totally inspired, I'm plotting and ... Read more
Gingers in Indigo and a Shakespearean Valley Top
So my right calf is slightly bigger than my left calf. These are the things you learn when you make your own clothes. I'm on a sewing roll, and I pumped out not only my second pair of Ginger skinnies, but also the Cali Faye Valley Blouse. It was a good week. Look at me, trying to mix things up with some props: Yes. A little cornball. You can't help but imagine muzak accompanying this. Shall we start with what I'm calling my Shakespearean Valley top? It looks pretty awesome on ... Read more