Happy Fourth of July! We're celebrating with our neighbors as is our annual tradition and I can't wait to watch the fireworks. The city closes down certain streets in our neighborhood for fireworks-viewing and throngs of people spread blankets on the road and settle in to watch the sky show held above the lake. That exciting, mildly illicit feeling of getting away with something courses through us when we sit smack dab in the middle of the ... Read more
Sewing for Me: McCall’s 6751
Ikat. Something happens to me when the temperature rises, and I long to wear ikat. That's a pretty nifty back, right? Can I just tell you that I continuously bias bound the entire top portion all the way around the neckline and the cross over straps and arm holes, and I believe that bias tape was at least 6 feet long? It was taller than me, at any rate (I'm 5'4"). From the front, it looks like a plain ole tank, made in a lovely chevron-patterned ikat that I got from here ages ago: I'm ... Read more
Sewing Plans for K
Now that both K's and my wardrobes are entirely DIY'd (incidentally, am I the only one who has trouble saying DIY aloud? I always want to pronounce it "Dee-Ee-Why"), I find myself sketching a lot of potential sewing projects. I deviate from my plans more often than not, especially with K's stuff, but it's helpful to consider the holes in her wardrobe so that I'm not spending time on yet another linen dress that will never see the light of day. What she needs are shorts, and lots of them. All ... Read more
Summer Reading List
I've always had an insatiable appetite for reading, but up until the third grade, I only read Japanese comic books outside of school assignments. Japanese was my first language, and I learned to read it when I was itty bitty thanks to my mom's ardent training. She made these crazy felt animal letter books and a giant phonetic sound board -- under my mother's tutelage, learning Japanese was a lot of fun. In fact, even though I was born in the heart of L.A., I had very little command of the ... Read more
Monday Outfit: Scraps Tank + Matcha Shorts
Good morning! At last, I have something made from scratch that's K-sized to share -- it was getting to the point where even K was starting to wonder when I was going to make clothes for her again. Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention that K made that necklace with fake pearl buttons and a bell, and is so very pleased. I think she might be starting a trend. A bonafide Monday Outfit this week: I wanted to sew from this knits-based book, and I was specifically looking for an A-line tank. It would ... Read more