Clik here to view.
McCall's 6503: A Sweet Summer Dress
McCall's 6503 eluded me for many months--possibly years--as I searched faithfully for it in the pattern cabinets of Hancock's and JoAnn Fabrics during every pattern sale. I would spy the cover art and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Look 6097 Wrap Dress with Full Skirt
Here we have a middle-of-the-road outcome: I like it, I'll wear it plenty but I'm not delighted with it.I thought it might be good to revisit New Look 6097, and make some of the fitting changes from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
McCall's 6360: Leopard Leggings
Quick and simple, but somehow critical to my survival: leopard print leggings! I got the idea from the fabulously eclectic The Secondhand Years, who put together an awesome outfit (dang, I envy her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More Leopard: Simplicity 1666 Lisette Peplum Top
It's no coincidence at all that this project uses a leopard print, just like the leopard leggings of a few days ago. When I was searching for leopard print knit at Fabric.com, I was entranced with this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tip: Sewing Machine As An Extra Hand
The other day I was contemplating the (frequent) need to rip out a sewn seam, and I was thinking gratefully of my friend Gretchen and the trick she showed me. Actually, she didn't so much show me, as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yet Another Wrap Dress: New Look 6097 Again
Apparently, someone didn't get the memo that wrap dresses and border prints have had their moment, and it has passed.In my defense, though, this fabric was very inexpensive from FabricMart (it's a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spot of Bother: Simplicity 2174 Dress
My mother recently gave me this hat. Â Sadly, I doubt I will have too many occasions to wear the dress and the hat together. That's what blogs are for, I guess--showing off one's hats!Oh, I did wrestle...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making a Shift: Vintage Simplicity 7477
Ragtime Vintage Clothing in Asheville is a favorite shop of mine. When I'm lucky enough to have a chance to pop in, I usually find at least one thing that I didn't know I was looking for until just...
View ArticleClik here to view.
1940's Short Sleeved Blouse: DuBarry 5265
Have you noticed how many cute 40's-style blouses have been popping up on the blogs lately? There have been bunches, and that made me ask myself why I didn't have more of them. The few I have made all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ruffly Britches: White Linen Bloomers
I've evangelized about the raptures of bloomers before. What with summer and all, I felt a need for a ruffled white linen pair.Good for puttering around the weed-filled tangle I call my garden in a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Simplicity 1694: A Collared Shirt with Volume
I was extra anxious to take pictures of my latest project for the blog...so that I could see whether I liked it or not! In the mirror, I couldn't tell: nice or awful? The big surprise is that I like...
View ArticleClik here to view.
End of Summer Dress: Butterick 4788 Maggy London
Late summer in Asheville has involved lots of rain, a bored teenager and a good many sewing projects, not all successful.Somehow I found myself working on three black garments, one after another! It...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Colette Parfait...in Leopard
So, this is one of those blast-from-the-past, long-completed-but-never-blogged projects. I was thinking about this dress as I was making a whole new thing, a mashup of the Colette Ceylon, Colette...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Altering for Narrow Chest and Butterick See & Sew 5203 Tunic
I've often mentioned being narrow in the shoulders and upper chest, and some commenters have asked me to elaborate on my method for altering for this issue. Big disclaimer: what I am describing today...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three-Pattern-Mashup Dress
My version of Colette's Ceylon has been a long time coming. It's one of those patterns that I ordered immediately upon its publication (three or more years ago?), and that I subsequently developed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Butterick 5244 Tunic
One of those garments that...I like, but not on me. Also one of those garments that...I'll probably wear often, despite my reservations.This project started with the fabric, a poly sweater knit print...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On Trend for 1997: New Look 6149
Mixed lace and knit pullovers are apparently very "on trend" just now. Generally I prefer to stay "off trend" if at all possible--and very successful I am at it, too. In this case, however, I suppose...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Swinging Amish Halloween Couples Get-up
Congratulations to us! My husband and I won the Halloween costume contest at our local swing dance organization's Halloween dance last night!My philosophy about Halloween: I don't like it. I resent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Butterick 5727 Fur Collar
Here's a small project that nonetheless represents a fair amount of time and trouble. Just cleaning up the mess from any faux fur project takes time.It is rather retro and romantic, for all that.Even...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Knit Dress + Tights = Comfort and Happiness
New goal: reduce the number of items congregating around my waist in winter clothing. On a cold day, a jeans-and-top type of outfit could include pants, long underwear, underwear, undershirt and...
View Article