Every prolific garment maker – you know, the kind who is intent on making her entire wardrobe — should intermittently indulge in sewing small, happy, scrappy, patchworky, projects. My personal take is that it’s advisable to do this, not only for a bit of instant gratification, and a certain euphoric feeling that one gets when… Read More We Occasionally Need to Sew With Abandon
Hi, all! If you read my last post, I touched upon sewing in capsules (i.e. each wardrobe piece coordinates with the other in a group of garments). I can almost see you rolling your eyes — not another boring lecture on capsules! Not boring if you follow color combinations and “stories” in unexpected directions. So,… Read More Sewing Your Entire Closet. The Nitty Gritty 2: Color Stories I’m “Reading”
Okay, friends, I am done with this “capsule” which started as Neon Spring 2020, morphed into Neon Spring/Summer 2020 and ended up as just Neon Capsule 2020. My sewing speed and time is always over estimated. I love this neon capsule! The inspiration At the time it seemed so refreshing after 2019 winter doldrums; little… Read More Neon2020 Wardrobe Capsule: Complete
Comforting a cancer patient is hard during the time of Shelter-in-Place and Social-Distancing orders. Especially when the patient is a cousin with whom one grew up with – who is almost a sister. What could I do for her besides make infrequent calls? Infrequent, because chemotherapy effects can make one weak and disinclined to talk… Read More Caftan (or Kaftan)
Merry Christmas! Making Christmas cookies and the occasional Christmas craft project is my highlight of the holiday. Technically, I do not celebrate, but that has not stopped me from loving all kinds of holiday themed cooking and crafts, and generally getting into the spirit! I try to bake a new holiday cookie each year. In… Read More Delving Into “The Delineator”, Christmas 1930 Number
Happy Independence Day, America! Page 36 of a special publication by Stitch magazine features my “Out & About Wrap” in all its glory. It is super simple to make, and super chic to wear. It works for 21st century women like us. I want to thank the editors for making it look glorious in the pages of “The Unofficial… Read More How Would You Wear This Wrap, Published in “The Unofficial Downton Abbey Sews”?
In the finest American business tradition, McCalls Pattern Company recently proved to me that customers matter. Remember my post about Vogue 9005 and how the draft seemed wrong? Since McCalls Patterns is now active in social media (best business decision ever), I sent a direct Twitter message about said draft and, was thrilled to see an… Read More McCalls Pattern Book, circa 1953
Earth Day is approaching! Time to re-use, re-cycle, re-make and whatever re-something you can do. I’m having a ball creating on-trend wearables by re-styling my own clothing. I made this classic navy jacket as a student in a tailoring class eons ago. You can tell; huge shoulders are divulging it’s age. Because of it’s classic nautical style it just… Read More Classic Navy Jacket Becomes Sleeveless Blazer. OK, Vest.
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