Happy Fourth of July! Are you getting the urge to sew something – anything – this summer? Heed these words from an old sewing book I own: “…. a seamstress will sew with the urgency with which an artist paints…” In my last blog post, I mentioned that another blog post will be unlikely to… Read More The Urge to Sew … There’s No Stopping It
If you have to haul your dirty clothes to the laundry, I suggest you haul them in great style. I made this pillowcase-style laundry bag for my daughter who was probably just requesting a utilitarian sack to carry her dry cleanables to the corner laundry in New York. No fun. Trust Mama to turn… Read More Published! Stylish Laundry Bag – and Another Version With #Grommets
Dear readers, I’ve been away from sewing, and posting on this blog for a long time. You see, I was occupied with saying goodbye to my Mother. She was the last member of the previous generation in my immediate family. Much as I did my best to keep her comfortable, it pained me to see her decline;… Read More A Generation Passes…. and New Ones Begin
Altering: taking apart a whole or part of a garment, making adjustments and sewing it back together in the same style to make it fit better. Millions of American women can sew (30 million is the word on the street) – but its safe to assume that most of them hate to make fit alterations… Read More 5 Shades of Re-Fashioning
A recent dive into my fabric and pattern stash turned up this blouse pattern designed by the fabulous Peggy Sagers owner of Silhouette Patterns, plus some red pleated fabric purchased together, waiting patiently for me to re-discover them. This duo goes back to the turn of the 21st century – 14-15 years ago. Yep, the new pattern envelope has… Read More Pleated Top
Dear Readers, did you ever read the fascinating history of Coats and Clarks‘ 200 year timeline back in 2012? You must! I love it when centuries old established companies live in the 21st century – so of course, Coats and Clark has a sewing blog called Sewing Secrets with awesome content. No, this is not an… Read More Frills & Fancies: #CoatsandClark Leaflet, 1934. Vintage, Easy, Fun and Impractical
I am a fan of Claire McCardell, the post WWII designer who is said to have “invented” modern American Sportswear as we know it today. Her designs are classic & utterly wearable today. As well, they have a unique quality which makes them intriguing. Therefore I am beholden to Julie Eilber of jetsetsewing.com for adapting this tube-like wrap by Claire McCardell. You… Read More #McCardell inspired Wrap
Hi readers! This post features an item I made 2 years ago, and about which I wrote a couple of blog posts for the American Sewing Guild, where I was employed at the time. You can find the posts here and here. The original collar was featured in “Gifts You Can Make Yourself”, a book from the… Read More Vintage Lace Collar
Merry Christmas to all readers who celebrate! For your sewing enjoyment, I am directing you today to a post I wrote for the online magazine MasalaMommas. I hope you enjoy it. The inspiration for this project is Angelina Jolie’s bridal veil; for those of us not paying much attention to Ms. Jolie, her veil was… Read More Child Art Embroidered on Tulle Scarf
I’ve learned a lot of sewing lessons from Sandra Betzina through classes, videos and books. With her Today’s Fit line of Vogue patterns, the guide sheets capture the essence of Sandra. It’s as if she’s talking to me personally. Like, urging you to take your “honest” waist measurement; my favorite piece of advice was Sandra’s suggestion for those of… Read More Pants Sewn: Vogue 1411 – Keeper Pattern
