Phat Quarters just released the Catalina Tank and Dress--and it has that vibe I've been looking to sew for years (yes...years). I remember snapping a picture years ago of the short turtleneck-like neckline with the tank attached....and thought I'd get around to figuring it out at some point. But that "some point" never came until Phat... Continue Reading →
Girls’ Peplum Top for Cool-to-Spring Transition
Michigan in March can be 20 or 58 ... and likely all in the same day. This is the time of year when we feel the spring colors and get a glimpse of sunshine -- but we still need to stay mostly covered. The New Horizon's Manhattan Peplum (which also includes a dress option) is... Continue Reading →
Stretch Lace Over Cotton Spandex = Dressed-Up Comfort!
Stretch lace is gorgeous on its own! I love how it looks with skin underneath--beautiful and breezy. But with spring around the corner, and the need for layering essentials, I decided I must try a combination with a fabric that almost everyone has on hand: solid cotton spandex. This beautiful blue lace stocks today at... Continue Reading →
52-Week Sewing Challenge: Sewist Spotlight
In 2017, Kelsey Cushing created a beautiful group--and what would become an intentional and incredible meeting space for seamstresses: the 52-Week Sewing Challenge. Each week, Kelsey and her crew posts a new challenge (and all challenges are shared ahead of time within the "files" section of the group). Seamstresses can "accept" the challenge or reject... Continue Reading →
New Year, Healthy Mindset + Sewing
Cheers to a most wonderful new chapter of your life's journey, your life's story...and the calendar's decade! You are here, in the now. And as you contemplate how you'd like to move forward today, new sews and new adventures are probably among your list of hopeful accomplishments for 2020. I've never been one to set... Continue Reading →
Gala Gown Is In Town
Patterns for Pirates just released this year's hot-ticket holiday pattern: the Gala Gown. When I saw this dress go up for testing, I hopped in at the earliest moment. I wanted to see if the low-cut "v" could be flattering on a very small-chested body (the verdict was a resounding yes!), and I was giddy... Continue Reading →
SLPco Holiday Blog Tour 2019
Welcome to the second day of magic at the Simple Life Holiday Blog Tour 2019! The fun continues! I'm so honored to be among the awesome bloggers within the tour; it not only gets me sewing my holiday outfits early (cha-ching!) -- but it also enlivens my feed with such beautiful, festive, and... Continue Reading →
Tawsha Dress as a Top!
The Tawsha Dress from New Horizons Designs is the easiest, cutest A-line dress project! The day before the first day of school, I asked my girls, "Did you want a new dress for your first day?" 🙈 I mean...who would say no? My girls speedily ran to my fabric stash, chose their sparkly unicorns and... Continue Reading →
The Opposite Stripe Dress – PDF Sewing for Girls
Oh how I love the opposite stripe look -- with horizontals on top and verticals on the bottom. 😍 It's fun, and fresh, and modern...and the stripes totally create the look. I recently made myself a dress for my husband's immigration ceremony with this concept in mind and wanted to re-create the look for my daughter when... Continue Reading →
Sew What You Love
As an avid seamstress, tester, designer, promoter (etc. etc.) over the last 8 years, I started to sink into a bit of the at-home, fast-fashion mindset. Even though I wasn't promoting a large box store of exploited seamstresses, I was a bit exploited...and sewing for something ... I'm not sure quite what -- to be... Continue Reading →