Happiness Through Sewing
How many clothes do you have in your closet right now? If you’re typical you would say your closet is too small for all your clothes. Did you know we consume 60% more clothes annually than we did even 10 years ago? It’s the era of disposable clothing. Worn today, trashed tomorrow. When garments […] Read more…
Since I first saw an article about her in Sunset Magazine (in the mid 1990s) I have admired Lotta Jansdotter’s work. So no surprise that I really like her new book, Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style; Key Pieces to Sew. Yes, it has patterns, and yes that’s the first thing I noticed and yes, those nine patterns, for […] Read more…
Pressing as you sew is the key to a good-looking final project. How many times did our professors tell us this? Any time they could. After sewing any seam go to your iron and press that seam in the opposite direction from which it was sewn and then press the seam allowances open if possible. […] Read more…
Why was I, after adjusting a pattern for fit and putting time into my sewing, still ending up with garments that were not quite right? I couldn’t quite figure it out and it didn’t happen every time but it happened enough not to be one bad pattern or one cut off grain fabric. If anything […] Read more…
You Sew Girl! patterns by Nicole Mallalieu are all about teaching you skills while you make something you can be proud of. Although the bulk of You Sew Girl! patterns are for handbags they do offer a few garment patterns and it’s their A-Line Skirt pattern I’m currently in love with. Style details: This A-line skirt […] Read more…
Do you know someone who enjoys sewing? Do you want to give them a gift? Do you want to give them a gift they will use? Do you need some ideas to point you in the right direction? I’ve been sewing (of my own choosing) for many, many years and maybe the things I want are […] Read more…
What I sewed: Wristlet Zipper Purse Pattern found in Bags the Modern Classics by Sue Kim and published by Stash Books Bag sewer and pattern maker Sue Kim of ithinksew.com has been making bags since 2007. She published Bags the Modern Classics in 2011. I recently picked it up used. I liked a few of the […] Read more…
My sewing brain is on summer vacation. It doesn’t want to think hard it just wants to sew. So I’m sewing “easy” patterns which I’m enjoying tremendously. There’s more actual sewing and less puzzle solving. I’m getting garments done and, bonus, they’re wearable. Rachel Comey’s design for Vogue Patterns, V1247, is my latest success. The pattern includes […] Read more…
A bow tie was never something I thought I would make. I’m not against them, they simply aren’t on my radar. Besides, I view ties like undies; garments to be bought at a store. Yet, I’ve just made a bow tie and I liked it. It went so fast and so easy. Recently a friend […] Read more…
It is the middle of Me-Made-May and I seem to be achieving the exact opposite of it’s desired effect. Instead of appreciating the clothing I’ve made by wearing them more often, I’m getting tired of my self made garments because I wear the same few pieces all the time. Someone give me a box store […] Read more…