TL; DR – I so needed a woven version of the Kielo dress. I love this dress. Y’all know how much I love the Kielo wrap dress pattern. And when Named Patterns came out with the Lilja dress pattern (which can also be a pinafore or shirt), I jumped on it. And when I found…
Pattern Review: MVP BD Shirt by Forest & Thread
TL; DR – So. Many. Yokes! And I love being able to rescue a garment to make another garment. I tested the extended sizing for the MVP BD Shirt by Forest & Thread. I repurposed a Liberty of London cotton from the Mitchell Dress I made a few years ago but didn’t fit me anymore….
Jasmine Skirt, Take 2
TL; DR – Still a winner. Look at this fabric. I know you don’t know my daughter, but this fabric just SCREAMS her aesthetic. And she wanted another tiered skirt with it. She even cut the fabric for me while I worked on another project. She loves it, it looks great on her, and, well,…
Patter Review: Hanbok Dress by Sewing Therapy
TL; DR – Finally found a wrap dress that didn’t work for me. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for you. I had the pleasure of testing the Hanbok Dress from Sewing Therapy. I used this deep, heavy silk that I got from our local buy-nothing group (I still have like 10yrds of it). I was…
Free Pattern Review: Jasmine Skirt from Georgette Patterns
TL; DR – You don’t really need a pattern for a tiered skirt, but it helped me, and this one is great. So I was wandering around Joann’s while the daughter went crazy two stores over at Micheal’s with all of the witchy, Halloween dropping and I came across this fabric. This fabric is EXACTLY…
Pattern Review: Tyra Tank by Tammy Handmade
TL; DR – THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO DO A KNIT V-NECK I was invited to test this super-simple tank pattern. I love it. It was perfect for this cute knit I got. The tutorial for doing the V-neck finishing is GENIUS. I’m not going to spoil it. Anyway, I have a cute tank…
Pattern Review: Alma Jean Dress and Blouse by Artifact Patterns
TL; DR – Don’t I look like a party? A+, no notes. I jumped at the chance to test this lovely dress pattern, Alma Jean by Artifact Patterns, when it came across my instagram feed (oh hey, I have a dedicated sewing insta account now – give it a follow!). It was the perfect dress…
Aida Dress, Take 3
TL; DR – Interfacing is still hard. I got this floral knit on sale from Girl Charlee (an amazing place for knit fabric) mid-summer, but when it showed up it was a little heavy for summer weight. So, I made a transitional Aida dress out of it. The one complaint about the first Aida knit…
Pattern Review: Madison Blouse by Foxy Patterns
TL; DR – I feel pretty, oh so pretty! And, the best tester community experience, ever. The Madison blouse is another pattern I was invited to test by a new indie pattern company, Foxy Patterns. I got this dainty vintage floral print on my local buy-nothing group, and I thought it would be perfect for…
Zadie Jumpsuit, Take 5
TL; DR – If I slow down just a little and take my time, I can get this pattern cut and sewn in an afternoon. I have had this fabric for ages; I don’t even remember where I got it. And, I’ve been wanting to do a Zadie jumpsuit with a print for a while….
Pattern Review: Cameron Wrap Dress from Sycamore Road Patterns
TL; DR – I still needs to figure out interfacing, symbols or letters for pattern sizes rule, and GIANT SLEEVES. I had the pleasure of being a tester for the Cameron Wrap Dress by Sycamore Road Patterns. I missed the deadline to get feedback in because I got stuck in Atlanta on my way home…
Pattern Review: Autumn Dress by Style Arc
TL; DR – DO NOT DO THIS PATTERN IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER. ALSO, LINEN SHEETS ARE ROUGH TO SEW WITH. My mom asked me a while ago to find a pattern and make her a dress that looks like this: So I asked in the The Foldline Facebook group, and was recommended to find…
Pattern Review: Olivia Button-Up from Sycamore Road Patterns
TL; DR – LOOK AT ME EMBRACING A TREND Another tester patter. I’ve been hesitant to try the oversized shirt trend, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. I made the Olivia shirt by Sycamore Road Patterns out of some sheets, and it turned out fantastic! The construction of the yoke/collar was…
Pattern Review: Vera Dress by Ploen Patterns
TL; DR – Pattern testing is fun! Sometimes you need a bottom ruffle Another pattern I tested: the new extended sizes for the Vera dress and top from Ploen Patterns. I really love testing patterns when the pattern designer is working to extend the size-range because I want to support these efforts. I made the…
Pattern Review: Naya T-Shirt from Tammy Handmade
TL; DR – Stretch stitches are my nemesis, this pattern is great! I’ve been neglectful at posting pattern review for patterns I’ve been tester for, so I’m clearing out the backlog. I tested the Naya t-shirt pattern from Tammy Handmade, a straightforward knit top pattern that was easy to make and looks amazing. Except for…
Pattern Review: The Asteria Dress from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – This is a lot of dress, but what a lovely pattern it is! I’ve been sitting on this one for a while. I was a tester for the new extended size range for the Asteria Dress from Jennifer Lauren Handmade. I have to say that I was really excited to test this…
Ludlow Jumpsuit, Take 2
TL; DR – OMG THIS JUMPSUIT IS STRAIGHT FIRE, do not get cocky, check that you sewed it correctly before “serging”. I bought two fabrics when I went to Mood Fabrics in NYC, and this one is the second. Pink is ALL the rage right now (BARBIECORE, BABY!), but plain pink fabric did not fit…
Garment 100-ish: Aida Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – This pattern works well with stable knits, I’ve lost count of how many garments I’ve made, Mood Fabrics in NYC is EVERYTHING. A few weeks ago, I got to go to New York City for work. And I was within reasonable walking distance to Mood Fabrics. So of COURSE I had to…
Zadie Jumpsuit, Take 4
TL; DR – I LOVE THIS PATTERN I reprinted the Zadie jumpsuit in a size that is more reflective of my current body. I am so thankful that I can still wear my old ones with a tank top underneath, but I wanted to see how one that fit…would fit. This is a chambray sheet…
Free Pattern Review: Aida from La Maison Victor
TL; DR – Woo for v-necks that actually cover things up, don’t get complacent about shirring. I got this African wax print (which isn’t actually African, it’s Dutch, because colonialism – learn all about it) a while ago and have been waiting for the right pattern to use it, and settled on Aida from La…
Free Pattern Review: Crisa from La Maison Victor
TL; DR – Either I don’t understand French as well as I thought I did or I still can’t read sewing illustrations all that well. Probably both. I was browsing through my collected list of free sewing pattern resources and noticed that suddenly, there were a lot of patterns by La Maison Victor that were…
Rosalie Shirt Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – I LOVE THIS DRESS. I don’t know how long I’ve had this adorable cherry blossom print. It’s from a Danish fabric company which is probably why I jumped on it (Skalllerup is Danish). I thought it would be adorable as a Rosalie Shirt Dress, and I wasn’t mistaken. I did the pockets…
Léonie Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – I love this pattern. It’s another make from a Marimekko shower curtain! I made this one shorter than the first Léonie dress I made, and instead of making the back out of just one piece, I made it out of two pieces to take into consideration the dimensions of the shower curtain….
Free Pattern Review: The Rosalie Shirt Dress from Mood Fabrics
TL; DR – Can a pattern be a simple beginner pattern and super-tricky at the same time? YES IT CAN APPARENTLY. I’ve been wanting a one-piece (ie – not a separate bodice and skirt) shirt dress that flairs out FOREVER. When Mood put out their Rosalie Shirt Dress pattern, I downloaded it right away and…
Atlas Wrap Dress, Take 3
TL; DR – I have a broad back! Clever patterns can be really challenging to modify! When I made my second Atlas Wrap Dress, as fantastic as it looks, I didn’t particularly like the fit. And, as I am coming to terms with my new measurements, I realized that I probably needed a different size….
Pattern Review: The Ludlow Jumpsuit from Sewing and the City
TL; DR – Thank goodness for 5/8″ seem allowances, I finally understand how to use the stitch-in-the-ditch foot, long live heavy dark lines and large fonts! I cut the fabric for this jumpsuit out a year ago, before I realized my body had changed. As soon as I saw the style of the Ludlow Jumpsuit…
Mary Quant Mini-Dress, Take 6, for #sewfrugal23
TL; DR – This works fantastic with a stable knit, maybe reprinting it in a larger size isn’t so bad after all Last year I made 10 dresses in the month of March for #sewfrugal22. This year, I barely made one. Two, I guess, if you count adding fabric strips to last year’s Mary Quant…
Letting Go
I just recycled a whole bunch of patterns that I had printed and assembled that are no longer the right size. I also cleaned out my closet of all the garments I have made that don’t fit anymore either. I’m planing on listing them in our local buy-nothing group and hope someone enjoys them as…
Atlas Wrap Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – That went better the second time but still managed to be weird? Have you seen some of the dresses on H&M lately? Don’t you find they look a little (A LOT) like an Atlas Wrap Dress? For example: I was like, I finally don’t have to HUNT for a pattern to match…
Pattern Review: Akinori Dress from Wardrobe By Me
TL; DR – I might be getting the hang of this sewing thing, and doesn’t this dress look AMAZING?!?!? I have followed Katie Kortman on Instagram for a while now, and have always loved her colorful patterns and fabrics. As Fabric.com was being subsumed by Amazon (which, UGH, but also I don’t get those FLASH…
Yet ANOTHER Kielo Wrap Dress
TL; DR I don’t really have much left to say about this pattern. Maybe next time I try the jumpsuit version. It’s almost March, and I’m only just now finally making my first garment of 2023. I had so many plans to try new patterns, use some amazing fabric I’ve accumulated, do more dopamine dressing……
Pattern Review: Heart and Soul Dress from Ellie and Mac
TL; DR – Stretch velvet is pain to sew, why does my size keep changing? This was my last make of 2022. And while that was six weeks ago, I’m back-dating this post so that history knows when I actually made this dress instead of when I finally got around to writing about it. I…
Kielo Wrap Dress, Take 7
TL; DR – How is it I can still make a mistake on the seventh time through? I had this black sweatshirt fabric, it’s getting cold, and I still need dresses that feel like warm hugs. So I made another Kielo dress. And somehow messed up the sleeves? The directions for the dress say to…
Kalle Shirtdress, Take 3
TL; DR – I did this in one afternoon! I love the Kalle shirtdress pattern. And I love making dresses out of Marimekko shower curtains and sheets. I got this new shower curtain on clearance for Black Friday sales, but was wondering what I could do with the GIANT CIRCLES. I hadn’t made a Kalle…
Pattern Review: Léonie Dress from Liam Patterns
TL; DR – I needed a lot of Dopamine Dressing, why can’t I remember that seam allowances matter, and finally learn TO REINFORCE THE NECKLINE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. I had long admired the fabric by Julia Allisson Cost, and I got a gift card to buy some for my birthday. I settled on…
Pattern Review: Staycation Dress from Ellie and Mac Patterns
TL; DR – It’s…fine. When I was in my OMG I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING ORANGE phase I picked up this jersey fabric. I wanted to make a tiered dress out of it, and while I wanted to make the free Laurel dress from Styla Patterns, it turned out the bodice was lined and I…
Pattern Review: Isca Dress by Marilla Walker
TL; DR – [insert multiple swear words here]. Some days I really hate being neurodivergent. Y’all know, if you’ve been following my sewing journey, that I love a good a) wrap dress and b) shirt dress. The Atlas wrap dress is kinda a platonic ideal for me, but when I saw the Isca Dress by…
Kielo Wrap Dress, Take 6
TL; DR – OMG THIS DRESS IS THE BEST. Look, this is my 6th (!!!!) Kielo wrap dress. I don’t even remember all of the Kielo’s I’ve made at this point. I’ve made winter ones, and summer ones, and transition ones, but I haven’t made a sweater one. And now I have. I got this…
Free Pattern Review for #sewingcpd2022: Veronika Skirt from Megan Nielsen
TL; DR – I should make skirts more often. October is #sewingcpd2022, or Sewing Curvy Pattern Database 2022. The Curvy Pattern Database was started by Sarah (aka @curvysewingdatabase on Instagram) and it is a database of size-inclusive sewing pattern designers, meaning they have sewing patterns available for those with a 60″ hips or higher. Anyway,…
Free Pattern Review: Jersey Days Dress from Love Sewing
TL; DR – Shirring isn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. Use stay tape. Orange was, like, *the* color this summer, and in true ADHD fashion, when I realized I didn’t have any orange, I went nuts and bought a ton of orange fabric (see, for example, ORANGE MOD DRESS), including…
Pattern Review: Atlas Wrap Dress By Masin
TL; DR – Man, it feels good to be sewing again. I like a good, clever pattern. Jebus, how long as it been? As I said in my previous post, I spent all my time this summer printing and putting patterns together. Between changing sizes, a hectic summer of driving my daughter to work, traveling,…
Assembling Patterns
I have 8 patterns that I have recently assembled, printing them out, putting them together, grading, and then cutting out the pieces. I have 10 other ones that I have printed, but haven’t yet assembled. And then one pattern where I have actually cut the fabric but haven’t done anything with. It’s all I’ve had…
Mary Quant Mini-Dress, Take 5
TL; DR – You’d think after four times making the same dress, I’d know what I was doing, but you would be wrong. Anyway, I improvised and it turned out just fine. Also, I finally understand the physics of the burrito method. My kids’ summer swim team’s colors are orange and blue. I bought bright…
Peacock Wrap Dress, Take 5
TL; DR – It’s after Memorial Day, let’s wear white. Uniqlo had their cooling sheets on super-sale a while back, and so I bought a white one, intending to make a dress out of it for summer. So I did. It’s white. It’s slippery. Also, holy crap my hair has gotten long. And, hey, look…
Pattern Review: I AM IRMA from I Am Patterns
TL; DR – Sometimes you just have to consult with a different tutorial and a YouTube video to sew something. I have long loved the I AM PATTERNS look. It’s French, after all. But they are not particularly size-inclusive (also a very French thing). I AM IRMA has SO much ease that I could make…
Mal Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – It’s shockingly hard to cut straight lines on a grid fabric. Look, what can I tell you, when big floofy-poofy dresses fall out of fashion, I don’t know what I’m going to do with these Mal Dresses I’m making, but I’ll have LARGE rectangles of fabric to work with. Gingham is also…
MOAR WRAP DRESSESSSSSSSS
TL; DR – Sometimes you just need to sew something relatively simple in gorgeous prints so that you can use sewing as therapy and finally control something ANYTHING in your life. Excuse the language, but shit’s been shitty around here lately. I hadn’t been sewing, I hadn’t been writing, I was barely making it through…
Pattern Review: Helena Wrap Dress from Just Patterns
TL; DR – Thank goodness for color photograph tutorials, but sometimes it would be nice to see the larger context rather than a close-up. Remember the green dress that inspired my Wildwood Wrap Dress? Yeah, I finally kinda have one! Since my body has changed, and my neurodivergent brain refuses to reprint and retape patterns…
Pattern Review: Tie Tee from The Sew Sew
TL; DR – Fantastic, simple make, size-inclusive, no notes. I am always wary of garments that could potentially show a lot of back. Unlike some, I have to wear a bra (and not the cute, fun kind that looks cute peaking out of a top), and thus am always a little cautious about patterns that…
Zadie Jumpsuit, Take 3
TL; DR – SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA BE EXTRA EXTRA I’ve had this shinny linen fabric that I impulsively bought (twice) from Mood for a long time now. I’ve been wanting to make something extra-special with it, and finally settled on this super-extra Zadie jumpsuit as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. I remember how challenging…
Creating All The Things
This was cross-posted from my regular blog. There are two distinct phases of my memories of my grandmother: before and after her hospitalization. Before she ended up in the hospital and almost died, I remember her as being old and tired. She really wasn’t that old, but she acted old; semi-permanently laying down on in…
Pattern Review: Peacock Wrap Dress from The Sewing Revival
TL; DR – Simple pattern, beautiful silhouette, will make again. After the visual nightmare that was trying to make the wrap dress from Takuto and ultimately giving up, I was on the prowl for a wrap dress that had the bodice and skirt attached. I also have wanted a summery yellow dress because it’s EVERYWHERE….
Pattern Review: Tie Dress from The Maker’s Atelier
TL; DR – LOL I do not look good in the oversized style. I’ve wanted to make a (sigh) pussy bow dress or blouse for a while now, and I’ve long wanted to make something from The Maker’s Atelier. I found this GORGEOUS Liberty viscose fabric on sale, and it was a match made in…
Free Pattern Review: Emma by Tiana’s Closet
TL; DR – Hey, pay attention to your measurements, wearable toiles are fantastic, and maybe I’m finally figuring out how to do a V detail. This isn’t my first make from Tiana’s Closet; I point you to A Giant Comedy of Errors. It wasn’t a fair review, because I didn’t take accurate measurements. Or rather,…
Kielo Wrap Dress, Take 5
TL; DR – Woven is different from knit! Tracing patterns from magazines is HARD! I bought a second-hand Marimekko comforter cover and pillow cases off of eBay. I love the giant flowers and was struggling to find a pattern that worked to not spoil the motif. I initially wanted to try the Freedom wrap dress…
Kielo Wrap Dress, Take 4
TL; DR – A versatile pattern ROCKS! This is my fourth Kielo Wrap Dress from Named Patterns. I had always been enamored with one sample dresses, done in a floral print. When I saw this lovely pastel violet jersey knit from Mood (ON SALE!), I knew that a) I was going to buy it and…
Free Pattern Review: Portia Party Dress by Rebecca Page
TL; DR – I still need to work on V-necks, I should just bite the bullet and learn how to use my serger. This was supposed to be Entry 11 for the #sewfrugal22 challenge, but alas, the last week of March was absolutely awful and I ran out of time. I had been trying to…
Free Pattern Review: M7969 for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – I finally understand the importance of stay-stitching the neckline. Minerva was giving you a digital copy of McCall’s M7969 if you signed up for their newsletter. I really liked the faux-wrap front and the V neckline. I had this gorgeous Liberty print that I thought would make a lovely dress. Folks, I…
Free Pattern Review: Mal Dress from Mood Fabrics for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – I still don’t get sleeves. As soon as I saw this free pattern drop on the Mood Sewciety blog, I knew I had to make the dress, and I knew I was going to use this Nerida Hansen fabric. The Mal dress isn’t zero-waste, but it is minimal waste, which I would…
Free Pattern Review: Allium Dress from Mood Fabrics for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – I still suck at setting sleeves, tiny rolled hems are HARD. I had a dress like this from Victoria Beckham for Target, and I’ve always wanted another one. The Allium Dress from Mood Fabrics is a dead ringer (other than having sleeves) for it (although I could have hacked a sleeveless version)….
Free Pattern Review: Avery by The Fabrics Store for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – I did gathers! Struggling with ease! Still fun! I got a whole bunch of vintage fabric from my local buy-nothing group, including this kinda beige, muslin-type fabric with a lovely floral embroidery at the bottom. It was a narrow fabric, paired with the large motif, it made it hard to know what…
Free Pattern Review: Pleated Summer Dress by In The Folds for Peppermint Magazine #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – LOOK AT ALL THE FLOWERS, still not sure how much ease is the right amount of ease, pleats are fun. EVER MOAR MARIMEKKO! These are the iconic flowers, cut from a king-sized flat sheet. I’ve often waffled back and forth about the (deep breath) Pleated Summer dress by In The Folds for…
Free Pattern Review: Donna from Fabrics Store for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – ARGH, freaking trying to get an elastic through is always harder than you think it should be. Man, I’m sewing up a storm! This is more Marimekko shower curtain, and I was tired of making Mary Quant Mini-Dresses. So I decided to make this lovely and simple Donna dress, free from The…
Mary Quant Mini-Dress, Take 4 for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – MOAR MARIMEKKO SHOWER CURTAIN. I figured out sleeves. I bought a Marimekko shower curtain on super-sale from Belk (which will only resonate with people living in the South). OK, I bought multiple Marimekko shower curtains and bedding on super-sale from Belk, but for this post, it’s the black circle pattern one I…
Mary Quant Mini-Dress, Take 3, for #sewfrugal22
TL;DR – I hacked another pattern and I might never go back to the old way of sewing this dress. I’ve made the (free) Mary Quant mini-dress twice, with mixed results. It seems to do better with structured wovens, rather than more drapey ones. I also still can’t properly sew a zipper. And I was…
Free Pattern Review: Wrap Top from In The Folds/Peppermint Magazine for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR: I can hack patterns now, wrap tops are fun, just like wrap jumpsuits and wrap dresses. I have an aesthetic lol. I found a gorgeous black linen on super-sale online. I thought, ZADIE JUMPSUIT! and ordered the appropriate amount. And then they only sent me one stinking yard (don’t worry – they only…
Free Pattern Review: Laundry Day Tee from Love Notions Patterns for #sewfrugal22
TL; DR – IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST PATTERN DO NO SELECT THE V-NECK OPTION, because other than that, this pattern is easy-peasy…as long as you don’t get cocky and anger the sewing deities, like I did. Y’all know I like a good IG challenge. Every March (apparently) the challenge is to make garments using…
Pattern Review: Sirocco Jumpsuit from Deer and Doe Patterns
TL; DR Pattern matching is ROUGH, knit jumpsuits are secret pajamas, I love it when a pattern company works to be more size-inclusive. When I first started sewing and was looking for much-loved patterns, I found the Sirocco jumpsuit pattern from Deer and Doe. At the time, the pattern didn’t *quite* make it’s way to…
Unstitching
I’ve been busy, lately, taking things apart. I never really got knitting. Years ago, when we were both pregnant, me in my early stages and her in the late stages, one of my oldest friends DRAGGED me to a knitting shop while I was in town visiting. It was UNIMAGINABLE that I was going to…
V8379 Take 4
There’s a reason why I called this project, “The 70s Called, They Want Their Dress Back” in my sewing Airtable. I fell in love with this fabric as soon as I saw it, and knew it had to be a DVF-style wrap dress. For the first time ever, I cut and sewed a complete garment…
Two Months
It’s been two months since I’ve sewed anything. Even longer since I’ve written anything. I meant to sew over the holidays, but ended up sleeping and getting COVID instead. I’m still exhausted. I wanted to write this to a) write something, ANYTHING right now and b) actually document the real progress I have made in…
Kielo Wrap Dress, Take 3
TL; DR – Hey, following directions works. Sometimes you just want to make a simple dress that feels like a warm hug. I’m still struggling with buying fabric online. I thought I was getting a nice stretch corduroy to make myself a pair of pants. Instead I got a SUPER STRETCHY “corduroy” that was more…
V8379, Take 3
TL; DR – HEY, not all knits are the same! A walking foot is a miracle! I figured out how to use a hemming foot! Feeling fancy! I had this shinny red knit ponte that I was struggling to figure out what to do with. And then, it hit me. A HOLIDAY WRAP DRESS! I…
Pattern Review: Georgie Pinafore from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – How is it I can do hidden zippers so easily but continually mess up regular zippers? I didn’t think I’d like a pinafore but here we are, and I am getting more confident and can make adjustments without completely ruining the garment. Full disclosure: I was gifted this pattern in order to…
A Giant Comedy of Errors
TL; DR – Hey, sometimes your measurements change. That’s it. That’s the lesson. It started with a FB ad. I saw this from H&M, loved it, and thought, I’m not paying $50 for that – I can make it! I love the whole collarless wrap jacket-style dress. I have grey fabric, and set out to…
Pattern Review: Gone Rogue Skirt by Forest and Thread
TL; DR – I got this pattern for free as a tester, it’s a challenging skirt that I made more challenging with my fabric choice, but the results are stunning. I saw the call from Forest and Thread for pattern testers as they expand their size range, and now that the pattern is available for…
Pattern Review: Belgravia from Liesl + Co
TL; DR – WHY NO STRETCH STITCH EVER WORK, having a cutting table is still awesome, and you can always do tiled patterns better. Look, I have an aesthetic. One of them is that I love a tie-waist. After the debacle of the Willa dress (which was all on me and not noting that there…
Kalle Shirt, Take 1
TL; DR – You can make a pattern any number of times, and you still learn something. I’ve already reviewed this pattern, so I’m going to indulge in a little bit of storytelling, the kind that drive people nuts on cooking blogs and that drive me nuts on sewing tutorial videos. We were visiting friends…
Free Pattern Review: Big Blue Ikea Bag by Miss Make
TL; DR – Sometimes making something simple for your dog is therapeutic and even though he doesn’t care, you spend the time on finishing. My dog loves bags. If there is a bag, my dog will work his hardest to climb in it and then fall asleep. He is a bag dog. It’s amazing. And…
Pattern Review: Farris Jumpsuit from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – I may actually love jumpsuits, I just may have been too ready to judge drawstring waists harshly, testing patterns in FUN! Now that the Farris Jumpsuit pattern from Jennifer Lauren Handmade has officially been released, I can share my review of the pattern and my adventures in being a PATTERN TESTER. I…
Pattern Review: Harmon Tee from Sew So Different
TL; DR – Dedicated cutting tables are awesome, press your damn fabric before sewing, and stitch-in-the-ditch is hard, yo. I needed something simple to ease me back into sewing, before I plunged into two test patterns that would require grading, etc. I had wanted to make the Harmon Tee from Sew So Different since they…
BEHOLD! The Sewing Room
It’s been a while. As I wrote in the last post (THREE MONTHS AGO), we moved over the summer, and I was supposed to get my own sewing room/office in the basement. On the day we closed, this is what greeted us when we went to check out the basement, MY BASEMENT, during the final…
Elodie Wrap Dress, Take 3
TL; DR – LOL MASSIVE FAIL BUT TIM GUNN WOULD BE PROUD BECAUSE IT WAS A REAL MAKE IT WORK MOMENT. You’d think that by now, the third time, it would be a charm. LOL NOPE. So, I ended up sewing the skirt together wrong, attaching the panels middle-middle-side-side instead of side-middle-middle-side. And I only…
Elodie Wrap Dress, Take 2
TL; DR – I got nothing on this one, the pattern is still great and I learned my lesson to slow down, read (and re-read) the directions. Just look at how adorable this dress is. The facing isn’t quite right on the inside, but I’m not sure what I did differently from the other Elodie…
Zadie Jumpsuit, Take 2
TL; DR – Twill is lovely but SUCH A PAIN NEVER AGAIN, for the love of all things holy read the damn directions, buy a huge role of bias tape you will be grateful. Before I understood the difference between 45″ and 60″ fabric, I bought entirely too much purple twill in order to make…
Mary Quant Mini-Dress, Take 2, or How I Made a Dress Almost For Free
TL; DR – Even quilting cotton can make a great dress, don’t get cocky and read the damn directions. There are lots of places to get fabric. Your local fabric store. Internet fabric shops. Facebook destash groups (OH GOD BE SO CAREFUL). Goodwill (they are usually curtains, but yards of fabric for cheap are yards…
V8379 Take Two
TL; DR – Use clips instead of pins for slippery jersey fabric, sometimes it’s ok to do the steps out of order, oh and stitch length matters! This is my second wrap dress using the classic Vogue Pattern 8379. This time around, I chose not to add a collar and did short sleeves instead of…
Kalle Shirtdress, Take 2
TL; DR – DO NOT GET COMPLACENT, transfer the pattern marking onto the fabric FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. This is my second Kalle shirtdress. I did my first one early in my sewing journey, and it took some time, given all the various skills I had to learn (collar, placket, bias tape hem). This…
Pattern Review: Zadie Jumpsuit from Paper Theory
TL; DR – Different doesn’t always mean hard, I love this pattern so much. I’m not, as my husband says, a jumpsuit person, despite my efforts to the contrary. I asked in one of sewing FB groups what jumpsuit pattern they would recommend for this relatively short, busty, short torso, thick-waisted sewist. They all came…
Pattern Review: Elodie Wrap Dress from Closet Core Patterns
TL; DR – Don’t be afraid to grade between sizes, fabric matters. The Elodie Wrap Dress from Closet Core Patterns in a another pattern that comes up again and again and again when you google “best woven wrap dress patterns”. It goes up to a size 30, the instructions are really well-done, and there is…
Pattern Review: Easy-As-Tie Dress from Sew News
TL; DR – I am a massive sucker for Instagram social sewing challenges, easy patterns are fun. I get sewing challenges almost weekly from The Foldline blog. And I want to do. Every. Single. One. So I did this dress on impulse for #sewtogetherforsummer, where I had to make a summer dress, which means, basically,…
Pattern Review: Sleeveless Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Patterns
TL; DR – Sometimes knits are a pain to sew, sewing machines are temperamental, sometimes you sew when you can control anything else in your life, and it still won’t be something you can control. This is going to one of those posts that people (including me) complain about, where I am going to tell…
Pattern Review: Mitchell Dress from Paddleboat Studios
TL; DR – Don’t fear the floral. I wanted a pattern like the Keilo Dress and Jumpsuit, and I spotted the Mitchell Dress and Jumpsuit Pattern from Paddleboat Studios on someone on Instagram. It was exactly what I was looking for. Being in so many British sewing groups made me envious of all of the…
Free Pattern Review: Rowan Dress from Mood Fabrics
TL; DR – Polyester lining is a pain, the tools you use matter, fun fabrics are fun. Ever since I saw the Rowan Dress on Mood Fabrics, I knew I had to make it. And because of my ADHD, I have trouble seeing a dress in any other form than the one presented to me…
Free Pattern Review: Mary Quant Mini-Dress from Alice & Co.
TL; DR – Practice does make you better, read the instructions before cutting your fabric so you don’t waste fabric, cut fabric when the mood strikes you as it makes it easier to sew later (sometimes much later). This Mary Quant mini-dress comes courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum in the U.K. and Alice…
Free Pattern Review: Whimsical Bow Dress from Fabrics Store
TL; DR – The tools you use matter, and I still can’t quite properly pair a pattern with the correct fabric. It was time. I had done a number of complicated and complex sewing techniques, and now I was ready: I was going to sew something with a zipper, and a hidden one at that….
Pattern Review: Hannah Dress from Victory Patterns
TL; DR – A well-drafted pattern with well-written instructions is worth it’s weight in gold, there’s nothing more frustrating than pattern companies that aren’t size inclusive, why can’t I learn to follow the fabric recommendations, I really enjoy challenging myself. When I found the drapey knit dress, I became obsessed with finding dresses with the…
Free Pattern Review: Augustina Top from The Fabrics Store
TL; DR – Sometimes you have to sew something super-simple in a lovely fabric to get your sewing mojo back in order, know the difference between 60″ and 45″ wide fabric, and why am I still doing facings for my collars when I can be doing a bias tape finish instead. When I got my…
Can’t See the End: Sewing with ADHD
A twitter-story for a few years ago was making the rounds again, on working memory and people with ADHD. I’m terrible at ending my writing. Always have been. I rarely plan out very far, because, well, I have literally no idea what the end “looks” like, but I have been writing for so long, that…
Product Review: Mood 10lbs Mystery Box
My dad got me a gift card from Mood Fabrics for Christmas, and then Instagram served me up some choice algorithmic advertisement featuring the 10lbs Mystery Fabric Box from them. I love a good mystery box, and since gift-giving holidays no longer contain any surprises for me, I thought I’d surprise myself a little with…
Pattern Review: Wildwood Wrap Dress from Sew House Seven
TL; DR – Sometimes wovens are not, in fact, easier then knits, collars remain a challenge, and if there is a video tutorial/sew-a-long WATCH IT. It started when I saw this dress from a Chinese knock-off place that was algorithmically fed to me on my FB: Anyway, it was dirt cheap but even the 3XL…
On Sewing
This post originally appeared on my main blog. I should be writing. I have a book to write. I have multiple books to write and to edit. But instead, the time and energy I usually spend thinking about my writing and then writing is now spent thinking about sewing (what I am going to sew,…
#BHMPatternDesigners Pattern Review: Anna from Style Sew Me
TL; DR – Support Black pattern designers, this pattern is awesome, but neck and collar facings still SUCK. I’ve leaned in heavily to this whole sewing thing. I’ve started listening to the podcast Stitch, Please and it has been a delight. I’ve bough pattern weights from Thanks! I Made Them! which are gorgeous and amazing….
Free Pattern Review: The Meadow Jumpsuit by Mood Fabrics
TL; DR – The machine you use MATTERS, and I might have to accept that I’m not a jumpsuit person. I love jumpsuits. Except I have a big chest, a short torso, and I am a little on the short side (AVERAGE HEIGHT I SHOULD SAY). So…jumpsuits don’t always love me back. I saw the…
Pattern Review: Axel Curve Skirt by Megan Nielsen
TL; DR – Check the damn stretch of your fabric before cutting out all the pieces. I call this one my “Aimée skirt” because she has been posting her pandemic fashion on her instagram, and one day she posted one of her in a windowpane checked asymmetrical skirt and HAD TO HAVE ONE. I found…
Pattern Review: Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Patterns
TL; DR – This pattern is a cult classic for a reason: it is awesome. The weather turned cold in late January 2021. I still wore dresses to “work”, learning early in the pandemic that I needed to still put on work clothes (and then take them off at the end of the day) to…
Pattern Review: V8379 by Vogue Patterns
TL; DR – Sometimes commercial patterns are really, really good. I wanted a classic DVF 70’s style wrap dress. Wrap dresses have been a bit of a fit issue for me, with a large chest and a short torso. This Vogue Pattern is a CLASSIC – everyone knows about it, and when you say “wrap…
Free Pattern Review: Hazel Coat by Mood Fabrics
TL; DR – Learn how to do finished garment measurements when you aren’t provided them. Using a lighter fabric for the outer coat and a heavier fabric for the lining is a recipe for disaster. I wanted a coat that I could wear in a open field and imagine myself on the cover of Taylor…
Pattern Review: Indira by Fibre Mood
TL; DR – Sometimes the pattern directions make assumptions about your knowledge, in-seem pockets are harder than you think, and I still haven’t found a good tutorial for them. Choose the right needle for your project. I wanted a shirtdress with brushstrokes. I found the fabric at Mood, and got the Indira pattern from Fibre…
Getting Organized
I am starting to get serious about sewing, about buying patterns, about hoarding fabric. Because of the pandemic, our bedroom is also my office, is also our workout space, is also my sewing space. When it’s time to sew, I pull out two old TV dinner tables that used to belong to my grandparents, set…
Pattern Review: Pukeko Pants by The Sewing Revial
TL; DR – Not enough fabric to make a full toile or muslin? Just make the waistband. Pants terrified me. I hate buying pants, and I’m not such a big fan of wearing them, either, hence the dresses. I heard good things about the Pukeko Pants by The Sewing Revival. Behold the wide waist band!…
Pattern Review: Kalle Shirtdress by Closet Core Patterns
TL;DR – FOR THE LOVE OF GOD JUST SHOW ME HOW TO DO THE DAMN THING I AM WATCHING THIS VIDEO TO LEARN. I love a good shirtdress. I found an amazing burgundy pinstripe shirting fabric. And I then I found the Kalle Shirtdress and Shirt pattern from Closet Core Patterns. With it came a…
Pattern Review: Willa by Fibre Mood
TL; DR – READ THE DAMN INSTRUCTIONS, seam allowances matter, fabric choice matters, and sometimes you can mark everything and it still ends up weird. Readers, I’ll fully admit, I got cocky with this one. I love love loved the wrap look of the Willa Dress from Fibre Mood. I didn’t read the instructions carefully…
Free Pattern Review: Drapey Knit Dress from Sew Magazine
TL; DR – Transfer each and every pattern marking onto the fabric, the fabric you choose matters, and pay attention to your finishes, even if you are tired and frustrated and just want to be done with it. The Drapey Knit Dress turned up in many of my “best free dress patterns” searches, and I…
Free Pattern Review: Copen Dress by Made to Sew
TL; DR – Great free beginner pattern but not very size-inclusive, neck facing is a pain in the ass, it’s easier to fix too big than too small, and make sure you have a stretch needle – beware, those fuckers can pierce your thumbnail, which will cause the needle to snap in half. What’s the…
The Geneva, Pt. 1, 2, and 3
TL; DR: Learn your machine, pay attention to seam allowances, stretch fabric can be a pain, band neckline finishes are amazing, and don’t throw out “scrap” fabric when you’re mad. My favorite dress is the Geneva Dress, by Universal Standard. A friend who sews drafted a pattern for it for me. I bought my first…
Baby Steps
This post originally appeared on my main blog. I’ve started sewing. Like, really sewing. Like, downloading a whole bunch of patterns of the Internet sewing. Like longingly browsing through the pages of Mood online sewing. Like braving a pandemic to head to a local fabric store (who were very kind but enforced very strict social…
