How do you feel about wearable muslins? It’s a thing in the sewing community to make your first attempt of a garment in a slightly, what? cheaper? less-liked? fabric in case it doesn’t work out. After that first attempt, you’re supposed to work out the fit and construction details and sew it up in the […] Read more…
The Sewing Room
I’m very grateful to have a space in the house I can leave my machines up and ready, that I can dedicate entire pieces of furniture to storing sewing notions and patterns, and that I can call my own even though the door stays open and the dog sleeps under the desk. After two artist […] Read more…
What Styles and Patterns are Best For Women With Scoliosis?
We all want to look good. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, if you’re in a satisfying relationship or looking to date, if you are social or shy. If you won the genetic lottery then it’s easier, I would imagine, but not winning that lottery, or having or not having other physical […] Read more…
Sew Smarter – Lessons Learned From Me-Made-May
It’s June and Me-Made-May is done. MMM, as it’s frequently referred to, is a popular “challenge” among those who make (sewn, knit, crocheted) wearable items. The basic premise is to wear your self-made garments in the month of May but how often and how much is decided by each participant making this not only a welcoming […] Read more…
Me-Made-May 2018 – Slowing Down & Sewing Smarter
And that’s my pledge this year. I’m done with sewing clothes that don’t work for me. And buying patterns when I own more unused patterns than used patterns. It’s time for me to, once again, step back, look at the bigger picture, and think about a few things: What do I want to wear? […] Read more…
Lessons I Learned Teaching Middle-Schoolers Sewing
They say you don’t really know something until you try to teach it. True. Stumbling while I explained to a group of middle school students how to sew was eye-opening. As I taught them, they taught me because sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to point out things you never thought of. 14 […] Read more…
The Heartache of a Broken Sewing Machine
Suddenly I am alone. Not the kind of alone I chose or even anticipated but the shocking, sudden abandonment that came out of the blue and has left me dazed and a little confused. No, my family and friends are all fine. It’s more personal, that only another sewist, like you, would understand. My fairly […] Read more…
Sewing With You: Michelle on Sleep, Empowerment and Sewing her Business
My introduction to Michelle was online, through Stasia’s Style School alumni Facebook group. She was all color; bold, graphic, fun color. It was admiration at first sight. I enjoyed getting to know her better through the group and Instagram but when I found out she sewed I had to talk to her. I strive to […] Read more…
Sewing for Endorphins
Earlier this week my local quilt shop hosted a charity sewing event. I think it was the highlight of my week. It wasn’t that it was a morning sewing with others in a fabric store, no less, which could easily be the highlight of a typical week for me. No, the highlight was what we were doing that […] Read more…
Why I Failed the Me-Made-May Challenge & What I Learned
Me-Made-May is a month long, set your own level, challenge for people to wear their self-made clothing. My Me-Made-May ’17 challenge was to wear one me-made item every day and to mend/alter eight items from my mend/alter pile so I would have more me-mades to wear before the month was out. Well, it wasn’t a complete […] Read more…