You know that word “free”. So eye-catching. Free patterns are great except when they’re a horribly frustrating waste of your time and fabric. I’ve sworn off free patterns with their unclear instructions, haphazard construction methods and unflattering results. Oh, but this one is different 😉 The Trail Tote pattern by Noodlehead (for Robert Kaufman Fabrics) […] Read more…
Pattern Review: Easy Wristlet Purse by Sue Kim
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…
Making a Purse From a Leather Skirt
My friend, Sheila, always looks great and when complimented her on her clothing she’ll tell you which thrift or consignment store it came from. She has the best of luck at such places but she says it’s not luck; it’s just being there too often. Apparently this must be true because her sisters threw her […] Read more…
How a dress became a skirt and a purse. Part 3: the Purse.
What got me started on this project, or what made this project (turning my mom’s dress into a skirt) jump to the front of the line, is that I really wanted a simple bag for summer. And I really wanted a grey bag. I saw that dress crumbled up in my mending pile and realized […] Read more…
How a Dress Became a Skirt and a Purse. Part 1
Recently my mom was cleaning out her closet and thought I might like a dress she had made in 1982. Maybe I could put it in a consignment store she suggested. It was a simple, straight sheath dress made in a silvery grey raw silk with a boat neck and an interesting detail of a […] Read more…