Happiness Through Sewing
Two years ago I started strength training. As with anything new the gains come quickly in the beginning and then plateaus and even setbacks due to sickness and stress can happen. Recently the coaches have started programing “recovery workouts” for clients to do when they are a little sore but not ill, or their muscles […] Read more…
This version of my back cross apron is more what I was going for. (See my first version of the apron here: “Easy to Make, Back Cross Strap Apron“). It is made of linen but still only a yard of fabric. The drape is so much nicer than the quilting cotton. The basic construction is […] Read more…
The Inspiration I kept seeing different versions of this simple apron but never a pattern. I’m not sure why I want this so much. I like the old world craftsman look it has and I think it will be a good solution to keeping my phone with me while I move about the house. I […] Read more…
Sometimes you need a little gift to give. Maybe it’s for a secret pal, or one more thing to add to a box being sent to a far-away friend, or a little something for a co-worker, or your cousin is bringing his new girlfriend to the family Christmas party (On second thought, give her wine. […] Read more…
Gift-giving happens all year round – birthdays, Mother’s & Father’s Day, and little care packages when the occasion strikes, but this is the time of year I really brainstorm about gift ideas. As a sewer and someone who is a practical person (a recent realization I have had to accept. The tip-off was my preference […] Read more…
Why underline a garment? While lining is sewn as a separate garment and then attached to the fashion garment underlining is basted to the fashion fabric before construction. This method adds body and durability to the garment when the style demands more structure or the fabric needs support due to a loose weave. Underlining can […] Read more…
The Hong Kong finish is a classic seam allowance finish used on garments which have underlining instead of lining. The seam allowance edges are encased in bias tape strips made from the underlining or any lining fabric. You could add a designer touch by using strips in a contrasting color to the garment or […] Read more…
This is my new sewing companion. If I’m in the sewing room he is too. If I’m in the kitchen, so is Basso. If I’m in the office, guess who is curled up under my chair? It seems Basso wants to be certain we aren’t going to leave him. (Basso had been living in a […] Read more…
Marking fabric for darts and pocket placements never installed confidence in me. My marks were never clear. It was like a guessing game half the time where that dart point was exactly. Sometimes marks would be worn off by the time I got to the sewing machine. I found thread tacks a bother. Seriously trivial, […] Read more…
I am distractible by nature. Everything seems to get my attention which really means I’m not putting my attention where I need to. This was happening with my sewing too. I never knew what to project to focus on next. Picking a project became a big deliberation usually settled with impulsively starting a project without […] Read more…