My Little Mermaid

Though I haven't been able to make much time to sew lately, I was very motivated to make my two-year-old daughter a mermaid costume for Halloween this year. I can't remember now whether the idea for the mermaid costume came from her or me. But, as soon as it was out there, I couldn't let it go. I found myself excitedly scouring Mood Fabrics…

The Purple Safari Dress

Well, here it is. The second McCall's M4758 that was promised in my last post. I kept with the theme of cute animal print for the skirt but found a little bit more interesting print to use as the bodice, both from Mood. I completed the dress with the perfect trim and buttons from FineFabrics.com.  If you didn't catch…

Battling a Pregnancy-Induced Sewing Slump with a Gold Linen Skirt

I blame the pregnancy. Both last pregnancy and this pregnancy I've felt a noticeable slump in my creativity. Last time I was able to channel what little creative and DIY energy I could find into just two things: my science and my sewing. Everything else just kind of got left behind. At the time I…

Lessons Learned Working with a Border Print

Hi friends! First things first, that little bit of belly you see above is indeed a baby bump. The little one is due in August, which means I'm about half way through this pregnancy. My husband and I are in a race to see which will come first - the new baby or the finished kitchen.…

Nina Cardigan Done Right

While winter is definitely not over here in Seattle, we are finally getting our first hints that it's on its way out. Our crocuses have come up, and our daffodils are not far behind. The days are in the 50s (Fahrenheit, obviously!) with a bit more sun than in December and January. To celebrate, I wanted to make a…

An A-Line Skirt in an Oscar de la Renta Woven

I know for a fact that my first finished garment of 2016 is going to become a very well-loved skirt, but making it was a lesson in how I should always get used to a new-to-me fabric by practicing techniques on scraps before venturing into the real deal. A lesson that, of course, I didn't…

When Mathilda Met Georgia, Farrah, and Meryl: A New Favorite Dress

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Mathilda-Georgia-Farrah-Meryl dress.  Too many names for you? I agree. But, that seems to be the way of it these days - names for patterns, names for fabric, names for sewing machines. Next up we'll have names for our presser feet! Won't that be confusing?! The Mathilda…

Happy Halloween from a Darling Little Duck!

Happy Halloween everyone! It's my daughter's second Halloween, and I just had to make her another costume. While she was the cutest little black kitten last year and I'd happily have her be a cat every year (because cats and sewing go hand in hand!), I decided to make her into a darling little duck this year. Why…

Sewing for the Season: Rosy Fall Cowl

I promised earlier this week that I was going to post something in "Cashmere Rose". Well, here it is! My new Renfrew cowl! From what I can tell, this pink is a little too light to truly be "Cashmere Rose", but that's okay with me. After all: "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Also, I'm sorry…

Mulberry Roses Neoprene Dress

I'm not sure how many of you also follow the Mood Sewing Network, but my newest dress went live there yesterday. This dress was definitely an experiment for me. As you'll read, I'm happy with the result (I feel great wearing it!), but I'm not quite sure I did the fabric or the pattern justice by combining…