Finished Projects

I’ve been saving up this pattern hack for a long time. In the fall, Kenn and I cashed in some airline points and took a quick trip to Panama to celebrate our anniversary. I knew I wanted to make something special to wear there, something romantic and flowing and long and breezy. I decided to …

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always crazy about facings. Sure, they’re easy to sew, and there are certainly times where a facing is the best option for finishing a neckline. There are even times when it’s really the only option. But with a little more work, you can often change out facings …

I made this Laurel last month, inspired by some super-cute mod scooter dresses from the 1960s. I liked it so much, I made a free download of complete instructions so you can get more from your pattern too. I’m a big believer in the LBD (little black dress), but in the summer there’s a variation …

Long-time readers may remember my first modified Sewaholic Lonsdale, which I made in Italian cotton 3 years ago (!!!). I have always adored that dress. This one was actually something of a stash-busting project. I had the pattern, and I had a couple yards of white cotton pique. Bam! Something about bare white summer dresses …

When Kristen and I decided to run a half marathon together, we knew it would be the perfect opportunity to make our own running gear. And what’s better than handmade running gear? Cat-themed handmade running gear. The patterns My top was made with the Fehr Trade XYT top pattern, which Melissa kindly let me try …

Going through all the entries into our Knitcation contest was like a quick trip around the world right at my desk. To recap, this contest invited you to create a 7 day travel wardrobe using our two latest patterns for knits, the Mabel skirt and Moneta dress. Thanks once again to our beloved prize sponsors, …

One of the coolest things about double knit fabric is that it can actually be made reversible. Because there are two right sides to the fabric, you can sometimes find double knits that have patterns on each side. I bought this reversible striped double knit while shopping with Christine at Mood in LA. One side …

{days 1-8 via instagram} I love a creative challenge, especially when it can be done in a group. That’s one reason we’re so invested in doing sewalongs. There’s something so motivating about taking on a project with other people. I also really enjoy challenges that constrain me in some way. As any designer will tell …

This is me, going to the grocery store. La la la. I’m buying bananas and tempeh. I now have four different Mabels. I’ve been making so many, it’s been hard to keep up with showing them off here on the blog. The black mini Mabel is the one that gets the most wear, since it …

You know how sometimes you’ll make a dress even though it’s completely out of season, and then spend months just waiting and waiting for the chance to wear it? This is one of those dresses. I picked out the fabric on a rare warm early Spring day and was too excited to wait. Luckily, this …

1. Sophie’s plaid Moneta, 2. Mary N’s Lindy Hop dress, 3. Mary D’s floral dress, 4. Tanya’s purple ponte, 5. Jenny’s nautical dress 6. Jenny’s maxi pattern hack, 7. T’s glorious daisies, 8. Tanya’s pink dots, 9. Sophie-lee’s grey jersey 10. Laurence’s broderie anglaise, 11. T’s spring flowers, 12. Sophie-lee’s black basic, 13. Mary D’s …

Recently, Jenny of Cashmerette and Mary of Idle Fancy decided to do something about the lack of representation they saw in the sewing blog world for curvy women. They got together with several other amazing bloggers and started The Curvy Sewing Collective. I’m thrilled that one of the first projects they’re embarking on as a …

I heard this pithy saying a little while ago: “progress, not perfection.” For me, it was a lightbulb moment. I’ve always struggled with the paradox of simultaneously accepting who I am and wanting to be better. There is even a Zen koan that deals with this issue: “All of you are perfect as you are, …

We’re back from our fantastic, sunny work-cation in Palm Springs! I’ve got some photos of the swimsuit I made for the trip that need editing, but in the meantime, I thought I’d share some of the suits that inspired me. In the end, I went for full support with underwire, a midrise bottom (love the …

Today, Kristen is sharing the Albion she made for her husband. Check out her customizations along with some gorgeous ocean views! -Sarai Last weekend, my husband and I took a trip to the Oregon coast to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. It was the perfect little getaway full of relaxation, beautiful panoramic ocean views, and …

image: vintage white two-piece, currently available from allencompany on Etsy. I have never felt worthy of wearing a two-piece swimsuit. From an early age, we are encouraged to disassociate ourselves from our bodies. We start to carve it up into different parts so that we can evaluate and compare: my butt, my stomach, my arms, …

I wasn’t sure what to call this outfit. Monochrome lady pirate? Patti Smith meets 1970s secretary? This blouse started with the fabric. I found this absolutely gorgeous cream silk crepe at Mill End and knew it wanted to be a blouse. It is the softest, most luxurious silk in the world. It has a great …

My style has really taken a turn for the minimal in the last year or so. I think it reflects a lot of deeper stuff going on in my life (and in my head). Perhaps I feel overburdened, but I just want things that are simple and easy, and not too many of them. I …

I decided at the last possible minute that I should make a new dress to wear to my friends’ autumn wedding, as most of my more formal creations were more suited for summer soirees. I settled on the Truffle dress from the Colette Sewing Handbook and got to work immediately. The fit was great. I …

Happy thanksgiving for those in the US! I’m celebrating at home with my family today, but I just wanted to share a few of the beautiful projects in our Flickr group this month. I may have to start posting some more favorites elsewhere, there are so many great ones. Maybe our Facebook page? 1. A …

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’ve been interested in sashiko embroidery lately. One reason is that we got these amazing stencils in stock. I couldn’t wait to give them a go. I bought some black linen and used my favorite Clover chacopel pencil to trace the design. Sashiko is a really simple form …