Old Blog

Details: Created: 13 October 2015

titleCard FittingSoloBlog

After years of traveling and fitting every shape and size of body possible, I have come to a the conclusion that almost every sewer, no matter how long we have sewn or our skill level, fails to do three essential things when preparing a pattern.

Details: Created: 22 September 2015

TremontJacket BlackWoolWEB2

Introducing the New Pattern TREMONT JACKET only $18. Loose-fitting, a-line jacket with one-button closure, asymmetric, angled front hemline with side vents. Three-quarter sleeves with soft-fold cuff detail.

Details: Created: 31 August 2015

Wrap Skirt Cover

I am an only child who grew up spending lots of time by myself in my beautifully decorated bedroom, which had a Danish modern desk (I wish I still had it) that was just perfect for all of my projects. Bargello needlepoint, knitting, decoupage, paint-by-number oils, and hand embroidery consumed me. Tea towels, aprons, blouses, you name it, I embroidered it. I still have my first and most precious embroidery hoop.

All of my hand projects went by the wayside when I got my first Bernina 830 sewing machine in 1972. It was machine stitching from then on, and I was possessed.

Fast forward to 2013 and a phone call from Alex, my daughter who lives in Cleveland. “Let’s go to Florence, Alabama to an Alabama Chanin workshop!” Without even knowing who or what this was, of course I accepted and we went.

Read more: Hand-Stitched Wrap Skirt

Details: Created: 18 August 2015

eTee ACMusclesWEB, Alabama Chanin, eTee, handstitching

After my wonderful retreats at Alabama Chanin in Florence, Alabama last summer and again this summer, my obsession with AC-style stitching is unrelenting—not driven, but truly relaxing and satisfying.

The inspiration for this t-shirt came from the over-dyed and overlaid stenciled pieces Alabama Chanin has put on old quilts. See the Alabama Chanin website for these beautiful and one of a kind quilts.

Details: Created: 09 July 2015

SC2015June LettuceMoodBoardWEB

There's definitely something in the air. At the same time that I was producing the June Sew Confident! tutorial about using photos and magazine images as inspirations to build mood boards for wardrobe and sewing concepts, my daughter, Alex, was doing a similar thing in her fashion design class at ESMOD design school in Paris, France. She is on a one-month sabatical from her fabulous job as Education Manager at Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Cleveland, soaking up the city and taking lots of pictures of street scenes and architectual details.

I thought you might enjoy seeing the results of our independent thinking processes.