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Helen’s Closet Blackwood Cardigan
Meet my newest favorite wardrobe staple: the Blackwood Cardigan from Helen’s Closet! Yes, I know, this pattern has been out for a long time. In fact, Helen was my table mate in my bra making class at Camp Workroom Social in 2016, before she had even officially released the Blackwood Cardigan. She was wearing a sample and I remembering getting to try it on and thinking it was so comfortable. Her’s was made of this lusciously soft knit and the sleeves were a little long the way I like them. So I knew I would love it. I had recently sewn the Ogden Cami (also late to the party on…
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True Bias Ogden Camis
I must have been the last sewist on the planet to sew the True Bias Ogden Cami—I never claimed to be an early adopter—but now I believe all the hype! I had fabric set aside for two Ogden Camis: some leftover Rifle Paper Co. Cotton and Steel rayon (from my Ellsworth Coat) and a beautiful Splatter Print Workroom Social Miramar Rayon. I didn’t expect that I would sew them back to back like I did. Turns out this is a really quick sew and I was about to go on vacation somewhere warm, so the time was right. I’m including both in one post, since I made them basically at…
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Mid-rise Ginger Jeans
Jean-making is one of things where you just have to jump in and go for it. I made jeans four years ago at the first Camp Workroom Social and had been hoarding enough Cone Denim (from the White Oak Mill before it closed) to make three more pairs, but for some reason was stalling on actually making them. I basically waited until my original pair—and any ready-to-wear pairs I had— were completely worn out. I was faced with a decision; break down and get some new Levi’s or finally cut into that sweet Cone Mills denim. That’s the thing about having the skills and the supplies to make your own…
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Pattern Testing: Maeve Makes Pooze Pouch
Fanny packs are one of those things that people seem to be divided on. You either love em’ or you hate em’. Most of the people I know are pro-fanny pack and I definitely stand on the side of, “What’s not to love?”. To me, they are both functional and fashionable! So when Maeve Blessing of Maeve Makes asked me to pattern test her new Pooze Pouch pattern, I was ALL IN. Pattern Maeve Makes Pooze Pouch Materials Used Speckled denim for the main fabric Cotton and Steel Welsummer – Kitchen Kitsch – Light Blue Unbleached Cotton fabric by Kim Kight for the lining Both were purchased from Pacific Fabrics…
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Sew Bibs Challenge: Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Dress
There are so many sewing challenges now—and that’s a good thing—but besides Me Made May and Sewvember, I haven’t really participated that much. It’s not for any particular reason, it usually just has to do with time (like not enough of it), but the stars actually aligned for me and the Sew Bibs Challenge! If you don’t already know, Sew Bibs is a challenge centered around sewing overalls, dungarees, pinafores or anything with a bib, hosted by Heidi of Handmade Frenzy, Jessamy of Jessamy B Makes, Meg of Cookin’ and Craftin’, and Teri of Fa Sew La. I had been wanting to sew the Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Dress for a…
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Striped Oslo Cardigan
One of the things I love about sewing is that once you’ve made something successfully, the second time you make it is so much faster! I am a tracer of patterns (vs. cutting the pattern itself), so the first time I make something I trace my size onto Swedish tracing paper (and often it’s graded between sizes), cut out the traced pieces and only then I can move on to cutting the fabric. There can also be muslins involved before I even start sewing the actual garment, so that’s another time-consuming step. The idea is that by the second time I make something, that is all out of the way…
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Seed Starting: Newspaper Pots
In the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to start your garden—or at least start thinking about your garden—if you haven’t already. Even if you aren’t ready to get outside quite yet, you can start by doing your garden planning and starting some seeds indoors. An easy, fun, and inexpensive way to start seeds indoors is in newspaper pots! Newspaper pots are great because you probably already have all the supplies you need at home and—because most newspapers now use organic pigments—they’re biodegradable and can be planted straight out into the garden. If you aren’t sure what kind of ink your local newspaper uses, check their website or just contact them and ask. To…
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Eastwood Pajamas
Occasionally I do some unselfish sewing and recently made a pair of Thread Theory Eastwood Pajamas for Matt. Details Pattern Thread Theory Eastwood Pajamas Sewed version 3 with button fly in size large No alterations Fit The fit is good, but the size large says it has an an inseam of 31″ and Matt has an inseam of 32″, so these pajamas feel like they are generous on the inseam. I know pajamas are supposed to be on the long side and pool at the ankles a bit, but these seem even longer than the pajamas in the pattern photo. It’s fine, I’m just noting it in case anyone is worried about…
