Meringue Skirt Refresh

During a recent Virtual Craft Night, I was looking through my box of trims (yes, I have an entire box of trims) and came across some vintage lace from my grama’s stash.  There was an entire roll of the stuff –  maybe 6 or 8 yards (no I didn’t measure, it just looked like a…

Read More

Taffy Blouse

It seems like all of my clothing projects start out the same way.  I haven’t yet decided if this makes it boring, or if it means I’m starting to see the method to creating clothing.  Either way, the first thing I did was pick out some excellent fabric for my blouse.  On the recommendation of…

Read More

Truffle Dress

The 3rd project in the Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook is called the Truffle Dress. It’s a lovely little sleeveless dress with a simple scoop neck and a decorative ruffle panel on the skirt. In hopes of getting a finished project that was a little less stiff, I decided to get away from poplin (or quilting…

Read More

Beautiful Fabric

After taking a couple weeks off  of my sewing projects for the holidays, it’s nice to get back to them.  And what better way to do that, than by playing with fabric, which happens to be the topic of this week’s chapter in The Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook. To really understand fabrics, you really need…

Read More

Fantastic Fit

I’ve been working my way through The Colette Sewing Handbook.  In the first three chapters I learned several basic sewing techniques, how to determine what styles and patterns are right for me and how to read a pattern.  I’ve made my own style sketch template (or croquis) and finished my first sewing project – the…

Read More

Precise Patterns

I am fortunate enough to have fairly good luck finding clothes that fit me at the store, though I often take them in to my favorite seamstress for a few adjustments.  What my closet lacks, though, are those statement pieces that say something about who I am as a person.  For that reason, I’d love…

Read More

Thoughtful Plans

I’m working my way through The Colette Sewing Handbook to help me learn some new sewing techniques, particularly the ones involved in making clothes. I’m amazed at how well written this book is.  Not only am I leaning how to do some cool new things, I’ve also found new and interesting ways to look at…

Read More

A Sewing Handbook

I loved making my Colette Mini Bloomers so much that I want to learn more about sewing clothes.  To that end, I’ve picked up a copy of The Colette Sewing Handbook.  My goal is to work my way through the entire book, learning some useful skills and techniques along the way. I’ll be updating my…

Read More

I Can Sew Clothes

Thanks to all the great people I’ve met online recently (mostly thru the #talknt tweetchat), I’ve really be inspired to spend more time in my sewing dungeon – also known as the basement. I’ve managed to piece, quilt, and bind a lap quilt, put together a Weekender Bag with matching Brush Roll, a complete the…

Read More