I knew the Brochu Walker dress was my dress the moment I saw it - even online. <img class="vce-single-image" src="|!|vcvUploadUrl|!|/2023/06/Untitled-design-77.png" width="1024" height="576" alt="" title="Untitled design-77" /> I ordered the gently worn dress from The Real Real at a bargain price and have worn it repeatedly. It's a maxi (midi on a taller person 😊) that doesn't overwhelm me, and I was inspired to recreate this silhouette.(PS...
I learned something on this project that you may already know; scalloped hems look best on solids and pinstripes. Having said that here's my latest...
Greetings from the desert! A beautiful baby and gorgeous warm weather greeted us upon our arrival to Scottsdale. Can life get better than this? I've been asked countless times if I plan to sew for Birdie (now 6 months). The answer is YES, but I have decided not to smock again. It's been a long time since I've attempted to sew baby clothes, and while times have changed, baby patterns have not! After a 25 year break, I was led back to The Children's Corner patterns and discovered many of the cute patterns I sewed for Katie and Mimi are now online waiting to be...
TGIF Dear Readers! Would you believe I never wore Maxis until I started sewing? I just finished my 'Weekend Maxi', perfect for leisurely Saturday strolls through markets and poolside afternoons. Here it is when I'm standing at attention. The pattern is Simplicity 1612 , a very easy sew with some pizzazz thanks to the cute details. I made View C which features a front twist, an open back and a flared skirt. What I love about this pattern besides the ease in which it is assembled, is the coverage of the bodice. The neckline is flattering and never gapes or slips open ~ ever. I...
A big welcome to my friend and co-author, Julie Starr, a lovely woman who models the example of excellence through her exemplary sewing, in addition to being a sewist who illustrates my motto with verve! Enjoy ;) _________________________________________________________________________ from Julie ~ Have you ever clipped an inspiration image that practically haunted you until you challenged yourself to give it a go? Taking cues from high end ready to wear designers is the fuel that feeds my sewing passion and this $2000 St. John suit is an especially gratifying example. I found myself lingering over the photo each time I visited my Pinterest sewing inspiration...
Hubs and I were among the passengers of some 2,000 cancelled flights to Chicago this past weekend………. The only upside of missing our friends’ wedding was the unexpected weekend of sewing time, and I resumed my tunic mission. Better? Many thanks for providing such great suggestions for raising the bar on tunic sewing. I especially enjoyed receiving this Pinterest link loaded with tunic inspiration! Like many of you said it’s in the details and I got busy modifying the Simplicity 4149 tunic pattern I made last year. Relaxing the fit of my existing muslin allowed for a better drape which is easy to see...
It’s Tunic Time again meaning my ongoing attempt to make the perfect tunic has resurfaced! Hubs was determined to get a photo of me with dolphins in the background. Do you see any? All I wanted was for the wind to calm down. Then it was time for a football game, and our photography session abruptly stopped. By the way, the colors I am wearing are not associated with any football teams. It’s not a Halloween costume either. Greetings from Edisto Island where I am enjoying the last weekend of summer :) I found the front princess seams in the Simplicity 1461 tunic pattern flattering, and...
iPhone cases, napkins, tablecloths, shoe bags, and a hot air balloon represent a small sample of the 576 creative comments submitted for Susan Khalje's new Couture Dress Video and Pattern giveaway! Many of you were on the right track in assuming I was making bridesmaids gifts. If you were one of the twenty-six readers who guessed - R O B E S - you are correct! My daughter, Katie, wanted to give her friends in the wedding party a personal gift they did not already own. How could I refuse? The girls opened the robes at the Bridesmaids' Luncheon on Friday, and wore them on Saturday; a leisurely day...
I always thought I wanted to be cremated, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, now that I’ve got something to wear………. At last, I have completed the coordinating skirt to my Shanel Jacket, which means I have a brand new suit! Goodness, I never wear suits, but I’m going to start, and pray I am lucky enough to wear this one out before it’s time to go. ;) ________________ Over the last 26 months I’ve sewn many skirt patterns and deemed Simplicity 3648 worthy of sewing the last yard of the lofty Chanel tweed. I so wish the camera could capture the beautiful metallic thread...
“It’s a risky project with a lot of potential opportunities for disaster.” Hubby has been watching way too much Project Runway. “….. and you need to think about ¾ length sleeves.” ___________________________ Somehow, someway and someday I’m going to have the perfect tunic pattern. Encouraged by Julie Starr’s success, (who is also on the same quest), with Simplicity 4149, I decided to give it a try. Here’s my muslin after I made my standard adjustments to shorten the bodice – far from perfect. The darts are too low and the back is enormous. The front is ok, but I wanted to reduce...