DIY Sewing, Uncategorized

The Long-Awaited Philippa Pants!!

When Anna started posting photos of a new, high-waisted non-stretch denim pants pattern, I about freaked. I immediately messaged her (okay maybe it was after she'd posted a couple times) and asked if she could please hurry up and get it to the masses because I NEEDED THOSE PANTS IN MY LIFE!! You probably know about the famous "Persephone Pants" she released last year that quickly became a cult favorite (is there such a thing in the sewing world? Because I think those pants fit the bill)....... But today I introduce you to Persephone's...

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DIY Sewing, Uncategorized

Kaste Dress Shirt Hack

I present to you my Kaste Dress shirt hack. The pattern is by Named Clothing from their book "Breaking the Pattern." First of all, I am obsessed with this shirt. I never make fancy sleeves or things that are overly feminine and flouncy. It just doesn't feel like me. When I saw this dress (below) though, I immediately bought the book because I needed to make THAT DRESS. Those dramatic sleeves were begging to be flapped and danced in!

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DIY Sewing, Uncategorized

Adding Detail to your Pants!

Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Patterns in Cone Mills Denim from Threadbare Fabrics So you've decided to make yourself some pants. Maybe you decided to use some fairly neutral-colored fabric. If you'd like to add some details that make them a bit more special, unique, or slightly more exciting, this is the post for you. When I am sewing something in a less "exciting" color I always think to myself, "How can I make these a little more special and have my signature hand?" or "How can I give...

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Fabric Painting and Design, Uncategorized

Painting Fabric

I have been asked about writing this blogpost for so long now, I really apologize to everyone that it took me so long! In case you didn't know, I painted that dress above. It won the Sew Frosting Challenge (lots more info on the dress there) and was the impetus for many new things happening in 2019 (stay tuned!!) Today I want to share the details behind the painting process of this dress with those of you interested in doing something similar!

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Uncategorized

A Tale of the Secret Skirt Pants. (The Winslow Culottes)

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved skirts. She loved skirts, but with 4 young children it was often impractical. Her babies would sometimes lift her skirts up in public or try to hide under them. She had to be able to easily sit and do things with the kids out in public without having to worry about her underwear showing. Did that photo above make you want that cute skirt? What if I told you that this poor skirt-loving mom found a solution to...

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Uncategorized

Let’s Make Pants THAT FIT!

I remember the first time I made a pair of structured shorts for myself. Alina had asked me to help test her first pattern-- the Chi-town Chinos. I had never sewn something like that before. I usually strayed from anything that looked hard, and didn't do zippers very often either. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it out though, especially knowing I'd have Alina to help me out if I stumbled through any of the directions! (By the way her directions are STELLAR and help newbies out so much!!) I am A member of...

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Uncategorized

Let’s Make Pants: Fabric choices

I want to talk today about making fabric choices when making pants. I've learned a lot over the past year (yes I've only been sewing pants for a year--but I've made 16 pairs!) about how fabric choices can affect the way a pant pattern fits. Same pattern, cut at the same size, can fit very differently based on the weight of the fabric and the amount of stretch it has. I will show you an example with the Persephone Pant pattern by Anna Allen: This was the first pair I...

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Uncategorized

PANTS PANTS PANTS!

When Nicole first contacted me about doing a big Fancy Pants Instagram party (complete with a Dance-off at the end of course) I told her I was on board! I figured since I'd sewn 16 pairs of pants in the past year (my first year ever making pants!!), I could figure out how to make a "Fancy" pair as well. It wasn't until we (joined by LONI and JENNIFER) got chatting that I decided to make a pair of pants unlike any of the ones I'd made before. I was going to venture into CULOTTES. I...

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Uncategorized

The Cheyenne Tunic Sleeve Hack

I'm an artist and while I love dancing around wearing bananas, putting on a tutu and exploring another country, or wearing the brightest of colors, I'm also preppy at heart. Weird right? I am also an expressive artist who is a type-A, straight "A" (when in school) student. I don't always make sense.  I have at least 6 button-up collared shirts in my closet (and I've majorly paired down) because they are honestly my favorite kind of shirt. See, preppy. When I got this union chambray from Maker Mountain...

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Uncategorized

B.A.N.A.N.A. PANTS!!

THESE PANTS ARE BANANAS......... B- A- N- A- N- A- S! Have you all seen the new Palisade Pants by Papercut Patterns? When their new Geo collection dropped I was immediately drawn to the fun pockets and casual cool styling of this pant.  I got the pattern and then went straight to Indy Bindy Co. because I envisioned them in some fun Japanese patterned fabric! This Banana stand print by Mannine is everything. I love the more subtle yellow bananas in the background and then...

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