Many thanks to the readers who suggested I write a post about the clothes that made the cut when we moved. Her suggestion compelled me to study the good, the bad and the ugly of my sewing and style choices. I surprised myself after this exercise and recommend it! Who wants to give something away that you’ve spent hours making? Some of my makes were great learning experiences, while others remain wardrobe favorites. Maybe you’ve had similar sewing experiences! Before I start, I have a question…….. Do you readers who do not blog take photos of the clothes you make? I have found keeping a “journa ..read more

I overdosed on making tunics………after 50 I lost count……..and then an image went floating down my Instagram feed……. “Oh my gosh – it’s a wide-split placket, with a band collar AND a ruffled neck! Why didn’t we think of that? Wait…… we did, just not combined with one another!” TUCKERNUCK is a favorite retail and lifestyle website. My daughters love it and I do too. Cute clothing, accessories, jewelry, gifts for the home ….. and wonderful inspiration! Turn on your JavaScript to view content I studied the four “Palmerston Dresses” and pulled out The Tunic Bible. I had forgotten how much fun tunics ..read more

My new skirt and I only wish we were meandering around this Amalfi Coast lemon grove. I’m always inspired by La Double J’s fabulous clothes both on the company website and TheRealReal …. Combined with its motto… Live Like an Italian….I’m often ready to buy a house under the Tuscan sun when browsing the site!  Maybe one day Greeting from sunny South Carolina! Tiers, tiers, tiers! It’s practically all I’ve wanted to sew this summer.  I wore many styles of maxi skirts in my early 20s, but had a difficut time embracing their return. Now I’m completely onboard as long as I can control ..read more

Dear Readers, My apologies for glitches in the last post. I’m researching a new method to deliver posts, but until it’s worked out do this: When you open an email, please click on the title of the post and the post should load with all of it’s content. We don’t always know how our words and actions affect others. Imagine my surprise when I recently received an Instagram message from Jacqueline, the owner of Fancy Frocks Fabrics who told me that years ago my response to one of her comments gave her the courage to open her business. I had no idea and wish that I had Located in Warrington, VA, s ..read more

It’s Barbie’s big day!  Will you be going ? In Pink? One of the best and most memorable Christmas gifts I ever received was a box of Barbie clothes made by my Aunt Maggie. She must have made 50 garments including a wedding gown! I know this gift of love has influenced my interest in sewing and fashion.  My Barbie looked more like this….. . …..and what I just learned recently is Barbie was designed as a 19 year-old. Eternal of course That was 64 years ago. I love Barbie’s ever changing image have followed Barbie Style on Instagram for years. Today, I’m celebrating this icon’s movi ..read more

In March a color specialist spoke to a women’s group I belong to. I haven’t thought about the Color Me Beautiful scene since the 80s, but this industry is going strong! Our speaker came from House of Colour and the business has expanded into makeup, accessories, hair color, and even balancing silhouettes and proportions…. We were told that a pure red color looks good on everyone (leading me to buy the Red Tunic), but not so with black and white. I should wear beige, navy and chocolate brown…..   I understand how blue and yellow undertones affect what colors look best on us, but I ..read more

Dear Readers, Thank you so much for the warm welcome back! I didn’t know if anyone was still here,  and I am honored that you are Birdie has been visiting for the last week, so no sewing for me but it was a great time to introduce Birdie to fashion sewing! I know many of you have taught your six-year old children and grandchildren to sew and I’m happy to finally get started. Style Arc “Andie” was our pattern – an A-Line dress with flutter sleeves. Birdie selected the embroidered pique from my surviving stash. There was ¾ yard of the 45” width fabric leaving us no wiggle room! For her f ..read more

It is impossible to pick up where I left off since I’ve been gone for so long, and there are no words to describe how happy I am to be back! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who checked in with me. My husband and I jumped on an opportunity to buy a smaller home in our neighborhood, and at last I’ve caught my breath.  Seizing the moment was the beginning of brutal purging, and cleaning out my sewing room was the most overwhelming of all. After the move I couldn’t face unpacking my sewing materials and they remained stored. But reimagining a beautiful life in a downsize ..read more

For anyone who is serious about sewing their own clothes, I highly recommend a 30 day (or longer) Outfit of the Day exercise. Greetings. I’m ending the summer Daily Mix in my Luau Maxi, perfect for sipping Skinny Piña Coladas by the pool. I made the dress for Hawaii 2018 and bring it out on hot summer days. The Burda 7110 pattern is featured in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing. My lightweight stretch cotton fabric is from Promenade Fine Fabrics. Let’s talk Outfit of the Day…… Is this a vanity exercise? I believe we all want to look our best, and in order to do so you need to know what your cl ..read more

"What do you think?" said I...... " I like those pants." said hubby..... "What about the top? I made the top!" "It's nice but I really like the pants. Did you make them?" "No I bought them last summer during the pandemic on EBay when all of my pants were too tight. Do you not like my top?" "Sure, great fit." "I'm going to make a skirt to go with it." "Don't do that, just wear it with the pants." Such is the life of an unsung hero - the white blouse. Would you believe it took me  a l l  w e e k  to make this top........? I executed one bad idea after another. I'd spare you th ..read more