It’d be cheesy to start with, “long time, no post” but here we are. My last post on this blog was 2022, which feels like a world away. A lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same… but my love for blogging never really went away; I’m happy to have my little carved out platform that’s not algo-driven. So let’s talk about a new North Star. I’ve moved from San Francisco After nearly 15 years in the Bay Area, I’ve moved out to Arizona to start an adventure that has had tons of twists and turns after only a few short months. Jose and I moved out here at the tail end of 2023 and it’s been fascinatin ..read more

This post breaks down the critical sewing first steps you don’t want to miss when you’re starting a new project.  I break down my learnings from 20 years sewing experience, trial and error, and tips I’ve picked up in fashion school and along the way. It is very important to have a strong start to your project from the moment you pick out your sewing pattern. Taking time from the very beginning to set up for success goes a long way at making your projects easy to approach. Sewing First Steps: Pattern Foundations [Timestamp 00:36] Ask yourself: is this the right pattern for you? While ther ..read more

If you’re a C-cup or above, doing a full bust adjustment goes hand-in-hand with sewing. This even applies to sewing t-shirts. I’m sure we’ve all been there: weird drag lines from the arms and above the chest, fabric pulled to its limit, and uncomfortable compression across the front of our bodies which feels and looks terrible, because the fabric and pattern doesn’t have enough give.  Just because it’s sewn with stretchy fabric, doesn’t mean that t-shirt is going to fit correctly.  In enters the No-Dart Full Bust Adjustment, perfect for those shirts and knit dresses that just need a ..read more

Paper or PDF pattern? It’s easy to have a paper pattern buying addiction. I’m *far* from immune to the 2$ Joann’s pattern sale which has left me with a collection of over 1000 printed sewing patterns.  But having so many paper patterns… from the same big companies is kind of a problem. These printed patterns take up a lot of space. They also tend to all be designed from the same pattern block. Sometimes, they tend to not be so fresh (design-wise.) And, potentially worse, the designers may be hit or miss as to whether or not they align with your personal values.  Enter PDF pattern co ..read more

The virtues of slow sewing can definitely be a challenge if you’re used to whipping up projects FAST.  This is especially true if you’ve been sewing for a while. It’s very easy to get into a rhythm, working on projects back to back. After a while projects bleed together. Is there an opportunity for slow sewing that you’re not considering? But it made me think: if we’re churning out projects too quickly, are we enjoying the benefits of slow sewing? These are the tips I recommend to slow things down a little bit if you’re finding that the churn isn’t for you.  Ask yourself, why ..read more

Is it possible to make an amazing garment with no sewing adjustments?  A garment that fits straight out of the envelope, with no sewing adjustments, with no problems, and fits you like a glove is a dream come true, even for me!  So I wanted to give it a shot. I wanted to find out if I could make a dress straight from the envelope and have it fit decently well. I chose the Charm Patterns Cinch It dress for this experiment, released in Spring 2021.  What drew me to this pattern was:  The dress was described as a simple pop-over dress, meaning it should fit decently ok*, as ..read more

If you’re a beginner sewist, a sewing pattern envelope is NOT easy to read! Learning the mechanics of how to sew while also struggling to understand the pattern envelope you’re working with is exhausting. If you’re starting your sewing journey, let’s save you time. This post walks you through what an experienced seamstress looks at, so you can ramp up your sewing faster.  A sewing pattern envelope can look like gibberish if you don’t understand the nuances of sewing language.  For me, the first pattern I ever worked with was something I picked out for Halloween and… I legitimately d ..read more

The last of the winter frost is starting to melt away. And you realize you’ve been living in a flannel, oversize sweater for months on end. Like a groundhog, you rub your eyes, peer outside, and wonder what day it is. And will it stop being cold… please.  Before you know it suddenly tulips are popping up everywhere, the sunshine feels warm on your face, and Spring is fully upon you: ITS EXCITING.  As someone who sews, the next question is… what’s your wardrobe looking like for the changing weather? What dresses and blouses are you going to make with pretty spring fabrics, now that yo ..read more

You’re a sewing beginner, excited to make your first dress (or top, or skirt!) You have the most gorgeous fabric painstakingly picked out. You have a brand new sewing machine. A vision of what you want it to look like… and you’re ready to go. But after that first snip into the fabric… it’s a disaster. The garment fits like a giant sack, the stitch lines are wobbly and crooked. As you try and take it apart to start again, an accidental cut into the fabric! The whole thing ends up in the trash.  Sound familiar?  As sewing beginners, we have ALL been there. For me, it was a 1930s ..read more

A ..read more