Because I am sick and tired of worrying about all the corona virus stuff..... and sick and tired of making face masks.... and sick and tired of being cooped up.....  we will pretend we are back in what we remember was a lovely 'normal' life and focus on this pretty skirt made from a c. 1970 vintage pattern. Ahhhh, the 1970's were the best of years.... from a child through my teens I loved, and still love!!, everything about the '70s from the seemingly 'simpler' times, to the music and fashion.  Truly I must have had a skirt like this back then because my heart skipped a beat when I ..read more

Needing an easy project, NewLook 6735 was the pattern to turn to.  Again.  Beginning to lose count on how many of these I've made.  Classic pattern. My t-n-t (tried-n-true) easy wearing tee shirt pattern that's been tweaked here and there, finally re-traced with all the modifications altered and/or noted so it's a sit down and not think about it sort of sew. What would normally be an afternoon make, took a few days as am finding it hard to concentrate with the constantly changing news drawing me in.  Everything is put down when my President or state governor holds a press conference.  Makes me ..read more

With a self-imposed commitment to stay at home, not yet mandated in my area but feel in my case it is certainly wise... it is providing a great opportunity to catch up on some makes from last year that I've neglected to blog.  Case in point..... the ever cute and classic NewLook 6735. An oldie-but-goodie pattern still in print, click here to go to Simplicity's site.  I've had my pattern since I first began sewing my clothes..... sometime around late 2013.  A classic top pattern, this sort of fit never goes out of style. I've made the long sleeve version as well as the short sleeve you can see ..read more

As the coronavirus begins to spread across the United States.... my city, state and country have begun encouraging folks to social distance and stay home.  Not mandated yet in my area..... but to help #flattenthecurve i.e. slow the spread of this new, highly contagious virus, I have personally chosen to social distance by staying home and "sewcial distancing".  :)  Yesterday our South Carolina governor closed all public schools and universities in our state for at least 3 weeks, so even my daughter, who is a 2nd grade teacher, is working from home as they implement e-learning for her students ..read more

To say I adore my new dress would be an understatement!   We all know each dress has its own story to tell, so let me begin at the beginning with this lovely thing. As everyone on the sewing planet is probably aware, The Orla Dress produced by French Navy, is a free online .pdf download that has been available now for quite a few years. I made a version straight from the envelope waaaaay back in October 2017 as a Christmas gift for my daughter, pictured below with McCalls 4979 comfy pants, also for her.  She loved the comfy pants but wasn't too keen on the dress. So eventually the dress became ..read more

Harry Potter fans will quickly recognize the colors of Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin in these colorful fleece scarves. 19 were 'made'..... using that word loosely here.... for each of my daughter's 2nd grade classroom students as a gift to celebrate the completion of her Harry Potter unit.  The book is above her student's reading level, so she chose to read the book aloud, turning her cassroom into Hogwarts, even including a Sorting Hat and Hedwig the owl bringing 'messages'..... all to hopefully inspire her students to have a greater love of reading, writing and imaginations ..read more

Since it seems I've not really made anything this past month 'blog worthy', thought I'd write another summary post for the month of February to let you guys know what's been going on in my neck of the woods. Trying to get back in the routine of taking photos for my Photo Journal, and as always it's kind of a pain, yet rewarding at the same time.... so a lot of these photos were drawn from there. Beginning with... Yep... the Ottobre jacket is still not done... only needs hemming... what is my problem?!  Been languishing since last fall...... guess by the time it's all said and done it'll be a ..read more

Hello dear sewing friends!!  I know I cannot be the only one who is amazed we are already into the month of February 2020?!  And I was just getting used to writing 2019...... ;)   'Life' is going well and I hope to be back here on a more regular basis journaling my work now that I am settling into a new routine and feel so much better.  I've been sewing some.... just not blogging or instagramming my work... need to catch you guys up on those.... but meanwhile wanted to share a few plans and other stuff I'm working on with you today. First up..... making another version of this cute dress, bel ..read more

November has flown by with nary much to show in the creative outlet field but quite a busy month still.  Of course my handmade garments have been worn each day.  ;) outfit infoThe Fitness Journey.  As you guys know well by now, I've been seriously ill since March and my lungs are recovering..... still.  They are so much better, but still recovering.  I joined my local YMCA (a gym for those who may not know) end of September and that decision has been one of the very best I've made.  Exercising, eating properly and learning about women's fitness over 50 has become my new 'hobby' and one I want ..read more

Friends.  Friendships.  Through the global world of 'Social Media' we are exposed to a variety of people from all walks of life, of which much has been written about the pros and cons of such.... with my little Social Media world connecting me to others creating 'friendships' bonded by our simple love of sewing and making..... that's a great big benefit in my life.  No cons here!  Mary @pdxsquared on Instagram, and I couldn't be any more different.  She is tall and lovely at 6', (I top out at 5'7"), loves to refashion all things, particularly garments picked up at thrift stores and turned into ..read more