Three finished tote bags in green and white striped fabric, each with a different hand-embroidered herb napkin square sewn onto the front

I Turned My Great-Great-Aunt's Embroidered Herb Napkins Into Tote Bags for Me and My Sisters

Gamma passed down a stack of hand-embroidered herb napkins from our great-great-aunt. I cut around the stitching and turned all six into three tote bags, one for each sister.

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Emily wearing the finished Jaya Top in orange dot-print fabric

Learning Flounces with the Jaya Top by Vikisews

I had this orange fabric from Remainders Creative Reuse for a while and couldn't figure out what to make with it. The Jaya Top ended up being a really good fit.

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Emily at the beach wearing the finished striped Finley top and Roxy bottoms swimsuit

My Second Attempt at Sewing Swimsuits (Olivia, Finley, and Roxy by Edgewater Avenue)

Last year my serger tension fought me the whole way through. This year I went back with fabric from the fashion district and three Edgewater Avenue patterns, and finally got it right.

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Two finished dog poop bag holders hanging by their clips, one in a tropical dog print with a red zipper and one in a polka dot print with a yellow zipper

The Last-Minute Father's Day Gift I Sewed for My Dad

A free pattern from See Kate Sew, a quarter yard of fabric, and a last-minute Amazon order for the clips. It's basically a mini boxed zipper pouch, and I hid a handwritten note inside for the actual gifting.

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Emily wearing the finished Edith dress at her friend's wedding in New York

Free Fabric, Free Pattern, One Very Good Dress

I found the fabric at a Griffith Park fabric swap and the pattern is free from Mood Fabrics. The result was a dress I wore to a friend's wedding in New York and genuinely love.

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Emily strutting in New York in lace-trim Adidas shorts made from thrifted sweatpants

I Turned Thrifted Adidas Sweatpants Into My New Favorite Shorts

Five dollars at the thrift store, a pair of large Adidas sweatpants, and some lace trim. I cut them into shorts and added lace to the hem and sides. It was so easy and the result is really cute.

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Finished Japanese knot bag in purple metallic fabric with lavender beaded trim

I Finally Made the Japanese Knot Bag I've Been Seeing Everywhere

I've been seeing these everywhere, so I finally made one. A trip to Trim Expo in the downtown LA fashion district, some metallic fabric from the Joann's remnant rack, and 30 minutes later I had a bag.

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A matching bib, burp cloth, and bloomers set in a teal surfing dogs print

A Baby Shower Gift You Can Actually Make Last Minute

A matching bib and burp cloth set in a cute print. Terry cloth on one side, velcro closure, and you only need about half a yard of fabric. Here's why I keep making these.

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The finished 70s-style mini dress made from a vintage blue tablecloth

I Made a 70s-Style Mini Out of an Old Tablecloth

A vintage blue tablecloth passed down from Gamma's side of the family. I turned it into a 70s-style mini using a pattern from Iggi Patterns. Here's how it came together.

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A finished upcycled zipper pouch made from a fused 'thank you' takeout bag

Fusing Plastic Bags into Fabric: My Upcycled Zipper Pouches

I've been saving the "thank you" takeout bags everyone gets and turning them into zipper pouches. Here's how I fuse the plastic into a fabric you can actually sew with.

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Emily and her boyfriend in matching handmade renaissance faire outfits

From Woodland Fairy to Medieval Rock: My Ren Faire Outfit (Year Three, 2026)

Five handmade pieces, a matching boyfriend outfit, Thai silk from my grandma, and vintage curtains from Idaho. Year three did not disappoint.

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Emily in her handmade renaissance faire corset and blouse

I Had One Week to Sew a Renaissance Faire Outfit (Here's What Happened)

My very first ren faire, a pirates theme, and exactly seven days to pull it together. I made a corset and a blouse. Here's how it went.

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Homemade pillowcase with ruffle detail

Sewing for the Home: Pillowcases, Placemats & More

Once you start sewing your own clothes, it's only a matter of time before you start eyeing everything in your home. Pillowcases, placemats, a shower curtain — here's how it went.

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Emily in the Solana Dress at the beach

Beach Cover-Up: My Solana Dress Recap

A free pattern, some striped terry cloth from Fabric Planet, and a beach day — this one came together fast and I've worn it constantly.

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