Project Recap
My Checkered Maple Culottes, From the Archive
My first pair of pants with a real zipper, made from the free Maple Culottes pattern in a checked cotton denim. I added my own back pockets, inspired by the Zara Marine jeans trending at the time, and they've been my go-to concert pants ever since.
Read post →
Gift Ideas
A Couple of Sewing Projects for Book Lovers
A padded quilted book sleeve and easy scrap-busting corner bookmarks, two small projects for anyone who reads a lot.
Read post →
Project Recap
Sewing the Nelly Dress in My Grandma's Silk
A summer wedding gave me a reason to cut into a grey-blue rose print silk from my grandma's stash I'd had sitting around for a year. Cut on the bias, no zipper, and a flounce that runs straight into the straps.
Read post →
Project Recap
Sewing Shorts for the Guy Behind the Camera
Chris shoots every photo on this blog, so for his birthday I made him a pair of striped pull-on shorts. Grommets instead of buttonholes, and an Xbox banished to the basement so he wouldn't catch me making them.
Read post →
Accessories
The Billy Bag I Made for Portugal
The crescent bags from Baggu were everywhere before my trip to Portugal, so I made my own version. Candy cane stripes, a fish print lining, and a curved bias tape edge that took some patience.
Read post →
Project Recap
The Gemma Corset Dress, and the Shirring That Fought Me the Whole Way
A first trip to Mood Fabrics in NYC, a TikTok poll to pick the pattern, and a shirring technique that fought me the whole way.
Read post →
Upcycling
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →
Gift Ideas
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →
Upcycling
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.
Read post →
Accessories
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.
Read post →
Gift Ideas
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.
Read post →
Upcycling
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.
Read post →
Upcycling
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →
Home Sewing
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.
Read post →
Project Recap
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.
Read post →