one!  Here is my newest jacket – from my very basic popular Genesis Too pattern design where the lower ribbing is used for the neckline finish.  The extra long length is a result of using polar fleece to create yokes in the front and the back, thereby yielding more sweatshirt ‘fabric’ from the 2XL sweatshirt for the length.  My technique for this can be seen and heard at…

I'm HOME, and sewing/designing/writing like a crazy woman.  Here…

I snuck a few minutes one night at the Retreat to stitch 4 seams to create a green Tencel…

The Peplum Top

 I love Burda patterns, as always their instructions can do with a little help. Nonetheless I'm a fan and this was/is my first peplum. Wow - fun and fantastic piece. Definitely a hit with me :). Below is my short and sweet review!

Image: Kelly Whitman of …

Spent the afternoon yesterday watching some videos I think are good for both the beginner and more advanced. I'm self taught & this gave me some insight as to a few disciplines while sewing which I hope will help in the future.  They are from  West Valley College youtube site, have several video classes for basic construction, fashion design, patternmaking, etc...classes that they offer.

Best of all....it's FREE to watch.  

Hope they help you as much as they have…

Anyone who hasn't seen the Great British Sewing Bee on Youtube might want to tune in.  There are 4 episodes and each is about 1 hr long so plan on sitting awhile.  Watch each episode in sequence when time permits and enjoy.…

Recycled T-Shirt Dress with Angie

Yesterday, I had a blast helping my friend Angie learn to sew – VERY creatively – as I guided her in designing and creating a summer dress for use as she is a featured singer/artist in a local Blue Grass band.  This is one creative gal  – and I am honored to introduce and guide her into creativity with fabric!

Starting with an aqua…

I am happy to announce the launch of my classroom series, “Making Leather Bags” on …

Image from Pants for Real People

Sunni of "A Fashionable Stitch" hosted a trouser Sew-Along.  Armed with…

Well I finally got around to making myself a new dressing gown.  As I mentioned when I blogged making my Bed Jacket (Feb 22nd 2013), my dressing gown is a dull boring plain green as it was all there was in the shop when I needed fleece to make one.  Now there are lots of lovely patterns and colours I can buy online.  I think I must have had a screw loose…

I thought this was a great idea.  Simply sewing them together creates the perfect shape.  Use the leftovers sewn together to make the essential front pocket.  The ties are a nice weight,…

I have for you today, a free Easter Bunny bag sewing pattern and tutorial, and a tutorial to show you how to make Easter carrots to put in the bag.  FUN!

I'm not typically excited by most holidays for some reason.  Maybe it's because my kids are now a lot older and I'm not inspired by classrooms, day care…

I found this refashioning by Extra Petite and had to post it.  It's another button-down shirt tutorial.  She removes the sleeves to make the cutest bow to go around the collar, a couple of darts, a few other small alterations, and voila!  She's wearing a very classy blouse that you could wear *anywhere* and look fab with either a skirt or pants!  I love it!  If you don't have any/enough button down blouses to work with, go thrifting!   Want to to try…

It's MIL's birthday at the end of this month, and when I asked what she would like, she said one of my aprons.  When I said what do you want on it she surprised me by saying a Teddy!

I have done a Teddy for…

This past week I have been taping an exciting new online class series called MAKING LEATHER BAGS on Craftsy.com

Denver-based Craftsy had invited me to come to Mile High Country to tape a show for them on their…

A few months ago I asked if we could recover the bench seat in my 1963 Chevrolet truck.  We found a professionally renovated and recovered bottom part on e-bay, so the Other Half decided I could just recover the back to match as the padding was okay.  It sort of matches,  insomuchas it's a textured vinyl whereas the other was smooth.  It took a bit more effort than making the sun visors, and I wish I could learn how to do it properly, but this is fine.  It involved…