kcw: upcycled art museum khakis

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as of today, i’ve been blogging for four years.  i’ve been “a blogger” for most of this kid’s life!  kinda crazy.

upcycled art museum trousers // skirt as top

i started the blog after resisting jumping into it for a while, but after Erin and Danielle both made me realize it would be way better than just posting photos on flickr, i finally went for it.  blogging really has changed my life in a bunch of ways – i’ve met people around the world (and even here in town) that i never would have met, it’s pushed me to sew things i never would’ve sewn, i’ve felt encouragement and support and i’ve learned so much – it’s just been really cool.

my posting has been a bit more sporadic since kid #3 came on the scene – basically i realized sleep is really important (i’m getting better at limiting my obligations to others so i can sew/blog at my own pace), but i still love having this space, am proud of what i’ve built here, and excited to continue to share what i make because i love the give and take of it all.  so hey!  thanks for a great four years!  let’s talk about some pants. Continue reading →

B6169 Moto Jacket in Navy & Smoke

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I’ve been intrigued by the moto jacket.  It’s one of those garments I’ve heard fans of the capsule wardrobe call an “essential.”  It pops up on Pinterest over skirts and jeans alike, and every time I see it I think that the woman wearing it looks fantastic, but I’d never even tried one on myself.

I started thinking it might be the type of piece that I never knew I missed until I had one of my own.

b6169 moto jacket

And then, Liesl released her Spring line of Lisette patterns in partnership with Butterick.  I was immediately drawn to the B6169 Moto Jacket and knew that if the timing worked out, I’d love it to be my next project as a Britex guest blogger. Continue reading →

chambray archer for the bolt blog

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i’m really enjoying building my wardrobe up with handmades that i can wear on a daily basis. somewhere in the last year or so, the clothes i’ve been sewing became the clothes i reach to wear first – not just because i made them and i’m forcing myself to, but because they’re actually my favorite pieces in the closet!

chambray archer

take this shirt, for example.  if you’ve seen me in person in the last few weeks, you’ve probably seen this shirt.  i just LOVE this thing and i can’t stop wearing it.  i finished sewing on those buttons, put it on, and it immediately became part of my regular rotation.  the perfect chambray from Bolt and Grainline’s Archer are just a really good team, you guys.

chambray archer

please head on over to the Bolt blog for more pics and info about my new favorite shirt (i made a few fit changes this time), and hey check it out – Bolt sells Grainline paper patterns in the shop now!  go go go!  i may even see you there – after i saw this post of their new arrivals, i can’t wait to get all up in that nani IRO (it looks like they have the fabric i made my previous Archer with)!

chambray archer

oh sorry, gotta mention one more thing – the bag i pose with in the photos was made by my friend (and Archer maker supreme) Kelly out of Pendleton wool.  she used my tutorial and this thing is awesome and i feel way cooler than i am when i take it out on date nights.  thanks Kelly!

 

>   > >   check out my Bolt post here   < <   <

 
 

reversible rayon roller skate dress for oliver + s

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hey guys!  i have been sewing along a little with kids clothes week this week but not as much as usual – largely because i was working on a tutorial for Oliver + S (and tutorials take me foooorrrreeeeeveerrrrrrrrr)!

would you like to learn how to make the Roller Skate Dress (one of my favorite dress patterns) fully reversible, blind hem and all?  WELL!  i can show you how.

reversible roller skate dress // skirt as top

E loves her new springy dress and it’s made out of the brand new Cotton + Steel rayon!  i’ve got to make something for myself with this stuff.  it seems like a dream to wear, and it’s just so darn pretty too.  but of course it is.  it’s Cotton + Steel.  😉

reversible roller skate dress // skirt as top

spring has come early here in the Pacific Northwest, a far cry from last year at this time!

reversible roller skate dress // skirt as top

head on over to the Oliver + S blog to see my tutorial and more photos of this dress, and hopefully i can wrap up my KCW sewing and pop in later this weekend to show you.