Green Blackwood

Three years ago, I made a bright green Lisbon cardigan. It was, hands down, my favorite item of clothing. I wore that cardigan constantly for two years, until a giant purple splotch, about the size of a half-dollar, appeared on the back.  I have no idea what caused the stain or where it came from, but no amount of stain-treating would get it out. It was a sad day when I realized this, so I'm just going to take a moment to reminisce about my favorite me-made ever ...

Janome Magnolia 7325 Review

I bought a new sewing machine a little over 2 years ago, and I've been making notes since to share my thoughts.  Recently I was asked how I liked my machine, so I thought it was time to publish this review of the Janome Magnolia 7325.

Plantains again

Today I've got a couple more Plantain tees to show you, which I think brings my total up to roughly 11,000 items sewn from this pattern.

I made both tees from the original (non-updated) pattern in a size 40 shoulder widened to a 42 under the armscye and size 42 sleeves.  I think, at a glance, these tees look like they fit perfectly well, and I certainly would agree, were I to happen on them in a store.  But as usual, here I am picking apart every wrinkle and pucker.  Every time I critique the fit of my garments, I get encouraging comments saying that I'm too hard on myself, etc.  And I totally appreciate and get that.   I do wear these tees a lot, so my fit critiques don't really hinder the amount of use I get from a garment.  I just find that I kind of enjoy analyzing fit issues. I guess it's almost like a secondary hobby to my sewing. Anyone else do this?

Men's Shirt Pattern Showdown: Fairfield Button-Up vs. All-Day Shirt

Let me begin with a disclaimer: I am not a menswear sewing expert. But I have tried to branch out from pajama pants and t-shirts when sewing for my husband. I've sewn eight men's shirts in the last two years, using three patterns - the Colette Negroni, the Thread Theory Fairfield Button-Up Shirt (affiliate link), and most recently, the Liesl & Co. All-Day Shirt.  While sewing the All-Day Shirt, I was comparing it to the Fairfield every step of the way. I thought others might be interested in the comparison of the Fairfield Button-Up and the Liesl & Co. All-Day Shirt too, so I wrote them up. I'm comparing the two patterns on the parameters of fit; pattern format and instructions; pattern options; and finally construction and finishes.  I hope someone out there will find this useful!

Another birthday Fairfield

I made my husband another Fairfield Button-Up Shirt (affiliate link) for his birthday.  The last one I made him was for his last birthday, and he still wears it all the time.  Like the last time, I made him up a medium, graded to a large in the chest and waist.  I sewed the sleeves at the prescribed length (last time I messed around bit with the length).

July and August 2019

There was no sewing this month.  Instead, I bought 23 patterns and nearly 22 yards of fabric.

No-pattern gathered jersey skirt

Way back in May, continuing with my theme of sewing for summer while living in a city that never sees summer, I got an idea in my head for a floaty, softly gathered knit skirt.  I didn't have a pattern for the skirt envisioned, but this was quite easy to make without any pattern at all!