We all experience creative blocks for different reasons. A couple years ago I was too exhausted from costumes to find motivation to sew for my everyday-self. Sometimes I drag my feet because I’m scared to make mistakes. Other times, the number of tasks that lead up to actually working seem insurmountable. Over time, I’ve learned … More 6 Ways to Overcome Your Creative Blocks
Tuesday is fast becoming my favorite day of the week. Not only is is not-Monday, but it is draping day! The skills I am learning are basic but they open new creative doors every week. Draping Week 2 – Yoke and Gathers I am that student that always shows up early to class. But last … More Draping at New York Fashion Academy (continued)
‘There is nothing like first-hand evidence.’ – Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet Some sewing projects include so many unknown factors that I don’t feel comfortable starting until I have conducted a little background research. In the case of the Watson Jacket by Papercut Patterns, I was faced with a new garment type (outerwear), a new-to-me pattern … More Waston Coat Investigation
One of my 2017 sewing goals was to explore a path to a career that uses my sewing and design skills. Today I took the first of many steps in expanding my sewing and garment design knowledge so that I can more adequately address that career question. The evening started with a great parking spot … More Draping I – Day 1
Happy Way-back Wednesday! Last Christmas I was given a sewing box full of thread and sewing notions that had belonged to Greg’s grandmother. It was fun to pick through it and compare prices, see brands that have persisted and brands that I’ve never heard of, and learn about sewing “back in the day”. … More Vintage Sewing Notions
How do you break out of the winter blahs or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
… More Winter Blahs
Thank you bodacious readers for continuing with me on this journey. We have finished another year. I don’t know about you, but half of my brain pictures the year as a big rectangle and tonight at midnight we take the long journey from the lower right corner to the upper left. The other half of my … More Top 5 Goals for 2017
This is going to be the longest of the 2016 #SewingTop5 posts. When I reflect, it is like holding two mirrors up to each other — the thoughts bounce back and forth to infinity. 1. A Year Without [new] Cosplay To break the cycle of stress and and creative constipation, I resolved to not make … More Top 5 Sewing Reflections of 2016
My love of creating is back. 2016 marked an intentional shift in how I approached my sewing and knitting queue, namely prioritizing everyday apparel over my costumes. I felt exuberance, joy, and peace of mind with fabric and thread in hand. I finished four knitted projects this year and I sewed eight garments. Here are my Top … More Top 5 Hits of 2016
Here are a couple snippets of my life outside sewing in 2016 1. We got a puppy!! This is Finn. You can expect to see lots of this cutie on Instagram. 2. I took a new job. Three years at the museum taught me so much. It was time for me to make a … More Top 5 Non-Sewing Highlights
The Fabric Alchemist 