New Employee

We have a new helper beginning today… meet Rebekah.  Today she learned all about packaging and shipping and is quickly learning what this little Featherweight Sewing Machine is all about. Meticulous, organized, helpful, cheerful, fun, arrived early and learns quickly — what more could we...

Little Girl's Sewing Machine (or for Little Boy's, too!)

  I am often asked, 'What child's sewing machine would you recommend for my 4-5 year-old?'... Well, each child is different, of course, and while some may actually be ready to go straight to a regular sewing machine (which I would without-a-doubt recommend the Singer Featherweight 221 for any c...

Jump Rope Dress

  Another school uniform made from the Oliver + S Jump Rope Dress pattern. I used a heavier-weighted twill - the same as I used for the Tea Party Dress uniform jumper.   Placket instruction was ingenious - step-by-step teaching all along the way. It's Home-Ec class in a pattern envelope! The o...

Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Skirt Pattern

  Who doesn't love a classic navy skirt? This is the Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Skirt made with a navy twill. I basted some fun Japanese import novelty fabric to the front and back skirt pieces before sewing pattern together (essentially treating them as one fabric during garment construction) t...

From the Archives - April 1930's Website Design

The website redesign is finally completed. Sometimes my creative side gets bored with a name, look, logo, or idea and Wende Tindall Design helped me stay grounded while giving the site a fresh new look. I am more than pleased! The web address to link to, of course, is www.april1930s.com.Ther...

Won't You Pop Over For a Popover?

When I saw that the Popover Sundress pattern was featured in the Sew Hip magazine, I decided I had to splurge to get the single issue from the UK (May 2009, Issue 6). I am extremely glad that I did. Not only is it one of the best sewing magazines I've seen, but this pattern is incredibly easy. ...

Vintage Singer Paper Doll Cutter

It was about a year ago that a friend alerted me to this super neat new contemporary pattern company that marketed with paper dolls. I was head-over-heels from the first click. That coincidental link led to all sorts of Oliver + S pattern sewing and will probably be a forever bond. Some have ofte...

Spring - Fall - Spring - Fall, Which is it?

The new Oliver + S patterns have arrived to the shoppe... that means I simply must sample them! Of course, we got a thin, little, long-bodied SweetPea so I had to alter the sizing a bit to accommodate her figure, but nonetheless, I am quite pleased.The top is from the Oliver + S Sailboat Pattern ...

4-Year-Old Seamstress

Today marks a note in time; a note in history; a memory forever to be ingrained in my mind.Last night before SweetPea went to sleep, she looked at me and asked, "Mama, can tomorrow be a special day for us?" I nodded my head and smiled - then kissed her goodnight, closed the door and decided many ...

More Sewing Makeovers

My sweet Sis came to help me paint last weekend... the dungeoness shelves which I had turned into my fabric / sewing area. I had taken a picture of the 'before' a month or so ago, but it must have been so atrocious for me to look at that I think I deleted it from the computer. Oh, well... trust m...