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 ...

Easter Dress Contemplation

**Update** Photos AddedI like challenges. A new pattern, a new luscious fabric, uncharted territory ~ it's so rewarding! Don't ask me why - maybe it's to prove something to myself... that I can master it - but not just master it to completion, but master it with explicit detail in the finishwork....

Old Fashioned Sewing Techniques Had a Purpose

When I took sewing lessons several years ago, my teacher was especially excellent at showing me little tiny details that make for a more finished / professional look of a garment. One thing she taught me that I haven't really used (or thought I needed to use) until recently was the trimming of th...

What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar?

The Klondike Bar Dresses... x 2 ? ... no.... x 3 !!! Front Yoke is a Japanese Imported fabric. Snowflake Corduroy is a Painting Red Rhinos and the Polka Dot is from Moda, I believe. Pattern is the Oliver + S Tea Party Dress and the Turtleneck is from a Vintage KwikSew Pattern I've had for awh...

PINK BLOUSE ~ Made from Vintage Pattern

Pintucks, Rick Rack, Baby-Snap Cuffs, Vintage Pink Buttons, Peter Pan Collar ~ What's not to love? The Blouse is a Vintage Simplicity Pattern from the 1940's. It called for pressed pleats held in by the top yoke and bottom seam... Yeah, right - like that would survive washings - so...

Oliver + S Pleated Skirt (2+2)

Dressed for fall... in her new brown corduroy skirt.  An Oliver + S pattern . . . from the 2+2 set.  Oliver + S plackets are designed with ease - I look forward to Liesl's plackets every time. Button is a vintage bakelite button I found last February in Seattle.  Blind he...

My Little Snow White

Let's just say that my little SweetPea loves to dress-up. Pretending has got to be one of her talents. The conversations she makes between her little dolls and bears and toys are just so darn cute.Snow White has always been her favorite Disney Princess, and I don't really understand why because s...

They're HERE! My Favorite Contemporary Children's Patterns

 The FALL/WINTER Oliver + S patterns have arrived! I'm so excited, too... I can't wait to see what you make from them! And the new sizes are wonderful ~ ranging from 6 months - 8 years.   Level of difficulty indicated by '1, 2, 3 or 4 Scissors' . . . Priced at $15.95 each with Free Dom...

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 ...

Paper Doll Matchy

Paper dolls are so much fun. I like it that SweetPea thinks so, too. She begs me to cut out the paper dolls when the Oliver + S patterns arrive. Before I received the all-in-one paper doll cut-out sheet with all of them on one page, she would have to wait until I actually made the outfit. Sh...