Wow, it’s been awhile, huh? It’s been a busy year. Rather than manically attempt to get caught up, I’ll just share the latest dress I made: the Colette (AKA Seamwork) Prudence.
Green Colette Prudence dress
A blue scuba Rivermont, a graphic tank, and a pink sundress
Here in L.A., we’re starting to take tentative steps toward reentering the world. My husband and I are fortunate to be fully vaccinated, and we’ve slowly started to expand the list of activities we participate in. Two kids complicate the situation, but we’ve been able at last to allow Dora to participate in some playdates, which she’s sorely, sorely missed. It’s clear that her healing from the isolation and anxiety of the previous year will be a long, complicated process. But we’re fortunate that her school is really supportive and we have some good professional help.
Continue reading “A blue scuba Rivermont, a graphic tank, and a pink sundress”Simplicity 1653, McCall’s 7739, and kid clothes
We’re holding it together (mostly) here as we await the promised post-Thanksgiving COVID surge. We’ve been locked down now for nine months, and the situation is absurd and untenable, but we’re continuing nevertheless, because what choice do we have? At least we are in the incredibly fortunate position of having relatively secure incomes, and I am hugely thankful that no one in my family has yet gotten sick. I don’t expect that we’ll be able to see our extended family or friends for Christmas, so we’re all taking deep breaths and preparing for a long winter.
Continue reading “Simplicity 1653, McCall’s 7739, and kid clothes”A second Deer & Doe Givre, plus spreadsheet fun
A second Deer & Doe Givre Maternity dress. Such a fan of this pattern; it’s a really quick sew. This is a ponte from Joann (half off, thank goodness) that is a little less stretchy than the last one I made. I like it! And now I have another dress for teaching. Actually, maybe I should make a sleeveless version, since my classroom is SO HOT, I felt like I was going to faint last week.
Also, as a bit of a data-head, I’ve been finding that my completist tendencies are tickled by keeping track of everything I’ve made (so far) in 2020. The gallery is here, and it will self-update as I add stuff to it. Fun!
Maternity sewing & 2019 wrap-up
It’s been a good year! Definitely not the easiest year of my life (in fact, it’s been exhausting), but I had some professional successes that have made me proud — an article in the New Yorker, a book deal, some published articles, and students who’ve had exciting successes. Personally, there’s the pregnancy, of course, but also seeing my daughter growing into a joyful, very silly, thoughtful person, and watching my husband flourish in his job. Most important, my family is healthy, financially OK, and continuing to grow together. If I can say the same at the end of 2020, that’s all I need.
Sewing-wise, it has also been a fun year of growth. I have learned a lot, especially about technique and finishing, even though it still often seems to me as though I’m a rank beginner. When I returned to sewing a year and a half ago, I think I thought I knew a lot more than I did. I had no idea that I have a lifetime’s worth of knowledge to gain! Nevertheless, sewing has been a source of uncomplicated happiness for me, one I sorely needed. It’s wonderful to have something to think about and do that has nothing to do with work, and never will.
For that reason, I really have no interest in setting goals or evaluating progress or anything like that. There’s enough of that happening in my work life, believe me! I prefer to just make what I like, when I like. No curating closets or setting intentions for me.
It is fun, though, to think about what I made back in 2019. So, let me think, what were my biggest wins?
Tilly and the Buttons Etta
I just think this looks really good, and it’s great for a lot of different settings. Of course, it doesn’t even come close to fitting me right now, but hopefully it will postpartum!
Continue reading “Maternity sewing & 2019 wrap-up”More or less “meh”: Vogue 8784 and the Named Ruska
Pink Etta dress
I’ve sewn quite a number of things since I last posted, but some of them have been a bit disappointing, even though I enjoyed the process. (A too-big wrap dress is weirdly unflattering, it turns out!) Today I took a couple of hours to finish off a pink Etta dress, made out of a coral pink cotton-Lycra from The Fabric Store’s L.A. location.
A stretch velvet Joni dress
I’ve had Tilly Walnes’s Stretch book for a while now, and I’ve had my eye on the Joni dress for months. When I saw a lavender stretch velvet in the L.A. Fashion District, I knew exactly what it was destined for. Bonus: the fabric was super-cheap! I think it was $5 or $6 a yard.
Continue reading “A stretch velvet Joni dress”Vogue 1513
Stuff for me, stuff for my girl
I’ve been sewing a lot lately, but mostly small-ish things, nothing showstopping.
Dora has come to believe that she needs a kid-sized copy of anything I make for myself, so we can be twins. Since I have a habit of buying more fabric than I need, it’s a nice way to use up the extra.
