I'm soooo excited for next week because Dana of MADE and I have had a little project a'cooking for a while now! It's called Don't Fear the Fabric! This series will take TWO tricky/fun/unique fabrics and give you the complete run-down of how to, why to and what to use it for! We are focusing on oilcloth and leather this time...in such pretty colors and prints! Beginning December 3rd (one week from today) we'll have projects on each of our blogs including giveaways, tutorials and free patterns! Dana is the oilcloth queen and ...Continue Reading
alternative hem finish for the ICON coat (bag the bagged lining!)
I never want you to feel scared of tackling a project like the Icon coat. I think every seamstress has it in them to do something like that! You just need a little confidence. BUT, if you're scared of any parts of the Icon coat, I'm sure it is the bagged lining. So, if that is what is keeping you from sewing a coat, I'm offering an alternative method today! I made the girls pattern just slightly different than the women's. The big difference is the hem. I wanted a really nice professional finish for the lining on the Icon coat, which is ...Continue Reading
bagged lining tutorial
Bagged lining are so nice! You will love this professional hem finish. This is also one of those techniques that might give you a headache at first but will be totally worth the satisfaction and boost in your sewing confidence afterwards. I simplified this tutorial a tiny bit and took tons of photos, so I'm hoping walking you through this process will make it easy and fun. Let's get started! I'm demonstrating this technique on the Kennedy coat just because it was easier to show you with a smaller garment. The pieces are the same as the Icon, ...Continue Reading
sewing 101// welt pocket tutorial
We're on Day 3 of the Icon Coat Sewalong! If you missed the first few days, check out this post about fabric selection and this post featuring a powder blue icon coat on a plus size model. Today's post is all about how to sew a welt pocket! One of my favorite features of the Icon coat (And the Kennedy, too!) is the welt pockets. Welt pockets are so cozy and inviting on cold winter days! And they look slick also! If you've never done a welt pocket, you may be intimidated. And if you have done them before, I hope you're just excited! This welt ...Continue Reading
STYLED // powder blue icon plus
Today I'm sharing these photos of another ICON coat! to inspire you as you sew-along! It's nice to this coat on different people and I designed it to be warm and flattering for everyone! I think Cecilia is adorable in it! We styled this up with pleather leggings and booties for a nice fall/winter look. And Victory Rolls! I love it. These photos are from the same photoshoot as the Zippy Top Plus release photos, and we have more outfits coming! I'm just going to trickle them out over the next few weeks. I picked out this powder ...Continue Reading
ICON COATALONG: fabric selection + other materials
Welcome to the ICON COAT-ALONG! This week is all about the ICON. Today we are talking about fabric and the other supplies you'll need to make this coat. I designed the ICON coat for wool coating. I love wool coating, it's fun to sew with and really nice and warm to wear! It's thick without being too bulky and difficult to sew with. I just love it. So I rounded up some sources for wool coating for you today. It can be tricky to track down, but it's worth the effort! Other fabrics that you can use include boucle, tweed, suitings, melton, ...Continue Reading
the ICON COATALONG!
The Icon coatalong starts MONDAY! I wanted to squeeze in a quick little week of Icon stuff before Thanksgiving and the bustle of the holidays hits. You are welcome to sew up a Sign up for my newsletter for a release day discount code! For the sewalong, I am going to go into more detail on the two trickiest techniques in this pattern: welt pockets and a bagged lining. I will also give you an alternate method of finishing the hem if you are having trouble with the bagged lining. The first post will go up Monday, all about picking fabric and ...Continue Reading
sewing 101: marking fabric with thread
sewing 101// marking fabric with thread Today I wanted to share how I usually mark fabric. There are so many things from patterns that need to be transferred over to the fabric to make sewing easier. Things like: pocket placement, pleat markings, ruffle markings, sleeve ease markings, etc. I'm doing this example on a welt pocket for the Kennedy Coat (almost done!). Using thread to mark fabric is a great way to mark all layers of fabric easily without ruining your pattern! I'm using a very dark thread so it's easy for you to see, but I ...Continue Reading
+++++++++++ PLUS PLUS PLUS! +++++++++++
I introduced my first PLUS sized patterns a few weeks ago with the IT GIRL lookbook. The ICON coat and the DREAMER top!! I'm thrilled to launch extended sizes on the ZIPPY top today! I enlisted my curvy friend Cecilia to show you how you can style these patterns this fall! We did a little retro updo for this photoshoot, I think it's really cute! I love how flattering this top is on EVERYONE! I do have quite the collection of zippy tops of my own, with a few more hacks coming! I used a pretty red and white cotton with a cobalt ...Continue Reading
faux fur cropped jacket for GIRLS! (free pattern!)
Babies in fur! Just can't get over how cute they are! This pattern is a mini-me version of yesterday's Women's Cropped Jacket pattern. This faux fur cropped jacket is also super fast like yesterday's jacket and gives an outfit so much extra! I will also say, these little jackets are WARM and cozy! I wear mine around the house when I'm cold, hah! It's nice when a winter accessory is also functional, so bundle up your girlie with this free pattern! I bought 1 yard of faux fur to make both of the cropped jackets, and I have a little bit left ...Continue Reading
FREE PATTERN: faux fur cropped jacket
Every fall I buy some faux fur and let it sit in my sewing space until inspiration hits. For this yard of grey faux fur I thought a cropped jacket would be fun. Cropped jackets and sweatshirts are in style this winter and so is fur! This post includes a free pattern download for this easy jacket! It's one-size and should fit a good range of sizes. I usually wear a Medium for reference. This is the perfect FANCY party accessory! It's retro without being old and so classy. It's also super warm and totally vegan. So yes! I think this cropped ...Continue Reading
