Can you lend a hand?

Have you heard of Kickstarter? If you haven’t, you need to check it out.  It’s where folks like us can support other folks like us by backing their projects and helping them to get off the ground. I bring this up now because I was directed to a Kickstarter for Sara at Sew Sweetness that I really want to see backed – Sara designs beautiful handbag patterns that are available for free, but she would like to start designing … Continue reading

Like Father, Like Son

I wanted to make a tie for Caleb for the wedding and then I thought to myself, why not make one for Bill as well? I’ve had this nifty Alexander Henry dragon print lying around for ages, and I thought it would make a nice tie. I like the scalloped design in the background. I already reviewed the Burda Osman Tie pattern I used for Bill’s tie in my post Holiday Gifts: Necktie.  I went … Continue reading

More WIPs

You must all be wondering if I ever finish anything, considering that 2 out of my 3 most recent posts have been planned projects and works in progress.  Well, I’m here to tell you that yes, I do finish things from time to time.  And I’ll make this solemn vow, here and now, that this is the last Work In Progress (get it? WIP?) post that I’ll make until I have something finished to show … Continue reading

Holiday gifts: Jewelry Tote

Jewelry Pouches Originally uploaded by alyson_olander Welcome to the first in my series of holiday gift posts! I handed these cute little pouches out last night to our daycare providers during their holiday party.  I wish I could take credit for the design, but I can’t – they came from Quilting Arts Magazine special Gifts issue (2009/2010).  The pattern was designed by Margarete Steinhauer and appears on page 132 of the mag (almost all the way … Continue reading

New clothes for me!

I’ve been working on this new blazer/jacket for a couple weeks now. It’s really cute, but it’s also sort of a pain in the butt. I haven’t posted about it yet because I’m still working on the flippin’ pintucks. Plus I think I’m out of interfacing. But it really is cute. Really. See? Cute. Mine is going to be in this greyish-periwinklish wool/cashmere blend, with vintage silver-backed glass buttons. A while back (like six months … Continue reading

Quick-and-Dirty (Renn Faire) Skirt

So last weekend, we headed out to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Sadly, I have not lost all of the baby weight from when my son was born and all of the “Renaissance”-wear that I have fits my pre-baby size and shape. I spent hours slaving over new clothes for my husband and more hours slaving over a costume for my son, and alright, I even spent a few hours slaving over a Polish Vest (Folkwear … Continue reading