Testing, testing: Springfield Top

This is my tester version of the latest wardrobe workhorse pattern from Jenny at Cashmerette: the Springfield Top!

A Springfield Top Trio

After making my tester version of the Cashmerette Springfield top, I knew I was destined to make a few more of this wardrobe staple... today I've got three for ya!

Briar Tee

After hand-carrying my new (to me, but really it's second hand, or third hand if you count the 8 months that the Real Martha used it in Springfield) serger literally across the world (Springfield --> NYC --> Frankfurt --> Singapore --> Jakarta), it was quite necessary to put it to work and make all that lugging around worthwhile.

Sergers and knits are pretty much made for one another, and both are something I have (needlessly) feared to this point.  In order to conquer those fears, I decided it was wise to start with a simple (but yet styley) pattern: Megan Nielsen's Briar t-shirt pattern.  I'd had my eye on it for a while since it's a cute and modern wardrobe staple, but was hesitant to try it before getting my serger ready to roll.  Well, no excuses now!

My first iteration was made from some up-cycled fabric, a slinky rayon knit that was the bottom half of a Target maxi-dress that I never wear anymore.  I cut the dress in half so I could still wear the top part as a tank, and cut the cropped, short-sleeved Briar out of the skirt.  This little cropped bugger will be gifted to someone skinnier than me because I couldn't fit my size (or the full-length version) on the fabric, but I squeezed myself into it for a blurry selfie nonetheless.  Future recipient, whoever you may be: don't be skerred, the cropped/hi-low top looks cute layered over a normal length shirt or dress!

Dudes: sergers + knits = awesomely simple!  While difficult to cut (see: slinky, slippery rayon), this fabric is super forgiving when sewn.  And I lurve my serger!  I just have to remember to sew confidently, because once that knife hits fabric, that's it, buddies.  No going back.

Expect more knits and serged items in the near future... it will only take me as long as it takes for my washing machine to prep the fabric before I am back with another Briar, I guarantee it.

Grainline Willow Tank x 2

Two Grainline Willow tanks for your viewing pleasure... a wearable muslin and a more refined linen/cotton version.

Seamwork Delavan Blazer in Chambray

Blazerama! 

Morris Blazer, Take 2

An eye-searing green floral Grainline Studio Morris Blazer for your viewing pleasure:

Classic White Harrison Shirt

Wow, for some reason it feels like for-e-ver since I posted anything! It's not been that long, but there's been a lot of sewing that I haven't been able to post about and I've been itching to! So satisfying to click publish on this one!

Continuing on with my quest for more solids and basics in my wardrobe, I give you my classic white buttondown! Buttonup? Whatever. You know what I mean. Collared shirt with buttons.

Sew Bibs: Corduroy Cleo Styled Two Ways

Have you been following along with #SewBibs, or maybe even joining in? I've been finding it so inspiring!

Me Made May 2018 Wrap-up

Hurrah! Another Me Made May in the books!

Me-Made-May 2017: Mid-Month Roundup

Here's the mid-month update on my Me-Made-May pledge (in which you see how infrequently I bother to dry/do my hair in Bangkok's heat)! I've been sharing daily in Instagram stories, but here is the first half of the month all in one place.

Style Maker Fabrics Spring Style Blog Tour: Designer Stitch Willow Kimono

I'm so excited to share the project I made as part of the Style Maker Fabric Spring Style Blog Tour!!

Testing, testing: Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet

This is the latest pattern from Helen's Closet, the Blackwood Cardigan. I was a tester for this new pattern, which is definitely a fabulous wardrobe staple!

Crocheted Snowflakes

While Springfield and the whole U.S. East Coast was blanketed in (or battered by) snow over Halloween, I was sweating it up in Jakarta and Bali, nostalgically crocheting sparkly snowflakes.  

Loosely following this free pattern from Red Heart yarn, I used yarn I bought at the local craft shop, Sidar Snuggly Pearls (a thin white yarn laced with silvery threads).  I changed up the pattern in a couple ways:  I didn't connect the snowflakes into a garland, but kept them separate.  Also, the yarn I used was thinner than they yarn called for, so it stretched out the snowflakes a bit, as did the fact that I double crocheted instead of single crocheting.  I think it made them lacier and pretty.

Style Arc Thea Paperbag Pants in Tencel Twill

New favorite pair of pants? Quite possibly, yes.

Testing, testing: Cashmerette Webster Top

Party in the back!!

Today I'm sharing my tester version of the latest pattern from Cashmerette: the Webster top and dress! So many great pattern releases this week, huh?!

Me Made May Mid Month Menagerie

Halfway through the month and I've got a Me Made May update for you, if you're into that type of thing...

Tilly and the Buttons Rosa Dress

Rosa, oh Rosa...!

Hosh Pants + Bimaa Sweater = Eeeeexcellent

I'd had my eye on LouBee's Hosh pants and Bimaa sweater patterns for Zoe and Anna for a while now... I ended up buying them for two completely different reasons: 1) a Labor Day sale (I love a good sale!) and 2) I learned that Sarah, the designer behind LouBee grew up in Western Massachusetts. Shout out to Western Mass!  I may not have lived there (Springfield, specifically) since I was 19, but I still have pride.  Gotta support my peeps!

OK, so anyway, the patterns: stretchy skinny pants with a cool adjustable waistband?  Don't mind if I do.  I know the Hosh pants are fairly similar to the Lovely Rita pants I've made recently, but they've got a couple cool factors: they have no side seams, which means the pattern on your fabric can run uninterrupted around the leg aaaaaand it means two less seams to sew, bonus.  Plus the adjustable waistband, as I mentioned.  Score.  My version is made from some stretchy bottomweight in shades of purple paisley, care of Martha's stash.  

And the Bimaa sweater: so cute!  When I read that it now came with a hoodie option I was sold.  Plus the other two variations are equally awesome: cowl neck and shawl collar.   I went with the shawl collar this time because of fabric limitations.  This is a nice soft, thick ribbed knit that I bought at Joann's last time I was in the States.  I had intended it for a Briar t-shirt, but as much as I love the idea of that pattern, it's not for me.  So Bimaa it was!  It helped that the purple knit perfectly matched the purple paisley pants.   The Bimaa was super easy to put together with the serger.  Zip, zip, zip, done.  And so cute! Perfect for fall:

An outfit Theresa would have loved!