Clothes Making Mavens podcast Episode 9: Missing Sewjo

When Sewjo goes MIA and you’re like WTF? FML! And getting it back FTW

Helena and I haven’t had a chat on our podcast for a while. Turns out we’ve both had a case of missing sewjo…and missing blogjo, not to mention podjo. (Sorry, seems I’ve got a case of overkilljo happening right now.) But we finally got our act together and compared notes on some of the things that get in the way of sewing, and some strategies … Continue reading When Sewjo goes MIA and you’re like WTF? FML! And getting it back FTW

Lori B.May 18, 2017July 23, 20172 Comments

sewing, travel

Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya: a call to action for the sewing community

Cast your eye upon these glorious colours worn by a group of Maasai women I met in Kenya recently! I travelled there with a group of my university students to learn more about the cultural tradition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM; also sometimes referred to as Female Genital Cutting or FGC), and to meet young residents of a slum in the capital city Nairobi. What an experience! One … Continue reading Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya: a call to action for the sewing community

Lori B.April 28, 2017July 23, 20174 Comments

Clothes Making Mavens Podcast

What’s It Like to Swear Off Buying Any Clothes for a Year?

Madame Tifaine knows the answer. She spent a year on a ready-to-wear fast and sewed everything she needed. Have a listen to the latest episode of the Clothes Making Mavens podcast, in which I talk to Tif about why she did it and what she learned along the way. Enjoy! You can also visit Madame Tifaine’s blog to see her lovely makes. Continue reading What’s It Like to Swear Off Buying Any Clothes for a Year?

Lori B.February 17, 2017July 23, 20172 Comments

Free patterns, knitting, travel

I Was Smiling the Whole Time

There’s no doubt we could use more reasons to smile lately. It’s been a while since I’ve knitted something that made me excited to plan, happy to knit, and gleeful to wear. But this neck warmer was just the ticket! This is the I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by Deb Jacullo. Pssst — it’s FREE! Another reason to smile. I made a couple of modifications to … Continue reading I Was Smiling the Whole Time

Lori B.February 11, 2017August 23, 201712 Comments

sewing

Named Talvikki Sweatshirt

Heather Lou made me do it! She looked so great in her Named Talvikki Sweatshirt that I had a second look at this pattern that I had previously passed over. I like the minimalist design of this sweater, particularly the darts around the neckline which form the funnel neck. I must admit that I very happily and cluelessly applied non-stretch interfacing to my stretch fabric neck … Continue reading Named Talvikki Sweatshirt

Lori B.January 15, 2017August 18, 20175 Comments

sewing

Perfect PJs

I can’t think of a more appropriate project to sew just a few days before Christmas! This is Burda’s onesie pyjamas (12/2016 #103). As soon as I saw their photo, I realized I had the perfect heather grey knit fabric that had been sitting in my stash for 2 years. I seem to recall that this knit was labeled Marc Jacobs or some such thing … Continue reading Perfect PJs

Lori B.December 22, 2016July 23, 20176 Comments

fabric, Tips & Wisdom

Take These Scraps And…

My city has a pretty amazing recycling program, accepting just about anything for recycling…compost, styrofoam, glass, plastic bags; you name it…except textiles. Now I know you all share the secret shame of home sewists: producing extraordinary amounts of little scraps of fabric that can’t be used for much of anything except landfill. Why this is a problem is summed up well by Craig and Marc … Continue reading Take These Scraps And…

Lori B.December 18, 2016July 23, 201715 Comments

Tips & Wisdom

Doing This Was SO Worth It

So this is a thing I did… I was getting sick of having to dump out my dresser drawers every couple of months to re-fold the jumbled hot mess they inevitably became. Where is that damn black turtleneck?? <riffle riffle ruffle> Don’t I have a purple long sleeved Tee in here somewhere?? <ruffle toss riffle> Why won’t this drawer close properly?? <grunt urgh %^&$> I’m quite late … Continue reading Doing This Was *SO* Worth It

Lori B.December 4, 2016August 18, 20177 Comments

Bag Making, sewing

Do You Sew Gifts?

Or are you worried that after all your hard work, this is the reaction the recipient might have? If you haven’t heard Episode 7 of the Clothes Making Mavens podcast yet, that’s the next topic Helena and I are asking you to weigh in on. Do you sew/knit/make gifts? And what reactions do you get? Ever slaved forever over a handmade gift only to have the … Continue reading Do You Sew Gifts?

Lori B.November 20, 2016July 23, 20179 Comments

Bag Making, Gratitude

With a Little Help From My Friends, Part 2: THANK YOU

Hey friends! Guess who won second place in the Pattern Review Handbag Contest?? Thank you SO MUCH for helping me out with your votes. I am very grateful and very happy! And I’m loving my new bag. I’ve been busy lately, including work on the next episode of the Clothes Making Mavens podcast which will be released soon, so things have been a bit quiet here … Continue reading With a Little Help From My Friends, Part 2: THANK YOU

Lori B.November 4, 2016July 23, 20172 Comments

Frivolous At Last

"A life of pleasure makes even the strongest mind frivolous at last." — Edward Bulwer-Lytton