... fabric and time to sew! I decided to do some home dec sewing this year, to add some Christmas spirit to my house. In other words, I fell in love with Cali Fabrics array of cosy plaid flannels, and gave myself an excuse to use them! My first project was a cheerful plaid bunting, My mom and sister made bunting for my wedding in 2011, and it's gone on ...

Everyone loves a free pattern, and the Grainline Hemlock t-shirt is a classic! For years it was available to newsletter subscribers in sizes 0-18, but now it has been redrafted for sizes 14-30. With such inclusive sizing and a forgiving fit, I think it's the perfect pattern to sew for others this Christmas! I couldn't wait to try it out, and I had the perfect fabrics from Cali waiting in my ...

If you follow indie patterns, then I'm sure you couldn't miss the Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory Patterns bursting onto the scenes this spring. It's one of those magical patterns that seems to look good on everyone - and I mean everyone, because it's available up to size 28! You you know me - why sew a woven when I could make it in a knit? Once again, my trust ...

I recently received a copy of the new extended size range of the Liesl & Co Rush Hour dress for review on the Curvy Sewing Collective. It's a classic princess-seamed sheath dress or peplum top which is just perfect for a business look. That's one of my favourite silhouettes, but I prefer it in a knit! Luckily, I'd just received my order from Cali Fabrics (Oh happy day!), and I ...

Meet my sister, Anne! She is a conference planner for a governance non-profit that regularly hosts heads of state, politicians and dignitaries, along with lead researchers from around the world. When it's time for an event, she needs to be able to set up chairs and tables and lug around equipment... and then look elegant and professional as the guests arrive! We've been working on her wardrobe for years (she ...

As a Cali Fabrics Blogger, I get to order fabric every quarter... and time after time, I find myself fawning over French Terry! Cali always has a great selection of solids and prints, including cotton, rayon, poly and bamboo fabrics. Here are a few of the French Terry projects I've sewn for Cali over the years: a drapy vest and a cosy cowl sweatshirt! But wait! Digging through my blog, ...

My husband got a new tattoo this year, so of course I had to make him a shirt to show it off! I knew I wanted this Cali Fabrics Black and White Checkerboard Knit as soon as I saw it. It's a perfect weight for t-shirt - one of the things I love about Cali is that Ron's fabric descriptions are so reliable! He says it's light mid-weight, and ...

Roses, jewellery and a table for two are all well and good... but me-time is a girl's best friend! This Valentine's Day, I'm planning a date with myself! Whether you are single or in a couple, your relationship with yourself is life-long. My favourite gifts from my husband are always ones that show he values my interests and hobbies - i.e. SEWING! For Christmas he gave me fabric gift certificates ...

I'm always looking for good quality knit stripes, and luckily Cali Fabrics has a great selection. This top is made with a ponte stripe which is sadly now out of stock - proof that when you see a great fabric, you should buy it! (What can I say, I'm on Team Stash, not Team Minimalism.) I am also on Team Make It Up As You Go Along, because this project was initially ...

Every good sewist will tell you that the secret to sewing stripes is to pin, pin, pin... so I'm here to show you a dress made with just 2 or 3 pins! (After all, I love Lazy Tips for Sewing Knits!) Here are my top tips for life with minimal pins: 1. Choose a good quality fabric. Look, we've all been there - we prewash a cute stripe jersey and it comes out of ...

This is not an outfit for the faint of heart! But oh man, it's a fun one! One of the fun things about shopping at Cali Fabrics is that they sometimes carry designer fabrics, like this "7 For All Mankind" leopard twill. Right now they only have it in orange, but they have some great stretch twills from Hudson Jeans. How fabulous would a blazer or pant be in that vertical ...

Cute fabric.  Sometimes it's just too hard to resist! Do I "need" adorable cat fabric? No, but I sure do want it!!! Cali Fabrics always has a great selection of cute prints on Double Brushed Poly (DBP) fabrics, but when I saw these cats I couldn't resist! I'm a proud Crazy Cat Lady! See? Two cat-themed birthday cards I received recently, and leopard sandals that just happen to match my top! We have ...

Have you ever seen someone put on a custom-fit garment for the first time, and light up with excitement about how great they look? I think I'm hooked on that feeling. I've always sewed for my mom and sister as well as myself, but earlier this year I sewed for a cousin who lives far away... and she loved her dress so much that I offered to make dresses for her ...

Do you nickname your projects as you sew? I don't usually, but this one demanded to be called the Krazy Kimono! Partly from the fabric, and partly because it didn't come together as I planned! The problems started during construction. I lost the normal foot on my sewing machine and haven't bought another yet, so I sewed the whole thing on a walking foot... and I also only had universal needles, ...

Last time I showed you a cute spring dress made with Cali Liverpool knit, using the first Big 4 pattern I've sewn with in years! I liked that dress so much that I decided to try View B as well! And no surprises, I love it too! Big florals like this one from Cali Fabrics are really trendy this year, and I've seen quite a lot of Liverpool knit garments in stores. ...

Last post I blogged about a Jalie raglan and McCalls sleeveless cardi that I'd sewn with TNT (Tried'N'True) patterns. Well, I'm back today with another TNT Jalie pattern, in a gorgeous floral rayon french terry from Cali Fabrics! This time it's the Jalie hoodie, minus the hoodie and with a rectangular cowl instead! This is a very classic boxy hoodie pattern, which I've made before in beefier knits. In cotton french ...