Grainline Hemlock: the perfect free pattern for gift-giving!

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 ...

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Business Lady with a Sharpie Twist

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 ...

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If you wore the trend the first time around, can you wear it again?

Have you heard the rule going around that if you wore a trend the first time, you shouldn't wear it when it comes back in style? Well, I'm tossing out that fashion rule, just like "horizontal stripes make you look fat" and "no white after Labor Day". Let's wear whatever we want! I just couldn't resist this neon pink Liverpool knit from Cali Fabrics! I'm an 80's baby, so neon ...

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Comfort and style at work!

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 ...

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5 Years of Sewing with Cali Fabrics French Terry

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, ...

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Plan a Sewing Date this Valentine’s!

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 ...

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Sewing Stripes Without Pins

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 ...

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Double Leopard!

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 ...

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The Cat’s Pyjamas

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 ...

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Sharing the Love of Sewing

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 ...

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Krazy Kimono

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, ...

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Sundress Season!

Summertime... and the sewin' is easy! Take a bold print knit and a tried'n'true pattern, and a few hours later, you too could have a sassy sundress! For this project, I used 2 yards of the Blue Watercolor Bohemian Stripe Liverpool knit - the colour jumped out at me and I just had to have it! Liverpool is a stable polyester knit, so it's perfect in slim dresses if you don't ...

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Another TNT for winter!

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 ...

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A new spin on some classic TNT patterns

November was TNT month on the Sewcialists blog, so this fall I've been digging out some of my favourite Tried'n'True patterns and tweeking them for a new look! Fabric makes a huge difference with TNTs, and this year I wanted to include some new colours into my winter wardrobe. I've always worn quite bright, saturated colours, but when I made my last round of Cali Fabric projects, I fell in love ...

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