Maternity Friendly Patterns

  In my last post, I said that I spend 90% of my time in stretchy loungewear. Well, we have a wedding to attend coming up at the end next month and I don't think my t-shirt and joggers wardrobe is going to cut it for that type of event. I also didn't want to wait until the last minute to make a dress because I cannot predict how much my ...

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Dani Joggers in French Terry

Between pregnancy and self-isolating because of Covid-19, I have been spending 90% of my time in stretchy loungewear. Unfortunately, I don't have enough loungewear to wear on a regular basis without doing laundry just about every other day. Ever since finding out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to make some more joggers for when I couldn't fit into my regular clothes. That time came up quicker than I ...

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Planning a Seasonal Wardrobe

Way back in October I ordered my fabrics with this grandiose idea that I would write about how I planned a fall/winter capsule wardrobe with Cali Fabrics. But then I found out I was pregnant and so started all the joys of the first trimester. Now that that period is ending I am ready to get back to things even though my wardrobe plans have changed drastically. The first thing I ...

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How to Dip Dye Wool

Welcome back to part two of my coat making journey. Today, I am going to share how I  dip dyed the two-tone ombre hem. It is important to note that I did not dye the finished coat. I constructed the sleeves and the main body and dyed each of the two separately before finishing construction. I am not a dyeing expert by any means but I do feel pretty strongly about ...

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7 Tips For Coat Making

For a couple months now I have been working on a pretty time-consuming project that I have been dying to share (pun intended). I have a great big love for coat making and I believe this one makes number 10! After that many coats, I have picked up a few best practices that ensure I get consistent results with each coat and I want to share them with you. But first, ...

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How To Break The Sewing Rules

Soooo...I did a thing. I broke the rules. I took a pattern that called for wovens and made it out of a knit instead. Cue the chiding and scoffing now. But you know what? My rulebreaking worked! Can you guess which pattern this is? It's the Zadie Jumpsuit from Paper Theory! It's official, I jumped on board the Zadie train and let me tell you that the view is nice on here. ...

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Leveling Up Your Sleepwear Game

Friends, I have a game changer to share today! I have leveled up my summer sleepwear and I am here to share how you can do it too! Flannel pajama pants and random non-matching t-shirt have been my sleepwear staples for long as I can remember. Don't mistake me, I love my crazy print flannel pj pants in the fall and winter but it has never been my thing during ...

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Revisiting a Classic

Hey! Today, I am sharing a jacket that is inspired by a previous make of mine. Way back in 2011 I made another version of this same Simplicity 2223 (now OOP) pattern. It was made in a similar shade of green twill. It was and still is one of my most favorite pieces. It got a lot of wears and now 8 years later, it is faded and too small.  ...

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Spring-Ready Skirt

Hello, Cali Fabric fans! I don't know about you, but I am anxiously awaiting spring. The calendar may say it is spring, but I am waiting for the green to come back in my life. That may be why I have been gravitating towards green fabrics as of late. This skirt is no exception to that. The fabric is a solid forest green midweight cotton twill. It has a pretty ...

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3 Tips for Sewing DBP

I admit I have fallen deep down the double brushed poly rabbit hole.  This time around I have a new amazing dress to share.  This is the Cashmerette Appleton Wrap Dress.  This is the second time I have made this pattern. The first one was a couple years ago. I for the life of me cannot figure out what took me so long to make a second! This pattern is ...

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Double Brushed Poly Lesson 2

I think teenage Sarah would be so impressed with adult Sarah's wardrobe choices for fall/winter 2018.  I have been sharing on Instagram and my personal blog that I am working on a fall collection that is modern silhouettes with a 90s grunge flair. I named it the Smells Like Fall Spirit Collection (thanks Nirvana for the name inspiration).  This vest is the second completed piece of the collection. The pattern I ...

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Doubled Brushed Poly 101

  Are you ready for some fun?  With this top, I know I am.  This print is so playful that it is hard not to be happy when wearing it.  The fabric is a Floral and Polka Dot Double Brushed Poly.  There isn't much left, so grab some before it is gone. For this top, I used one of my favorite TNT patterns, the Dixie DIY - Summer Concert Tee.  This pattern ...

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Not So Prickly Cactus Dress

Hey, Sewists!  I have been a busy bee sewing away this month.  I hope you have been sewing this month too.  This time around I am sharing another new summer dress.  Dresses are pretty much my summer uniform and this one fits in so well. First, let me just talk about this fabric!  I used the cactus print double brushed poly in navy.  Unfortunately, this colorway is not available, but there ...

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My Go To Summer Dress

Hey Sewists!  I am excited to share my newest dress with you.  It is no secret that one of my favorite fabric fibers is rayon.  Rayon jersey and rayon challis being my two favorite fabrics at the moment.  Today, I have a new rayon challis dress to share.  This particular kelly green rayon challis to be exact.  Hurry and pick some up quick. It is almost gone.  I promise you won't ...

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Colette Aster in Tencel

Hey, Cali Fabrics Fans!  I am so excited to share one of my latest makes with you all.  I made the Colette Patterns Aster top.  I made version 2 with the pleats at the shoulders. This pattern has been on my to make list since the pattern came out because those pleats are such a cool detail. I used a Lightweight Indigo Tencel Denim, which unfortunately is no longer available. However this Dark ...

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A Tale of Two Chambrays

Hey, chambray fans!  I am so excited to be participating in Chambray Week!  There are some great bloggers lined up this week and I feel lucky to be included.  I was instantly drawn to this gray and white striped chambray and this rust red midweight chambray. I made plans to make three garments: a dress and shorts out of the red, and for the gray and white striped piece a shawl ...

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Sparkling in the Storm

Hey Sewists, how are you doing?  I don't know about you, but I am ready for spring. Here in Chicago we just finished digging ourselves out of nearly 2 feet of snow just in time for it to warm up and melt.  Now it is raining and we are flooding. Before the snow completely melted we had an ice dam form on our roof and cause water to leak into my ...

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Shirt Dress Hack

Hey Makers!  Happy New Year!  I don't know about you but I have a lot of big sewing plans this year.  I want to do more pattern hacking and drafting.  First up for pattern hacking is this version of McCall's 7351.  This pattern is originally a fit and flare shirt dress style.  I knew I wanted to keep bodice portion the same but change the skirt to make it more ...

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Twist on a Basic

Hey, Cali Fabrics Fans!  I have another new piece to share with you all.  I made a view A of Simplicity 8089.  For my version, I used the Lagoon Midweight Stretch Ponte De Roma which is a great teal color that was missing from my fall wardrobe.  The idea for this top came from Pinterest.  I saw a similar top for sale from one of those overseas companies that sell garments for super ...

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Transitioning to Fall

  Hey, Sewists!  Now that I knocked the last bit of summer sewing off my list, I am ready for fall.  Fall is my absolute favorite season because of the wool textures.  Plaids, houndstooth, herringbone, you name it when it comes to wool and I want it.  It is still a bit too warm around here for wool just yet, so I am easing into it by making some pieces that will ...

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