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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The quest for the perfect t-shirt fabric

As summer approaches, I knew I needed a new batch of t-shirts.  I'm forever on the quest to find the perfect fabric for those slouchy tees I love so much.  I grabbed six different knit substrates from the site and got to work! I debated on which pattern to use for this comparison and settled on the Love Notions Classic Tee.  It is full of options, comes in sizes XS-XXXL, and ...

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Time Traveling to 1895

Hi Readers! I'm happy to share my latest historical costume with you.  This one takes us back to about 1895, complete with huge puffed sleeves, ribbons and rosettes.  This isn't my first foray into Late Victorian sewing, but it is the first time that I went with bold sleeves and a historically accurate flat lining and bodice boning. To start with, I used Laughing Moon #103, an 1890's waist with four bodice ...

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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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A Red Gingham 1940’s Dress

Hi Readers! Have you ever dreamed about a dress and then found that it turned out exactly as you imagined it would once you've sewn it?  That's me with dress.  Since last summer I thought that this 1940 dress pattern (Vogue 8811) would look wonderful with a big gingham print.  Once I saw this 1" Kaufman Carolina Gingham pop up on the Cali site, I knew it was going to be ...

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3 Tips for Sewing for a Fashion Forward Child

Full Disclosure: I still feel some type of way writing this post, or even admitting such a thing happened, and even though I have MAJOR FEELS about it, I can't deny that is has indeed happened ...my daughter turned SIX!  And with 6 came a new sense of self awareness, independence and strong opinions. Admittedly, I'm not surprised that her already strong spirit has intensified, I just wasn't quite ready ...

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An Eyelet and Entredeux ESP Dress

Hi Readers! I absolutely LOVE using heirloom techniques to add interesting details to everyday clothing.  Yes, they take extra time, but they really add that extra little bit of casual couture that makes your clothing stand out.  For this dress, I used my TNT pattern -- the Decades of Style ESP Dress and some lovely cotton eyelet (or broderie anglaise). The fabric for this dress started out white.  I chose this lovely ...

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A Jumpsuit for Summer!

I’ve been lusting after the gorgeous jumpsuits and rompers everyone has been wearing for the past year, but after trying on a few ready-to-wear versions I got discouraged. My top and bottom halves are completely different sizes – okay for separates but terrible for jumpsuits. I put my jumpsuit dreams on the shelf for a while until one day about a month ago I had a revelation – I sew! I ...

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The Lenox Shirtdress in Ranchero Rayon Chambray

Hi Readers! I don't know about you, but I've been on the hunt for the Holy Grail of shirtdresses for a long time!  I've been searching for something classic, comfortable, well fitting with a myriad of options to customize and I think I've found it with the Cashmerette Lenox.  This pattern certainly went together easily and I had no alterations to make.  A great fit out of the envelope is always ...

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Sewing Lingerie

Hello Califabrics blog readers (and anyone else who's stumbled upon this blog)! How are you doing today? I'm back with a post about underthings. Woo hoo! I have a lot of me-made items in my closet, in fact, I pretty much wear exclusively me-mades now, but one thing I am lacking in, is underthings. I've made a few bras here and there, and I have a couple of pairs of undies, but ...

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Dude Sewing – Men’s Pyjama Pants

Hey Everybody! What brings you over to these parts? Fabric shopping? Or maybe fabric stalking? I stalk online fabric stores fairly regularly on a daily basis, and I could easily waste away hours just browsing fabrics and dreaming up sewing projects. But I will admit that sometimes I feel overwhelmed with choice, and my to sew list gets so long, that I have a hard time staying on track. I'd like ...

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Embracing the Cozy

Well, hello there again!  I’ve missed you!  You may have noticed (or not, ha!) I’ve been absent for a while. Long story short, I injured my right leg and it is taking far too long to recover, which has kept me out of my sewing room.  So frustrating!  It’s also meant far too much time stuck on the couch.  Well, if you’ve followed along with what I tend to make, ...

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A Denim Jacket with a Western Twist (Butterick 6390)

Hello, readers! I've been steadily working on filling out holes in my wardrobe and a denim jacket was at the top of my list.  It's such a steady workhorse for casual looks and gives you that needed warmth for crisp spring days.  This was a fun project that looks much more difficult than it is.  If you can set a sleeve and make buttonholes, you can make this denim jacket. I used Butterick ...

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Lounging around: Toaster Sweater #1 & Hudson Pants

I don't know about you but I really enjoy sewing for special occasions. Give me a dress pattern, a complicated pants pattern - I'm there! Unfortunately, sewing only fancy outfits leaves me all dressed up with no place to go. I decided it was time to sew some practical outfits, starting with some loungewear. For my top, I made the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater much loved around these parts (check ...

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A Year-Round Staple: The OCBD

Hello again friends!  I'm so excited to share this new shirt with you!  It feels like it's been ages since I've sewn with cotton, but for all the silk tops I've made recently, a classic oxford cloth button-down is still one of the items that feels the most 'me'.  Maybe because they've been a staple in my closet for so long.  They feel a bit like old friends.  I wear them ...

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