Licca Doll Vintage Mister Donut Uniform Halloween Recreation (Maven French Dart Shift Pattern Review)

It's time I finally introduce my Halloween costume from 2022. For the last few years, I've enjoyed making doll-themed outfits and costumes, and this is the first one that really got the ball rolling for me. I based this look off of a 2006 Licca doll that was released in collaboration with Mister Donut (a popular donut chain in Japan).  The doll is very 60-70's-inspired, my favorite fashion era, so I had a blast putting this costume together. I'll ramble about Licca and Mister Donut a lot here, and of course I'll talk about the patterns and materials I used. 

This post is going to be a bit long, but I hope it will be coherent and interesting to those of you interested in dolls or Japan! 

Know Me 2108 Pattern Review (Pink Heart Dress!)

Hello again! I am finally back to posting after a roughly three year hiatus. Despite not posting here, I haven't slowed down sewing at all, and I now have an enormous backlog of projects I'd like to write about. In the interest of making progress, I'm going to try to write a little more efficiently than I have in the past- so some of these posts may have a little less detail, for better or for worse. 

In this post, I'll be discussing a dress I made using Know Me 2108, one of the cutest mainstream patterns to come out in recent years! (In my opinion, anyways.) 

Red Tiered Dress: McCall's 8202 Pattern Review

It's been a while, but I'm finally back with another McCall's pattern review. While Big 4 patterns are not impossible to buy in Japan, I'm extremely grateful that McCalls has started making all of their patterns available as PDF downloads, so that I can use them seamlessly in Japan. Anyways, I recently modified McCall's 8202 to make a tiered mini dress with a square neckline. Keep reading down below for more details! 

Uni Sews Viki Dress Pattern Review (Viki Sews юни )

Hello again! Once again I'm long overdue for another post here (despite finishing several projects along the way), but I'm excited to introduce this dress. In this post, I'll be discussing the Uni Sews Viki Dress and my experience with it! 

Introvert Corset Top

Welcome welcome! In today's post, I'd like to introduce you all to a project I completed earlier this year. Although I meant to post about this in February for Valentine's Day, I never got around to writing the post! So, in this post I'll be discussing my process and the pattern I used for this corset top look. Keep reading down below for more details! 

An Apple a Day Apron: Sun Planning's Easy Apron Pattern Review

 

Hello! I'm back again today with another quick project from the past. In this post, I'll feature a quick apron project I made using a Fit Pattern Sun easy apron pattern. It was a simple afternoon project that I've gotten a lot of use out of. Keep reading for the details down below!

Spring Strawberry Tie Dress

 

Hello again! In today's post I'll be bringing you yet another gingham fruit project! I used a modified Japanese pattern to create a loose-fitting smock dress, and it wasn't hard to construct or sew. However, due to my fabric choices, this dress really turned out to be a flop. I'll be elaborating on all the details down below! 

The Sweetheart Mitten: Kwik Sew 3627 Pattern Review

 

Happy February everyone! Now that February has arrived, I have a super short and sweet post about a heart-themed project from last year. After discovering the pattern online, I realized I had the perfect amount of scrap fabric left from previous projects to sew this up in one afternoon. Keep reading below for more details!

Fall in Miyazaki: Nina Lee Bakerloo Pattern Review in Two Ways

 

Happy Holidays! Today's blog post will be chronicling my experience using Nina Lee's Bakerloo pattern in two ways. First, I made a patterned blouse using a cotton barkcloth from Kokka Fabrics. Afterwards, I used the pattern again to make a white dress version of the pattern. I had a good experience making both versions of this pattern, which I'll describe in more detail down below. 

Pandemic Mask Making

Hello again! Today's post is going to be pretty short and sweet- I'm going to recap some masks I made at the start of the pandemic last year. This post may feel a little different from usual, but i think that's only because there isn't much of actual substance to discuss. Anyways, if you're interested in seeing some DIY masks (and an attempt at outfit coordination), please keep reading down below!

Haute Hydrangeas: This is Kachi Delilah Dress Pattern Review

Hello again! I'm finally back with another blog post. Today's post will be about a lavender summer dress I recently completed using a pattern from This is Kachi. I'm super excited to share it, because I've worn it countless times since completion, and I've found it to be the perfect weight for the summer here in Japan. Let's get right into it!

Love Letter Sweater (Pattern Review)

Hello everyone and Happy Valentine's Day! Today's post is a Valentine's themed sweater with an envelope-shaped front pocket. Valentine's Day is one of my favorite times of year (second only to Halloween), and I love all of the red and pink hearts that are present in stores and decorations this time of year. And unlike Halloween, Valentine's Day clothing items can sometimes be worn easier throughout the entire year, so I love stocking up on home goods for my apartment during February. 

Anyways, this sweatshirt is a recreation of the Pepaloves Sealed with a Cozy Sweatshirt that was previously available on ModCloth. I first saw this sweatshirt a few years ago and fell in love with it, but it was long sold out, so I decided to make my own. Keep reading below to see more information on the materials and construction process, including a review of the Basic Sweatshirt Pattern by Tienda De Patrones!

Shinohara Tomoe Simple Dress Pattern Review

Hello everyone! This is my second post of the year-I hope to keep it up moving forward. This post will detail my experience using a Japanese dress pattern by Tomoe Shinohara. I used matching fabric for the dress, and I also made a matching face mask (because it's 20202021). Continue reading below for more!

Flower Power Jumper: Vintage 1960's Simplicity 8394 Pattern Review

Happy New Year everyone! This year's first blog post will be a review of vintage Simplicity Pattern #8394. It was a simple and fun project that I finished this past November. In the following post, I'll discuss the pattern itself, the materials used, and break down the styling details. 

A Beary Merry Christmas

 

Welcome back and Happy Holidays! I'm long overdue for another post, despite finishing a number of sewing projects this year. Today's post was originally intended to be finished in time for Halloween, but seeing as the final outcome is suitable for Christmas, it has become a Christmas project. Down below, I'll be breaking down the concept, materials, and construction process for three matching garments for a group costume. If you're interested, please check out the information below!

In this post, we'll be revisiting the Otome No Sewing books yet again! My love for this series remains unmatched, and I'm always glad to reuse the books for different projects.

Pink Heart Oversized Sweatshirt: Dressy Talk Pattern #5110 Review

Hello everyone! This post will outline my experience using Dressy Talk Pattern #5110 to make a pink cropped sweatshirt with a heart print rib knit trim. It was a pretty easy and quick project to complete, and I'm fairly happy with the result. Read below for more details and a review of the materials used. 

I Completed 70 classes on ClassPass! (ClassPass Houston Review)

Hello everyone! I sincerely hope everyone is doing well, despite the encroaching threat of both COVID-19 and a global recession. This blog post may feel a bit out of character, as it is a departure from my usual sewing content (and it doesn't provide any practical information for the current situation). Before moving to Japan last fall, I was living in Houston with my parents after graduating from college. During that time, I used the Class Pass app from March to July 2019, and I found it to be a great way for me to maintain a fitness routine and try new things. There was little thorough information online about ClassPass online at the time other than some sponsored blog posts- and these bloggers tended to only use the app for a month.

It's now April, but I wrote the majority of this post (from this point forward) back in October. I apologize for any discrepancies or facts that have otherwise changed in that time. Without further ado, here's my review!

This week's post is a review of the Class Pass app in Houston. I used this app from March to July 2019, and I completed exactly 68 classes in that time (sorry for rounding up in the title). I'm choosing to write this review to provide a more thorough and comprehensive review than the shorter ones I've seen online! It is my sincere hope that this post may serve as a guide to those considering the app in the Houston area. 

I apologize for the departure from sewing content, but I really wanted a place to share this. I'll be back to posting sewing content soon! 

Pink Skull Halloween Blouse: Vintage Vogue 7644 Review

Hello everyone! After taking a break, I am finally back with a new sewing project review. In this post, I'll discuss my experience using a vintage Vogue pattern to make a Halloween blouse. I actually finished this blouse back in July, but as I moved to Japan at the end of the month, I didn't get the chance to photograph or discuss the project for a while. I'm very excited to be back! 

GoHeen Designs RIP Tombstone Pillow Pattern Review

Hello everyone! While I realize it is till only July, that hasn't stopped me from working on Halloween projects any less. This week I'm going to discuss my experience sewing the Goheen Designs RIP Tombstone Pillow earlier this year. I'll review the pattern and discuss the construction process further down below.

Jack-o-Lantern and Jackie-o-Lantern Candy Holders (Patch Press Pattern Review)

Hello everyone! Even though it's only mid-July, I've already got Halloween on my mind. This post will be my first (of several) Halloween posts I've got planned for this year. I recently sewed some Jack-O-Lantern shaped candy holders, and in this post, I'll describe the process and review the pattern.