Throwback Post: Sailor Lolita Dress (Otome No Sewing Pattern Review)

Hello everyone! This week's post will be about a sailor dress I made a few years ago using a pattern from the Otome No Sewing Book 3. This dress was a huge turning point for me in my sewing journey, because it was one of the first projects I felt was actually "good." The project is far from perfect, but I've gotten a lot of wear out of it over the years. In this post, I'll explain what the pattern book is and how I used it.

Throwback: University of Houston Cougar Hood: Simplicity 1795 Pattern Review

Some past sewing projects are better left in the past. But a few projects are worth revisiting and exploring once more. This week's post is one such project. In December 2013, when I was a student at the University of Houston, I decided to tackle faux fur for the first time. Spirit hoods were popular at the time, and with the release of this pattern, I thought it would be a great idea to make a UH themed spirit hood of the cougar mascot. Because this blog is a place for recording my sewing journey, I think its okay to post a couple older projects.

Warning: this post contains old photos! 

Fuchsia Faux Suede Skirt: Simplicity 8459 Review

Hello everyone! This week's post will be about my recent experience using Simplicity 8459, a faux wrap skirt pattern. I used this pattern to make a faux suede skirt with a front wrap panel that fastens with a heart belt. Keep reading to see the full construction and details. 

Lusting for Lavender: Simplicity 8746 Plaid Skirt Review (and Simplicity 7326 Hat Review)

Hello everyone! This week's post is about this matching beret and plaid skirt set. I created the skirt using Simplicity 8746, but altered the closure and used heart buckles. The beret and hair accessories were made using the leftover fabric with Simplicity 7326. Keep reading for all the details!

Rainbow Top: Stretch and Sew Pattern 310 Review

Hello everyone! This week's post is about a simple rainbow shirt made using Stretch & Sew 310. It was a super easy and satisfying project that was sewn in an afternoon. Let's get right into it! 

Big Mooo'd: Halloween Cow Costume (Simplicity 4178 and New Look 6035 Review)

This week's post has been a long time coming! This cow print look was my Halloween costume in 2018, and I'm finally getting around to writing this blog post. I used Simplicity 4178 for the hat and New Look 3065 for the skirt. This project was a bit more rushed than most of my projects, and I finished both pieces in one day. Let's get right into it!

Pink Heart Valentine's Coatigan: Schnittchen Coatigan Silvia Review

Happy Valentine's Day! This week's post is about my experience using Schnittchen's Coatigan Silvia pattern. Although I encountered a few problems while working on this coat, it was a fairly simple and quick project. Read on to find out more! 

Christine Haynes Emery Dress Review (Feline Frames Dress)

Hello everyone! This week's post will be about my experience using the Emery Dress sewing pattern by Christine Haynes. I realize that I'm extremely late to the party for this pattern, as it came out in 2013. However, the Emery dress features a timeless silhouette that is appropriate for many occasions. 

Butterick 6643: Retro Underbust Corset Review

This past December I decided to join Bluprint's streaming service. I had previously purchased a few Craftsy classes, and the end of the year deals were tempting enough for me to subscribe for a year. As a result, I stumbled upon Alison Smith's corset making class. The techniques shown were practical and valuable, and I considered purchasing the pattern used in the class. However, I couldn't see myself ever wearing it, as I never really wear shapewear. So, in summation, I wanted to challenge myself and make a corset, but I didn't want to invest hours of time and effort into a typical corset. 

The release of Butterick 6643 coincided perfectly with this dilemma. It was a less "serious" corset that I could potentially see myself wearing. So, today's post will be about my experience trying out this pattern. Be forewarned, however, because this project is a little bit of a fail. 

Red Tennis Skirt: Stretch and Sew 488 Pattern Review

Pleated tennis skirts are a staple for athletic inspired apparel. Combined with the recent revival of athletic wear and 70's looks, tennis skirts have been easy to find the past several years. American Apparel's tennis skirt has been a best seller for the better half of the last decade, prompting numerous retailers to recreate it. However, the skirt shape was not originally created by American Apparel. While I own several of their tennis skirts, I had always wanted to make my own. They're easy to coordinate and comfortable enough to wear anywhere. So, I was elated to find this pattern on Ebay!

Anyways, today's post is about my experience trying out this Stretch & Sew for the first time. Read below to see more pictures about what I liked and disliked and the changes I made to the pattern. 

Halloween Beret Tutorial (DIY Fusible Web Applique Tutorial)

It's officially October, which means Halloween is right around the corner!! Halloween is my favorite holiday, and even though school inevitably keeps me busy, I love decorating and baking Halloween treats. That being said, costumes are the best part about Halloween. Today's post will show you how to applique the above three berets. While these berets are not true costumes, they might make a fun accessory to a Halloween-inspired outfit.