As I have recently completed my 11th men’s collared shirt, I decided to reflect about everything that I have learned. I finally feel like I am happy with most of my techniques, but I am definitely not at the end of my journey; I still have more to learn! This whole journey started a couple… Read More My Shirtmaking Journey
This project came about because I had been wanting to do more sashiko embroidery and because this wool twill seemed boring. Sashiko is a Japanese style of embroidery that uses a running stitch to make geometric designs. I had done a tiny bit of sashiko when mending some jeans. This wool fabric was leftover from… Read More Sashiko Embroidery on a Wool Skirt
More and more, I am drawn to projects that take a long time and involve multiple steps. I think part of that is that you only need so many clothes and most of my wardrobe holes are filled now. I like being able to slow down and really enjoy the process. The creation of this… Read More Alabama Chanin Dress
Since I had four silk scarves that I dyed using shibori (indigo and other natural dyes), I decided to do a bit of experimentation with hems. All the scarves are hemmed using types of “rolled hems” but they all have a slightly different effect. Two of the scarves are done by hand. I first stitched a line… Read More Four Ways to Do a Rolled Hem
I’m going to let you in on a little secret; like a lot of makers, I HATE mending and alterations. I like to make stuff! Not rip out stuff I’ve already done and re-do it! But the flip side to this is that I know exactly how much work and materials went into my clothes.… Read More The Art of Mending