Grandma’s Sewing Cabinet Etsy Shop

1960 Raglan Sleeve Belted Dress Pattern Bust 36
Visit my Store
183712_120x240 Spring Looks Event - Ends April 11th
Click here to shop.

Clap On, Clap Off…The Point Presser!

Buying all of the sewing tools we need to construct quality garments can quickly become expensive.  For my advanced sewing/tailoring class, I discovered I was woefully deficient in the tool department and needed to buy a seam roll, tailor’s ham, and a clapper/point presser, among other things.

Our class was able to negotiate a discount . . . → Read More: Clap On, Clap Off…The Point Presser!

Crispy Fried

During my eight-week summer vacation, I only sewed one thing (other than the Tailored Curriculum samples): A Simplicity 2900 dress for Baby Alice (that is her modeling it for us).  The only reason I finished her dress was because I wanted to finish it before she outgrew it.  Her mother says it “just” fits her . . . → Read More: Crispy Fried

Ode to Hand Work

Hand sewing has a bad reputation for being tedious.  Right now that tediousness is my refuge.  I am in a high-stress situation taking care of sick family members and a needle and thread are helping me process my stress.

I started embroidering a couple of pillowcases last year.  Thankfully, I brought them along with me.  . . . → Read More: Ode to Hand Work

There’s NO WAY I Could Ever Do That!

I don’t know if you’re like me but I kind of have a love-hate relationship with sewing magazines, blogs, and TV shows.  I find them very inspiring and informative but they also discourage me.  I see the amazing things that other people are doing and think, “There’s no way I could ever do that!”  I . . . → Read More: There’s NO WAY I Could Ever Do That!

Theatrical Thursday: Sew What’s New

I owe a lot of my sewing ability to Nancy Zieman, of Sewing with Nancy fame.  I’d religiously watch it on WHYY (Philadelphia’s public television station) every Saturday afternoon in the late 80′s and early 90′s (sadly, I had to give it up when grad school got in the way of my television viewing pleasure).  . . . → Read More: Theatrical Thursday: Sew What’s New

The Smartest Decision I Made in 2009

I just bought the Draping for Apparel Design textbook that I will be using in my Draping class this winter.  As I was clicking the “buy” button, I was reflecting on how the one “little” decision to go back to school to study fashion has completely changed my life:

For the longest time, I’ve considered . . . → Read More: The Smartest Decision I Made in 2009

Christmas Miracles

I hope your Christmas was filled with great joy.  I will be taking a few days off to spend time with family and to celebrate our 23rd anniversary.

This is my brother-in-law singing to Baby Alice.  I think she tried to join in with him for a split second…

. . . → Read More: Christmas Miracles

Thank You, All

I saw photos of Baby Alice today and started crying.  She is such a peanut although she is bigger than I thought she’d be.  And, biologically, she may not be a “Mears Girl,” she is already showing the same sort of spunk that people claim make my sisters and me different than most families . . . → Read More: Thank You, All

Reflections of Taking Fashion 1A

Juki, My Assigned Industrial Machine

For the past 16 weeks, I have spent my Mondays in a class that was designed to provide me with an…

Introduction to fashion, career concepts, research and clothing construction. Orientation to fashion careers, aptitude to fashion, life skills, time management, and education planning. Industrial sewing equipment, . . . → Read More: Reflections of Taking Fashion 1A

Rut-Roe

Well, stop the presses… As Scooby Doo would say, “Rut-roe.”

Monday, my intro to fashion class had a field trip to Los Angeles’ Fashion District (you have to love a class that requires you to fondle fabric all day).  While we were at Michael Levine’s , I showed my professor the pattern envelopes for the . . . → Read More: Rut-Roe