weekend links

Friends and students often ask me if I still sew for fun, even though sewing is also a big part of my job. And the answer is: of course!

I don’t always have a lot of time, but if I didn’t have at least one project underway I don’t think I would enjoy sewing for work nearly as much. Sewing is still very much my hobby. This weekend I’m hoping to finish a Lisette B6423 coat, now that the Thinsulate has finally arrived. It’s going to be really warm, which is great because it gets quite cold here. I’m also working on a swimsuit to replace a much-loved favorite I’ve had for many years. Now that I stop to think about it, that’s kind of weird: a winter coat and a bikini at the same time? But I guess it sort of makes sense, too. We’ve just had some unseasonably warm spring-like weather and are headed back into a cold snap over the weekend. (Rumor has it that we’ll be getting snow, but it’s highly unlikely.)

Here’s a project I just finished. I’ll blog about it soon.

What are you making these days? And do you often find that you’re sewing for two different seasons at the same time, or is that just me?

Pinterest Picks

If you’re looking for a little spring sewing inspiration, what about using the Building Block Dress book to make a blouse like the one on the left, below? Or maybe the image on the right might inspire an Oliver + S Pinwheel Dress?

If you’re interested in sewing for yourself, I know I’m looking forward to wearing Liesl + Co Gallery Dresses again this spring and summer. It’s a look that’s both tailored and casual, which is definitely my personal style. The skirt on the right reminded me of our Lisette for Butterick B6260 pattern sewn from a heather gray jersey or sweatshirt fleece. (And shortened a bit, if you’re OK with that.)

I had to laugh while pairing these two images. It wasn’t intentional! But you could easily use this week’s Tulle Hem tutorial and replace the tulle with lace for a similar look to the tee on the right.

Looking for a quick and easy weekend project with the kids? These are both pretty cute and fun looking. (The grape balloon dog is so Jeff Koons, isn’t it?)

Weekend Reading

• Madrid’s hottest restaurant is completely different than you might expect. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have lots more restaurants like this?
• These images by British artist Suzanne Moxhay are slightly haunting and entirely intriguing.
• The quilting community has a history of reaching out to victims of tragedy by making quilts. Here is a lovely project you might like to contribute to if you’re looking for a weekend project.
• An interesting perspective on why it’s important to teach children to sew.
• Instagram of the week: @desserted_in_paris. Parisian pastry chef Tal Spiegel takes photos of pastries that coordinate with his enviable shoe collection.
• Listening: these three TED talks by ad guru Rory Sutherland are so interesting and quite entertaining.
• Fashion history lesson: 1968, the year the shift dress lost its shape. Demonstrated in sewing patterns, no less.
• Watch this: Medieval embroidery.
• One of the things I love about traveling in Europe is the chance to glance other people’s passports. The designs are so interesting, and you can see what I mean here.

Next week I’ll introduce you to my newest Lisette for Butterick pattern and give you some fabric suggestions for sewing it. Have a great weekend!