Anniversary Contest

This month of November Pattern Review is hosting a Anniversary Contest to celebrate the website turning 20 this year. Wow, 20 years of helping other sewists make better decisions in pattern purchases, fabrics, sewing machines etc. I have said this before, but this website (Sewing Pattern Review Online Sewing Community) has been such an amazing and helpful resource in my […]

(Jelly) Roll…into my cart!

With my newfound quilting kick I went down the rabbit hole of YouTube, books etc.  It’s pretty much the next step in becoming an addict, along with chatting on Pattern Review with other fellow quilters. And I’m sure it doesn’t help I am surrounded by the latest and greatest fabrics and sewing machines at work. A few weeks ago the […]

FOMO: Fear of Missing out…but new challenges ahead!

Pattern Review is hosting a mini wardrobe contest this month. This contest holds a special place in my heart since I participated last year and won 2nd place! I had only been sewing for 4 months at the time and learned so much in that contest period. This time around though it’s only 5 garments- 3 tops and 2 bottoms […]

And..We’re Off!

Round 1 of the Sewing Bee Contest has begun! We have 7 days to create pajamas that are unique to us. A top and bottom set. 7 days to sew, review and photograph. I love pajamas so I’m happy to hear this as the first challenge. But not any kind of pjs will work here… we have to create something […]

The Sewing Bee Contest: Don’t Get Stung!

Last Fall when I was competing in the contests on PatternReview I heard about The Sewing Bee contest. I was encouraged by another member to look into it. This contest is one that is supposed to challenge you to the limits! It is an elimination contest like Project Runway. They give you theme- a technique, or idea and you’re supposed […]

Terno Dress

When I was a kid my parents would take us to local Filipino cultural events. It usually started with a Church service then afterwards there would be a huge party complete with lots of food and a Tinikling folk dance performance. The dance is like double dutch jump rope, where the dancers are in the middle trying not to get […]

Corset Tops

In my 20’s I owned a beautiful white corset top by Marciano. I remember when I purchased this in Miami. It had adjustable bra straps, side zip, pleats all around, lace trim and I LOVED it. I used to wear it with a sequined/beaded strap bra, showing of course-that was the look back then! (Thank you Carrie Bradshaw, lol) I […]

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the air…well, not really. Who are we kidding, it’s 32 degrees outside!!! Correction: Spring is in my mind! The past few days I’ve been flipping through my pattern binder book for my next project, looking for possibilities and writing down any pattern numbers. They say you either sew based off of a pattern or based off of […]

2020 Roundup and 2021 Plans

2020 Items sewn (6 months): 32 face masks 9 large hotpads 5 small potholders 5 shirts 4 pajama pants 4 dresses 3 toppers (cardigan/jacket) 2 handwarmers 2 scrunchies 1 lounge pant 1 apron (still in muslin state) ….and a partridge in a pear tree! 68 total items. 68! That breaks down to about 2.5 pieces a week. Wowza. It is […]

Quilting: A New Love?

Bah! So I am still working on assembly line sewing. I still have a handful to do and I’m kinda dreading making that bias tape for the potholders. I am debating folding down the edges just so this project can be over. I think after a certain time I get bored of things and need something new. That’s partially the […]