About Judy

I just wanted a skirt pattern. I have many. None of them suited the bill. I knew in my mind’s eye what I wanted. So, I found the identical pattern to what I wanted, only to find that it was out of print. Hmmm. I had seen this skirt on ModCloth. It’s a clothing site. It has THE CUTEST things ever. They are making skirts out of prints that you

Here is a fabulous pattern made up by Kim Bates. She is a Bungalow Honey! She did a fantastic job with this panel that is available in the shop from Moda. Here’s the link to the panel. https://www.etsy.com/listing/700328396/holiday-lodge-panel-by-deb-strain-on-tan?ga_search_query=deb%2Bstrain&ref=shop_items_search_5&frs=1 There are a lot of prints on this panel, and she made some darling pillows to match. Here is what the panel itself looks like. It’s pretty impressive that there are so

I am really out of my wheel house. I rarely make anything other than garments or quilts. Often times I make tablerunners and napkins, or table accessories. But, I rarely if ever make things that require partitions, heavy duty stabilizers etc. Oh I have made my share of bags to be sure. I sew a lot of things with alternative types of fabric such as Cuddle. I’ve written an entire

This is one of the easiest skirts I have ever made. It was such fun too. I don’t like to stock things in the shop that are limited to people that are of only one size, if you get my drift. I like to make everyone feel pretty, no matter their size. So I try to seek out patterns that are workable for many people. And why not? We try

I’ve always wanted to make a Union Jack quilt. Don’t ask me why. I am not an Anglophile, but there is something so pleasing to the eye about that design. So, get your British on, and read all about how to make this quilt. This is a free pattern so enjoy! Materials: Quilt measures 88” x 97” Finished Block size 11” x 12” All seam allowances are 1/4” unless otherwise

My daughter said something really smart to me once. She said that she liked to wear bracelets because it’s a piece of jewelry that she could see all day. If she was wearing earrings or a necklace, it was for everyone else to see. I feel that way about accessorizing. Especially with handmade projects. Putting luxury and beautiful fabrics on your body makes you feel good. When you look pretty

“How to make gathers much more easily than pulling threads” Here’s a wonderful tip for making gathers EASIER.  It’s hard to do gathering with thick fabric or with fabric that ravels like my brocade.  You can use dental floss!!  You make two rows of gathering using two pieces of dental floss as you gathering “thread”.  Starting with the first piece of floss, hold your floss in place by lining up

“The ease of making a lining” When you have a fabric, like the brocade, that ravels on the cut edge very easily, you will benefit from making a lining in your garment, especially on the bodice of the garment where you will have to fuss with armholes, gathers, and curves.  A lining makes for a really smooth inside and actually can be LESS work than making facings for armholes, narrow

Hi!  My name is Sue; I’m Judy’s sister.  I love sewing too – have been sewing garments since 5th grade; actually a bit earlier, but started perfecting my skills in 5th grade Home Economics class.  While I love quilts and anything made with brightly colored fabric pieces, I still steer toward clothing.  LOVE LOVE LOVE looking at patterns.  Right now I’m making a dress for myself for my daughter’s wedding

How many of you reading this have ever sewn a robe? A robe can make you feel positively elegant. I remember when my mother was sick. Now this may seem a little morose for a blog post, but one of the things that she did was to sew herself an absolutely beautiful robe. She bought some luxury fabric, and sewed herself an elegant bathrobe. I think that is great therapy.