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Handcraft Makes

Make it Special with a Beaded Picot Edge Finish

July 14, 2023
Make it Special with a Beaded Picot Edge Finish
In retirement, with more time and energy to focus on my making, I’ve moved into slow-sew mode. On this blouse I recently made for myself I really enjoyed…
Sewing Makes

My Murder Mystery Inspired Blouse with a Couture Edge

July 14, 2023
My Murder Mystery Inspired Blouse with a Couture Edge
I am a little addicted to British period drama series. Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, and Endeavor are a few examples of my favorites. Lately, I’ve been watching…
Sewing Makes

Celebrating Pride Month in a BIG way

June 10, 2023
Celebrating Pride Month in a BIG way
Early May, I get a text from my daughter Grace, wanting to “spitball” about a project for Pride Month. Little did I suspect the enormity of the request.…
Handcraft Makes

Make Colorful Hand Embroidered Converse High Tops

May 11, 2023
Make Colorful Hand Embroidered Converse High Tops
Colorful embroidery is a cool, handcrafted way to embellish and elevate the common gym shoe. I had seen several Instagram posts where people hand embroidered Converse High Tops…
Sewing Makes

A Little Springtime Dress for Sweet Little Birdie

May 11, 2023
a little springtime dressA Little Springtime Dress for Sweet Little Birdie
The grass is green, the sky is blue, and the trees are blooming… It’s the perfect time to make a little springtime dress for sweet little Birdie –…
Travel Makes

A Trove of Glass Buttons at the Antique Market in Venice

April 13, 2023
A Trove of Glass Buttons at the Antique Market in Venice
While meandering through the maze of streets and canals on our first day in Venice, we happened upon some folk setting up tables for an upcoming antique market…
Resources & Tips

Buying Fabric Online: The Big Wide World of Fabric

April 13, 2023
Buying Fabric Online: The Big Wide World of Fabric
Buying fabric online is exciting. Back in the day, sewists were pretty limited to using the fabrics available to them in their local stores. But the internet changed…
Resources & Tips

My Favorite Fabric Stores in Chicago

April 13, 2023
My Favorite Fabric Stores in Chicago
As convenient as online shopping is, when shopping for fabric, sometimes you just can’t beat the immediacy of evaluating fabric between your fingers in a good ol’ brick…
Sewing Makes

A Streamlined Trench Jacket for a Spring Break Trip

March 14, 2023
A Streamlined Trench Jacket for a Spring Break Trip
As a strictly carry-on traveler, I always carefully consider each piece of clothing I bring along on any trip. For our upcoming trip to Spain and Italy in…
Handcraft Makes

Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio – Handcrafted Animation

March 13, 2023
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio – Handcrafted Animation
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio is a is a wonderfully fanciful reimagining of the classic tale more true to the original story written by Carlo Collodi in 1883, than…
Welcome Makelings!

Welcome Makelings!

From sewing to handcrafts to seeking out interesting makers on my travels – these are the adventures I'll be sharing with you.

Welcome Makelings!

Makelings Unite!

makelingsmakethings

A sewist, DIYer, and published author, I stitch together the joys of handcraft, writing & travel on my blog. C'mon over to see what I've been up to:

TA-DA! It took over 3 months for me to finish maki TA-DA! It took over 3 months for me to finish making this Ukrainian #vyshyvanka blouse for my granddaughter @gloriamomoh_ 
 
For lots of pics, videos, and all the nitty gritty details on the planning, prep, #embroiderytechnique and finishing touches, see the four blogpost series in the Handcraft section of my makers blog, πŸ”— in bio!

#samakerfeb25 
#samakerfebruary25 

#ukrainianembroidery 
#vyshyvankastyle 
#ukrainianvyshyvanka

#slavaukraini
YAY! My fabric arrived today! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘ YAY! My fabric arrived today! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

I treated myself to some #lovelyfabric from #moodfabrics to make myself a new coat for an upcoming trip to Spain and Italy. Lightweight and warm, this #alpacawool blend πŸ¦™ will be perfect for early spring evening walks and sits in outdoor cafes. πŸ₯°πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

I’m just itching to get started, but it will be a little while yet. I’m working on finishing up a #secretsurprise project that I will be unveiling soon πŸ˜‰ 

#fabriclove 
#tessutipatterns 
#oslocoat 
#memadecoat 
#soexcited
Makelings transforms two vintage embroidered pillo Makelings transforms two vintage embroidered pillowcases into one very sweet #summerdress for Birdie! See all the details on my latest blogpost - πŸ”— in bio πŸ˜„

#vintagesewing 
#vintagefabric 
#foundfabrics 
#pillowcasedress 
#upcycledesign 
#embroidery
My 12-year old granddaughter Felicity won 1st Plac My 12-year old granddaughter Felicity won 1st Place πŸ₯‡ at the #genevasgottalent competition last night!!! She just knocked it out of the park singing #partofyourworld from #disney #thelittlemermaid. We are all so proud of her πŸ₯°
Check out this new addition to my #memade wardrobe Check out this new addition to my #memade wardrobe. My #softtailoredblazer is practical, polished and perfect for traveling ☺️ Read about this make and see all the details on my blog - πŸ”— in bio. 

#travelblazer 
#theassemblylinepatterns 
#softtailoring 
#softtailored
Tiny delicious β€œtellinas” clams, really specia Tiny delicious β€œtellinas” clams, really special β€œgamba roja de Denia” (maybe the best shrimp I’ve ever eaten), fried boccarones and a wonderful bottle of Alborino, all with a castle view and the company of  mi amor Brian - fabulouso!
Travel sketching, watching one of our neighborhood Travel sketching, watching one of our neighborhood Fallas being constructed, and having a nice vermouth on the rocks in a lively cafe. Three days till Las Fallas begins πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

#lasfallas2024 
#valenciaspain
Come along, my fellow Makelings and #fabricaddicts Come along, my fellow Makelings and #fabricaddicts and read all about my never-ending quest to create an absolutely fabulous fabric stash. As always, πŸ”— in bio.

#ilovefabric 
#fabulousfabricstash 
#fabricstash
#fabricorganizationtips
Makelings creates a new life for a well-loved old Makelings creates a new life for a well-loved old shirt with some #biasbinding and #vintagebuttons. Read the details on my blog ~ πŸ”— in bio. 

#upcycle
#creativemending
#upcycling 
#upcycledclothing
Makelings creates a new life for a well-loved old Makelings creates a new life for a well-loved old shirt with some #biasbinding and #vintagebuttons. Read the details on my blog ~ πŸ”— in bio. 

#upcycle
#creativemending
#upcycling 
#upcycledclothing
Makelings Bake Things!! πŸ₯–πŸ₯–πŸ₯– When it’s Makelings Bake Things!! πŸ₯–πŸ₯–πŸ₯–

When it’s snowy and cold out I just want to bake. I used the #poolish method to bake some #baguettes and #epibread rolls. So #crusty and extra yummy with good French butter πŸ˜‹ πŸ˜‹πŸ˜‹
❄️ This Elsa really knows how to #letitgo ❄️

I had an absolute blast making this #Elsacostume for my granddaughter Felicity’s performance in #FrozenJr. 

~ from the sparking gown, to the icy blue majestic cape of awesomeness ~ read all about the making details at my Makelings blogβ€¦πŸ”—in bio, of course πŸ˜‰

#frozen 
#disneysfrozen 
#playhouse38 
#genevaparkdistrict 
#elsacosplay 
#costumesewing
A #beetlejuicethemusical #lydiadeetzcostume for my A #beetlejuicethemusical #lydiadeetzcostume for my granddaughter Lucy!! Check out my #makelings blog for all the nitty gritty details that went into making this spooky goth girl dress. πŸ”— in bio. 

#lydiadeetz 
#beetlejuice 
#beetlejuicebeetlejuicebeetlejuice
#beetlejuicemusical 
#costumedesign 
#halloweencostume 
#sewingcosplay
I know! Here it is December and I’m just getting I know! Here it is December and I’m just getting around to posting my #costume makes. Oy!

First up, a lovely #jollyholiday dress for our little #marypoppins fangirl, Birdie. 

All the details and more pics on my #makelings blog - 
πŸ”— in bio.

#marypoppinscosplay 
#marypoppinscostume 
#jollyholidaydress 
#marypoppinsdress
Makelings is coming down the home stretch! RaceπŸ‡
Just finished Dress #6 for my #makeitformexico #sewingchallenge πŸ’ƒπŸ»

This sleeveless drawstring #truebias #southportdress is a welcome addition to my warm weather travel wardrobe. I love this graphic floral print - perfect for lounging when sipping a marguerita, don’t you think? πŸ˜€πŸΈ

Leaving for Mexico tomorrow with one last dress to sew πŸ˜΅β€πŸ’«
V-Neck Dress by #theassemblylinepatterns. 

More about this dress on my blog for #makelings. πŸ”— in bio. 
#imakemyclothes 
#travelwardrobe 
#memade
#drawstringdress 
#sewingbloggers
Finished FIVE!! πŸ˜… 5 garments completed for my M Finished FIVE!! πŸ˜…
5 garments completed for my Make it for Mexico #sewingchallenge: make 6 dresses and 1 top for our trip to Mexico for Day of the Dead celebrations. πŸ’€

I designed a bit of #embroidery on this one and am so chuffed with how this #sawtelldress by #inthefoldspatterns turned out. ❀️

See more pics and read about the Scissor Incident at my #Makelings blog. πŸ”— in bio

I’ll be entering this one in the #prLBDcontest2023

Next up: Almost finished with #truebiaspatterns #southportdress!!

#crewelembroidery 
#memade
#imakemyclothes 
#littlebasicdress 
#prlbdcontest2023
BOOM! Caftan!!! πŸ‘ŠπŸ» 4 garments of 7 are now f BOOM! Caftan!!! πŸ‘ŠπŸ»
4 garments of 7 are now finished for my Make it for Mexico #sewingchallenge: 
Make 6 dresses and 1 top in time for an upcoming trip to Mexico for the Dia de Los Muertos festivities.

This #butterick6900 #sewingchallenge caftan top came together so easily! I just LOVE the #puccivibes of the print 😍 Read all about this make and others at my #Makelings blog. πŸ”— in bio. 

In Progress: #inthefolds #sawtelldress with a hand embroidered collar. 

#memade 
#caftans 
#caftanstyle 
#makeitformexico 
#sewingblogger
Makelings is back in business! I finished Dress #3 Makelings is back in business! I finished Dress #3 for my Make it for Mexico sewing challenge πŸ˜…
(Making 6 dresses and 1 top for a trip to Merida, MX for the Dia de Los Muertos celebration)

Regardless of broken  irons, delayed shipments, and miscut pattern pieces, this Makeling rolled with the punches to end up with this cool wrap ying-yang dress with a bit of a Japanese vibe. 

Read all about making this #closetcorepatterns #elodiewrapdress on my #makelings  blog. πŸ”— in bio. 

Eight days left to go 😱
Next up: #Butterick6900 caftan top

#sewingblogger 
#memade 
#sewingchallenge 
#pfaff 
#pfaffperformanceicon
Oh no! Calamity has struck!! Dress production come Oh no! Calamity has struck!! Dress production comes to a standstill do to my essential #gravityfeediron crapping out 😱

But this Makeling is undaunted πŸ’ͺ🏻
A new iron is winging its way over right now and will be here tomorrow πŸ˜…

In the meantime, I’ll be prepping and cutting out fabric for these last three looks in my #MakeitforMexico #sewingchallenge βœ‚οΈ 

6 dresses, 1 top completed in time for our upcoming trip to Merida, MX for the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. πŸ’€

You can check out the reels for this challenge on my grid. Also, detailed posts and pics on my Makelings blog.
πŸ”— in bio. 

#sewingchallenge 
#imakemyclothes 
#pfaffperformanceicon 
#truebiaspatterns 
#theassemblylinepatterns
#butterick6900
Dress #2 for my Make it for Mexico sewing challeng Dress #2 for my Make it for Mexico sewing challenge is finished! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

The Challenge: Make 6 dresses and 1 top for an upcoming trip to Merida, MX for Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. 

I love how this  #voguepatterns1937  swing dress turned out. This jungly print fabric was a dream to work with. Read a detailed review on my Makelings blog. LinkπŸ”— in bio. 

On deck: Closet Core Elodie wrap dress

#sewingchallenge 
#makeitformexico 
#memade 
#makelingsmakethings 
#imakemyclothes 
#sewingblogger 
#sewistsofinstagram
#pfaffsewing 
#pfaffperformanceicon 
#pfaff
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