Kirsten

Hi, it’s been awhile! I went through an aversion to showing my face around here. Who knows why. But in honor of Rare Disease Day, here’s a selfie of me wearing zebra print and jeans. Jeans for genes, and zebra because… in med school, doctors are told “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras”- meaning: the simplest diagnosis is usually correct. Diagnosis of a rare disease can take many years because hoofbeats (symptoms) are attributed to horses, and those with rare diseases are actually zebras. I haven’t been sewing as much because I was busy writing a memoir about the medical mystery of why my two daughters weren’t growing. Spoiler alert: it’s a book about rare disease. It’s also about advocacy, persistence, and ultimately, growth. My book isn’t available for sale… yet. But 2 of my all time favorite memoirs happen to be about rare disease, and I highly recommend you read them too: The Family Gene by Joselin Linder @joselinder and Raising a Rare Girl by Heather Lanier @heatherklanier . #RareDiseaseDay #CareAboutRare #JeansForGenes #AdvocateLikeAMother #RareDisease

When you take zero pics @losangelesfrocktails but have a belated urge to document the dress but also have an MRI scheduled immediately afterwards and you’re the only one in the waiting room: I present to you, #waitingroomfashion I didn’t have time/bandwidth to make a new dress, so I wore my much loved #basquedress @stitchwitchpatterns in IKEA canvas- we are also calling this a sustainable choice because I made it years ago and have worn many times #rewornandreloved . But it’s time for me to make another Basque dress because every time I wear it, I wish I had it in another color too. Also: why do I never learn to document the dress before it’s been through hours of driving, walking around DTLA, and a party?! Why not when the hair and makeup was fresh and the dress freshly pressed?! W H Y ???!??? Many thanks to @jasikaistrycurious @savageblackout @joonmade @caitsnyd_sews for making this introvert feel loved and grateful she emerged from her cave. And thank you to @lilypadesigns for hosting!

Another belated post for #memademay Mothers Day dinner fit = @just_patterns #helenawrapdress in cotton from @moodfabrics . I love this dress. The pockets are huge- so big that I didn’t even bring a purse- I had driver’s license, credit card, reading glasses, sunglasses & lipstick in those pockets for this pic! I made this dress 4 years ago for LA Frocktails. I recently let go of a lot of old MeMades that no longer fit. This dress is great because it can accommodate size fluctuations, and that’s real life. #memademay2026

@rachelsblockparty has created the absolute cutest little citrus pouches that you can use as a change purse or for lip balm and a mini sunscreen or for whatever you want! The pattern comes with templates for lemon/lime, orange and mango. 🍋 🍋‍🟩 🍊 🥭 The best part is that Rachel is going to be selling kids that include you need to make one of these pouches! A zipper cut to size! Fabric! Interfaced fabric! Hardware! If you want to see one scroll and I include a video showing you what’s in the kit. (Although I think the labels might have been a little extra for her testers…) pattern and kits available starting May 15th! #citruscoinpurse

I’m off to a belated start for #memademay but here’s evidence that I still wear my MeMades. This is @caramiyamaui #tatecroptop dress in @girlcharlee cotton spandex blend. I made this dress 4 years ago and only hemmed it last night 10 minutes before we left for our belated anniversary dinner. Better late than never all around! I LOVE this pattern, and would love it even if I didn’t know and love the designer. (But I also adore Caramiya!) it is a fast make, super wearable, especially as a tank top. It’s lined and has a really clever construction. Highly recommend! I’m celebrating MeMade May in several ways: 1. A big closet purge, donating lots of MeMades that no longer fit or suit me. 2. Wearing lots of MeMades as always 3. Planning some new makes to fill wardrobe gaps, including jeans. #memadeeveryday

*Not my work* #hrpalsswap2026 I really lucked out with my #hrpalsswap26 partner Megan- @yippy4skippy822 ! I have been ogling this Cosy Cottage for weeks and crossing my fingers… My package arrived today and I was like a kid on Christmas Day! My 18 year old daughter was with me as I opened the outrageously gorgeous #Cosycottagetote (pattern @squarestories_slowmade )and the many (many!) extra gifts within! We both literally oohhed and ahhhed and were absolutely poring over the stunning, artistic, thoughtful touches all over this bag! My daughter declared it to be a work of art, and she is spot on! Where to start with the amazing features of this Cosy Cottage? 1. The embroidered wreath! And flowers!! And trellis! 2. 🦋 Mailbox 📬 3. Personalized with a K! 4. The hexi roof! 5. The bottom is FROG shopcloth!🐸 6. The neon trim! The ruffled window valances! 7. Owl flying away with underwear from the clothesline! The laundry! 🦉 8. Zippered interior pocket & several extra interior pockets 9. The girls and cats in the windows!- I have 2 daughters and a black cat 🐈‍⬛, all represented. And would you believe we feed a neighborhood orange cat who curls up on the doorstep?! And then… the extras! The most adorable strawberry coin purse/zippered pouch! 🍓 Binding spools! How did you know I LOVE binding spools?! The amazing beet (or radish?)!🫜 The strawberry needle minder!! Finally- the pièce de résistance- a Trixie mouse! 🐭 Absolute perfection! My daughter was inspired to snap a pic of me squealing with delight over it! Megan, you are amazing! And so talented! I will truly treasure everything you sent! I hope you get an amazing Cosy Cottage too, although I can’t see how anything could top this. ❤️❤️ Thank you @honeybee.homemaker & @sarabquilts for the best swap ever!

My #hrpalsswap2026 parcel made it to my partner, so I can finally share the extras I made! 1. @rosie.taylor.crafts #makeandmendkit My partner mentioned an interest in getting into EPP, so I added EPP papers, needles, clips and sewing labels as well as a @sarahhearts needle minder. 2. A self drafted thread catcher/catch-all. 3. @makeitwithmegn bow bag charm from her YouTube hair bow turorial 4. #thehappylittlehousepurse @squarestories_slowmade This was my favorite swap- I loved making every single item. Such a joy to work with @heatherrossinsta fabric! Thank you so much to @honeybee.homemaker @sarabquilts for the best swap ever! Thank you @amandakayalva for jumping in to help!

Another appreciation post for Sanna @paradisepatterns ! It’s Hallon dress week! The #hallondress is the most summery, flowy, comfy, lovely summer dress! As always with Paradise Patterns, the instructions are excellent and the pattern filled with thoughtful details. Highly recommend! Fabric is a yummy rayon challis @minervadotcom

Happy release day to the Rose bottoms pattern! @paradisepatterns has done it again- another perfectly drafted pattern with excellent instructions. Pants or shorts or even pajamas, it’s a versatile pattern destined to be a tnt. Fabric @lafinchfabrics_new .

The #buckettote pattern @sewdiypatterns is here! It’s an instant classic, with an exterior pocket as well as an interior zippered welt pocket- so good I used those pattern pieces to add a zippered pocket to another bag project already! I used canvas- from IKEA for the green/blue and @quiltemporium for the strawberry. A quick and very satisfying sew of a bag that will be used on repeat!

Check in 4 for #hrpalsswap2026 ! My #thecosycottagetote is done! This has been a challenge and a joy and a sewing high point! I both hope my partner adores it and am going to be sad to part with it. Matching #happylittlehousepurse @squarestories_slowmade . I tried to incorporate as many of my partner’s preferences as possible, although I couldn’t get my hands on purple HR fabric. Since the exterior is so color saturated, I opted for a quieter interior with lots of cats. I added a zippered welt pocket from @sewdiypatterns upcoming #buckettote pattern, with HR horses as a little surprise inside. Fabric was sourced from all over, but predominantly (and most speedily and reliably!) from @joyintheseam and @sewingarts , both lovely fabric shops. Thank you so much to @sarabquilts @honeybee.homemaker @amandakayalva for all of your hard work and organization throughout this swap. I am ready to mail on May 1st! #hrpalsswap

#citruscoinpurse @rachelsblockparty is currently in testing! It’s a darling little coin purse that comes in multiple citrus varieties: lemon, orange, mango, lime- releasing May 15th! The perfect extra to include with swaps & bags, and a delightful teacher appreciation gift. How cute would this be with a gift card inside?!