Spoolriver

First draft of the drafters grid dress. I’ve had my eye on the innovative construction of this grid dress by @roberts.wood since I first laid eyes on last September- but It took me almost a year to muster up the courage to make it. Thank heavens my friend Suzy @sewing_in_spain suggested we make it together this month and encourage each other along the way - be sure to check out her gorgeous interpretation of this dress. Surprisingly this was an incredibly enjoyable project- and not just because we were sharing the making journey. If I don’t dwell on the nearly 100 pieces that I had to cut out, once I started sewing, I couldn’t stop. The process was both meditative and exciting as I sewed the pieces together and the dress began to take shape. 80 pages of instructions are first rate, and believe me, I followed them closely. I sewed a size 6-8, and skipped the elastic in the waist line. I used 6 linen fabrics mainly from my stash. I had to buy a small amount of a darker blue to keep the gridwork darker. I had so much fun I even wrote a blog post about this dress with more details- #linkinbio❤️ . . . #robertswood #draftersgriddress #styleatanyage #sewover50sept #memadeeveryday #patchworkdress #sewingblogger

Copycat dress making. A designer special occasion dress called my name and once it had my full attention, I had to make my own version. Swipe to see the original dress which is made of wool silk crepe- my copycat version is made out of a deadstock slightly stretchy mystery fiber from @moodfabrics . I couldn’t source the jewels so I left them out- which actually makes this better suited for my special occasion calendar this season. This dress was cobbled together with bits and pieces from many patterns- the starting point was the front bodice from Butterick 6016 . . . . #youcanhackit #iseeitimakeit #iwearwhatiwant #isewwhatiwant #styleatanyage #sewistofinstagram #sewingproject #sewcialist #seweveryday #sewista #memadeeveryday #sewover60 #sew50visible #sewover50june #sewover50june2025

New everyday adventure-wear. These are the popular free range pants by @sewhouse7 made by almost everyone before I finally made myself a pair. I used a Pottery Barn linen curtain panel I purchased on clearance. My top fabric is a jersey knit remnant from the @sewingloungemn - I used the Dymar top pattern by @fibremood which doesn’t require a lot of yardage- perfect for a cute remnant and I could make long sleeves. This outfit is my go to for day to day adventures so in the nick of time- this is my entry for #SagamAdventurousApril hosted by @suestoney , @sewing_in_spain inspain and guest host @sueleighatkins . Thanks for this fun prompt! . . . . #fibremooddymar #freerangeslacks

The new @fibremood patterns are out and I was immediately drawn to Tindra, because I can’t resist a button up. I wanted an easy to wear shirtdress for summer and Tindra is such a chic option. In a bold move, I did make some modifcations to the cool design -the biggest change was to cut the skirt aline rather than straight for mobility- but that was a gamble and in the end I like the orignial model better than what I did. I guess I will have to make it again as instructed! Check out Tindra and the other current designs at #linkpartyed38. The fabric is Minerva Core Range Washed Cotton Chambray Fabric in a perfect Indigo Blue. I wrote all about this project and the crazy adjustments I made to the pattern in my blog post at @minervadotcom . . . #fibremoodtindra #fibremood38 #linkpartyed38 #fibremood

All dressed up with somewhere to go. Here is the dress I made for @twincitiesfrocktails held this past weekend where I had such a good time, I failed to take any decent pictures of this super fun event -which is typical of me. This is a deadstock designer faille purchased from @sewingloungemn a long time ago. I used an old bodice pattern and added a self-drafted simple straight skirt with a slit up the back for movement. Then, I was feeling extra so I made and added black cotton fabric flowers. . . . #sewingismytherapy #memadewardrobe #styleatanyage

Not my first rodeo when it comes to sewing a button up shirt. I had this sturdy pink oxford cloth in my stash for several years and decided to finally make that traditional oxford shirt but give it a teeny bit of western flair with some fancy embroidered tulle leftover from long ago dressup projects for my daughters. I used a men’s shirt pattern Simplicity 1544 in the smallest size. I love to make and wear button ups so I am thrilled it is the month for the #SewAprilBlouse26 challenge hosted by @sewn_on_the_tyne and @cloth_edit . . . #shirtmaking #sewingshirts #sewingtostaysane

I inherited a pile of discarded shirts from my spouse’s spring wardrobe cleanse and then this upcycle style popped up in my feed and got stuck in my mind. It was pretty easy to figure out how to make a few modifications to an old tattered shirt to get my favorite kind of top - a button down- but with panche. This is my #MindfulMarch project: reused and recycled-thanks for the great theme @suestoney @sewing_in_spain and @hportemanteau . . #marchsewover50 #upcycle

New Mexico visit- ancient adobe, brilliant blue skies, legendary landscapes, oldest state capitol, significant art scene. A state with a prominent history of female leadership. Infatuated with the land of enchantment and feeling southwest inspired, right before the trip I quickly sewed up the Majorelle pattern by @itchtostitch in a lightweight cotton print from @sewingloungemn . I sewed the buttons on while traveling but finished this shirt just in time for dinner. . . . #marchsewover50 #itchtostitchmajorelle #sewingtostaysane

Pining for spring in a new top featuring amazing art fabric created by @juliaallissoncost . I sat on this fabric way too long waiting for the absolute perfect pattern to showcase special fabric that I bought for myself as a birthday present a few years back. After all that lingering, I went basic with a self drafted easy going top that is morning to evening wearable and comfortable. Worn with well worn@truebias Lander pants out of selvedge denim. . . #marchsewover50 #juliaallissoncosttextiles #juliaalissoncost

Going for gold with the Caren shirt pattern in the newly released Fibremood Edition 37. I picked up this mood improving fabric from @lakesmakerie because - needed. However, the fabric proved to be a little too heavy for this romantic gathered blouse, so I modified the pattern slightly and reduced the width of the shirt bodice and trimmed the shoulders a bit. I already plan to find a lighter weight fabric and make this up again with all the gathers and the gorgeous dropped shoulders- be sure to check the other variations of Caren at #linkpartyED37 . . . . #fibremoodcaren #fibremood37 #FebruarySewOver50

Riffing on ready to wear with the Car Coat pattern by @theassemblylineshop . I can’t wait to be done with my big down parka and wear this swell little jacket: spring is in sight- blizzard warnings notwithstanding. The quilted fabric is deadstock from @moodfabrics that I bought a few years back, and I found the perfect corduroy fabric for the collar and pocket trimming at @sewingloungemn Such a great coat pattern- my only mods were to shorten the coat and add patch pockets instead of the welt pockets. . . . #quiltedjackets #februarysewover50 #TALcarcoat

February false spring and we are feeling it here as evidenced by the shedding of big puffer coats and slightly improved moods. I just finished another Loviisa because it is a perfect winter dress- cozy in corduroy and constructed with ample room for layers underneath - although not necessary this week. Loviisa is by the fabulous Finnish @namedclothing pattern company which means it qualifies for #sagamfinishfebruary- thanks to the clever hosts: @sewing_in_spain ; @suestoney and @whendy7 . Fabric is a very fine wale blue corduroy lingering in my deep stash #2fromstashamonth. . . . #styleatanyage #sewingchallenge februarysewover50