Readers, On the bulletin board just above my computer is tacked my favorite cartoon, by Charles Saxon of The New Yorker. It’s what I see every time I look up from my keyboard, and I’ve never grown tired of it. I always imagine that it’s a Friday evening, and the husband has returned on the […]
Why Am I Subscribing to Swatch Services?
Readers, Do you subscribe to swatching services from fabric vendors? If you do, do you buy much fabric or use the matching service for coordinating thread, linings, interfacings or buttons? Do you spend enough to qualify for discounts on future purchases or earn a free extension of your subscription? Do you find that the services […]
The Getting Things Sewn 2019 Calendar
Readers, On New Year’s Day 2018 I wrote about the wonderful calendar my sister Cynthia, a professional photographer, had created for our sister Donna. It was filled with gorgeous pictures of glass, jewelry, and beautifully designed everyday objects Donna stocks in her Etsy store, Timmees. When I saw that calendar I immediately wanted a calendar […]
2018, Seen in a New Light
Readers, There is something Jack and I say to each other at dinnertime some nights, when we’ve cooked something that’s filled the kitchen with a delicious smell most of the afternoon, like a potato, leek and cabbage soup that feels perfect for a snowy January evening. As we ladle soup into our bowls with rising […]
2018: A Pants Odyssey
Readers, Almost five months after my first report about my pants pattern-fitting journey I’m back with an update. In my previous report I said that despite my concerted efforts to understand fitting principles and fit myself I needed in-person, expert help. Since writing that post I did find help. I checked the class listings of […]
Cut From the Same Cloth
Readers, The summery striped linen I snatched up in 2014 at The World’s Largest Textile Garage Sale has been turned into not one, but two garments. I had long eyed this piece for a blouse for myself, using Vogue 8772, which I’ve now sewn half a dozen times at least. Now it really is a […]
My Latest “Avoid Compounding Errors” Moment
Readers, Of all the great things my sewing teacher Edith has told me, the one that has made the biggest impression is “Avoid compounding errors.” At the time she was talking about the need to be precise in patternmaking, but I have thought of her principle dozens–no, hundreds!–of times over the years and have never […]