Handmade Halloween from the Closet Shop
Some people may find it hard to make time to create their own Halloween costume. I recommend that you consider "shopping your closet" and simply making outerwear that can be worn as everyday wear. Some [...]
A New Set of Problems, Leather pt2
Learning something new can be so stressful. I suggest doing your research first or finding a mentor to help you. When you just have ambition this doesn't always happen and sometimes lessons are best learned [...]
Men’s Wear Sewing
Why is men's wear so hard to make? I can answer this, but first let me tell you why it's so easy! The basic construction is pretty straightforward. It can be made in 2-3 hours [...]
The Witching Hour
There is a place in my neighborhood we call Witches Tower, some call it Frankenstein's Castle, but originally it was a look out for NCR (National Cash Register) that is now owned by Five Rivers [...]
In search of Handmade Troy, Ohio
Jeffrey and I rode our bicycles, lightly packed for an overnight, in search of handmade to the town of Troy, Ohio. The cycling was gorgeous as we moved alongside the river on the Great Miami [...]
Stranger Things I Have Made
You can get creative with sewing! I do. Drapery fabric can be garment fabric. Nightgown and lingerie patterns can be made into dresses. Exercise gear can be swimwear. You can make yoga pants so well [...]
Fancy Dance Dress Round Up
It is festival season and that means DANCING! What's more fun than a glow in the dark dress with fluorescent snaps to dance in? Now, don't let this dress fool you. The design is just [...]
Barbie and the Matching Stripes
Summer is not over, yet! I made another swimsuit with stripes that match up and look really cool and professional. Matching stripes is not as hard as it may look. I will walk you through a [...]
Let’s Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Rubbing replication and reconstruction is an easy way to replicate your favorite garments. I frequently get asked to make replicas of garments. When I tell the client I will need to dissect their garment I [...]
Say it Big with Fashion Appliqué
Have you ever wished you could make something cute and quick to add to your garment just to take everything up a notch? With appliqué you can! Appliqué is basically making your own patches. Fabric stores will [...]
Bohemian Wedding Dress with Simple Shapes
I am about to blow your mind with this simple and glamorous dress. Most garments are made up of shapes. This 1930s gown looks like a fancy Bohemian wedding dress although it's really made up [...]
Beginner Working with Leather
I have sewn many patches on leather jackets. I've mended leather and pleather (artificial leather) and so when Tim Morris of Iron Dog Salvage in Tipp City asked me to sew leather leg caps for [...]