Vogue 8747 - Version 3

This version was originally going to be 3/4 sleeve with a french cuff like Version 2 and when it came time to add the sleeves I messed up the contrast fabric   decided it looked better with a short sleeve,  the long sleeves seem too “heavy” looking somehow.   But I did add a contrast inner facing to the sleeves instead of the grograin [...]

When is a Ham Not a Ham? When It's a Stitch Nerd Custom Ham

Isn't she a beauty?

As soon as I read Pam‘s blog post about  the custom pressing hams made at Stitch Nerd I had to have one!   The item I really wanted was a contour ham, this is a sewing/pressing tool I’ve craved  for years ( I kid you not – years)  and while [...]

Make a Sleeve Board Cover

The Cover Pattern Traced Off

Finished Sleeve Board Covers – One wool side, one cotton side

A good sleeve board is something every sewer can use;  I find them a bit more useful than a sleeve roll.  The small one below I’ve had for years and it was okay but not really long [...]

Benedikt NY Jewelry - Part I

Over 20 years ago I bought a Maltese cross brooch at the (late, great) Filene’s Basement store in Boston. It became a favorite and I wore it constantly and then one of the cabochons fell out and I was so crushed. One day on a whim I googled “Maltese cross” to see if something similar [...]

Mom's Sweat Shop

“Mom, can you make me a tank top from this to wear to FX next Friday night?”
“How do you want the back  to look?”
“Can you make it a racerback?”
“Sure but I have to make the back in white knit because that silver sequin is left over from Siobahn’s costume and there is only enough for [...]

Namaste

The Dalai Lama, Facebook status update ,  September 11, 2011 at 4:58am

Today, as we mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11th 2001 attacks on New York and Washington DC, let us remember all the innocent lives lost and ponder the continuing impact of that tragic day. September 11th reminds us of the horror we human beings [...]

Book Review: “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”

“I never conform to any sort of fashion ideal. My ideal was to always show reality, even though I started at Savile Row and ended up a Givenchy in Paris, to depict the times I live in”

- Alexander McQueen, Harper’s Bazaar, September 2008

Handy Dandy

The last time I got a manicure I noticed the nail tech used a little pump bottle for polish remover and I said to myself “I want some of those!” Polish remover comes in tall narrow bottles that are very tippy and I’m very clumsy.   A quick search on [...]

Memo to John Galliano

TO:  John Galliano

FR: CourdreMODE

RE:  The Incident

John, I have admired your astounding work for many years and I just need to give you some sincere advice.  I’ve worked in the corporate world for for a long time and have witnessed all kinds of corporate  intrigue and you made a few crucial mistakes:

Develop a relationship with your [...]

Costume Not Couture

Sometimes it’s just about getting the job done and these days I’m in dance costume mode.  This jacket and dress is for a solo (not one of my daughters) and the routine is jazzy and edgy.  The challenge in coming up with a costume to was to  avoid cliche, especially a peculiar erstaz-Fosse [...]

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