Sewing Clothing Isn't As Scary As It Seems

I remember a time in the past where I was completely in awe of anyone who could make their own clothing.  I was a novice, at best, and would practice my skills by tailoring friends' t-shirts (very poorly).  I discounted EVER being able to sew my own clothing because it seemed impossible. *Way to believe in yourself, past Katie*  Oh, yeah.  And don't even get me started with how intimidating I found the fabric store to be...

Well, I was wrong.  It's not that hard to sew your own clothing.  Honestly!  If you're rolling your eyes at me right now, hear me out.  We all progress in steps, right?  Starting out sewing straight lines turns into sewing napkins or buntings or pillow covers.  Learning to sew on a curve leads to more detailed projects.

Practicing your skills without fear of failure is key.  You are going to fail.  Let's just get that out of the way.  We all do it.  There have been times where I ruined really pretty fabric because I just wasn't paying close enough attention.  Or, I spent hours on something and it just ended up getting scrapped.  It was a bummer, but also a learning experience.  Every messed-up project is a learning experience.  Oh, and let's just put that "F" word away.  I never did like it much, anyway.


I'm super high and braggy on my friend, Tilly, and her patterns because they are simple to follow and they have photos to help you grasp the "stitch language" a little better.  I just stitched up the Cleo Dungaree Dress (in my free time, HA HA) and I think it came out adorably.  Oh, yeah.  Remember when I said I was intimidated by fabric stores?  Tilly is actually selling KITS with everything you need to sew the dress already included now.  It's great for newbies... and lazies like me.  ;)


There she is in all her glory.  This was a just-for-fun sewing project, and honestly, I've been needing more of these with all of the noise happening in the world right now.  Sewing can be so therapeutic.  Right, fellow stitchers?  This is just a little post to *hopefully* either help boost your confidence in sewing clothing, or inspire you to stitch up something fun this weekend!  I already have fabric picked out for my next dress!  Happy stitching, friends!

New Skunkboy Creatures (Finally)

First of all, I just want to say THANK YOU 💖 for every single comment on my last post.  It filled my heart with so much joy knowing that there are so many of us feeling the same way.  I love you guys.  We are not alone as long as we stick together, and I will keep reminding myself of that.

Secondly, Mom's getting back in the sewing creatures game!  I posted some peeks over on Instagram, but I thought I'd share some of this guy's details here.  Poesy has named him "Cotton Flower" and right now she's all about learning to sew animals... which warms my heart, of course.  She told me that she thinks it would be great if we could just sit next to each other and be stitching buddies while we watch Powerpuff Girls.  Sold!

I'm not sure how long it will take me to sew up enough animals for a proper shop update (that feels so weird to say), but I will definitely keep you posted!

I'm off to knock out my to-do list.  Happy Wednesday, friends!

Emotional Ramblings Of A Very Sensitive Person

(Read the title first.  You've been warned.)

You know that feeling of being genuinely disheartened?  I really feel that today.  I know better than to get into Facebook discussions about religion and politics with many of my family members and old acquaintances unless I'm mentally up for the severe anxiety and sadness it brings with it.  I try to use my platform for as much good as I can.  Anywhere my voice can be heard, I want to be a reminder that empathy for others is IMPORTANT.

Anyway, I posted on an FB friend's thread today because I genuinely felt like I needed to.  Of course it was about our new president and it was a lot of very conservative white men responding by laughing at someone who was voicing their opinion in a very loud way.  Though I agreed with the things he was saying, he was doing it in such a threatening manner that I knew I was setting myself up for attack from the others with much different opinions. I felt like they were belittling him, but it wasn't just him.  They were driving home the point that right now, "liberals" are crying and moaning about what's currently happening in our country.  They are just "whining" about not getting their candidate elected.  That's when I got sucked in.  I gently reminded these men that even if you don't agree with someone's opinion, or they way they deliver it, calling names and being dismissive of their concern is coming from a place of superiority.  Even though we went back and forth for a long time and they played dumb about much of what I was saying (and I was VERY talked down to) they never understood my point.  People who are marching and being vocal about concerns about their country aren't whining and moaning.  This is coming from a place of REAL concern.  Concern for others.  Love for others.  Do I agree with the way some people are delivering their opinions?  Sometimes I don't.  But it does raise a red flag for me that there is a large outcry in America.  People doing what they feel they can, who are coming from a place of wanting to do good for others.  There are other people who want to make a joke out of that and that breaks my heart.  I DO find it heartening THAT though our country is very divided right now, the thing I'm taking away from most of the ugliness is LOVE of others.  CONCERN for others.  Even if you don't agree with someone, stepping back and looking at where their concern is coming from is very important.  This isn't a game to be won.  I mean, you can pitch a strong argument that it actually IS, but it also isn't.  I don't know.  This feels like a lot of scattered words on a computer right now, but I was just feeling so anxious and sad after that exchange.  I wish instead of the "our candidate won, get over it" mentality, there was more of trying to see where someone is coming from.  I'm also not saying that I think this is just a "conservative" mentality.  This was an actual exchange I had from people I've watched bully others AND myself.  I got to witness this superior mentality first hand.  We're grown ups now, guys.  It's time to put that away.

And, yes-- I realize I'm mostly preaching to the choir or whatever.  I just had an evening of being attacked on IG and then on FB today.  It's spirit crushing sometimes.  I'm often accused of either getting lumped into a group of bloggers who post too little about "real stuff", or the flip-side, post too much about politics and other "real stuff".  I get it, a lot of people are here for the crafts and the cute family stuff.  That is me.  But this is me, too.  So here's a bit of emotional rambling coming from a place deep pride in the human race, and deep sadness that it often isn't taken seriously.  That's all.

Love to you guys.  xo.

Be Our Valentine!

I don't know if you're a Valentine's Day lover or not, but I do know that spreading joy and love is great any day of the year!  I'm partnering up with one of my very favorite clubs, The Crybaby Club, to do just that!  If you'd like to receive a valentine from me or one of these other fantastic women, check out their blog and sign up!  This is time sensitive, so if you're into it, don't wait!  I hope to send out lots of valentines magic!  xo.