Author Archives: Noile

Vintage Nurse’s Cape

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Noile

Mr. Noile and I found this cape in an antique shop this summer. It fit perfectly, so how could we resist it?  It needs a bit of pressing, but here it is on my dummy: Based on its construction, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Vintage | 5 Comments

Snap Press!

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Noile

It’s been almost six months since I last posted, and it will be another month before I’m back posting regularly, but I just had to acknowledge the arrival of a tool I expect to be using for the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools | 2 Comments

Replacement Insoles

Posted on March 7, 2009 by Noile

My Merrell “Primo Chill Slide” mocs are wonderful to wear when you want the warmth of a boot without the fuss. They originally came with a wool footlbed that was lofty and warm, just like the wool lining that fills … Continue reading →

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Vogue 8485 – Linen Handbag

Posted on February 28, 2009 by Noile

I started this handbag in the first week of February, but then Noilette had appendix surgery and I spent a week in NYC unexpectedly. (All is well; she got through with no complications at all, thank goodness.) This particular pattern … Continue reading →

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Pattern Sale!

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Noile

So I bopped down to JoAnn’s the other day and picked up a few Vogue patterns. Five, to be precise — that’s at least two more than I’ve ever picked up at once before. I’m dreamin’, big time! The one … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun | Leave a comment

Vogue 8536 – It’s a Wadder!

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Noile

Oh, dear. Knits and I are just not getting along. Today’s failure is this top from Vogue Basic Design: I made view D (the vee-neck), with the 3/4ths sleeve length from view B. In theory, this shirt is almost exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in Tops | 3 Comments

Easiest Dummy Stand Ever

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Noile

When I made my duct tape dressmaker dummy, I built a stand for it from PVC pipe: The pipe is four inches in diameter, and the foot it’s standing on is a toilet flange. (Not elegant, true, but efficacious.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools | 4 Comments

Shapes Plus One Tunic

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Noile

I’ve been looking for styles with easy shapes, ones that I can make from linen, and tops that will be cool and comfortable for summer. I’d been thinking about the Shapes Plus One Tunic (from Sewing Workshop) for a while, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tops | 2 Comments

Pattern Weights

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Noile

Dawn, of Two On, Two Off, mentioned After the Dress in her post today, where there is an interesting post about pattern weights. My weights are the crudest, simplest ones available: Yep, just giant washers from my local hardware store. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools | 7 Comments

Vogue 7862 – Brocade Bag

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Noile

One of the gifts I received this holiday season was this beautiful brocade fabric, which Mr. Noile’s mother Trilby and I had spied earlier in the year at a favorite shop. Trilby snuck back later and bought a piece for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bags | 4 Comments