Vogue 1486 Crop Top Muslin

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Noile

Most of the reviews I’ve seen for this pattern are for the skirt. I don’t know; it just seems overdone to me.

But I loved the idea of that top! Could it be my dream top — like a t-shirt, but with a more flair, and made out of linen?

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Tops | Leave a comment

A New “Sources” Page on Noile

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Noile

Terri, a reader, has very kindly sent me a comprehensive list of online fabric sources in the USA and Canada. I’ve made a separate page of her listings — it’s an amazing resource. See it here on the Sources — Terri’s List page.

Thank you, Terri, for this brilliant page of wonders!

Posted in 2021, Misc | Leave a comment

Kwik Sew K253, Sort Of

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Noile

So, I’m still staying at home just about 100% of the time, and I never wear shoes anymore. Additionally, for years I’ve longed for slippers that would feel like socks, but would fit less floppily, without slipping on our wood floors or stairs.

It was time to make my own.

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Paco Peralta Split Skirt

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Noile

Paco Peralta has a reputation for beautifully drafted designs, and, even though this skirt is, in truth, simple to make, it’s no exception. This is Vogue 1619, and, if out-of-print, well-worth snagging for all three pieces. But that skirt! It has it all — including pockets.

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Posted in Pants, Skirts | 2 Comments

Faux Bihn Bag

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Noile

I made a bag (quite a while ago, actually):

It’s a copy of one I saw online. I didn’t buy the commercial one because, as designed, it didn’t have features I knew I’d want, but I loved the look of it, and, well, the adventure began.

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Posted in Adventure/Travel, Bags | 2 Comments

Another Sweatshirt Mash-Up

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Noile

This one’s a frankenpattern involving a Jalie collar and the tunic body from Vogue 8854, which I’ve previously also mashed-up with the Talvikki top.

Just pretend it’s dancing! The angle’s all wrong,
but the tunic’s just fine, really!

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The Buttoned Cardi-Shawl

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Noile

This is an unpublished post from a few years ago, so pre-Covid.
No museum-going, or any other travel, is happening here these days!

This is the perfect, throw-it-in-the-day-bag, off-to-the-too-cool-museum wrap. When it’s made of a lightweight knit, it’s just the thing for warding off a slight chill, but easy as pie to wear in a bunch of different ways: As a “cardigan”, a Grecian-style stole; as sleeves over a shell; as a snood or hood; as touch of color around the neck; as a conventional long scarf, and even as a wrap skirt. It’s also compact enough to toss in a bag or purse so that it’s available when needed.

Cardigan look:

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Pocket for a Power Chair

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Noile

A dear relative uses a power chair (which she amusingly calls an “electric chair”, an accurate, if perhaps misleading, description) and, naturally, likes to have a “pocket” to hold small things when she ventures forth in her chariot.

A few years ago I made one for her, but over time it’s gotten a bit battered, so a new one was in order.

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Posted in 2021, Accessories, Bags, Gifts | Leave a comment

Folkwear Wearable Blanket

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Noile

It’s winter, it’s Covid, it’s time to huddle, and wearable blankets, otherwise known as “ponchos”, are everywhere, and mostly meh and so large as to be unmanageable. Like a lot of people now, I, too, want to hibernate until it’s all over — define “all” however you like — so obviously I needed a day wear blanket.

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Posted in 2020, Coats/Capes/Wraps, Covid | 2 Comments

Jalie Flair 4026 Headband, etc.

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Noile

Masks — so simple, so essential, so bothersome! In cold weather, it’s a pain juggling a hat, hair, maybe glasses, and maybe other behind-the-ear gadgets.

Canadian pattern maker Jalie has come up with a sleek, clever solution to the behind-the-ears problem.

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Posted in 2020, Accessories, Covid, Masks | Leave a comment