I have a new computer! This is my first non-mobile blog post since September, and man, does it feel good. I’ve only been able to use a physical computer at the library and my kids were so crazy I only attempted it once. So here I am, typing on my very own computer. yay! This...
I’ve been bombarding you with lots of garments, so I thought I’d interrupt regular programming for a quilt break. Just over a year ago, right before we moved to Tennessee, and I’m talking like a week before, I got the urge to make a whole bunch of heart blocks from Cluck, Cluck, Sew’s tutorial. I...
Today is the final day of my impromptu Dress Week! Spoiler alert: still using the Building Block Dress book as my pattern. I just love this dress, and Layla feels like it’s extra special. It’s made with a beautiful cotton eyelet, lined with Free Spirit solid voile (what I line everything with), and the skirt...
Dress week continues over here at Olivia Jane Handcrafted! I’m excited to show you another version of the Building Block Dress made with linen and a Japanese Hello Kitty Liberty print which I got from Jones & Vandermeer but can no longer find on the site. They have tons of other Liberty to choose from...
My very dear friend who owns Jones & Vandermeer sent me some of their exclusive Liberty chambray to play with. It is adorned with Betsy, one of my all time favorite Liberty prints, and it is the softest, drapiest chambray I’ve felt. I’ve actually been holding onto this fabric for a bit. I plan a...
Welcome to Olivia Jane Handcrafted! I'm Meredith and this is my creative journal. Here you'll find loads of inspiration for a handmade wardrobe, home decor, bags, and quilts. I even have plenty of projects and tutorials to get you started or help you along the way.
Your new dress is gorgeous! I’ve really taken a step back from fabric buying and even sewing the last 8 months. The sewing part makes me sad, but the fabric part has been so freeing! I feel weighed down by the fabrics that just sit on my shelf, because they either feel wasted, or they feel like a burden – a reminder of what I’m not accomplishing. I’m so excited to see you posting more!
Also, I think a big part of not sewing has to do with my post 2nd baby body. So, I totally get that! My belly is just not going anywhere, and it’s hard to want to make clothes for myself!
Thank you, Kaitlin. I’m glad you get where I’m coming from! Sometimes I feel crazy not getting more (or even wanting to) when it seems like all I see is stack upon stack of new fabric. And on that other note, it’s totally hard to make or even buy for a body that doesn’t feel like yours. I feel like such a stranger in my body and I have been having a huge mental struggle about it. I’m using my self loathing and channeling it so I have workout motivation. I’ve been doing Pilates to rebuild my core strength and I’ll go from there. One day at a time. It’s hard to do with kids, because when I do get a break all I want to do it sit and enjoy the silence.
I am in complete agreement re quality fabric! I refuse to sew with anything that’s not the best – my time is too valuable and the work that goes into each garment just deserves a level of respect that only the finest fabrics will garner :) Love your Liberty dress on you! I’m top heavy and there isn’t much of a difference between my waist and hips (I’m 63 :) ) so this style would definitely not suit me! I’m making up a couple of Ogden camis – getting ready for the hot summer! There is nothing cooler than light woven camis and shorts for around the house anyway ;) I’ll make up some sleeveless wovens next for wearing outside the house next. I’m working with a tie silk now for this cami and I have a big border panel in a light flowered cotton for possibly a couple more then I’m done with camis!
We are kindred spirits! I don’t go out of my way to tell people the cost of fabric unless they want me to make them something. And then they gasp and I explain that I’m not making Target clothes. I’m making quality clothes they would be hard pressed to find elsewhere for a lower price. Not worth my time if the quality isn’t great.
And oh, Ogden! I love that pattern. Your latest version sounds incredible. I bet it will feel wonderful!
I’m still here, Meredith! I love this dress on you— it looks amazing and you’ve got the fit nailed. The colors are fabulous on you, too. (Also, your hair looks so pretty curled like that!) I look forward to seeing what else you’ve been working on!
I’m so glad you are here, Teri! You are so inspiring to me. Have you ever made this pattern?
I love reading along. Your sewing and commitment to sewing the best is so inspiring to me. I hope one day the cost of things won’t deter me from buying the best. So glad I’m able to read along from my little Australian corner of the world. :)
Thank you for following along, Paula! I know fabric is so darn expensive in Australia and I will be thrilled when your prices can come down to a more affordable level so more folks can sew with a greater variety of fabrics!
I seen your dress pic on IG and had to come over and ck it out! So pretty! I am interested in making some new garments – tops, skirts, dresses for summer and work. It has been a long time since I made garmets and I am a bit older …ahem and plus size. Adjusting and fitting them so they look great/professional concern me. And sewing with knits and beautiful fabric like Liberty would be on my wish list.
Thank you, Ginny! If you are looking for plus size friendly patterns, I have heard that Cashmerette is wonderful. And do you know about Seamwork? Its a monthly online magazine I subscribe to that is put out by Colette. For only $7 a month you get two free patterns with every issue and each one comes with a misses fit and a plus size fit, which are pretty well tailored for each body type. Not all the patterns are winners, but for $7, I think its a worthwhile gamble. I’ll include a link to that. I think if I share it it’ll get you half off your first month, and then you can test it to see if its something that would be helpful to you. Click here!
I love reading about your garment sewing. I’m Kristie, a wife and mom who lives in the Atlanta area. I love sewing with Liberty fabrics as much as you do, and I also work part time at a wonderful fabric shop called Intown Quilters. Keep sewing and blogging and posting on Instagram!
Thank you, Kristie! Liberty is the best! I’ll have to look up your shop. I’m not in the Atlanta area very often, but I would love to stop in when I am.
Hi Meredith! I love seeing what you sew, you do such beautiful work and it is always an inspiration for me.
I am sewing up a few skirts for myself – I am optimistic that warm weather will eventually find its way here to the Midwest – and shorts for my kids. In between those things I’m trying to finish a time-consuming quilt for a friend in time for her birthday, but there are only so many hours in a day! I am also struggling with the buy new or use my stash battle. As for my figure… I feel like I added a few pounds around my middle a few years ago and they don’t want to budge. I’m trying to accept what I am, though, and sewing clothes that fit properly really does help. My latest make has been the Bryce Cargos from Hey June, they are fantastic!
Thank you for your kinds words, Emily! Spring is coming! I’m trusting that the weather will eventually decide to be consistent rather than this hot one day, cold the next thing that’s been going on. I also like to sew garments in between big quilting projects! I will either take a weekend break to sew up an outfit or two or use it as my pot of gold at the end of my quilting project. I find that motivates me to get through one thing and onto the next.
As for figure, I hear you! Its so hard to want to dress a body that’s not what we picture for ourselves. You are preaching to the choir. And though I’m trying to be more consistently active, I am also finding that I need to dress for the body I have. I’ll have to look up the Bryce Cargos. :)
I always read, Meredith! Congrats on your new computer. As far as lining fabrics go, maybe try Robert Kaufman lawn – it comes in good solids.
Hey Erin! :) I’m so glad you are here. I will look up the Kaufman lawn for sure. I haven’t ever used them and I didn’t realize they sold solid ones. Thank you!