29 August 2014

New Look Bow Belt Tutorial


Just a quickie today to let you know that I've updated one of the most popular posts on the blog, How to Make a Bow Belt, with new text and gorgeous images. The pics I took for the original version of the post back in 2010 were pretty shoddy (cringe), but luckily Arielle shot some gorgeous new ones for the tutorial in my book. Yay! (All the other projects in the book are new, in case you're wondering.) Head on over to take a peek, and share the post with everyone you've ever met.

I'm teaching the bow belt to stitching novices at the Village Haberdashery in West Hampstead next Tuesday as it happens, if you know anyone who wants to learn to sew.


In other sewing school news, thanks for the fantastic response to the workshops at Tilly Towers! I know quite a few people were disappointed not to get a place on Copy Your Clothes, as it sold out in just a few hours. We've had so many emails about it that we're most probably going to run it a couple more times, so if you want to be put on the waiting list for a place, please drop us a line on hello {at} tillyandthebuttons.com. There are a few places left on the other classes if you fancy getting down with some new stitching skillz... just one place left for Sewing Knits: Make a Coco at the time of writing though!


What are you sewing this weekend, please? I'm in two minds about whether to finish my playsuit - it's pretty cold here in London now! I'm not one to stack up UFOs*, but I'm dreaming about snuggly knitwear and Autumnal skirts, so I might have to put it on hold until next Summer...

*Un-Finished Objects

26 August 2014

Workshops at Tilly and the Buttons HQ!

 sewing classes london

We are no longer running workshops at Tilly and the Buttons HQ.  We do have online workshops for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.  Take a look at our online workshops page for more information [updated 04 Sept 2019]

Wanna learn a new sewing skill? Fancy doing it in my gorgeous new studio? I'm excited to invite you to a sewing workshop at Tilly and the Buttons HQ!

I've been teaching sewing workshops for a while now (and designing courses professionally for ten years - phew!), and when I got my spacious new studio in South London I realised I could start offering them here too - hooray! As well as equipping you with new skills, the workshops are going to be awesome fun. They will have a friendly atmosphere, in a bright and inspiring studio-with-a-view (you can see the Shard, the Gherkin and the London Eye, as well as lots of trees!). If that wasn't enough, at the end of each workshop we will toast your achievements with a celebratory drink and you'll get a goodie bag to take home with you.

And I didn't want to teach them all myself... we've got some super duper special guest tutors lined up too. Are you sitting down? Zoe Edwards of Me-Made-May and So Zo... fame, and - all the way from Nashville, Tennessee - Lauren Taylor from Lladybird! If you read their blogs you'll know that they are wonderfully inspiring sewing teachers, as well as good for a giggle :)

Here's the list of workshops - click through for the full details of each one...


LEARN TO SEW 1: MAKE FRIENDS WITH A SEWING MACHINE
Saturday 4 October 2014 OR Wednesday 12 November 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

This workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to start using a sewing machine for the first time, or who hasn’t sewn in a while and needs a refresher.
  • How to set up and thread a sewing machine
  • Getting to grips with stitching – tips for straight lines, curves and corners
  • Sew a simple scarf to tie around your head, neck or bag 
  • Tips on getting into sewing – easy project ideas, essential tools and how to choose a sewing machine

Sunday 5 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you want to start making your own clothes, this workshop offers the perfect introduction with an easy-peasy pyjama bottoms project using the Margot sewing pattern. You’ll need to be able to use a sewing machine first – this is a great follow on class from our Make Friends With a Sewing Machine workshop.
  • How to start using sewing patterns and read their markings 
  • Techniques for cutting out fabric accurately 
  • The basics of clothing construction – including pinning, stitching seams and pressing 
  • How to sew pyjama bottoms, including drawstring and hem


Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you want to start sewing or are in need of a refresher, how about taking a crash course? This weekender combines our Learn to Sew 1 and 2 classes to get you off to a strong start. Spend Saturday afternoon getting to grips with the sewing machine and practising your new skills by stitching a simple scarf. Then on Sunday we'll get stuck into making pyjama bottoms from scratch, teaching you how to start using sewing patterns and constructing basic garments. Just think, on the Saturday morning you will have been a sewing novice, on the Sunday night you’ll be wearing your homemade PJs with pride!

Saturday 25 October 2014
Teacher: Tilly Walnes

If you know how to use a sewing machine, have made a couple of simple projects (such as pyjamas, Miette skirt, cushions or bags), this workshop is the perfect next step into the wonderful world of dressmaking. It’s also great for quilters who are confident using a sewing machine but need a bit of help to start making clothes.
  • Take accurate measurements and understand sewing pattern sizing
  • How to make a cute A-line mini skirt using the Delphine pattern in Love at First Stitch 
  • Constructing a waistband with a facing
  • Techniques for inserting an invisible zip 
  • How to finish seams on your sewing machine using zigzag stitch


Sunday 26 October 2014
Teacher: Zoe Edwards of So Zo...

Do you own a favourite dress or perfect fitting jeans that you just wish you’d bought three of? Then this class is for you! Zoe will show you how to clone your favourite clothes and create a pattern that you can use to sew them again and again… and make them immortal!
  • The principles of creating a sewing pattern from your favourite clothing 
  • How to trace basic garment shapes 
  • Transferring darts, seams lines and other forms of shaping 
  • Replicating pockets and design features 
  • Adding grainlines, notches and other pattern markings

SEWING KNITS: MAKE A COCO TOP OR DRESS
Saturday 8 November 2014
Teacher: Zoe Edwards of So Zo...

This workshop is for you if you know how to use a sewing machine, if you’ve sewn a few projects and want a bit of help to start sewing knit fabric. While it may have a reputation for being scary, sewing with knits really isn’t difficult once you’ve learnt a few tips and tricks. And it’s soooo comfy to wear! We'll start you off using low-stretch knit fabric to make the popular Coco top or dress pattern.
  • How to cut out knit fabric without stretching it out of shape 
  • Tips and tricks for stitching knit fabric on a regular sewing machine 
  • Make your choice of Breton top, dress or sixties funnel neck using the Coco pattern 
  • How to stabilise and finish seams on knit garments


SEWING SKILLS: ZIPS + BUTTONHOLES
Teacher: Lauren Taylor of Lladybird.com

If you have basic machine sewing skills but inserting zips gives you nightmares and stitching buttonholes gets you in a flap, this workshop is the answer to your prayers! We’ll go through techniques, tips and tricks to stitch those fastenings with ease. With one of our favourite sewing bloggers – Lauren of Lladybird.com – leading this workshop, you’re guaranteed to have a fun evening as you learn.
  • How to insert an invisible zip 
  • Creating an impressive lapped zip 
  • Tips and techniques for stitching buttonholes - one-step (automatic) or four-step (manual)

Oh and we now do GIFT VOUCHERS! So you can give the gift of sewing... or drop a hint to your friends and family when your birthday is coming up :)

The studio is near West Dulwich and West Norwood stations, less than 10 minutes’ walk from West Dulwich station (12 minutes to Victoria) and West Norwood station (21 minutes to London Bridge), with good bus connections. It's a bright and inspiring space that I'm having a lot of fun settling in to at the moment - I'll give you the full tour very soon. Shout out to Janome for helping me kit out the studio - thank you!

If you've got any questions, take a look at the workshops FAQ as you'll probably find your question is already answered there. But if it's not, fire away. I hope to see you at a workshop soon!

22 August 2014

Your Makes!

We're swooning over here at all the gorgeous things everyone has been making with Tilly and the Buttons sewing patterns! Here are just a few recent creations...


The Megan dress pattern from Love at First Stitch has proven particularly popular lately. I LOVE the colours of these two versions by Elinor and Jenna.


A couple more Megans that I couldn't resist including. Firstly, Twinkle's, because I love the way she's taken advantage of the empire line seam design to showcase two fabrics. And secondly Isabel's dress, because yay kitties!


Ruth made a really pretty sleeveless version of the Mathilde blouse, with a cute variation at the back - check it out. Anne made THREE Mathilde blouses in quick succession (you can see them all in the maker gallery) - I love the contrast buttons down the back of this one.

beginner sewing book

Lots of people have been making short versions of the Margot pyjamas from Love at First Stitch. These ones by Cathie are ridiculously pretty, non? But they're not just for girls, as Daisy's fella is keen to demonstrate!



I squealed out loud when I saw both these photos! How adorable do Christine and Caitlin look in their mother and daughter matching Cocos?! I wanna go round their house! And Heather Lou shows that she's the style queen yet again in her simple-chic outfit... swoon!

 easy skirt sewing pattern

I love how Kath has styled her pretty version of the Miette skirt... makes me wish Summer would never end. Christine made another maxi version of the Miette skirt, and got so many questions about how she made it that she's created a maxi Miette tutorial for you!


Julie looks so pretty in this simple yellow Delphine skirt, similar to the one I wear on the cover of Love at First Stitch. Chloeti made this lovely Mimi blouse... they'd look great together as an ensemble, non?


Next time I've got a wedding to go to, I'm basically gonna copy Nicola's version of the Lilou dress (again from Love at First Stitch). Sooo pretty. Jacq made it in two different fabrics - I love how this looks! And Shauni looks stunning in her classic red version - solid colours are great for showing off the scalloped neckline and pleat design on the skirt. (Be sure to take a peek at Shauni's collared Megan dress too - cuteness!)


A couple of final things to mention. Firstly, do you remember OWOP? One Week, One Pattern? This was a challenge I set myself a few years ago - and then you a couple of years ago - to wear things you've made from one sewing pattern for seven days in a row. It's like a styling challenge for a wearable garment in your handmade wardrobe. Well, Handmade Jane has taken the reins this year, hosting OWOP over on her blog starting on 6th September. Check out the deets and get involved! If you wear one of my patterns for your OWOP challenge (I'm currently trying to decide between Coco, Miette and Delphine for mine this year), be sure to let me know!


And finally I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to all the amazing people who have reviewed my book on Amazon. I try not to get hung up on things like that but my publisher alerted me to the fact that more than 100 people have taken the time to write a five star review (whaaaat?!). It's so much more than I could have ever imagined and I really really appreciate the fact that you've taken the time to show your support for the book. You guys are the BEST! :)

Plenty more pictures of things people have made with the patterns on Pinterest. If you want to get your own creation included in the maker gallery, tweet me a pic or leave a comment on the blog with a link. I can't wait to see what you've made!

[Soundtrack: 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster the People]

19 August 2014

Meet Laura!


Say hello to the newest member of team Tilly and the Buttons - Laura!

Yes, it's official, one has become two, it's not just me working for T&TB any longer, so I can start saying "we" legitimately without it sounding like the royal we, hahaha! Laura started working here part time just last week and is already doing a wonderful job. If you order something from the shop, Laura is the person packing and posting your goodies, and answering any queries you have. She'll also be looking after our wholesale customers, who we have just started working with. So if you know any shops who should be stocking our stuff, let us - and them - know!

Let's hear from Laura herself...

"Hello, I'm Laura! I live locally in Peckham and have just finished a degree in Surface Design, specialising in printed textiles. My current obsessions include Modernist architecture, spending hours on Pinterest and fashion blogs, charity shop splurges, glitter nail varnish and eating doughnuts. I also love anything textile- or screen printing-related, and making my own jewellery.

 Laura's textile work

I am very new to sewing myself and have only made a few things so far. However, during the final year of my degree I really embraced the sewing machine to add construction and dimension to my textiles, eventually making a top and dress for my graduate collection using my own printed and devoré fabric! Part of what appealed to me about working at Tilly and the Buttons was the amazing opportunity it will give me to learn more about dressmaking and to make my own versions of the patterns with some on-hand, expert advice (thanks Tilly!). I am also excited to get to know Tilly's lovely customers and blog readers... and to embrace my passion for organisation!

Nice to meet you!"

It's so great to have Laura here - not only is she great at her job, she's also a lot of fun to have in the studio! In the last few months, I've been working crazy hours just to get through packing orders, dealing with business admin and replying to the mountain of emails. Having Laura's help means that we'll be able to get stuck into working on new projects - ie. lovely sewing goodies to share with you! So watch this space...


I hope you'll make Laura feel welcome!

(Oh yes, and we're working in the new studio now... you'll get the tour soon-ish, and in the meantime you can get a sneaky peek on Instagram...)

15 August 2014

Latest Obsession... Modern Sewciety Podcast!


You guys, I'm obsessed. Obsessed with something you should really know about if you're into sewing of any kind - the Modern Sewciety Podcast. Have you listened to it yet? Are you hooked on it too?

I first found out about the Modern Sewciety Podcast a few weeks ago when Jen and Kelli were featured and mentioned it on their blogs. I began listening to the episodes while packing orders and cutting fabric, and very soon I was addicted! The show features inspiring people working in sewing - from fabric brands to pattern designers to bloggers and others. It's hosted by a lovely lady called Stephanie who is just SO adorable - not only because of her lovely accent, but what really comes across is her generosity of spirit and the fact that she is so genuinely excited to talk to people who are in the wonderful world of sewing. It's kinda like listening to two friends having a chat, but you also get to hear about the really interesting work that goes on behind the scenes at various companies. This is something that I love to hear because running a (very) small business can be lonely sometimes so it's great to hear how others handle the highs, lows and everything in between. But even if sewing is simply a for-fun activity for you, it's a really nice listen.

Since I knew you guys would be interested in the podcast, so I turned the tables on interviewer Stephanie and asked her to answer a few questions herself...


Hi Stephanie! How would you describe Modern Sewciety to people who haven't listened to it before? Can you sum it up in a tweet?

"ModernSewciety, a weekly podcast, with host Stephanie chatting about all things fabric, sewing, inspiration with creatives in the industry. —— that was so hard!!! lol"

Tell us how you got started with the podcasts…

"My husband started listening to podcasts long before me and kept suggesting I try to find one about sewing. I searched and found some great ones. I really found I enjoyed the podcasts that were chatty and allowed you to get to know the guests in a relaxed way. I knew I would love to “meet” some of the creatives in the sewing industry and hear their stories about how they got started sewing, what inspires them, and pretend like we were BFFs! I am not really shy when it comes to talking to others so I thought why not give it a try and so Modern Sewciety was born. I blindly emailed a lot of creatives in the industry that I had followed for a long time to ask them to come on the show and, well, so many said yes. I still can’t believe the awesome people I have had the opportunity to chat with."

How did your own love of sewing begin?

"My grandmother and mother sewed when I was little. They never really sat down and taught me but I always loved watching them. When I was in college I tried to make a baby blanket for a friend who had just had a little girl. Let’s just say it wasn’t an awesome gift but I really loved trying to make it. Many years later I had my first child and my husband gave me some 'fun' money to spend (he had gotten a bonus) and I bought myself a sewing machine. I didn’t know much but read a lot of blogs and tutorials, and the rest is history. I now can’t live without sewing something all of the time."

You've interviewed so many inspiring people for the podcast. Was there one interview or interviewee that stood out in particular for you? Or as you would say, can you choose a favourite child?!

"Ha a favorite child… this is hard! I will say that some of the first guests I had on were my favorite. They gave me a chance and came on the podcast when I didn’t know what I was doing. Heck I still don’t! They were all so nice to me and would chat after recording about the podcast, make suggestions, help me with contacts, and that really helped open doors for me. Without them I don’t think the podcast would be what it is today."



If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why?

"Well I have to say I love interviewing everyone. I know. I know it is corny but everyone has a story! I really enjoy having others on to share their story. I think it is inspiring to hear someone chat about who they are, their passions, and most importantly how much they love sewing. I really connect with others by hearing their voice and laugh and I have found that once I start chatting with someone they forget we are recording and then it is just a chat between friends. It is real life and well I love the realness of it."

Apart from Modern Sewciety, which is obviously the best sewing podcast in the world, do you have any recommendations for other podcasts that we might like - related to the world of sewing, craft and/or crafty businesses?

"I really have a lot of non-sewing podcasts I listen to like This American Life, The Moth, After the Jump (which is Design Sponge’s Grace Bonney), How they Blog the podcast, 99% invisible, Smart Passive Income! lol okay that will get you started! And for sewing-related, I listen to Katie’s Quilting Corner, APQ radio, and I am sure their are more I am forgetting."

What would be your top tips for anyone thinking about making a podcast themselves?

"I say research. I researched podcasting for a long time before I started mine. I really think Pat Flynn does an amazing job with his podcasting tutorials. Hey Pat!"

Do you have anything exciting up your sleeve for Modern Sewciety that you can tell us about?

"I really would like to go to Quilt Market in the Fall and maybe Quiltcon. I am a stay at home mom so I rely on sponsors and listener pledges (find more about that on the support page of Modern Sewicety) to make all of those things possible. I hope to continue to make the podcast more professional and also do more on location shows."


Thanks so much for making these podcasts, Stephanie - I love them!

Readers, if you fancy dipping into the Modern Sewciety podcasts, take a look at the episodes on offer. And if you like it, you might also like my A Day in the Life interviews too!

12 August 2014

Florals and Stripes


Liberty invited me to do a guestie for their blog, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to explore my recent florals-and-stripes-combination obsession. I love the way the dainty, colourful flowers look juxtaposed with a bolder, monochrome graphic print, so I indulged in a spot of applique on a Coco dress. Since making it, I've worn the dress at least twice a week - I love it so!


If you'd like to make your own version, head over to the Liberty blog to read the tutorial. I hope you like it!

[Soundtrack: 'Les Fleurs' by Minnie Riperton]

8 August 2014

What's On My Sewing Table...


What's on my sewing table? Well, if you want to be pedantic about it, at the moment absolutely nothing is on my sewing table as I'm in the middle of my office move (eeeeep!!) and I don't actually have a sewing table set up, let alone anything on it. But let's not be pedantic - before I started moving, I got most of the way through this project, McCalls 6969.



I'm making version C, the collared playsuit, in a pretty bird print lawn that I bought from Guthrie & Ghani the night Lauren hosted my book party. This is one of those patterns you'd be forgiven for totally overlooking because of the... err... unfortunate styling on the envelope. But as with many such patterns, if you look at the technical illustration and project a nice fabric onto it, you might just discover a winner. Mmm... I love version B too, and have something similar in my wardrobe that I've been wearing all Summer long. My boyfriend calls that jumpsuit my "pyjamas". I don't think he means it as a compliment, but I'll take it as one!


I spent quite a bit of time making a toile, as I struggle to fit any kind of trousers to my booty, even loose-fitting styles like this. I started by adjusting the pattern using the method suggested in The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting of deepening the crotch curve (teehee! I said crotch) and adding the "lost" fabric to the side seams. No bueno, couldn't even get the toile on. Next, I made a full booty adjustment using this Colette tutorial and re-toiled. Better, but still not enough space for my goods. So I made a third adjustment (sheesh...) using the same method to expand the pattern even further. By this time, I really couldn't be bothered to cut out a whole new toile, so I just slashed the one I had to approximately (verrry approximately) the same measurements I'd used on the third pattern adjustment and patched up the space with more fabric. Finally! It fit!


I'm hoping I'll get this finished in time for a short trip to Cornwall next weekend, but that's probably a bit over-ambitious of me seeing as I'm kinda in the middle of an office move. We'll see!

What's on your sewing table please?

['Ms Fat Booty' by Mos Def]

5 August 2014

Now in Foreign!


Exciting times - Love at First Stitch will soon be available in other languages!


On 11th September 2014, Edition Michael Fischer releases the German edition - here it is on Amazon.de. Variationsmöglichkeitens for all!


On 17th September 2014, WPG publishes the Dutch version (Dutch readers, where's the best place for you to pre-order books?) - you can pre-order it here. Rok on, dudes!


And on 14th October 2014, Roost Books brings out the hotly anticipated US version, where zips become zippers and pyjama bottoms are pajama pants (crazy times!). You can pre-order it now now now!

There may just be a few more translators working their magic on the book right now in time for a Spring release. I can't say any more than that just yet, but of course you'll be the first to know when the news is official. In the meantime, of course, you can still get your hands on the original version of the book from Amazon.co.uk as well as UK bookshops, haberdasheries, and signed copies from moi in my shop.



Jurk zelfgemaakt, everyone!

['Around the World' by Daft Punk]

1 August 2014

A Day in the Life of Liesl Gibson (Oliver + S)

You all know Liesl Gibson, right? The designer behind no less than FOUR sewing pattern brands - kidswear Oliver + S, Lisette patterns in partnership with Simplicity, Liesl + Co PDF patterns, and Straight Stitch Society accessories. (Just reading that list is making me need a little nap on her behalf!) Well today we get to find out what it's like to be superwoman Liesl by spending a Day in the Life in her company. How does she manage her time to stay on top of it all? And what does she wear while doing it? Let's see...

******


"My typical day right now is pretty atypical. For 10 months of the year, my daughter S is in school (she’ll start fourth grade in September), and we have a regular schedule: wake up, breakfast, to the school bus stop by 8:20, work, afterschool program pick up by 5:55, dinner, homework, bed for her, more work for me, and then sleep.

But July and August are different. S spends all of July with her grandparents—two weeks with my husband Todd’s parents in Michigan and two weeks with my parents in Wisconsin. They all love the time together, and Todd and I enjoy the adult time. Then we usually do a home exchange for the month of August and spend that month together as a family somewhere interesting. This August, we’ll be in Barcelona. We still work while we’re away, but the change of scenery and pace is always inspiring.

So right now, my typical day is much more unstructured than usual. This morning I woke up at 8:00. I start the morning with breakfast—usually eggs or a little granola. Todd and I have just started doing the Seven Minute Workout together in the morning. S and I recently started taking violin lessons together, so I practice violin a little in the morning—I absolutely love playing! After that I shower and get dressed. Today I chose a pair of linen culottes that we’ll be releasing as a Liesl + Co. patterns this fall. I paired it with a white embroidered blouse I bought at Zara a few years ago and with some new sandals.

Todd and I left together for the studio around 9:00 today—which is quite late for us. Todd usually bikes to the studio while I take the subway. But today there was a thunderstorm forecast and a flash flood watch for the afternoon, so he took the subway with me. (The afternoon ended up being sunny with no rain. Go figure.)



When I first launched my business, Todd was working as a management consultant and helped (“forced” might be more accurate…) me to write a business plan before I did anything else. Having a solid business plan really helped me through the first two years. Whenever anyone asks me for advice about starting a business, I tell them they have to have a good business plan before they launch. Todd hadn’t originally planned to work with me, but that changed about a year and a half after the company started and we saw the potential in the business. We’ve been working together for five and a half years now. I do product development for our four brands of sewing patterns, and he makes the business run smoothly.

We live in Manhattan’s East Village, and our studio is four stops into Brooklyn on the L line which runs under the East River. We can make it there by bike or subway in about 20 minutes. But today I needed to stop at the art store to pick up some materials for a Straight Stitch Society photo shoot, so I got off one stop early.


From there I walked to the studio. Our space is in an industrial neighborhood that is undergoing rapid change. The small manufacturers are moving out, and their large spaces are being carved up into artist studios and workspaces for creative businesses. The floor where our studio is located used to be a book bindery, and you can see sewing machine needles nestled between the floor boards. I moved into this space six years ago, shortly after I started our first brand, Oliver + S.


I was one of the first tenants in the building after it was converted, and I really like it here. We’ve become friends with some of our neighbors who do interesting things like creating paintings, designing wallpaper, recording music (and arguably being the coolest woman in the world), and making artisanal beef jerky. Until recently, we even had a small bourbon distillery in the building.

I usually start my morning at my desk, responding to email and corresponding with many of the freelancers who help us create our patterns.


What I do after that depends on where we are in the production cycle for each of our brands. I could be designing new styles for kids or women (for Lisette or Liesl + Co.), figuring out how to construct a new style, writing and illustrating instructions, or formatting patterns for the printer. Every day is different. We often have work in different stages of development for our brands, so some days I’ll be working on something early in the production cycle at one time and then switch to something later in the cycle for another brand. I usually spend Mondays writing blog posts, but right now I’m trying to finish the fall patterns, so I’m really focusing on all the details that are so important to our patterns.


There aren’t any convenient places to eat in the neighborhood, so Todd makes lunch around 12:30. We have a sandwich press in the studio, and he puts together hot sandwiches of some kind. Today’s lunch was sponsored by the letter P: panini (with prosciutto, pepperoni, provolone, plum tomatoes, and pesto), pickles, and potato chips. We pair lunch with some fruit that I pick up on my way to the subway in the morning. Today it was cherries.

 In the afternoon, it’s more of the same activities. This afternoon I cut out a dress that we’ll release this fall under our Liesl + Co. brand, and I worked on formatting the pattern sheet for another Liesl + Co. pattern for the fall.


We left the studio at 7:15 and stopped for a quick dinner of vegetarian burritos and nachos at La Gringa Taqueria which is near the closest subway stop. We were home by 8:15. I practiced violin for a while and then we put on an episode of Boardwalk Empire which I’ve checked out from the library. While the show played, I opened my laptop and made cutting layouts for the patterns I was working on in the afternoon. After that, Todd headed off to bed and I stayed up for a while finishing the layouts, finally turning in around 12:00. Tomorrow I leave for a series of trips: flying to Nashville to teach for one of Anna Maria Horner’s sewing workshops, then home to see my family and to pick up S, and then we all leave for Barcelona a few days later. I guess this is one of my last typical/atypical workdays in the studio until we return home in September and school starts again!"

******

Thanks for letting us spend the day with you, Liesl! Readers, if you liked this and want to read more Days in the Life of inspirational people who have made a career out of their love of stitching, there's a whole page of them - from Colette Patterns to Sublime Stitching to Figgy's. Enjoy!