Sewing Vortex

We are on the brink of HOLIDAY SEASON. To feed the sewing bug during this time of craziness, it's important that projects be quick, easy and possibly run double duty as gifts.  If this sounds like just what you need this season too, I heartily recommend you check out Itch to Stitch 's newest pattern, Cape Cod Capelet . Whether you are looking for a unique handmade gift, or want to treat yourself to a stylish not-cardigan cover up, Cape Cod Capelet is a great option! What I Made I'm going to shock all of you now and announce that I didn't make a muslin for this. I mean, I did start out intending to, but quickly discovered that it wasn't necessary.  I selected a size M based on the only measurement needed for this pattern: the bust. Cape Cod Capelet is a very loose garment built for layering. There's plenty of ease, yet even shorties like myself are not overwhelmed with too much fabric. Itch to Stitch really has nailed that balance with Cape C...

Several years ago, at the first American Sewing Expo I attended, there was a booth of painted glass nail files. They were lovely, but I didn't bring any home with me. The next year I went, the booth was gone, and I haven't seen it since. I was incredibly disappointed, as I'd come to think they would make a great gift for my girlfriends.  This year, I decided to poke around for glass nail files online. I stumbled onto some sets for a good price. They include a small file, a standard size file and a pedicure file. Upon their delivery, I thought they were so pretty that I was inspired to sew something to go with them and make a manicure themed Christmas present for the ladies in my life. It took some Googling, but eventually I stumbled on the Snappy Manicure Wallet : a free pattern from Noodlehead. It was exactly what I'd wanted. Not too big with a zippered pouch and little pockets for a small selection of polish bottles. Most of the supplies came...

My friend was unexpectedly hospitalized early this month. She spent 5 days in 2 hospitals, steadily declining in heath until she was sedated, intubated and suffering organ failure. All without a diagnosis. We feared she would soon be lost to us. Finally, she was flown some distance to the University of Michigan hospital where they were able to stabilize her. Her fever broke, and a day later we had a diagnosis. Myocarditis , when a virus attacks the heart of otherwise healthy individuals, had weakened her heart so severely as to cause cardiogenic shock , a loss of heart function that can quickly lead to organ failure and death from loss of blood and oxygen throughout the body. An incredibly scary diagnosis, but my friend is strong. I was happy every morning to see the positive updates from her siste:, "She's moving her head today..." "She's squeezing her eyes tight when I ask..." "She's opened her eyes and knows we are here..." "She's...