Besides the love of sewing itself, there’s another thing that sewists the world over have in common: the excitement we share for free sewing patterns. It’s not just about the zero cost, although that’s certainly a perk—it’s about the thrill of finding new designs, the joy of sharing those patterns with fellow sewists, and the…
All posts by Elise Montecastro
Whatever stage you’re at in your journey of creating a handmade wardrobe, there are a few basic concepts that should become second nature in your sewing practice. For example, having separate pairs of scissors—one for paper and one for fabric—and understanding the grainline your pattern pieces require, whether they should be cut on the straight…
As a sewist, you’ve probably heard the term “deadstock” circulating in fashion and sewing circles, but it’s not just another buzzword—it’s the coveted material for DIY enthusiasts and eco-conscious designers alike. But what exactly is deadstock fabric, and why is it on the radar of home sewists? Deadstock fabric is like a rare jewel of…
Last fall, my family and I relocated to a small rural town south of Phoenix, Arizona—a stark contrast to our previous urban lifestyle just minutes from downtown LA. One of the things I knew I would miss was the easy access to the Fabric District, where I could find endless bolts of deadstock fabrics. As…
You know that one well-worn, probably damaged-beyond-repair item in your closet you bought off the rack ages ago that you still hold on to because you just love the way it looks and fits? Or maybe it’s a garment you think would look amazing in another fabric that the original wasn’t offered in? Well, have…
I’ve been on the hunt for 100% cotton poplin fabric for the last several months and I had no clue Fabrics-Store had a whole range sitting pretty on the site. Of course they offer the fabric in a quintessential white color as well as a bevy of gorgeous floral prints; but when I saw the…
Around early April of this year, I was ruminating over what to make for my daughter to wear for my wedding that was to take place in May. It was quite serendipitous when I found out Fabrics-Store was releasing a new range of cotton printed fabrics as I had narrowed down my idea to a…
Slowly I’ve started to spill out bits and pieces of my wedding and dress sewing journey on my social media – things like location (San Francisco!) and potential fabric choice (glittery sparkling tulle!). Our wedding takes place this coming May so I’ve been obsessing over all planning details and it seems like the to-do list…
I loved the style and ease of the Abbey Pattern collection so much that I had to do a part 2. This time around, I sewed up the capris in midweight linen and they have become such a welcomed addition to my trans-seasonal wardrobe. As with the Abbey cardigan that I previously reviewed, I chose…
A couple weeks ago, my family and I took a quick trip to San Francisco to visit friends and pre-plan our wedding, which will take place inside the awe-inspiring San Francisco City Hall. My fiance and I both lived there during college over a decade and half ago, so we figured it would be meaningful…
If you have little ones and are in the market for beautiful fabrics to sew up heirloom pieces, RUN, DON’T WALK, to grab a couple yards of the new 100% cotton printed Percale and Muslin fabrics range from Fabrics-Store. I feel so lucky to have been able to test out these new cottons; they were…
Matching button-down shirt and shorts sets have been dominating my inspo files since early spring, but I had yet to make one because I just couldn’t pin down the perfect patterns to create the *exact* look I was dreaming of. Cue the Riva Pattern Collection. It’s comprised of a button-down shirt with either long sleeve…
The Riva is a beautifully drafted pattern collection that consists of a button-down shirt with either a long sleeve or sleeveless option and high-waist trousers with a shorts option. As the description for the pattern says, it really does combine classic tailoring with casual ease for the perfect balance. One of the most unique details…
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