Category Archives: LIFE LOVERS

“Queen to b4, knight to F7, bishop to H5…” I couldn’t help but overhear an older man talking to himself as he replayed one of the great chess games of history. He held an orange book with tattered corners in one hand while swiftly moving the pieces on the board in front of him with…

“Veils and cloths are versatile instruments that stimulate fantasy and conjure make believe…” Paul Hills, art historian Fabric defines Renaissance art, cascading, caressing, or breezing over saintly figures, lavish interiors, and ethereal landscapes with decadent, sumptuous folds. Art reflects how fabric was woven into Renaissance culture, filling palaces, churches, interiors, and streets with glorious colour,…

I recently spent another rainy Saturday at my sewing machine. This time, it resulted in a wide leg CHARLIE Pant in Midweight Natural Linen. As the temperatures continue to drop in Wisconsin and we prepare for our first snowfall, I have been thinking about warm layers and garments that transition from season to season. I…

Do you ever think about how no one chose to be here? No one submitted an application to exist. Our existence was chosen for us. Therefore, no one has more or less right to be here than you. You have a right to take up space. You are enough, the very essence of who you…

“African-American quilts are not simply a set of colours, techniques, or patterns. They’re a celebration of culture by artists who understand and love it best.” Ellison Langford, Scalawag Magazine, 2019 If anyone word could define today’s flourishing culture of African American quilts, it would be ‘diverse.’ Pattern styles are diverse, ranging from densely worked abstract…

‘Sewing Patterns with a French Je-ne-sais quoi’ If ever you toyed with the idea of becoming a pattern cutter because the idea of creating something unique for your body fills you with joy, but it seemed like a dream too unreachable because a) surely it’s too complex, b) too expensive to learn, c) you’re too…

Is it possible to have too many linen jumpsuits? As I was organizing my closet at the beginning of fall, switching out my summer clothing for winter garments, I noticed that my most worn item from summertime was my black linen jumpsuit. No real surprise there. It is easy to dress up or down. It…

While thinking of making something for myself for the fall/ winter season, I stumbled upon the Paola Workwear Jacket Pattern, or Chore Jacket as my daughters call it. I ended up making six jackets and three of them were for men. I’m happy to share how I altered them. The Paola is one of Fabric-store’s…

By the end of the American Civil War in 1865, quilting was an established practice across African American communities. But as emancipation gradually emerged, so, too did new approaches to quilting, which shifted and adapted to suit the changing times. No one overarching style ruled, but some of the most celebrated quilts of the era…

I love jumpsuits. I mean, who doesn’t? They are one and done outfits that give you the comfort of wearing a onesie. With that being said, I am always on the lookout for simple yet classic jumpsuit sewing patterns so when I saw the GIA I knew I wanted to try it! It has a…

The strong tradition of African American quilting has existed ever since the dawn of America. Quilts from this period are bound into horrific acts of slavery, a reminder of the terrors that shaped the past and left ripples of trauma throughout history. But they also speak of courage and determination under fire, of people who…

We often think of linen as solely a summer fabric, but as I welcome the brisk breeze on these fall mornings, I find myself reaching for my favorite extra layer, my linen jacket, as I run out the door.  Linen is known for its breathability, strength, and ability to evaporate water quickly, making it a…

“I do view African-American quilting as a genre, just like traditional quilts, art quilts, modern quilts. Our quilts are just a little bit different.” O.V. Brantley, Founder of Atlanta Quilt Festival Quilting is a vital strand of African American culture, telling vividly complex stories of pain, oppression, freedom, and power. There is no single unifying…

What made you start your own maternity wear company, what problems were you going to solve with your product? We started working on EMME during the summer of 2019. Katarina was in her third trimester and made a lot of jokes about how much she hated everything she wore while she was pregnant (wearing sweats…

Summer may be over, but with many of us still sheltering in place, clothing suitable for the home is a wardrobe necessity. Enter the CAMERON dress: this shirt dress is perfect for lounging about one’s house in comfort and style, a beautifully understated piece in its minimalism. Initially, I had grand plans when I first…