Leopard Leaf Bra to start 2026

January 17, 2026April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle

2026 is going to be the year I sew from my stash. Well mostly. I’m sure there are going to be a few Kit of the Month kits from BWear I just can’t resist. 🙂

So my first bra is from my stash. I’m using my favorite adjusted Freja pattern, and showcasing a gorgeous lace I bought from a Canadian vendor on Etsy.

It’s a Toronto shop called ElationLingerie. They have some lovely lace and kits, among other things. I’ve bought a few laces from them, and a few kits as well. I paired this gorgeous lace with beige duoplex and power net. I couldn’t resist adding some of the lace to the frame. I just love this lace! Above is the side of the bra showing the lace along the side of the frame. Above I’ve cut some of those trailing embroidered details out and adding them to the front bridge. They’re just too pretty and I felt a bow would take away from the leaf and leopard details.

Lastly, when I was trimming the channeling under the arm, I snipped the bra cup! I added one more little leaf detail to cover that snip. It should protect the cup fabric and keep it from fraying or expanding.

Happy creating!

Sheer Socks

January 10, 2026April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle

Okay. Let me start off right away by saying this is not in my stash, or in my patterns. This is a total distraction!

I’m minding my own business on social media and along comes this gorgeous ad. Aren’t these adorable? I’ve linked them to the site where they can be purchased, but for me they’re too expensive.

But it got me thinking of all the fabrics I do have in my stash that could work to make socks like this. Like a lightweight patterned power net, or a patterned stretch tulle, anything sheer with a pattern and some stretch.

That got me looking for sewing patterns too. There were a few different ones I found, from free to paid patterns.

I even found a video where Nikki from Bra Builders demonstrates how to make your own sock pattern.

But I have to focus and if I want to try and make pretty sheer socks, I’ll add this to my journal and plan for it… after I get some other projects done.

Happy creating!

Plans for the New Year

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026 ~ Michelle

2026 is starting off with a big transition for my husband and me. He’s finished with the firm he was at for 10+ years, and is now deciding what direction he wants for this next phase.

That’s all fine. We’ve had transitions like this before, and it becomes part of the story of us. But for me, it made me reevaluate my sewing. I have a lot of patterns, and a healthy stash. I decided I’m going to start sewing through both of them.

A friend inspired me by sharing she keeps a journal of planned sewing projects, and completed ones too. I think she said she had over 30 completed projects last year. That alone was inspiring.

So I started to look at different sewing planners and such. There are a few free single page ones, and of course there are purchased ones like this one I found on Amazon. Sewing Project Planner: Journal to Keep Record of Project Name & Type, Sewing Pattern, Made For, Started, Finished, ... Materials | Sewing Log Book Ideal for Sewing Lovers, Crafters, and Seamstresses. There is also the Mood sewing planner, also on Amazon. Do you have a favorite sewing planner? How do you keep track of patterns, and ideas? Let me know.

Happy creating!

A Pretty Copper Bra

December 20, 2025December 12, 2025 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I had plans to sew two bras at the same time, so picked two in a similar color. Then I got sick and forgot all about those plans. One bra was partially finished, and the other sat waiting altogether. So much for those plans.

But once I was feeling better, I finished that pretty Yvonne bra, and started on this lovely Copper bra kit.

This was a BMS kit from a few years ago. And the lace is so lovely and works perfectly with the Copper duoplex and power net. Oh, that lace. It’s really such a lovely golden color. I love the Copper color too. I only wish I could find cotton Lycra to match it. It’s the one thing that makes me stay away from Copper. I can wear beige with it – and I did pair it with beige findings – or I can wear tan with it. Neither catch the metallic glimmer or sheen.

Still, despite my few grumbles, I do love this.

This is a very short post. Go enjoy the holidays and I hope you’re spending time with love ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I’ll see you again in 2026!

Yvonne Bra Kit All Sewn Up

December 13, 2025December 12, 2025 ~ Michelle

I finished sewing up the very pretty Yvonne kit from Bwear. And I’m very happy with it. This is again with the few tweaks I’d made to my pattern, and I’m so happy with those tweaks as well.

This is such a pretty kit, and I have enough fabric to make another bra – all I will need is another finding kit. Honestly, this is a very generously supplied kit.

Sewing this up, I had an idea to redo something I’d done for a BMS Challenge back in 2018.You can read the whole post here. Below you can see I split the upper cup.

I really liked this design feature and I’m not sure why I haven’t done it more often. That is on the Ruby pattern, but I’ve been using the Freja pattern lately.

You can see from these images the upper cups are shaped differently. The Ruby has a straighter upper cup. However, I think this would be worth trying after all it’s just adding another seam.

With the lace edge, this will look amazing! The bra will be mostly the floral design lace with just the edge of the upper cup lace. It will give it a completely different look. Isn’t this fabric gorgeous! And the cradle is the same floral lace fabric. I really like this kit. Here you can see the bra from the side. Hmm, makes me wonder if there is floral power net out there…

I have one more bra to show you this year, and then I want to be a bit more proactive with some projects that have just been waiting for me for 2026.

Happy creating!

Such a Pretty Bra Kit

November 22, 2025November 19, 2025 ~ Michelle

I’m finally getting better. Whatever I had, a friend said it really kicked the stuffing out of me. That’s about how I felt. I’ve had no energy for days on end. But thankfully, that is behind me.

So I’m starting to feel better. It’s time to sew a couple of new bras. Remember the turquoise bras I made? I had made a couple of small tweaks to my pattern, and I love how they’re fitting.

And now I want all my bras to fit that way.

I’ll start with some basics, beige, black, and ivory.

The first kit I chose was the Yvonne kit from B,Wear. I was surprised when I opened the kit because I thought it was lace, then a pattern lingerie Lycra. But it’s not. It’s two laces! I was so pleasantly surprised, and that doesn’t happen often when opening a bra kit. You can see the top lace. But it was the fabric under that top lace that I didn’t realize was a second lace. And there’s a lot of lace here. I will be able to easily make a second bra in the future with just another findings kit. Oh, this is so pretty!

My bra is only partly done, but at least I’m up and sewing again. I’m thrilled with this kit. It’s still available at the time of this writing.

Happy creating!

Porcelynne Juliet Camisole and Tap Pants

November 15, 2025November 14, 2025 ~ Michelle

Recently Porcelynne asked for testers for her Juliet Camisole and Tap Pants.

As with all of Porcelynne’s patterns, there’s something a little special with this one too.

But I’ll get to that in a minute or two.

Here’s my Camisole and Tap Pant set. I chose this lovely Rayon fabric that is very light and has a great drape.

I chose to use purchased bias tape in a coordinating color. This is a really lovely set, and a quick sew too. I didn’t sew the straps down for modeling on the display form, and I’m glad I didn’t. The straps cross on the back and I hadn’t done that when I pinned them in place for the pictures… so I won’t show you the back on this. You can see how the cross on the back on the pattern above.

And that crossing of the straps is one of the special details of this pattern. The lovely double straps at the front that crisscross at the back.

This is a lovely pattern, that’s a fairly quick sew, and has some lovely details included. I’ve seen a few makes from others on social media and those makes really inspire me to make something again.

Happy creating!

A Beaded Poppy Pin

November 8, 2025April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

Last year I found the most beautiful Beaded Poppy Pin kit, but unfortunately it was sold out.

This year, thankfully I found the kit, and was able to purchase it… just in time for the mail strike. She does have other kits, classes, and tutorials on her site. And everything on her site is lovely.

Not knowing if I was going to receive the kit before I had time to sew it all up was a bit stressful. But I did get it, and have started on it. And despite the strike it was all in time for Remembrance Day. I sent this first bit of beading to my niece, who makes the most amazing things. She’s on Facebook: Fallen Feather Crafts. She’s been my inspiration to start doing some beading. Another progress picture. I had no idea how much sewing was involved in beading like this. Each bead is sewn down at least twice. Here I’ve added the quills.

When I received the kit, there are enough beads, thread, backing, everything, to make two pins. I think if I do this again, I won’t extend the quills past the outer boarder. It’s going to make the next beading step a little harder. And here is is filled with beads. Is it perfect? By no means. But I’m happy with my first attempt at beading.

I still need to sew the beads along the edge of it to give it a cleaner finish than this. But I’ll have to show you that next time.

Sewing this beaded pin has me looking at other beaded projects, like earrings. Which my niece also makes.

I’ve been drooling over are these earrings.

Tea Statement Ombre Dangle Native earrings Gradient Cognac Long Fringe Seed bead earrings Gold brown Czech glass earrings Aren’t these just stunning? I love them.

Then I found this PDF.

Beaded Earrings Pattern for Brick Stitch with Fringe - Beadwork Ombre Seed Bead Pattern PDF Download image 1

Well, you know I had to buy this. I’m going to try to make these earrings, and then design a similar one to the black and gold ones too.

That got me looking at so many patterns on Etsy for beaded earrings. Like these adorable Christmas trees.

Two different beaded Christmas tree earrings, showing both designs included in the pattern 'Tree-mendous Joy'. One is traditional green, the other is modern white and gold. By Crafty Bead.

I want to learn how to make these as well. These are just stunning.

There are even these great templates to plan your own designs. Bead Template - Graph Paper for Brick Stitch Bead Weaving Earrings Pattern - Instant Download PDF image 1

So you know where I’m at. My sewjo is taking a break, but I’m still having fun. I do have a beautiful tester set to show you soon, but for now it’s beading.

Happy creating!

Collage Quilt Ideas

October 25, 2025October 23, 2025 ~ Michelle

Hello! I didn’t forget to post last week, I was getting over being ill and then working on two patterns I’m testing. The Sloper is taking a bit of a break. As well my friend who’s been working with me on our slopers has been very busy with family. So we are both taking a bit of a break there.

I bought this Laura Heine collage quilt pattern a few years ago. It’s a lovely Laura Heine pattern, and I do love it. However I had different plans for it when I bought it. I wanted to make something else.

What I was thinking was to use this but change the setting of the little town. I wanted to use the town in Italy of my biological father’s family. I’m still thinking of a way to do this.

After doing some searching on the internet for a photo that might work, I came across this great image. This is really great, but it’s not the same small town. So I could probably use this image to make a collage quilt, but using a random image kind of defeats what I was trying to do.

Laura Heine also has a Spanish Row Houses pattern. If I’m just going to use a random town, that would work too. So, as you can see, I’m still not decided on just what to do here, and how I can make Over the Roof Tops a little more personalized for me.

I’ll be back soon. Happy creating!

Sloper Help

October 4, 2025September 25, 2025 ~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

I have to say I’m very impressed with Sure Fit Designs. My second sloper fit very well, and I also saw they have a Facebook group. So they offer support that way, but I received an email saying I could reach out for help.

Wow. What a great support.

I decided to send my photos in and ask for help, and I got a response the next day.

Yes the first one was too big, with the bust dart being too low. The feedback I received was the second sloper was just fine. I didn’t need to make any adjustments. That’s great news! I’m excited and ready to start the skirt part next.