31 days of handmade Halloween day 21! I think this might be the last year for my beloved #tlccaftan the ribbon I used to creat the spiderweb was not very high quality and it is fraying badly. I definitely want to re-create it in nicer materials! Maybe linen and cording?

Today for #memademay I present one of two me made polyester garments in my wardrobe. I loved the colour and the print, but I haven’t bought or sewn with polyester since I made this 5 or 6 years ago because it’s a fibre I don’t like, for all the environmental, personal comfort, and ease of sewing reasons. I do still love this dress though, it’s the TLC caftan from @decades_of_style and it’s perfect wfh wear. As always, Baerd is outside with me but looking grumpy because I wouldn’t let him jump up the retaining wall! #tlccaftan #vancouversews #vancouvergarmentsewists

Cutting out my first sewing project in the new place (another #tlccaftan, because the post academic job market is also a demoralizing shit show) and the furry balls are up to their old tricks again. Such adorable, slappable monsters they are! It's taken me a long time to get back to sewing since the move. Part of that has been the house. It's beautiful, but the previous owners practiced a sort of benign neglect, meaning we've had to do a lot of delayed maintenance (the new roof went on a few weeks ago). That's meant I haven't had time to put together my sewing room and I've been too tired to sew. I've also been applying for lots of jobs and hearing nothing, which is demoralizing as all hell, and saps my energy. I'm trying to get into a regular routine and actually do things that make me happy again, but it's a complicated process. I know I'm so lucky to have a home and supportive partner, but I'd also really like to find some sort of mildly interesting work. UGH! #instasewing #sewistsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #catslovecraftingtoo #craftingforsanity #craftinginsanity #leavingacademia

What can we say? It’s our favorite caftan pattern of them all. Even though there is definition at the waist, it’s still extremely comfortable to wear. Decades Everyday No. 107 - #TLCCaftan . This is the short sleeve, shorter length view. There’s also a full length view in the pattern. Paper or PDF versions available. Pattern includes 11 sizes (32b/35h - 52b/55h). #DecadesOfStylePatterns #MakeYourOwnVintage

Decades of Style #tlccaftan I finished this a few weeks before M was born. It’s perfect for maternity and breastfeeding wear #decadesofstyle #decadesofstylepatterns #tlccaftan #maternitypatterns #breastfeedingpattern #nursingpattern #nursingfriendly #indiepatterns #indiepatternsewing

We’re almost at the middle of the month, somehow! It’s day 14 of #memademay and today is another wfh outfit, this time the TLC caftan from @decades_of_style. I keep saying I need to make another one of this pattern, maybe this will be the summer it actually happens! #vancouversews #vancouvergarmentsewists #tlccaftan

The work on the #TLCCaftan continues. Put in a set of basting stitches along the bottom edges of the bodice and used a lot of pins to help distribute the gathers evenly. Once the gathers were set the way I wanted, I did a running stitch to hold it all in place. In the third shot, you can see the basting threads are still in place. Ended up using the machine to help secure my hand stitching. Not making this caftan to go to the moon by any means but some extra security doesn't hurt. Bonus is that the back side of the bodice lined up greatly! It all looks like one piece of fabric instead of three separate pieces. For the sleeves, I did a curved edge to the ends. I'm hoping this will keep the sleeves from dragging on the ground (which is the problem I encountered the last time I made the full length version of the caftan) French seamed the skirt panels and sleeves. It's a bit more slow going when adding in pockets, but entirely worth it. The seam allowance was 5/8" so there was plenty of room for me to do proper trimming for the seams. Hand stitched the inside waistband and ties, using two layers of fabric instead of just one. Then I carefully whip stitched the inside belts in place and used the machine to do some top stitching. Now we're on to the bottom hem. Same process as the neckband, just slightly wider bias tape. So close to done! #ActuallyAutistic #sewist #AutisticArtist #SewWithPride #handstitching #FableismFabrics

The #HildeHat pattern is now available on our website! The recommended fabric is light or medium weight canvas. The pattern includes four sizes for head measurements 21” -24.” The skill level is intermediate but an advanced beginner could do it with guidance. Check out the Sew Along for it on our blog. You can find the links to all the Sew Along installments on the project page for the pattern. Printed paper pattern or PDF download available. We hope you love it as much as we do. Please tag us and tag your post #HildeHat . Everyone needs to use sun protection and this is a great way to show your style while doing it! Swipe left to see @maidenpug133 in the hat as well as a #TLCCaftan. Pattern 110 - link in profile. #DecadesOfStylePatterns

Day 22 of Me Made May and it’s caftan weather! If it warms up the slightest bit, I put on one of my TLC Caftans from Decades of Style. This short version is made in a seaglass-esque cotton lawn from Stonemountain. . #decadesofstyle #TLCcaftan #stonemountainfabric #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #sewover50 #BayAreaSewists #handmade #memadeeveryday #memademay #memademay2023 #memademay23

Going to #arizonafrocktails ! Best birthday gift idea ever :) now to make my #tlccaftan @arizonasewcial

31 days of Halloween, day 15! Just about half way there. When I saw this hat from @thebeheaded let me tell you, I've never hit the "add to cart" button so fast in my life! I knew exactly what I was going to wear with it, my precious spiderweb #tlccaftan from @decades_of_style I know I sound like a broken record, but everyone needs this pattern. Literally everyone 😂 I love it so much. I only need more excuses to wear this one! . . . . . . . #halloweensewing #witch #webdress #sewistsofinstagram #halloween #handmadehalloween #halloweenobsessed #witchyfashion #sewist #sewingmyownclothes #sewinghalloween #halloweencostume #justkiddimgitsnotacostumeitsmyclothes #beheadedhats

I’m 45 today! Celebrating with a me made #tlccaftan fabric from @lafinchfabrics_new and contrast from @remainders_creative_reuse and dyed by me. Cheers to all my fellow Sags! 💘

Working on the @decades_of_style #TLCcaftan and piecing the back of the bodice. The fabric--@fableism Monarch Grove Dark Fuchsia and Dark Navy wide stripes--is lovely to work with, except that I had shorted myself a bit when I got the initial yardage. No worries. As @bernadettebanner has said, piecing is period. Carefully lined up pieces when I cut out the bodice back and then set about stitching them together with a running back stitch, then folding over the excess to cover the raw edges and stitching that down with a combination stitch (running stitch with a back stitch every few stitches). Once that was all done (one side had the selvedge so that was helpful) I went about getting the front pieces of the bodice stitched to the back piece, and did so with #FrenchSeams to make things tidy but also comfy for myself. After that, I stitched together some one inch bias tape from another @fableism fabric (Sprout Woven in Stellar) and machine stitched down the tape to the front of the bodice. Next step is to finish hand-felling down the tape to the inside of the bodice. Eventually I'll be putting together the bias tape that I am using for the bottom hem. It'll be @fableism Forest Forage Honeycomb in Black Beauty, using the darker side of the fabric. More to come, I assure you. #AutisticArtist #ActuallyAutistic #StitchWithPride #DecadesOfStyle #FableismFabrics #HandSewing #StitchWitch #Caftan

Day 9 of #memademay2024 and it’s finally caftan weather! Behold the dining table with scattered project pieces behind me! I’m wearing the short version of the TLC Caftan from Decades of Style, made in a cotton lawn from Stonemountain Fabrics. I wear this & my long one allllll the time. Truly wardrobe staples. . #decadesofstyle #TLCcaftan #stonemountainfabric #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #BayAreaSewists #memadeeveryday #memademay #sewover50

My newest #tlccaftan from @decades_of_style still my favorite pattern of all time! I made this one for a wedding, and it came out really well! I love the pink contrast. . . . . . . . . #sewistsofinstagram #sewingmyclothes #sewist #decadesofstyle #vintagesewing #vintagestyle #vintagefashion

#memademay2023 day 17! I consider this my ride or die dress 😂 it's the dress I wear more than anything else in my closet. What's not to love? Soft linen, breezy caftan. It's no secret the #tlccaftan from @decades_of_style is my favorite pattern of all time! This one is my favorite of the half dozen I've made. Striped linen is from @joann_stores but it's been a few years since I bought it, it may be not be available anymore. My husband took me to @onehousebakery for a mid week breakfast date 🥰 . . . . . . . . #memademayfat2023 #sewistsofinstagram #sewist #sewingmyclothes #seamstress #linenforsummer #decadesofstyle

Fabulous day at #quiltcon 🩷So many new and old quilty friends! It was caftan day at #rubystarsociety booth! So many epic handmade caftans out of RSS fabric! The group photo with Melody was Epic! (Hope to find a copy) Witnessing the joy on her face seeing so many creations made with fabric she designed was beyond words! Special shout out to my quiltcon partner in-fun @yaystitch 🫶🏼 my heart is full! 🩷🤩🩷 grateful for such a lovely couple of days with lovely humans🫶🏼💃🦄🦋🌸🌈☀️🍓🍭🛼💎🎀🪩🏆 Thank you everyone! @rubystarsociety @knotandthread @amckenney @peggymadediy @banjoflannel Wish I would have taken more photos!

31 days of handmade Halloween day 27! Hanging out with my best gals in my best #tlccaftan this is my most precious dress and it only comes out for special occasions! Sequin spiderwebs are the best!

A birthday caftan for my BFFEAE! Finally found the perfect flowy fabric in the perfect bestie colors for my favorite swanning mermaid 🦢🧜‍♀️❤️🎉🥳 Fabric from @moodfabrics / pattern is the TLC Caftan from @decades_of_style #decadesofstylepatterns #tlccaftan #decadesofstylecaftan #moodfabrics #sewing #caftan

Day two of #MeMadeMay, and it’s a WFH day for me. The TLC Caftan from @decades_of_style is a wardrobe staple for me, especially this one in rayon from @dressew, and it’s perfect for spending lunchtime on the patio with Baerd. #vancouversews #vancouvergarmentsewists #tlccaftan #sewover40

We're still waiting for the sun to come out in Santa Cruz, but we're dreaming of rainbow caftans and warm weather! Wouldn't our Arcus Italian Viscose make a gorgeous TLC Caftan from @decades_of_style? Perfect for trips to the beach and lounging in the sunshine 🌈⛱☀ #hartsfabric #fabricstore #decadesofstyle #TLCcaftan #sewing #sewinginspiration #indiesewing #fabric #memade #fabricobsession #fabriclove #bayareasewists #santacruzsews

Last Monday night, I didn't sleep at all. Around 5 am, I finally gave up and started madly sewing another 3 pairs of the fabulous #lucilletrousers, this time in deadstock wools that I mostly got from @stonemountainfabric a while ago but have been too scared to cut into. About halfway through that project, I ran over a zipper foot, shattering my needle and apparently bending my feed dogs. Needless to say, I did not get to finish my pants. However, I did eventually sleep, and, once my machine was back from the shop I finished the pants and this cute flamingo top (fabric from @charleyharperart, of course) from a vintage blouse pattern. Haven't been going out much because we're waiting to see if we lost the COVID lottery, but I did have to put on people clothes (aka not a #TLCcaftan) and a mask to get some things from Costco today. These pants continue to be super comfy and warm. Eventually I'll probably lean into my nerdy tendencies and put on a vintage fedora to cosplay as an investigative reporter, but I'm feeling pretty lazy today. Bonus photos of Bogie sleeping on the pile of trousers I needed to hem and cuff this week, and Effie trying to get me to play with her instead of sewing at 6 am on that sleepless Tuesday morning. #instasewing #sewistsofinstagram #vintagelibrarianstyle #vintageblousepattern #vintagestylenotvintagevalues #pandemiccrafts #craftingforsanity #craftinginsanity #catslovecraftingtoo #catsofinstagram #charmpatterns

Ended the night by putting the final touches on my second @decades_of_style #TLCcaftan. @doccatastrophe thinks I look like I'm about to plot his murder a la Double Indemnity, so it's clearly swanning-ready. Look at that stripe matching! Very proud of that detail work. I added the black bottom border at the last minute and really love it, but I do need to stop poaching from the bolt I bought for my Morticia Halloween costume. Bogie agrees that we want to keep @doccatastrophe around, but he would like to murder something. #instasewing #sewistsofinstagram #charleyharperfabric #catfabric #pandemiccrafts #housedressesoftheapocalypse #catsofinstagram #alwaysaddpockets

Lovely sunny day in the office! Dress pattern - #TLCCaftan from @decades_of_style (which I was totally inspired to make after seeing @iamabbycox 's caftan many years ago!) Dress fabric - silk crepe from a destash sale #SewistsOfInstagram #SewForSummer #SewIBM #Handmade #SewAuDHD #AuDHD #Neurodivergent #MeMadeMay #MeMadeMay2025 #MrsBSSews

It's finished! The @decades_of_style #TLCcaftan is an amazing pattern and it's so comfy and perfect for any time of year. Also has pockets so if you're a pockets-yes person, this is your caftan. @fableism has so many amazing and lovely wovens (made from cotton, as well as some cotton and bamboo blends) and these stripes from the Monarch Grove collection were perfect for this. I'm really glad I did the curved cut to the sleeve hem; nothing dragged or got caught up on anything and it made the whole look just a touch different but also nice. #sewist #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticArtist #SewWithPride #handsewing #caftan #FableismFabrics #DecadesOfStyle

Day 31 #memademay2024 Here it is, the last set of photos for the year- - my first year btw. I did it! 😁 I am wearing #tlccaftan by #decadesofstylepatterns. I love the finished garment, so floaty and fun to wear. Constructing it was a bit fussy with lots of hand stitching. I worked on it, pushed it aside awhile, came back to it, repeat. This one took more time than I prefer to spend on a project. But I do love it now that it is done. Main fabric is rayon from #michaellevinefabrics in #dtla. The waistband and sleeve trim is black velvet. Hope you enjoyed the indulgence of selfies, something I am not all that comfortable with. Thank you to my friends that have expressed their support for my craft. 😘 Hoping many of you get to see my garments on me, in person soon. Be well.

Have caftan will travel! @hauntsandgardens , @sopranorama and I came up with the wacky idea we would bust out these #tlccaftan in a week to wear out to dinner to celebrate @hauntsandgardens birthday. Although I love the pattern, tropical prints are not typically in wardrobe rotation. Then it dawned on me that I've got a road trip coming up and this will also make a great pool side coverup. That was all the motivation I needed! #decadesofstylepatterns #memade #memadeplus #sewfrosting #sewing #caftan

The Poppies, as we refer to them, are the shop's most beloved and best-selling fabric—we've sold hundreds of yards of this fabric since we started carrying this print in 2018! The poppies are printed on a high-quality lightweight linen we import from Japan and they are perfect for a variety of garments. We've seen beautiful dresses, jumpsuits, tops, and home dec projects using this fabric. Pair it with the #ShirtNo1 for a simple sew or with the #TLCCaftan for maximum drama! . . . #StonemountainFabric #HandmadeStyle #sewist #ILoveSewing #instasew #HandmadeWardrobe #FabricLove #SewingLove #MeMadeEveryday #SewistsOfInstagram #sewcialists

Happy belated Halloween and Samhain everyone! While I originally made this caftan to be worn to the @twintemple concert I attended in SF, my planned Halloween costume didn’t turn out. But being a bat for Halloween is a throwback to my favorite childhood costume. bunny (bat) cowl is from @rachelleappelle I used pattern #decadesofstyle #tlccaftan and modified it to make the bat wings. Check out my video to see how I did that! The first band is @bridgecitysinners the second is @twintemple and the third is a local band @hemoragesf that we’re playing outside the venue in a modified school bus. I honestly can’t wait until Twin Temple’s next tour!

31 days of Halloween, day 5! This one is a little more.... flamboyant 😅 but also one of my most cherished. Not as wearable during the rest of the year, but I get so excited to pull it from the closet. When some of my daily makes are uncomfortable or impractical, this is the dress I change into 🎃 the #tlccaftan from @decades_of_style. I still can't believe I made this, I attached the ribbon spider web myself 🕸️🕷️ using the tutorial from @gertie18 Charm Patterns Patreon (which is money well spent, they offer so much incredible content outside of just the patterns. I'm not paid to say that, just a fan girl) I want to make a more muted "everyday" version of this, hopefully in a nicer material, as this is polyester satin and it gets a little sweaty. #sewinghalloween #31daysofhalloween #sewingfun #sewingvintage

I’ve felt like my sew-jo has been seriously lacking this year, but looking back, it’s actually been a lot better than I thought. First photo, top row: 1. #bellecurvedress by @decades_of_style 2. #fioreskirt by @closetcorepatterns 3. #ponajacket by @helens__closet Bottom row: 1. #1930scorsagedress by Decades of Style 2. #tlccaftan by Decades of Style 3. #robindress by @scrooppatterns Second photo, top row: 1. #dorothylaradress by Decades of Style 2 and 3. Myrtle 1930s combinations by @wearinghistory Bottom row: 1. Had to include a mask, given how many I’ve made! 2. Another TLC Caftan by Decades of Style 3. #1925zigzagdress by Decades of Style

Well, I almost didn’t have this ready in time but I’m delighted I stuck with it and got to wear the beautiful #tlccaftan by @decades_of_style to the first ever @galwayfrocktails on Saturday night. It’s fabric hungry but well worth it! Can’t wait to wear it again. I love the ease of throwing it on over the head and adjusting the fit with twill tape in the waistband. Finished in a day and with minutes to spare! I’m so proud I managed it without having a meltdown 😂 Organising this amazing event with @fabricromance and @menlo.makes was much fun and to see it all come together and see people coming in the door was just the best feeling. What a fantastic night. Main Fabric: Viscose from @quiltyarnstitch Contrast Fabric: Recycled Stretch Bamboo Twill from @fabricromance Pattern: TLC Caftan @decades_of_style #tlccaftan #decadesofstyle #irelandsews #galwayfrocktails #galwayfrocktails2024 #sewinginireland #frocktails #galwaysews

31 days of Halloween day 22! This fabric was screaming at me to become a #tlccaftan it was almost finished when I decided to do something weird and super fun. Swipe to see 🦋 I don't know why there isn't a moth emoji. I've been referring to this in my head as "The Sorceress dress" because I like the way it sounds, so that will become its official name. This fabric is so hard to photograph! It's a sparkly, sort of stretchy dark purple velvet. It feels so glamorous! @decades_of_style . . . . . . . . . #halloweensewing #handmadehalloween #costume #witchyfashion #witchdress #sorceress #moth #mothdress #mothcore #sewistsofinstagram #sewistsofinstagram #sewingmyclothes #millenialsewing

We have some gorgeous Lady McElroy panel prints in stock! Given the large-scale repeat of the print, it can be a challenge to figure out how best to use them. These beautiful fabrics shine in garments that showcase as much of the print as possible—choose voluminous patterns like #TLCCaftan or #TALKaftan  Lady McElroy is one of our most beloved fabric lines, one that has truly become a staple of the Stonemountain & Daughter experience. Visit the Berkeley shop and you'll find beautiful Lady McElroy fabrics as soon as you walk in the door, and in nearly every corner of the store! We import these high-quality fabrics directly from England, we delight in incorporating them into our own wardrobes, and we love to see all the beautiful things that sewists make with them! #SewistsOfInstagram #HandmadeStyle #HandmadeWardrobe #FabricLove #sewcialists #sewist #StonemountainFabric #MeMadeEveryday #SewingLove #ILoveSewing #instasew

I'm just about done with the wearable muslin for my #tlccaftan. I'm glad I decided to do a mockup for this one because I learned some valuable lessons: 1) I didn't think the fitting would be that particular because, well, it's a caftan--but you still have to pick the right size. I cut it too large at first, which makes for a really unflattering fit around the shoulders and bust (although that's probably exaggerated in the wearable muslin because the fabric is a little less flowy than what I'd normally use); 2) I now understand why the instructions recommend hand-basting the waist inset facings by hand before edge-stitching; and 3) I will definitely make the next one with twill tape ties on the inside for getting the desired level of snugness. The instructions give the alternative to do elastic, which seemed like it would be more convenient but it was fiddly to work with and I could tell after just trying it on that it would get uncomfortable where it's right up against the skin. Anyway, I know I have a few friends who are thinking about sewing this particular pattern--so learn from my mistakes! 😃

Day 11 of #memademay Like every year of MeMadeMay it's a tradition that I have to wear my #tlccaftan by #decadesofstyle. This is a mainstay in my me made closet. I even have plans in the future to make more.😁 For now though this one is reigning supreme and is perfect for a relaxing Mother's Day. #memademay2025 #memademay2025day11 #caftan #caftandress #linendress #mothersdayfashion #tlccaftans #decadesofstylepatterns #summerdress #beachclothing #sewingsummerdresses #vintagestyle #vintagefashion