I’ve had a lot of fun sharing my daily outfits for Me Made May. Accessories are a great way to express your personal style and even create a signature look. It can be a lot of work to put together a whole outfit and then select accessories too. So many decisions to make, especially when you’re running out the door. So, today I’m sharing a few tips for how to accessorize your handmade wardrobe. These tips will help you learn how to quickly choose accessories and start building a personal accessory wardrobe.

There’s no doubt that accessories can instantly take any outfit from ho-hum to oh-wow. I tend to really like simple silhouettes and plain fabrics so accessories are integral for pulling it all together and making an outfit look extra special. I always try to wear earrings (especially since I have short hair) and then often a necklace or bracelet. When I need to add a pop of color, I love wearing big chunky vintage plastic bracelets. But when my clothing already has a lot of color or I’m going for a more subtle look, I opt for one of my wooden bracelets. I have a collection of them that I've been wearing for years. I love that they match everything and never go out of style. As I’m getting ready to walk out the door, I just pop one on to finish off any outfit. Read on for my top tips and photos of some of my favorite handmade and accessory combos.

5 Tips for Accessorizing a Handmade Wardrobe

Tip 1: Lay it out first. Laying out an outfit with all your accessories is a great way to see if you have the right balance of color and pattern. Of course, the ultimate test is to put it all on but a quick gathering of clothes and accessories is not only useful planning but fun too. Check out my Instagram to see how I lay out my outfits. You don't need to be this organized if you're not taking a photo. :) But it would be really helpful to do it before going on a trip.

Tip 2: Choose one oversized object. This is all about balance. You only want one thing in an outfit to be oversized. This could be your top, your skirt or an accessory. For example, if you’re going to wear a chunky bracelet, choose earrings and a necklace that are more delicate. Likewise, if you are wearing a big flashy top, delicate accessorizes in neutral colors are the way to go.

Tip 3: Select one thing to be your pop of color. This could be your shirt, a bracelet or even your lipstick. I love color as much as the next person and I totally believe you don’t have to only wear one color at a time. But, if you’re looking to quickly put together an outfit, the easiest way is to choose one colorful hero item.

Tip 4: Choose a signature accessory. For me, this is the chunky bracelet. For you, it might be dangly earrings or winged eyeliner. Whatever it is, you should feel completely comfortable in it and want to wear it everyday. Then add a few of these to your wardrobe and you’ll be set for years to come.

Tip 5: Build an accessory wardrobe. Over the years, I’ve collected a few core accessories that I rely on all the time. These are items that go with everything in my closet and with each other. I think it's best to build your accessory wardrobe over time. You'll be able to see which kinds of things you like best and get worn most often. And as your tastes change, so will your accessory wardrobe.

My latest addition to my accessory wardrobe is a wooden watch. When Jord Wood Watches asked if I’d like to try out one of their wooden watches, I jumped at the chance. Not only do I love wearing wooden wrist wear (so much more comfortable in warm weather!) but Wood is also my last name. Given a choice, I will always choose wood. It’s a great neutral accessory and, for me, a little kind of secret personal identifier. 

I’ve really enjoyed wearing this watch. It actually took a little while to get used to reading the time on a dial instead of a smartphone (how embarrassing!). It's such a beautiful statement piece and it goes with everything. While we would all like to DIY as much as possible (and I've done my fair share of jewelry making), there are a few things that would be impossible for your average DIY'er to make. Like a watch! If we can’t make our own watches the next best thing has got to be one made out of natural materials like this gorgeous wood number.

I’m also really excited to be a hosting a giveaway sponsored by Jord Watches. Everyone who enters the giveaway will receive $20 off their purchase and one lucky winner will receive $75 off the watch of their choice. Click here to go to their website to enter. The contest will close June 5, 2016 at 11:59pm. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed the following day. The winner's $75 coupon code will expire July 5, 2016 and the "losers" $20 coupon code will expire Oct 5, 2016.

Do you have any tips for accessorizing a handmade wardrobe? Do you have a go-to accessory? 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jord Watches. I received free product yet all opinions and content are my own. Thank you for supporting our sponsors.

I’ve had my eye on the Brumby Skirt pattern by Megan Nielsen for a quite a while. Those deep curved pockets combined with the exposed zipper and tall waistband. It’s just to die for. My European vacation was the perfect excuse to make it. This is a really fun skirt to make and to wear and a great basic for any wardrobe.

I made version 2 of the skirt, which is a middle length with deep scoop pockets. I originally cut a size small, planning to use a .5 inch seam allowance for a little extra ease. This pattern has zero ease at the waist. I’ve decided that I like extra ease so I ended up recutting the waistband at a size medium. The medium is a little bit loose but it's really comfortable. I hate having a skirt that's comfortable when I'm standing and then too tight when I sit down. Because the skirt is gathered, I did not need to make any adjustments to the skirt to fit the larger waistband. It’s just gathered a little less. For the length, I cut along the largest size. I’m 5’11” and it worked perfectly for me.

I love the look of the exposed back zipper and it was really easy to install. Megan also has a photo tutorial right here that I’ve used before (for this top) with success. I have a lot of zippers in my stash but didn’t have the perfect one. It just had to be a zipper with gold teeth and navy tape. I’m so glad I made that extra trip to the store to buy the zipper. It’s totally worth it and I would have regretted it later.

I chose a lightweight chambray and used a light golden yellow thread for the topstitching. If you haven’t already noticed, my love for chambray is undying. It pairs with any color or print. And it’s casual but not frumpy. Other than fiddling with the sizing, this pattern came together so easily. I think it would be no problem for an advanced beginner to sew. It really helps to use an easy to handle fabric like chambray.

I really love this skirt and I can’t wait to wear it on my trip and for years to come. It’s a classic design and there are so many great features – the exposed back zipper, the topstitched center front seam. And you can bet I'll be filling those big scoop front pockets with all sorts of things. 

Here I'm wearing the skirt with these sandals (they are super comfy), an RTW t-shirt and my new wood watch (check out details and a giveaway for that right here). Are you doing any summer travel sewing?

The second half of May found me much busier than the first half. I was working nearly every day (weekends included!) and it was a chore to get dressed as well as find something interesting to wear and photograph it. Those are the days when I just reach for my uniform - jeans and a Lou Box Top because I know it’s going to be comfortable and still look good. It was still unseasonably cool for the second half of May and working in an air conditioned office I had to layer up. It’s really made me realize that my handmade wardrobe is more conducive for warm weather. So, maybe over the next year, I'll add some more jeans and a button down or two to the closet.

ME MADE MAY PART 2 RECAP

Check out the first half right here.

Day 17 Inari Tee in gold dot Nani Iro double gauze

Day 18 Knit Lou Box Top (seen here) and knit pencil skirt (similar here) from the book Built By Wendy Knits

Day 19 Sanibel Dress

Day 20 Ikat print tank

Day 21 Linden Sweatshirt and Seafarer Top

Day 22 Traced Racerback Tank and Hudson Pants

Day 23 Racerback Knit Dress and Halifax Hoodie

Day 24 Gray Scout Tee

Day 25 Polka Dot Ella Top

Day 26 Floral Tania Culottes and Cap Sleeve Nettie Bodysuit

Day 27 Striped Knit Pencil Skirt

Day 28 Chambray Eucalypt Dress, Geneva Panties and Halfiax Hoodie

Day 29 Silk Inari Dress

Day 30 Baseball Skirt (unblogged, get the pattern here)

Day 31 Floral Tank McCall's M6751 

Have you participated in Me Made May? Did you learn anything about your wardrobe or what you want your wardrobe to be?

The design of the Moji Pants by Seamwork Magazine appealed to me right away. I love the curved pockets, tapered legs and front patch pockets. So when I started making my list of things to make to take with me to Europe these were at the top of the list.

I cut a straight size 8 and added 1 inch to length. My measurements are waist 28-29 (depending on the day) and 39 inch hips. I’ve had a hard time fitting pants in the past because I’m tall (5’11”) and have a longer torso. A pattern can fit the waist and hips but the waist will be too low so the pants don’t actually fit at all. These are great design to avoid those fitting issues because the waist is a drawstring. A drawstring waist can look really baggy and frumpy but these a great hybrid. The hips are almost fitted (no zipper required) and the legs are very fitted so the frump factor is low.

The fabric is Target Twill 7oz Olive from Fabric.com. It’s a medium-heavy weight that I expect will soften with wear and washings. It’s a little utilitarian but I think the drawstring and curved pockets soften that. The fabric was very easy to work with but I think a little too thick for drawstring pants.

I was really nervous about putting in the eyelets. They are one of those things that scare me because if you do it wrong you can’t undo it. I tested a couple eyelets on a scrap of fabric (also my topstitching scrap, I highly recommend testing your stitches) and learned to not hit the eyelet too hard. Installation went smoothly and I did a little happy dance.  I think it could look cool to add a decorative eyelet to your pockets too. Seamwork has a helpful article about eyelets here.

I initially installed the cuffs to the pants. Then after finishing, I finally went to try them on to test the fit. And I could not get my foot through the ankle opening. The horror! I truly felt like the ugly step sister. After removing my socks and carefully (or not-so-carefully) tugging and pulling, I was able to put them on. To fix the ankles, I removed the cuffs and let out the seam at the ankle. But that didn’t quite do it for me so I installed little baby sized zippers at the ankle. Alternately, I think a vent would look really cool.

I do have rather larger feet (size 11!) but my feet are fairly narrow. I don’t know if anyone else has had trouble with the ankles being tight but it would be a good idea to try on the cuffs before attaching them to your pants and before topstitching them. For reference, my calf is 14.5 inches at the largest point. My ankle is 8 inches and the circumference around my heel/foot is 12.5 inches.

So after all of those adjustments, the pants still felt too tight around the calves to be comfortable. It was ok standing but not sitting. They are also rather low rise and tend to drift downwards. I’m not blessed in the booty department so that might be the culprit there. I also have a long waist so I probably should have added a couple of inches to the crotch depth.

My mom has been on the lookout for pants so I had her try these on. She is a similar size to me but is about 4 inches shorter. She did not have any problems with the legs and ankles being too tight. But the pants do slide down a bit on her too. These adorable Moji Pants now live with her and hopefully they’ll be getting out for some fun and sunshine.

I was sadly disappointed that this pattern did not work for me. Yet another lesson in why one should always make a muslin or at least take very thorough measurements. I’ve already made a replacement pair of green pants for European Travel Wardrobe and will be sharing those at some point.

Just a quick little post today to share a quilt I finished a few months ago. I started this quilt more than ten years ago before I moved California. Talk about a UFO! Around the time I started this quilt, I took a beginner quilting class at a local quilt store. It was really helpful for learning the basics of cutting and piecing and they are skills that I'm able to apply to garment construction as well. 

As I recall, my original vision for this quilt involved circular appliques on top of the squares. I considered adding something more like an applique or embroidery. But I opted to just get it done. Over the years, I slowly pieced this thing together and all that was left was to make a backing, quilt it and bind it. No small feat really. I referred to the book Sunday Morning Quilts for advice on quilting and binding which is not hard once you start doing it. I really love the designs in that book and maybe one day I'll get around to making one of them. For now, I'll just pull it off the shelf every once and a while and ogle the pretty photos.

I actually like the back a lot more than I like the front. It's so simple with all that beautiful negative space. Plus you can see the quilting lines really well. I stitched lines on either side of the seam line of each square and then did a few at 45 degree angles. I like that the angled lines are not perfectly symmetrical because it gives a little more interest to an otherwise pretty boring quilt. I have a big bin in the closet full of scraps of fabric ready for other quilt ideas. There are just so many things that I'd like to make and not enough hours in the day. What's your oldest UFO? Have you transitioned from garment sewing to quilting or vice versa?

As you may know if you follow me on Instagram (or if you read this post), then you’ll know that I was lucky enough to recently go on a two week vacation to Paris, London and Dublin. It’s a trip that I’ve been wanting to make for many years and I was finally able to take the time to do it. Plus, I had frequent flyer miles so I really had no good excuse not to go. Today I’m going to do a little recap of my favorite sites. And over the next few weeks I have some posts planned with loads travel tips.

Petit Palais, Paris

I spent a full week in Paris. I took French in grade school and haven’t been there since I was 16 (a shocking 20 years ago!!!). I was really excited to go back and experience the city again, this time on my own. My timing in Paris was a little unfortunate. I arrived just as the flood waters in the Seine really started to rise (see above). I wasn’t in any danger but as a result of the flood, the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay were closed during my visit. And I wasn't able to go to Giverny either which was terribly disappointing. But there was still plenty to do in Paris and kept myself very busy. 

Sacre Couer, Paris

Sacre Couer, Paris

I did a ton of walking and went to about every museum I could. My top picks were places that I had never been to before: Sacre Coeur, the Rodin Museum and the Cluny Museum. I also really loved the Jardin du Luxembourg. I was there on a cold, cloudy morning and I think it would be a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon (photos below).

I did a little bit of fabric shopping while I was there but didn’t find anything I couldn’t live without. I’m so spoiled in LA. I feel like I can find almost anything here. My favorite shops were Brin de Cousette (where I bought two patterns) and Atelier Brunette in the 11th arrondissement.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

Musee du Rodin, Paris

London celebrates Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday

The view from my hotel room in London

V&A Museum, London

Next, I took the chunnel over to London. The last time I was there was eight years ago when my parents were living there for a few months. I had seen most of the sites before so I planned a short visit to see some art and meet some sewing friends. I loved the National Gallery and the Victoria & Albert (as always). Next time I go I want to do more restaurant research and do more eating.

I spent a great afternoon in the company of some of my fellow refashioners at the Walthamstowe fabric district. It was raining terribly and we got thoroughly drenched. But we dried off and had a pint in a nearby pub and all was good. It was a really lovely afternoon and I’m so glad that I got to meet them IRL.

On my own, I made a trip to the Liberty department store. It’s a beautiful tudor style store with gorgeous fabrics and tons of products using their signature Liberty prints. It is rather expensive but it’s worth a visit just to see the store. Nearby to Liberty, are a few more fabric stores in the Soho neighborhood. I stopped by the Cloth House which is a beautiful styled store with equally beautiful fabrics.

Dublin, Ireland

The Old Library, Dublin, Ireland

My last stop was Dublin. I had never been before and on a whim just through it on to the end of the trip. I stayed near Trinity College and was able to walk everywhere I wanted to go. It’s a really interesting, beautiful and friendly city. I’d love to go back and see more of the country. My favorite part of Dublin had to be the eating. I’ve been eating gluten-free for almost 10 years and this was the easiest time I’ve ever had finding food to eat. I just ate and ate and ate. Celiac disease is very common in Ireland so I was expecting gluten-free food to be accessible but not to that extent.

I really loved exploring the city. I again visited a lot of museums. My favorites were the Chester Beatty Museum, the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History and the National Museum of Archaeology. I also really enjoyed the Jameson tour and if you have any interest in whisky I recommend it.

I learned a lot on this adventure so stay tuned in the next few weeks for my travel tips for budgeting, eating gluten-free and packing. 

Traveling can get expensive but planning ahead can help save you money and headaches. I'm always looking for ways to save money so it's no different when I'm on the road. First off you have to get to where you want to go. I was lucky to have frequent flyer miles for my airline tickets. I have airline credit cards so that whenever I'm spending money I'm also earning miles. Whenever I'm getting ready to take a trip, I first look and see if there are miles flights available. 

If you don’t have miles, consider traveling in the off-season or look for special deals. I’ve had really great trips during the off-season. I loved going to Austria and Germany in winter because I got to see how those countries celebrate the holidays. Plus the snow in Salzburg was gorgeous. Watching prices for different destinations will give you a good idea of average cost and potentially lower cost destinations. It's also worth it to check out airlines that you're not going to find on aggregate search engines like Orbitz or Travelocity. Remember, it might be the same price or even cheaper to fly home from a different location than you fly to. You'll be able to see more sites and not have to return to your origin point.

Accommodations are also a big part of the budget. I really liked having an Airbnb while in Paris and because I stayed for a full week, I got a discount on the rate. The interface of Airbnb makes it really easy to see the price and location. So much better than an average travel site. It’s usually a lot cheaper than hotels and if you have kitchen access, you’ll be able to cook at home (saving more money) and use the fridge (for leftovers). Other great options for cheap accommodations are hostels (especially nice if you’re on the younger side and looking to make friends) and house exchange. My uncle has had great success with international and domestic house exchange. It takes a lot of planning and you have to be willing to let people use your house but it will cost no money (yay!).

Read as much as you can about your destination before you go. Make notes on where you’d like to go and what days those sites are open. Mondays are often the worst for sightseeing as lots of museums are closed that day. So plan ahead and maybe make Monday your travel day. Years ago, I went to Munich on a Monday and there was very little to do. If I had planned ahead a bit I could have seen more of the sites. During my trip, I was able to do two or three (smaller) museums in one day. Consult a map of the city and try to visit one neighborhood with multiple sites in one day. You’ll maximize your time and save money on transportation costs.

Look for free museum days. Most museums have certain days during the month or week when admission is free. I was able to take advantage of this at the Picasso museum and the Pompidou in Paris. So, if you’re flexible on your travel dates, try to go when you’ll be able to take advantage of those days. Remember that those days are usually more crowded so get there early to avoid lines. I found that in Paris most museums charged admission but in London and Dublin they only asked for a donation. However, in Paris you can purchase a museum pass that can save you a lot of money.

In the US, if you have a Bank of America card you can get free admission to many museums on the first weekend of the month. I’ve used this at home and while traveling. On a trip to Chicago a few years ago, I was able to save loads on admissions. Also, if you’re a student make sure to bring your ID card because there’s usually a discount. In the US, some places also have a AAA discount (usually about 10%).

Food can be one of the most expensive parts of traveling. While I was in Paris, I stayed at an Airbnb and was able to cook for myself. I made breakfast at home and most days packed myself a lunch too. Most nights for dinner, I made a point to go out and experience what the city had to offer. However, if there’s a nice (expensive) restaurant that you’d like to try out, lunch is often cheaper than dinner. Some places also have early bird specials and fixed price menus (prix fixe in France) that will save you money. In London, it was easy to find really good prepared food at the grocery store for an inexpensive picnic lunch or dinner. 

When I got to London, I was really craving drip coffee and bought a jar of instant. Not the best coffee but it was so satisfying to have my morning ritual. I really wish I had had the instant coffee in Paris as there wasn’t any in my Airbnb. I could have saved a lot of money on expensive tiny cups of coffee. At the time, I was trying to not be so American, but I really just like my black drip coffee in a super big mug. And espresso and tea are not the same. If coffee or even a certain kind of tea is important to you or your morning ritual, consider bringing it with you. It will save you money and keeping some of your home ritual will set your day off on the right foot. (Of course you can go fancier than instant coffee when you’re on the road and there are lots of options out there.)

Paying for bottled water can cost a lot of money so when I travel, I always bring a water bottle to fill up on my way. In the US, it’s relatively easy to find a water fountain in any airport, museum or park (usually right outside the restroom). I was surprised how challenging it was to find a water fountain in Europe. I think I saw two during my whole trip! So, I made a point to fill up the water bottle at home in the morning and bring it with me.

I also brought snacks with me all the time so if hunger pains struck, I could eat a few almonds and be on my way again. It's also a good idea to bring food with you to the airport. Most airport food (especially in the US) is significantly more expensive. So instead of eating at the airport or buying a snack on the plane, bring your own. After you eat it, you'll have more room in your bag which is always helpful. :)

These are just my little tricks for saving money while on the road but there are people who are really serious about it (read this article). Mostly saving money just takes planning ahead and sometimes a little bit of sacrifice in the comfort department. How do you save money when you're traveling? 

I’ve been gluten free for about 9 years now and while I have a routine at home that keeps me happy and healthy, traveling while gluten free can be stressful, especially in a non-English speaking country. The last thing you want is to be sick (or even hungry) while on your trip. 

Tip #1 Always bring snacks

If you’ve been GF for a while, then you probably do this anyway. The tricky thing is you don’t want to bring too much and you don’t want to get bored. You also want nutritious snacks that will fill you up. Nuts are always my go to snack because they have protein, fiber and a little fat. For this trip I brought a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit and during my days out, I’d bring just a portion of those in a separate bag. I also brought a few individual packets of almond butter (I bought Justin's brand from Whole Foods) to eat with apples or rice cakes. And while we're talking mini packets, if you enjoy sushi I recommend these mini packs of GF soy sauce (affiliate link). They are kind of expensive but also make a great gift for your GF friends.

For the flight over, I made a batch of Date and Nut balls using this recipe from Food 52. They were really delicious and I plan on making them more often. They held up well during travel and did not fall apart. The recipe says they’ll last 1 week outside the fridge and 2 weeks in the fridge. I made a half recipe and they were great for the flight over. The dates are really sweet so it feels like eating treat. I think this is a pretty easy to customize, swapping in different fruit and nuts. 

On long flights, meals are still sometimes served and you can request a GF meal from the airline prior to the flight. This worked on my way to Europe but they did not have a meal for me on the way back. Fortunately, I had eaten before I arrived and had stocked up on snacks. So, double check your reservations more than 24 hours before the flight and always bring snacks just in case.

After arriving in Paris, I stocked up on some groceries including rice/corn cakes, fruit and some GF cookies. Throughout the trip I bought fruit to eat, often with my nuts and nut butter. In all the cities I visited (Paris, London and Dublin), it was very easy to find GF products in the grocery stores. Just like in the US, there's a special GF section. 

Tip #2 Breakfast at home

In France the traditional breakfast is coffee and bread or pastry. Not gonna work for me. When I’m at home I usually have a smoothie, eggs or occasionally GF toast. So when I first got to Paris I went grocery shopping. I was really pleased to see that they had a GF section of the store. Look for “sans gluten” on packaging. I bought eggs, salad, cheese, GF rolls, rice/corn cakes (really good), salami and fruit. I made breakfast and lunch in my Airbnb most days and never felt desperately hungry. When I stayed in hotels in London and Dublin, I bought fruit and GF muffins that didn’t need to be refrigerated.

Tip #3 Research GF restaurants

Most cities have GF restaurants and if you do some research ahead of time, you can make a point of checking them out before you get desperately hungry. Some regions are going to be better than others. On this trip, Dublin was the easiest to find GF foods. Many restaurants mark menu items “C” for celiac safe and “CA” for celiac adaptable. I ate very, very well in Dublin. If there’s something specific that you want to eat (like crepes or seafood for me), research before you go so you can take advantage of happy hours and know what days they might be closed.

In Paris, I went to the Breizh Cafe for GF crepes made with buckwheat flour. Called galettes, they are a traditional food from the Brittany region. The restaurant can get very busy so make reservations or go to the take-away shop next door if you don’t want to wait. Most waitstaff in Paris understood what gluten was and were very helpful. However, check out this site for helpful cards in multiple languages that explain gluten intolerance. I would simply tell my waiter “Je ne peux pas manger gluten” which means “I can’t eat gluten” and we’d take it from there. Dinner was much easier to eat out than breakfast. “Pas de pain” is also a helpful phrase to know. :)

In the US, my favorite GF location is Portland, Oregon. Full disclosure, it’s also my home state but over the last 5 years or so it’s become a haven for GF eaters. My favorites are the Corbett Fish House (all the GF fried food you've been missing) and Groundbreaker Brewery (lots of GF beer on tap!!! and an all GF kitchen). Lots of other restaurants offer GF bread from local bakeries too. 

When I was younger and eating all the gluten I wanted, it was much easier to find food. I would often grab a bagel or pastry and be on my merry way, never worrying where my next meal would come from. Eating gluten free can be hard and frustrating but with some planning you can eat and travel without (too much) worry. Make sure to check out the rest of the posts in this series and let me know, do you have any tips for traveling gluten free? Favorite places to go?

This coming Monday we celebrate Independence Day in the US, so I'm kicking off the weekend with a little "Indie-pendence" Day Sale in honor of our amazing DIY community. So from now until midnight on Monday July 4th, use the code INDIEDAY16 to get 20% off the Nita Wrap Skirt pdf pattern. Woohoo!

The skirt is very easy to sew and comes with three lengths and three closure options. You can easily start on Saturday and have your skirt ready for parties and barbecues on Monday. The pattern comes with fully illustrated instructions and if you're looking for a little extra help, there's a sewalong right here with photos of every step plus a few extra tips and tricks. 

The silhouette is fitted with a slight A-line to the skirt. The version I'm wearing here is the midi-length (view B) with the tie closure from view C. The fabric is a super fun polka dot printed chambray that I found at the FIDM scholarship store in downtown LA. This is a really fun skirt to make and to wear. The mini version is great made up in denim or corduroy and the longer versions are totally gorgeous in linen and chambray. In fact, I need to make a note to make a maxi chambray version!

So, if you're ready to kickstart your summer sewing, head over to the shop and grab the Nita Wrap Skirt pattern. And don't forget to use code INDIEDAY16 for 20% off. The sale ends Monday at midnight, Pacific time.

Hi friends! I recently returned from a two week trip to Paris, London and Dublin and the whole time I was thinking about things I could share with all of you. I did a lot of advance planning and I’ve traveled a fair amount before but there are things you just don’t realize until you’ve been on the road for a while. Today I'll be sharing my favorite packing tips. I like to pack as little as possible and prefer to carry on. I want to able to use everything I packed, ideally multiple times. 

Let's start with luggage. To carry-on you'll need to limit yourself to two bags, a suitcase and a day pack. I prefer a small suitcase with wheels that I can quickly convert to hand carrying when I encounter stairs or curbs. A few years ago, I found a tiny roller bag that easily fits into any overhead. I did a lot of searching for the perfect rolling carry-on and found one T.J.Maxx. It’s really great for a one week vacation but in truth was too small for this two week journey. I bought so many souvenirs that they wouldn’t all fit so I had to buy an extra bag and check the suitcase for my return flight. 

For my day pack, I brought this backpack from Modcloth. Not only does it look really nice but it also converts to a shoulder bag. Many museums don't allow backpacks so I specifically looked for a bag that converts. In general, I prefer the backpack to the shoulder bag because it balances the weight and keeps the hands free. But it was nice on occasion to adapt it. This backpack is made of leather and held up surprisingly well in a couple of rainstorms. It's slightly smaller than I would like but it did help me to not overpack. 

I also brought a really small crossbody purse that fit just my wallet, phone, passport, a pen and lipstick. I usually wore it underneath my coat for extra security. And if anyone got picky about my number of bags, it would easily fit inside the backpack.

Now that you've got your bags, it's time to fill them up. In general, it's wise to bring clothes that you already enjoy wearing and know are going to be comfortable. And of course, things that you can mix and match. I kind of went for a 5/5/2/2 method, bringing 5 tops, 5 bottoms, 2 sweaters and 2 dresses or jumpsuits. 

PACKING LIST FOR TWO WEEKS IN EUROPE

CLOTHES
3 t-shirts
1 tank top
1 button down
1 cardigan
1 pullover sweater
2 pants (1 jeans)
1 leggings
1 sleep pants
1 skirt
1 dress
1 jumpsuit
1 jacket
1 scarf
7 pairs undies
3 bras
7 pairs socks (including 1 pair compression socks for the plane)
3 pairs shoes (1 each sneakers, booties and sandals)

TOILETRIES
Castile soap (for body and clothes)
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Glasses/Contact lenses (case and solution)
Daytime moisturizer
Nighttime moisturizer
Sunscreen
Body lotion
Hand lotion
Hair Shampoo/Conditioner
Hair gel/oil
Lip balm
Makeup
Makeup Removing Wipes (cut them in half before you go to make them last longer)

MISCELLANY
umbrella
noise-canceling headphones (one of the few items that I only use on the plane)
tablet (for reading/watching videos)
camera
chargers, electrical converter
sketchbook/journal/pen
snacks (more on this here)
water bottle

Phew! That's a lot of stuff once it's all written down. But there was really only one thing I didn't use more than once and that was the skirt, mostly because it was colder on the trip than I expected it to be. It would have been better to bring a skirt that was less bulky and looked good when layered with leggings. 

TIP #1: Plan to do laundry
I wore everything at least once and I was able to do some laundry while on the road. Sometimes an Airbnb will have access to laundry facilities where you can wash a bigger load. But washing a few things in the bathroom sink will also help lighten the load. I brought a small bottle of castile soap that I used as body wash and for laundry. Make sure to plan ahead a bit and don’t do the washing the night before a travel day. Give your clothes plenty of time to dry before packing them up again.

TIP #2: Opt for non-bulky items
The one thing I really regret bringing was the skirt I chose (this one). I love the skirt but it was very bulky and took up a lot of space. The weather was also cooler than I expected so I only wore it once on a travel to reduce bulk in my suitcase. Not the best reason for wearing it. Next time, I’ll pack a skirt that will take up less room in my suitcase and save the big gathered ones for home wear.

Living in California, I’m used to very warm days and very cool nights but an all day chill with rain was hard for me. I know it’s silly but I’m just used to warmer temps so anything below 60 feels really, really cold. My first few days in Paris were really cold but layering as much as I could kept me fairly warm. I wore my leggings under my jeans plus a t-shirt, button-down and pullover. I wore my coat and scarf everyday of my trip, which kept me warm and mostly dry but I’m really happy to not wear them for a while. ;)

TIP #3: Treat your feet well
I always get sore feet after a day of walking so I really tried to bring the most comfortable, yet still stylish shoes I could find. I brought booties, sneakers and sandals. They are all shoes that I would wear for a full day at home with no problems. But when traveling, I was walking 20,000 steps a day sometimes and my feet were killing me. About 10 days into my trip, I headed to the drugstore and bought some Dr. Scholls inserts and my feet felt 1000% better. I just slipped them into whatever shoes I was wearing that day and I almost forgot how much my feet had been hurting before.

For the plane, I bought some compression socks to help reduce any possible swelling. Not sure if it worked or not but it’s not a bad idea if you want to prevent problems.

My booties are very comfortable and supportive but next time, I’d look for a heel that is not tapered at all. Walking on cobblestone streets was a little difficult and I’m so grateful that I didn’t twist my ankle.

TIP #4: Reduce those toiletries
I was surprised by how few toiletries I really needed over two weeks. The tough thing about going to a new place is never knowing how your hair or skin will react to a new climate. I always bring lots of moisturizers because my skin tends to get really dry. I definitely brought a few more than I needed. I had a lot more sunscreen than I ended up using. 

Bring toiletries that have multiple purposes. Castile soap that can be used for the body or your clothes. Pure aloe vera gel (the clear kind) can be used as hair gel, shave gel and will soothe sunburn.

Bring tiny sample sizes. I have a Birchbox subscription so I have lots of sample sizes. But if you only have a large size you can decant a little bit into a smaller container. I had great success using a contact lens case to hold daytime moisturizer and serum. I used both at least once a day and still had leftovers in the case when I got home. You could probably last two and half weeks on one contact lens size. How awesome is that! The case is very compact and very tight so there was no leakage to worry about.

Speaking of toiletries, opt for screw on tops rather than flip lids. On my return, my flip lid soap opened and spilled. Fortunately it was inside a ziplock bag and inside my toiletry case so it didn’t get on a lot of stuff. Also make sure to double check that those lids are tight before you leave.

I’ve used the same Eagle Creek toiletry case for at least ten years and it is amazing (similar here). It has held up really well and is prevented a lot of spills from leaking onto the rest of my stuff. It’s not super fashionable looking but it freakin’ works.

While I was preparing this post, I stumbled upon this packing list from Joan Didion. It's definitely worth a read of this rather genius and an awesome glimpse into the 1970s. Do you have any packing tips? 

I’m not gonna lie these are my new favorite pants. (And my mom’s too! I gave her the wearable muslin and she loves them.) For my trip to Europe I wanted to take a a pair of tapered pants with a relaxed waist. After my failed Moji Pants, I settled on the Alexandria Pants by Named Clothing and I couldn’t be happier.

As I mentioned, I first made a wearable muslin to check the fit. I made a straight US size 8 was really pleased with the fit so I didn’t make any changes for this version. If I make them again, I might consider lengthening the crotch about an inch so it’s closer to my natural waist. For reference, I’m 5’11” with 28-29 inch waist and 39 inch hips. I made the wearable muslin out of light blue seersucker, inspired by these J.Crew pants and the fact that I bought about 10 yards of it at the FIDM store in downtown LA. I’d really like to try out the shorts version of this pattern and it will probably be in seersucker.

The fabric is an olive green bottom weight twill from Joann’s. Just a basic bottom weight, not too heavy, not too light. For the pocket bags, I used seersucker and it’s so fun to get a little peek of the print from time to time. The drawstring is a cotton twill tape. I really love cotton twill tape and use it whenever I make a Baseball Skirt.

The back features rounded patch pockets. I found it helpful to baste along the fold line of the pockets before turning in the seam allowance and pressing. Along the curved edge, gently pull the basting stitches to help turn the seam allowance evenly to the wrong side. 

I really love how the pleats are formed on top of the scoop front pockets. When I first put it together I was a little bit confused that the pleats go on top but once I got it aligned I had a little ah-ha moment and fell in love with the design. Named always has such unique design features. 

I took these pants with me on my trip to Europe and I wore them all the time They’re really comfortable and easy to wear. The drawstring and relaxed fit make these pants decidedly casual. But when paired with sandals like these and a tucked in shirt (a Lou Box Top of course) it does feel put-together and not at all sloppy. I’m also wearing my new favorite accessory, this watch from Jord. I can’t believe how accustomed I’ve become to having a timepiece on my wrist. Pulling out my phone to find the time just feels so inconvenient now. The wood makes it easy to match with any outfit so I can wear it everyday without worry. 

These pants came together so easily and happily that I have very little to say besides that I just love them. I’ll definitely be trying out the shorts version one of these days so stay tuned for more of the Alexandria pattern.

Hi friends! Today, I'm super excited to announce that I have a new tutorial over on Bernina's We All Sew blog. The cut out shoulder (aka the cold shoulder) is more popular than ever this summer and lucky for us it’s really easy to DIY. In the tutorial, I first show you how to hack the drop shoulder design of the Hemlock Tee pattern, a free pattern from Grainline Studio (sign up for their newsletter to get the pattern). Then I give tips for adapting other shoulder designs too. 

I've made up versions of this top in both woven and knit fabric which means the possibilities are pretty much endless. Not to mention all the dress possibilities! Head over to We All Sew and get all the details for this fun summer top. Happy sewing!

I’ve been a big fan of Grainline Studio patterns for a long time but until recently had not tried the Moss Skirt. I love that their patterns are classic and oh so very wearable. The Moss Mini Skirt is no exception. It’s a classic mini skirt with angled front pockets, front zipper fly and a yoke in the back. It's just the kind of skirt that every gal needs in her wardrobe, probably in a few colors. 

For the fabric, I used a small piece of grey denim that I found years ago, probably at the Michael Levine Loft store. They have big bins full of random fabrics that you buy by the pound. You never know what you’re going to find but I love checking it out. I always go there first just in case they have what I’m looking for. Anyway, it’s a simple grey denim but the right side also feels really, really soft.

I made a straight size 8, which is for waist 29 inches, hips 39 inches with 1 inch of ease in the hips when finished. I mostly followed the instructions correctly for the zipper fly but had a hard time getting the skirt over my hips. So I ended up letting out the side seams and center back seam each about a quarter of an inch. The fit is good in the hips but could narrow more at the waist (you can see a little bit of wrinkling along the yoke). My hips are pretty solidly 39 inches but my waist varies from 28-29 inches.

If I make this again, I’ll definitely make the fly front a little bit longer and will possibly make the waistband a little narrower at the back. I’ll also make the skirt longer. I can’t really remember if I made this one longer but I know I didn't have much fabric. I’m 5’11” so a little extra length is usually required. My height also affects my waist to hip length and could explain my other minor fit issues.

Even though it’s short and I won’t be wearing it to work, it is a really cute skirt to have in my wardrobe. Grey is one of my favorite colors (does it really even count as a color though? haha). It’s so easy to match with anything. Here I'm wearing my mini with a knit Lou Box Top (size M) and my favorite accessories of the summer, my wood watch and elastic strap Birkenstocks.

This is a really great pattern and I'll likely sew it again. It's a great way to practice sewing a fly front (check out Jen's tutorial here) which I feel like I can always use more practice doing. While we're talking about practice, I thought I'd mention that I usually make a wearable muslin instead of a true muslin. The wearable muslin gives me a chance to practice any techniques in the pattern and identify any trouble spots. So even if the fit doesn't turn out perfectly, I've been able to practice my sewing skills. I have a few, ok four, more Grainline patterns on the docket (Driftless Cardigan, Lark Tee, Archer shirt, Alder dress) but there's only so much time during the day. Have you tried out this pattern? What's on your summer sewing list?

I truly know that summer has started when I need to pull all the fans out of the closets and shorts and tank tops are in heavy rotation. Despite the heat, I love the opportunity to wear all the shorts, rompers and dresses. Just light, breezy and so much fun. Here are a few of my favorite RTW pieces that are inspiring my summer wardrobe this season. What are your favorite things to wear this summer?

Top row, from left: Blue Dress  //  Halter Dress  //  Striped Tunic  //  Grey Tank  //  Silver Sandals

Bottom row, from left: Green Romper  //  Sunglasses  //  Lipstick  //  Straw Bag  //  Hat  //  Clutch  //  Swimsuit

For more inspiration, follow me on Pinterest.

I have just a few requirements for my summer wardrobe. It must keep me cool, comfortable and have the ability to be layered. I spend most of my days in shorts, or dresses and rompers with the occasional cardi or button down for cool nights and heavily AC'd buildings. And of course for my too-rare beach days, a swimsuit. Today, I'm sharing a few sewing patterns that will take you through summer in me-made ease. What I also love about these patterns is that they are basic designs that can be made and worn over and over again. 

5 Essential Summer Sewing Patterns

1. Vallyne Tank by Seamly
A good basic tank top is essential for any summer wardrobe. I've been wearing a lot of DIY racerback tanks that I traced from an RTW shirt but I'd really like to try out some tank and t-shirt patterns. I really like the classic design of the Vallyne Tank. It's something that will be in style forever. Also, these styles are so quick to sew, it's probably quicker and a lot less stressful to sew one yourself than heading to the mall. 

2. Sanibel Romper by Hey June
I made the Sanibel Dress a few months ago and since then I've probably worn it more than other dress in my wardrobe. It's a great design that looks polished but is still really comfy. I recently did a little Sanibel Romper hack from a dress I rarely wore. I used the bodice from the dress and cut up the skirt to make the shorts. I really love it and can't wait to make the romper.

3. Spring Shorts by Peppermint Magazine
I really love wearing shorts in the summer and probably have too many of them already but there are still a lot that I want to try out. At the top of my list are the Spring Shorts. It's a free pattern from Peppermint Magazine with a comfy drawstring waist and curved hem. 

4. Sylvie Dress by Christine Haynes
More than any other season, summer is the season for dresses. The Sylvie Dress is a classic design that will take you to summer weddings, graduations and even to work. Just the style of dress that everyone should have a few of in their wardrobe. 

5. Soma Swimsuit by Papercut Patterns
I love all the variations in this pattern, a one-piece, bottoms and two tops. I recently made a test version of the bikini top version 2 using a double knit that can be worn as a lounge bra. I really love it and am imagining all the non-swimwear possibilities of this pattern. I'm also planning to start a swim version of the one-piece very soon. 

Do you have any favorite summer patterns? 

This top all started with the fabric. I found this piece of super soft striped mystery fabric at the Michael Levine LOFT and snatched it right up. It would have made a fabulous scarf. Did I mention it’s super soft? But I decided it would also make a great Lou Box Top. If you're not familiar with the LBT (as I call it), it's a loose fitting top for wovens and knits with three different hem options and two necklines. It's extremely versatile and it's also my most popular pattern. 

For this tunic style hack, I made a lot of changes but they're all really easy to do. I started by adding a yoke to create directional stripes. I was inspired by some striped tops I’d seen that alternated the direction of the stripes on the yoke and body. I did some sketches and settled on vertical stripes for the yoke and horizontal for the body. To make the separate yoke and body pattern pieces, I cut the front and back a few inches above the bottom of the arm hole and added a seam allowance to the newly cut lines.

I wanted to maximize the yardage I had as much as possible (no waste!) so I also added a center back pleat and lengthened the body. I actually ended up cutting off about 6 inches from the back body because it was just too long in comparison to the front and looked silly. 

Besides the yoke, I made a few other adjustments. I made the scoop neck a little higher than the original pattern, squared off the hem (just cutting along the stripes) and made a split hem at the side seams.

The fabric was really a pain to work with. So soft and pretty but it also frays, snags and wrinkles like crazy. I decided to do french seams to keep the fraying in check. I really don’t like doing french seams because it just seems to take twice as long to sew. But they do look awfully pretty. So, I suck it up and do it from time to time.

The only tricky place for the french seams was at the split hem. I didn’t really think about how I’d do it until I was already stitching it. And when I realized that it was not clear how to transition from french seam to the split hem, I started googling. A few places said it was not possible but I eventually found this thread on Pattern Review where someone posted how to do it. Mine are not as neatly finished but it worked.

I started this top way back in May and finished it up last month. I've worn it to the beach one day over my swimsuit. I got an unfortunate sunburn on the back of my neck through the keyhole opening. I may hold a slight grudge against the top because I haven’t worn it since. But, it’s a really nice addition to the wardrobe that I need to take out more often. Here I’m wearing the top with my high-waisted woven Hudson Pants variation plus this watch and these sandals. I love these woven pants for summer because they’re breathable but keep me covered up and protected from the sun.

The Lou Box Top is such a great, versatile pattern. It's easy enough for beginners, requires minimal fitting and it's super easy to hack. I really love seeing how people adapt it and change it. So inspiring! You can pick up your own copy of the pattern right here and if you make one, make sure to share on social media with the hashtag #louboxtop. Happy sewing!

I love my rompers but I've been a little unsure about the overalls trend until I saw this pattern. They're totally adorable and I have a feeling that they're also super comfy, perfect for casual weekend wear. 

How to DIY Tie Strap Overalls

Step 1: Today's inspiration are these overalls from ASOS. The black is super easy to pair with other clothes and will carry you right into Fall/Winter. It's also a little more subtle than a traditional blue denim or the striped fabric used in the pattern's photos (link below). If you're still working on your summer wardrobe, you could start by making a shorts version like this romper from Madewell. 

Step 2: The pattern is BurdaStyle Overalls 07/2016 #109. It's a classic design and I love the rounded shape of the front piece and the tie shoulders. Good news for the tall gals out there, this pattern was made just for us!

Step 3: For the fabric, I'd use a lightweight denim like this 6.5oz Robert Kaufman from Fabric Depot. It would also be great in a black linen. 

Have you tried the overalls trend yet? Are you going to jump on board?

I live in shorts during the summer. And even though my shorts drawer is overflowing, I’m always on the lookout for a new pattern. After the success of my Alexandria Trousers, I had to try out the shorts version. The shorts have a really unique curved hem (I think it’s called a dolphin hem, or am I crazy?). And just like the pants, a super comfy drawstring waist, front pleats and pockets.

I used chambray fabric leftover from my Brumby Skirt. Being able to make another whole garment from leftover fabric is kinda the best. And when it’s a neutral solid like this chambray, I don’t feel like it’s a little cousin to something else already in my closet. This chambray is very easy to work with and nice and lightweight so it drapes well and is not too hot.

The pattern is the Alexandria Shorts/Trousers by Named Patterns. Their patterns are drafted for a 5'8" woman so I did not add any length. I made a straight size 8, just like I did for the trousers, and I’m very happy with fit. Definitely check out my post about the trousers for more details on that. I really like this pattern and recommend it if you’re looking for casual, loose fitting shorts or pants.

The pattern for the shorts includes hem facings that I cut out but ended up not using. If I had read the instructions more carefully before cutting, I would have seen that the facings are just for heavy or knit fabrics. To make the hem, I just did a simple double turn and stitch. To help turn around the curved edges, I basted 1/4 inch from the raw edge. As I ironed the hem to the wrong side, I gently pulled the basting stitches on the curved edges to help turn it.

I used the same basting technique to help turn the rounded corners of the back pockets. I didn't do a perfect job but I'm not going to sweat it. Btw, I have a photo of this pocket technique on instagram. 

I’ve already ripped the shorts just a pinch at the side seam/hem. As I was getting up from the couch, I put my hand down on the hem and boom it ripped. Just a smidgen. I don’t think there’s really a construction method that would have prevented it. I just need to be more careful when standing up. haha

The combo of the drawstring waist and curved hem reminds me of my Baseball Skirt pattern. Just like the skirt, the shorts are super comfortable and casual. The hem is a really dramatic curve that I’m not sure I would make again. I feel like it’s a little harder to style than the pants. Maybe because they look like track shorts? Here I'm wearing them with my polka dot Ella Top. Every time I wear the top it reminds me that I need to make more of them. Just more things to add to my never ending sewing list. What's on your sewing table these days? Have you tried out this pattern?

I was so thrilled and honored when Portia asked me to participate in the Refashioners this year. Then I got really nervous because the challenge was jeans. I was so nervous about creating something reminiscent of my grungy '90s days. I really wanted to make something that didn't obviously look like it was made from old jeans. Which let's face it, is not easy. 

I did a bunch of research and found a lot of inspiration from RTW clothing which surprisingly included a few two-toned pieces. I went through a lot of ideas but I'll let you read the whole story over on Portia's blog (including some refashioning tips!). 

 I used two pairs of jeans, one light and one dark. I used my skirt block to draft a new pattern that has 8 panels, each cut from one leg piece of the jeans. 

The aftermath. Now what to do with the scraps? A quilt? A fannypack? Haha I've been wanting to make a fannypack for a while. Of course, a very cool one though. :)

One of the pairs of jeans I used had a frayed hem and I used it for the front panel. It was tough to get it straight, I had to trim and wash a couple of times to get it right. 

I really love how the skirt turned out. And I love this pattern. It's something I'd really like to spend more time on. But enough about me! The more awesome thing about The Refashioners is that you can join in and you can WIN A BUNCH OF PRIZES. So, head over to the Makery for all the details, check out the other refashioners projects and harness your own jeanius. Happy sewing!

When I'm at home, I wear the comfiest, lounge-iest clothes possible. When I'm sewing, knitting or even cleaning, I want comfort above all. In fact, I usually change my clothes as soon as I arrive home from work or errands. Today I've collected a few of my favorite RTW pieces for lounge-time, including some dreamy yarn and a tote to carry it. I'm also loving this color palette: gray, sky blue, coral with a hit of lime green. It's sweet, but carefully coordinated and a little bold.

Top row from left: Sweatshirt  //  Bralette  // Face Mask  //  Lip Balm  //  Nightie  //  Bra  // Panties

Bottom row:  Tank top // Slippers //  Pants  // Eye Mask //  Yarn  //  Knitting Needles  //  Tote

For more of my favorite picks, follow me on Pinterest.