Sedimentary Sews

By Sarah | February 10, 2023 |

  Hello sewing friends! I’m back today to share some more sewing makes and family photos, but instead of the ocean, this time we are focusing on the desert! There are so many amazing desert places to visit, and despite spending quite a bit of time in the Southwest, I feel like we’ve barely scratched…

More Ocean!

By Sarah | February 7, 2023 |

Hello again friends! Today I’m back with one of my favorite outfits of all time, because it’s all about my favorite place in the world: the ocean! We often get asked where our favorite place that we’ve been is, and anywhere with an ocean easily tops the list for me. I grew up in Southern…

Tested: Nustle Joggers (and bonus Green Tee)

By Sarah | February 2, 2023 |

Hello everyone! Today I’m back with another test, this time for the new Nustle Joggers from Itch to Stitch. Until now, my favorite jogger pattern has been the Carita’s from Pattern Niche (formerly New Horizons, most recent pair HERE), and I’ve made them in both kid and adult sizes quite a few times. In general,…

Snazzy New Workout Set!

By Sarah | November 18, 2022 |

Hey friends! See, I promised I’d be back shortly, and here I am! I’ve got another fun outfit to share today, one that involved a bit of struggle and some new techniques for me, and I”m excited to share it! When this “Secret Forest” print arrived in my mailbox from Sew Dynamic Fabrics, I fell…

Celebration Outfits!

By Sarah | November 15, 2022 |

Hey friends! Long time no blog- I think last time I posted we were leaving Maine and into New Hampshire. It’s been a whirlwind fall filled with hiking, rock climbing and exploring. After New Hampshire we continued our tour down the east coast, stopping in New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Georgia before finally…

Throwback 90s Sweatsuit!

By Sarah | September 1, 2022 |

Hello friends! I’m back again today with a new me made outfit. This time, it’s a sweatsuit set that has a decidedly 90s vibe, and I’m not mad about it! When I received this “dark jungle” brushed jersey fabric from Sew Dynamic, I knew I wanted something soft and cozy. The fabric feels like athletic…

Matchy-Matchy!

By Sarah | August 23, 2022 |

  Hello friends! Fall is upon us, and I’m really enjoying seeing the leaves change and the weather get cooler up here in Maine. I don’t have any intention of staying into the winter (brrr!!) but for now, we are soaking up the autumn vibes and hoping for a spectacular leaf peeping season! I’ve also…

Tested: Itch to Stitch Soller Top

By Sarah | August 7, 2022 |

Hello friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer! We have been so busy hiking, rock climbing, swimming, biking and playing that I’ve barely touched my sewing room since we came to Maine. I had alllll these plans for what I was going to make, and then poof! Time has just flown by, and I…

Little Miss 4th of July!

By Sarah | July 3, 2022 |

  Hello friends! Happy 4th of July! This year, we are celebrating Independence day in Bar Harbor, Maine and hope to enjoy parades, fireworks and BBQs with our traveling family. While I sewed this swimsuit up in Massachusetts, we just got to Maine yesterday, and took our first dip in the Atlantic Ocean this far…

Tested: Greenstyle Courtside Dress and Shorts

By Sarah | June 20, 2022 |

  Happy summer y’all! We are happily three-quarters of the way up the East Coast, and loving every minute of the cool, pleasant days we’ve been having. We are currently in New York, and this state in particular has blow me away with its natural beauty and amazing hiking trails. We sorely missed hiking in…

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Fancy girl!

By Sarah | November 22, 2017

It’s been too long since I’ve blogged something I’ve made for the Princess. I was a bit scared off by the whole stolen photo debacle (which we did manage to correct), and the fact that she’s less than cooperative when it comes to modeling. My sons can be encouraged (read: bribed) to pose appropriately- baby…

A Vest Obsession…

By Sarah | November 21, 2017

I’ve been on a bit of a vest kick lately- they’re faster to sew than jackets, and offer all the warmth of a coat without all the bulk over my arms, which really annoys me when I’m trying to mom-around. When I saw the tester call for the Oakley Vest by Love Notions, I couldn’t…

Sweater Weather!

By Sarah | November 16, 2017

As the weather gets cooler, I have to fight my natural instinct to hibernate. Much as I’d like to cozy up in front of the fireplace (my cave) and doze off all season long, life doesn’t seem to slow down, so I have to find ways to cope. Warm clothing is essential for motivating me…

Velvet Crush

By Sarah | November 13, 2017

I took my family out shopping last weekend, and I kept running into velvet tee shirts- over and over and over. In Old Navy, Target, Gap….they were everywhere. I’m not always one to follow the trends (or let go of them when they’re long past!), but something about the romantic, wintry vibe just resonated with…

Fall Textures!

By Sarah | November 12, 2017

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Itch to Stitch Patterns– they’re well designed, practical (read: mom friendly and no crazy styles that make me raise my eyebrows!), and the instructions are top notch: three of my biggest criteria when choosing a pattern company to sew from. On top of all that, the…

Little Trailblazers! My First Adventure in Upcycling

By Sarah | November 8, 2017

I blogged my husband’s new Trailblazer vest (Twig and Tale Patterns) last week, and it came together to smoothly that I decided to dive into a matching pair of Children’s Trailblazer Vests for my twins, because there’s nothing cuter than a matching daddy and son picture….(unless it’s a family picture…hint hint!!). Having spent most of…

A Plaid obsession….

By Sarah | November 3, 2017

Do you ever have a designer that just reads your mind- putting out the perfect pattern at the perfect time? Not to go too #fangirl on you, but that’s exactly what happened to me with the new Julianne shirt by the DIBY Club. I’ve had this hooded button up shirt on my mind since last…

Using a snap press to install fashion snaps

By Sarah | November 3, 2017

I have a sewing confession to make: I hate buttonholes. While my machine has an automatic button hole foot, sometimes things go awry, and picking out those tiny stitches gives me a neck-ache. Which leads me to my new snap obsession! Snaps are quick and easy to install, and lend a professional look to many…

Another Waterfall Raglan (or why you should sew with real pants on!)

By Sarah | November 2, 2017

I finally got around to sewing up another Chalk and Notch waterfall raglan (remember this vezrsion I sewed last spring?). All summer long I meant to get around to another one, but one project or another kept cutting in line, and I almost forgot- until this gorgeous metallic jersey from Sly Fox landed at my…

Trailblazin’ in Style!

By Sarah | November 1, 2017

     How much interest does your spouse take in your sewing? Being our resident photographer, Stephen knows about a few pattern companies, and his favorite by far is Twig and Tale. He has been showing me photos of adorable vests, coats and accessories he wants me to make the kids for months, so when the…

Thankful Sewing: Man Sized!

By Sarah | November 1, 2017

It’s easy to get caught up in the hoopla of the holidays, the chaos of shuffling to and fro and baking the perfect pumpkin pie, and forget about the spirit of the season: Thankfulness. This month, I’m delighted to be co-hosting the Thankful Sewing Blog Tour with Melissa of Mahlica Designs. We have an awesome…

Never fear the geometric prints!

By Sarah | October 30, 2017

I’ve always been a little hesitant to sew with large scale boho, paisley, or geometric prints- what if I end up with huge mandalas on my boobs? – But they keep popping up in my feed, and in a moment of weakness, I ordered this paisley-ish single brushed poly print in royal from Sly Fox…

Chelsea Pants Week!

By Sarah | October 3, 2017 |

Welcome to Day 1 of Chelsea Pants Week! Wait, you didn’t see that on your Google Calendar? Well, you’re going to want to pencil it in, because the Greenstyle Chelsea Pants released today, and I’m a total #fangirl, seeing as I’ve made FIVE AMAZING PAIRS already, and have fabric in the wash for at least…

Tutorial: Shortening a Nylon Coil Zipper

By Sarah | April 26, 2017 |

We are stitching up some awesome jackets right now during the Midway Bomber Jacket Sewalong! Today, we are sewing in our zipper, and while a metal zipper is the easiest to shorten, sometimes you just want or need to use a nylon coil zipper, like I did on my exposed zip. So, my very helpful…

Tip Tuesday: Refashion it!

By Sarah | August 21, 2017 |

Last week, I posted my #failfriday, a dress I had partially cut out and then found myself short of fabric to finish. Many fellow seamstresses commiserated with me about the situation, and offered helpful suggestions on how to salvage the fabric and save the project (thank you!). I spent the weekend considering these ideas, and…

Sweater Weather!

By Sarah | November 16, 2017 |

As the weather gets cooler, I have to fight my natural instinct to hibernate. Much as I’d like to cozy up in front of the fireplace (my cave) and doze off all season long, life doesn’t seem to slow down, so I have to find ways to cope. Warm clothing is essential for motivating me…

Sunday Fun-Day!

By Sarah | December 15, 2017 |

Being a homeschooling family, my kids don’t totally understand the concept of a weekend. Although our rhythms change slightly, they learn year-round, every day of the week. That’s not to say we do formal academics 365 days of the year- but we are always learning, and rarely have to get up and be somewhere by…

Geranium Dress and Hank & Clementine Fabric Tour!

By Sarah | January 18, 2018 |

I hinted at it in my last post, but I’m excited to finally be able to share the other birthday dress I made for this precious girl! A few months ago I was contacted by the Phat Quarters shop, asking if I was interested in participating in a fabric tour for the new Hank & …

Not your mama’s sweats…

By Sarah | July 29, 2018 |

I jumped on the jogger bandwagon a long time ago, and have been wearing them in all forms ever since. When I heard my favorite lounge pattern, the Portlanders, were getting a little jogger-transformation, I had to check it out, and brought my mini-me along for the ride! Never mind that it was 110 degrees…

Tip Tuesday: Flat or in the Round?

By Sarah | August 8, 2017 |

Have you ever heard the terms “flat” vs “in the round”? This refers to two methods for attaching a binding or band to a garment, and knowing how (and when) to use each method is a useful sewing technique to have in your arsenal! Check out my video that demonstrates each option!   Don’t miss…

No COVID at the Creek!

By Sarah | June 27, 2020 |

  As the weather has warmed up, but some things (like the gym) remain closed or inadvisable, we’ve been taking another look at our surroundings, and trying come up with some novel ways to keep ourselves entertained. Thankfully, we’ve hit the jackpot in a swimming spot along the creek about half a mile from our…

Top 5 Summer Patterns for Kids

By Sarah | May 20, 2018 |

Twice a year, as I change out my kids drawers and evaluate what they have that still fits for the coming season (for my growing boys the answer is usually NOTHING), I take stock of their current preferences and needs and make a plan for sewing up some basics that will last them (hopefully!) for…

Sarah Connell

About Sarah Connell

Sarah is a wife, mother and avid seamstress. She is passionate about teaching, encouraging and empowering other women to express themselves creatively. 

Follow her sewing adventures on SewingwithSarah.com or your favorite social site.

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