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Sew & Tell — September Favorites 2025
Hi sewing and designing friends. Welcome to our monthly celebration of creativity! Each month, we get to showcase the incredible talent and unique designs of our subscribers. From stunning dresses to cozy sweaters, we’re always amazed by the skill and passion you pour into your handmade garments. I’ll be sharing some of my absolute favorite pieces that have been submitted this month. These creations not only reflect beautiful craftsmanship, but they also embody the spirit of our community. Let’s dive in and get inspired by these fabulous, one-of-a-kind garments! Deborah TurklesonI purchased a vintage Kantha throw from Marcy Tilton in August 2024 and finally got the courage to cut into it, making a reversible jacket. I used gold silk dupioni scraps for the binding and the welt pocket.Pamela CondeI absolutely love my new dress made with Marcy Tilton's Grant Avenue Dutch cotton knit. It drapes beautifully, creating an elegant look in Style Arc’s Toni Dress pattern. This has become the most comfortable dress I've ever made, and the stunning print adds a perfect touch of style.Janice Cittasubha SheppardThis is the A Little Something Jacket from CNT Patterns, crafted in your beautiful Black Hills Linen Blend Jacquard Woven.Perri KimonoJacket: Pendleton 1949 Women’s Jacket Pattern, featuring elegant Stockwell ceramic buttonsFabric: Rich teal Japanese wide-wale stretch cotton corduroyDetails: Seam bound and facings finished with a stylish poly stripe fabric from Marcy Jessica ArgyleThese are a simple style from Style Arc called Annie's Cami, in two variants—both made from fabrics purchased at your online shop. My friend Rosalind, a well-published writer, and I share a studio in the same building. The first cami is made from a linen fabric from a year or two ago, and the second features a stunning, large-print ikat cotton from last year.Helen Williams Vogue V9057Made with Vogue V9057, this garment truly highlights the beauty of the print. The figure of the woman in the fabric resembles me and my sisters, so my mom personalized it by naming three of us on the garment. Every time she wears it, it consistently gets oohs and ahs—and 🔥—from her young granddaughters.Phyllis CarlyleThis garment features three different fabrics from marcytilton.live and draws lots of inspiration from the Tilton sisters’ design principles—embracing asymmetry, mixing stripes with other patterns, and using striped fabric for bindings. I used pattern-making software to replicate a top I saw online, which was a fun challenge involving multiple layers and precise adjustments to align the diagonal pieces just right. Debra OliverThis dress combines Mariah Dots Crinkle Knit with stash black bamboo knit for the sleeves. It’s a patchwork creation, blending several patterns I adapted long ago—so long ago that I honestly don’t remember their origins. At this point, I consider it an original design. Since I’ve never worked with this type of knit before, it feels Oh so comfy—almost like a nightgown! I also experimented with zipper placement, inspired by ready-to-wear garments, adding a neat touch of detail.Thank you to all of you who submitted. Happy sewing and stay tuned for next months favorites!
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Fitted Jacket
Vogue 8982 in a fine wale corduroy with a floral print and lined with a fine quality cupro.
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Slouchy Jacket
Vogue 9287 in a funky muted stretch cotton. I roll up my sleeves so I opted to add contrasting fabric to the cuff and placket facings for a bit of design interest.
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Little House Tunic
Vogue 9171 in a mix of Liberty cottons. Using contrasting fabrics for facings or pattern pieces adds design interest throughout the garment and is an easy way to make a piece that reflects your personal style.
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