Link: Sew your own mini wallet

Okay. I appear to be easing back into blogging by sharing links. Well, better something than nothing... especially if that "something" is a link to a reasonably easy to follow tutorial for creating your own custom mini wallet.

A little sewing project like this is a great way to create a piece that's reminicent of a more expensive item you may have been lusting after.

My vote for inspiration for this project:



The adorable Kate Spade striped Flicker coin purse



Link: How to become better at detecting clothing quality

One of the best ways to save on clothing costs is to become better at noticing how a garment is constructed. These little details are what will tell you how well a piece of clothing will fit (or NOT fit as is so often the case) and how well it will hold up over time.

The cost savings are easy: the better made your clothing is, the longer it'll stay nice looking, the more flattering it's likely to be on your body, and the happier you'll be with it over time.

For those of us with some sewing experience, being able to spot the signs of a well made garment are relatively easy. But what if you don't have this experience? Often people will try the shortcut of just assuming that the more something costs, the better it's made. You know what sucks? This isn't always the case.

For today's link I've got a blog posting from Couture Allure Vintage Fashion that gives you some hints about what to look at when evaluating how well a shirt is made. It's a useful bit of insight for sewers and non-sewers alike.