Bodacious Countess

12/18/2025

When a project takes longer than planned, it isn’t a setback, it’s a quiet confirmation that something meaningful is being built.

The extra time reflects care, learning, and the patience to do more than just rush to the end. Each pause, adjustment, and redo adds depth to the work and to the maker, turning effort into growth.

What is truly worth finishing often asks more of us, and in giving that time, we create something stronger, more thoughtful, and far more rewarding than we first imagined.

12/18/2025

When I get to sew a long panel, uninterrupted... I enter a flow state that's indescribable...

12/18/2025

If you want a beautiful smooth hem that doesn't show on the outside it's best to hand stitch it. There are certain machine techniques you can use but nothing beats a handsewn hem.

12/11/2025

Christmas dress!

11/26/2025

sewn, cut and turned. Now to handstitch them closed, trim excess and wait until further in the construction, mainly fitting the lining, to finish them

11/24/2025

The butterfly buttonholes marked and ready to be seen. These things are tricky, the sewing has to be very precise, the buttonholes as similar as possible.

11/19/2025

complex darts that run into each other are a challenge. I find it works best to hand stitch them in, compare sides, then sew them on the machine. Ironing properly helps a lot too! I unfortunately, left my ironing board back in California

11/18/2025

All the markings on a pattern piece are important! A tip I got years ago changed how I make these notches. Instead of cutting them into the piece, I cut out. It's not as easy but there's no possible compromise to the seam at that place. I do this with fancy garments or fancy fabric.

11/16/2025

Using fabric with a nap or a pattern it is especially important to make sure your grainline is straight! Measure from the edge to the grainline in several places and make the measurements all the same.

05/23/2025

Sunshine pendant necklace with glass beads! I love making these necklaces.

05/10/2025

another successful beginning sewing class! The Shop in Huntsville has many classes to check out. I enjoy teaching and there will be a series on machine sewing, hand sewing, teddy bears and jewelry. For more information go to

Conveniently located near Stovehouse and Campus 805, we are a non-profit, membership-based workspace. The Shop's 8000 square foot facility provides affordable access to the tools, equipment, knowledge, and skills that Makers of all level need to innovate and realize their creations. We have the equi...

03/16/2025

I need to make a light box to photograph my jewelry creations. It's hard to capture how beautiful this piece really is.