One of My Favorite Sites

I love to sew. My mother taught my when I was about 8 or 10, and I've been sewing ever since. It is one of the most valuable things she has taught me (and she's taught me a lot!).

My favorite sewing site is Sense and Sensibility, which is a pattern company. Jennie Chancey, the owner, sells historically inspired (and accurate) patterns for several different eras. I've used several of her patterns. The Regency dress, of course, is the one I've used the most, but I've also made items from her Edwardian apron, the Romantic era pattern, and the Regency Spencer. I love her directions - they make it seem like Jennie is right there, looking over your shoulder, and anticipating your questions before you ask them. Her patterns are the ones that Simplicity produced for their Regency patterns, too!

Now she's got a new deal - e-patterns! For a small fee, you can download some of her patterns and print out the pieces yourself! How cool is that?! Now you don't have to pay for shipping, and you don't have to wait for the pattern to come in the mail. Here's the link to her site and the e-patterns: http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/main/?page_id=50

I have recommended her Regency gown pattern many times to people who wanted to have dresses of that style, and now I think it is great that there is such an easy way to have her patterns in hand very quickly. It was funny a year or so ago to go see a local stage production of Pride and Prejudice and notice very quickly that the women were all wearing dresses made from Jennie's patterns!

One of the other great things about Jennie's site is that she has a fabulous forum. I check out the discussion boards almost every day, and have 'met' many nice women there. They are sew helpful with any sewing questions, whether they are historical in nature as well, and they are so very knowledgeable! It is like The Republic of Pemberley in that there are no arguments, no flaming, and it's all child friendly. In fact, there are some young women on that website that are more capable seamstresses than I'll ever be!

Go check it out! :-)