When Kimberly posted a testing call for her Phinney Ridge cardigan (with new expanded size range), I knew I would love to test, after checking my calendar to make sure I could sew it up during the timeline and hoping I would get to test it, when the email came, I knew I wanted to sew up a basic that would become a wardrobe staple.

And let me tell you this piece is definitely going to end up being in constant rotation in my wardrobe! I already wore it to work and it was a huge hit 😃Here are a few progress shots, especially of the buttonhole making, probably my favorite part of sewing this together since my machine makes sewing buttonholes so easy.

I used some water soluable stabilizer to make sure the buttonhole stitched out just right. I made a couple of test buttonholes in different styles and to double check that they would work for my chosen buttons. After stitch the buttonholes, I trimmed the stabilizer and then washed the rest away after I completed the cardigan.

Some of the features I really like are the waistband and wide cuffs along with the topstitching. For my next version, I am hoping to add the elbow patches and I might lengthen it just a couple of inches!

I sewed up a straight size 18 with a B Cup in a Riley Blake knit. You can find the pattern in her shop here. I hope you check it out!

I haven’t been doing as much sewing as I would love, however, I have been busy cleaning and reorganizing my sewing space (an atelier/studio tour coming soon 😃) In between all that cleaning I have managed some sewing!

Mostly, I have been busy sewing up Sallie Tomato handbags and in the process have totally become obsessed with zipper by the yard! I am teaching the handbag of the month class at work, so I have been busy sewing them up. First up is Ginger:

One of the best parts of teaching these classes is that I am using up lots of fabric from my fabric stash along with some of my most coveted fabrics that I have been hoarding. For this Ginger handbag, I used some denim along with a variety of Anna Marie Horner fabric that I have had for quite sometime. I think it will be a wonderful spring bag. I used a gold topstitching thread to really make it stand out and used some of my custom labels on the inside along with a metal handmade on the lower right of the bag. I love to add custom details to these handbags.

Next up is the Holly handbag:

These photos don’t really do this handbag justice! I spent lots of time fussy cutting the faux crocodile to get the print just fight. I have been hoarding this 1/2 yard cut of the Cotton + Steel Rifle Paper and Co. Les Fleurs City Map fabric for a several years. One side features Paris and the other London. For lining I used a metallic gold Eiffel tower printed fabric. I did customize the inside side pocket to fit my phone. This handbag is one that I am going to reach for over and over.

The third handbag is Moon River:

So my favorite feature on this bag is the strap connectors. I adore how they came together with this bag. I used denim with an Alison Glass fabric, I think?! I have had in my stash for several year looking for the right project. It is lined in a solid navy Kona Cotton. This bag also features a recessed zipper which I really love. I would only make one change and that would be to add another outside side pocket without the flap. This handbag is probably going to end up being my work tote bag.

This weekend I will be starting on the Zippy handbag. I am loving all the hardware and details on these patterns, plus the instructions are wonderful! I am having a blast working on this and at the end I will have 12 new handbags and hopefully a lighter fabric stash 😉