Chie

Over this past year, I started sending out a monthly newsletter. It includes highlight of my blog posts, favorite links and short messages. I thought compiling all my “favorite links” of the year might be fun, so here they are! Most of them are sewing-related, and some are small business tips and blogging tips. Enjoy!

January

♥　Beginning of the year calls for a new calendar! This super cool washi tape that turns any notebook into a calendar. 
♥　I love reading Brooks Anne’s journey of making a custom made dress.
♥　Great article on While She Naps about slow growth and the internet gold rush. I believe most good things in life are built slowly overtime. 
♥　Love every thing this girl does. This wrap dress (actually separates that looks like a dress) would be a perfect addition for the Spring wardrobe!
♥　Great tips by Maddie on how to travel with your sewing machine. 

February 

♥  This is great for lingerie sewers – 4 Sets of 12 mm Rose Gold Rings & Sliders for £3.50. Want! 
♥  Simple guide to creating an online course.
♥  Just added this Nimbus extension for my Google Chrome to take a screenshot of a whole webpage, not just the visible part. Very useful! 
♥  With Canva, it is easy to design facebook page cover photo or event invitation. I like the fact that you can pay as you go ($1 per design)
♥  I watched BuzzFeed women attempted to make their own dresses. It reminded me of the first time I made myself a top (Almost 10 years ago).
♥  How to be More Consistent at Blogging. Always my goal. 
♥  Sewing tip: Use graph paper to copy a commercial pattern. The grid is helpful in keeping the grain line straight.

March

April

♥  My friend from Philly sent me a brochure from the exhibition of 1960s Paris Fashion at FIT. I searched online, and found a recap of the exhibit. It’s great!
♥  EASIEST way to sew a ruffle. This is amazing. Just watch it! 
♥  Bridal gown new trend – “barely there” dress! 
♥  I was curious as to how actors fake accents as I watched Damian Lewis acts an American billionaire in Billions. Here is the answer.

May

♥  7 Questions to ask for a minimalist business owner via Amy Lynn Andrews.
♥  Love this free pattern – Unicorn Key Tag. Great as a gift.
♥  How to on making a mitered cornered welt pocket flap via Thread.

June

♥  Love this DIY linen jumpsuit!
♥  Have you had trouble turning a spaghetti strap inside out? Try this trick on how to sew spaghetti straps using cord. 
♥  Lessons from 7 Years of Blogging by A Pair and a Spare. Looking back, I started blogging around the same time and followed her blog since 7 years ago. Her site is somewhere I still visit on regular bases. I think she has stayed true to her style and did not sell out to sponsors or was less obnoxious about the sponsored posts. Read her tips! 
♥  Fun youtube video by with Wendy on How to Buy Fabric.
♥ What to do when you are feeling blah about everything.

September

♥  This girl’s patch pocket coat is so cute! Thinking of making this for Kiko this winter.
♥  Four rulers that I covet. 
♥  Sashiko embroidery tutorial with free patterns! 
♥  Honest opinion essay by the owner of Design*Sponge about the state of blog. Interesting.
♥  Pinterest hashtag tips.
♥  Quick tips for round hem. Would look great for a wool skirt.

October

♥  I love this top. I would love to make it in neutral colors like black, gray and white. This would be something I would actually wear every day. 
♥  This gave me a chuckle…How I Grew My Instagram Following from 430 to 433 in One Month!
♥  How to Sew Velvet like a Pro – via Threads
♥  How a Cashmerette sewing pattern is developed from start to finish. Inspiring! 
 

November

♥  My six-year-old daughter is really into crafting now. This “make your own button” project seems like a fun project to do with kids.
♥  I don’t quilt but this is an interesting article on how to buy quilting fabric wholesale.
♥  How to plan your blog content via a Pair and a Spare. Better blog content planning is in my to-do list for 2018! 
♥  This button hole attachment for industrial sewing machine is on my wish list! I use Juki D9000. I love the machine but one disadvantage is that it only sews straight lines, so I have to pull out my old home sewing machine to do my button holes. The attachment will solve the problem! 
♥  Wedding dress designer, Brooks Ann uses use fusible interfacing to make the sheer flower print pop, making it more opeque. 

December

♥  Free snuggly slipper boots patterns via Tilly and the Buttons. Great as a handmade Christmas gift! 
♥  Another Christmas gift idea you can make in a big batch for coffee lovers. 
♥  20 reflection questions you can ask yourself to say goodbye to the year 2017.
♥  Fun video showing how Christian Dior is training its next generation of craftsman.
♥  This article includes good tips on sewing french seams for chiffon…sew with the tissue paper!