Category Archives: Making Things

A-line mod flannel dress – McCalls 2481

Posted on March 7, 2014 by WesternSpinster

I’m always cold in the Bay Area, so instead of wishing the weather to be warmer by wearing lightweight cotton dresses, I have decided to be more practical and start making things in flannel and wool. This dress is a … Continue reading →

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Green holiday dress, McCalls 6121 from 1961

Posted on January 11, 2014 by WesternSpinster

For the holidays, I made a green and red dress.  I picked up this wonderful festive green fabric while in Ghana, West Africa, and it has served me well for several projects.  I started with a sloper from 1961, and … Continue reading →

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Crazy log cabin quilt square (Beginner tutorial)

Posted on October 27, 2012 by WesternSpinster

By Kelina Lobo The crazy log cabin design is a series of irregular squares inside other squares or rectangles, each with varying angles and sizes. It is fast, fun, very improvisational, and a great project for beginning quilters or sewers … Continue reading →

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Two Victorian dresses – Past Patterns #702 and #801

Posted on October 9, 2012 by WesternSpinster

A while back I made these two historically accurate reproductions of Victorian dresses. I used Saundra Ros Altman’s Past Patterns #702 and #801. Past Patterns’ tagline is “The Historical Pattern Company Dedicated to Accuracy” and it is true – Past Patterns … Continue reading →

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Two 1958 sheath dresses: Advance 8617

Posted on September 25, 2012 by WesternSpinster

  Here are two sheath dresses I made from a vintage 1958 pattern, Advance 8617. The yellow “tropical dress” has kimono sleeves and the fitting is more relaxed in general, and I think it is better for it. The blue … Continue reading →

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Lunchbox laser shows, from Vol. 20 of Make Magazine

Posted on October 11, 2011 by WesternSpinster

“Build three different laser effects machines that fit into metal lunchboxes to create exciting sound and light shows.”  By Mike Gould, of Make Magazine, Vol. 20. Western Spinster Magazine: These small devices project multi colored lights onto a ceiling or … Continue reading →

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Theo Jansen’s strandbeests – kinetic sculptor

Posted on October 11, 2011 by WesternSpinster

Theo Jansen is a kinetic sculptor who makes truly amazing engineered “animals.”  Video from Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention Episode 1 Preview – BBC One. When will I be able to ride in a wind powered vehicle similar to … Continue reading →

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