Today I write about making this dress. www.tracyssewingstudio.com/2025/05/12/w...

2017 I made a dress of beer cans titled, Fish Bait.

Oh color. I have some really cool garments that I’ve made to sell when I get some time.

Early morning hike today at Cox Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio.

I write about the 1920s ‘One Hour Dress’. Was it really just an hour? www.tracyssewingstudio.com/2025/04/15/t...

Dress I designed for Ruby Red Fox. She’s bringing the first indigenous people fashion to Dayton, Ohio this November.

Week #1 vs week #15 of daily practice. When I first started I traced a croquis of my body. After the first month I was able to draw it on my own. After that I practiced different poses. Now I’m working on eyes, hands and shadows.

March was a great month. Now it’s prom and wedding season and I can barely get my head together.

Replicated a houndstooth coat from the final episode of Twin Peaks.

I went roller skating with my seamstress friends.

My skater dress I designed and made is actually separates with bicycle shorts attached. Wearability for longevity.

I’m excited to announce that once again I’ve won an award for my sewing and dressmaking blog. 2018 I was 28 of 35 for best ‘Dressmaker’ blog on the planet. 2025 I’m #5 of 35 for, ‘Top Seamstress Blog’. I couldn’t do without the help of @juicymelt.bsky.social thank you!!

Slow progress is still progress. Week 11, art 365 Figures and Fashion.

I made my first skate video in my newly designed “not” a skate dress! I went with separates and the skirt has bicycle shorts underneath.

I'm working on a 'Design Your Handmade Wardrobe' series for YouTube. Many of us sewists design with heavily printed fabrics. Week one was to pull out your favorites, week two will be to wear what you never reach for and consider why. Here's mine, all 15+ years old, and it's work to match them.

2015 I saw Frida Kahlo’s dresses and it influenced my designs.

Week 10 of 365 Fashion and Figures practice.

Can you see the people? Art by Tiffany Clark.

We had, The Dayton Garment Designers Meet-Up last night. It was so much fun sealing fabric and talking about sewing. Last picture is my haul.

2025 vs 2016. I made the kaftan in 2016 and it sold right away. When I serviced my machine, I was surprised they still had the fabric. I thought it would be fun to revisit and play, so this time I went with art deco.

I’ve been learning about editing and making short little videos, even though, I’ve had a niche YouTube tips channel for a decade. Never To Old!

Used fashion fabric sale at The Dayton Sewing Collaborative! I got a lot of goodies! $3 a yard you all!

Nothing is better than a used garment weight fabric sale. Runner up is watching @svengoolieofficial.bsky.social with @juicymelt.bsky.social Sven, why did they make your show 2 1/2 hours? Because you keep talking? I about lost it!

How do you feel about wrap pants?

Week 9, 265 Fashion and Figures practice.

Colors; I’ve been on a red and fuchsia kick since my color analysis. I purchased this batik fabric in Roswell, New Mexico at their indie fabric shop, Calico Cow Fabrics and Gifts. Self drafted top, shorts, Wearing History, Sailor Pants pattern.

Here’s the Wearing History 1899 Sofia Jacket I made in 2015; I never wear it because it’s not my color. Now it is! 🩷

That was a fun sew! The pattern drafting was easy, getting this butterflies out of the way while sewing was not so much. The 3D butterfly fabric on black mesh from Fabrictopia, San Antonio. Black lining was a hand me down in my stash.

#sewing is a superpower — just ask anyone that sews how many times they’ve been asked to do repairs on clothing, by others. 😁🪡🧵 Happy International Women’s Day! 🥰👏❤️ #quilting #sewing #InternationalWomensDay

Artist talks with The Diggingest Girl, Emily Louise Howard tonight was amazing. Check out the lino print I bought of hers.

I designed some new athletic wear with hand me down fabrics! Fun was had seeing!

2023 I made isolated van window covers for our caravan travels.

Sharing how I designed this dress for Ruby and her upcoming event. I’m still searching to connect with my sewing, garment designing friends here.

Spring sewing classes at Rosewood Art Center, Kettering, Ohio.

Here is a spring cleaning #sewsky challenge anyone can join! 1. Use 1+ yard of fabric from your stash from March 1-31 2. Share your project using hashtag #MarchThroughYourStash 3. Repost someone’s completed challenge project Let’s use what we have and keep building community 🌼 #garmentsewing

I’m trying to find my people here! Who makes garments, sews, collects sewing books, vintage sewing patterns, drapes garments, designs flat patterns? It’s a little lonely.

Week 8 of practice.

Before and after having my color analysis.

My newest design, walk with me has large deep pockets, using free motion embroidery on a regular sewing machine. What do you think?

Hi, I’m TracySews since my first Etsy shop in 2008. I love designing in my spare time. I provide alterations too. I’m almost always fully booked. I also serve on the Kettering Arts Council, run a large local meet up group, The Dayton Garment Designers Meet Up, write, blog, vblog, mentor, and teach.

I am excited to finally announce that ThinkTV has created a documentary about my cycling adventures with CMT1A, a rare and debilitating neurological disease. Last summer, I followed the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. The documentary will premier March 27th at 8pm on CET and ThinkTV 16.

It’s photo shoot time! I’ll be adding this dress I designed and free motion embroidered to CaFe and then the call for entry juried show, The View.

Three types of appliqué, free motion, quilting, and reverse. Today I finish a huge project using all I’ve learned in the last decade. I can’t wait to share the dress I designed.

I ❤️ replicating clothing. These are just a few swimsuits from 2021.

Dayton Garment Designer Meet-Up was last Saturday. Our topic was making money sewing.

Week six of practice.

A little sewing Vday love with a mohair wool coat I flat pattern drafted.

I’ve been teaching sewing classes for almost 25 years now. My group sewing classes at Rosewood Art Center are really popular. Tonight is the sewing machine basics. Learn everything about your machine including troubleshooting and what a bad stitch looks like! Things I wish my mamma taught me.