Living in small NYC apartments means there is often very little room for sewing. My “sewing area” spans my kitchen to my windowsill. The ironing board is propped up on the windowsill, and most of the cutting is done on the floor. (But the floor is clean!) The drafting is done on the dining room table, and larger pieces like skirts are drafted on the floor. Esteemed Sewing Assistant Bean (the black fat kitty) likes to perch on the ironing board and supervise while I sew. Sometimes he chases the tomato pincushion when he thinks I’m not looking.

After years and years of wearing all black all the time, I’ve somehow succumbed to white, romantic, flowery designs. It all started with wearing grey last year, then dyeing my hair all black (from black with a red streak) after five years, then realizing I can somehow carry off non-black items without looking ridiculous. It wouldn’t have been as fun to sew entirely in all black, all the time.