About Me / Contact

I am:

  • a happily married Mommy of 2 dear little ones 
  • a DIY enthusiast - sewing, jewelry-making, knitting, and crocheting 
  • a shopaholic / deal-hunter who got into DIYing to get looks for a much lower price
  • a burgeoning foodie willing to travel great distances for good food
  • petite in stature (5'2") and smallish in build (XSP / 0 on top) with a mommy gut and hips (sz 4 on bottom)

I am not:

  • an expert on anything but I enjoy sharing how I got from point A to B with you in tutorials.
  • a fashion blogger.  Much as I love clothes, I do not have expertise on what looks good together - hence my love for real fashion bloggers (see my blogroll).  When I do post an outfit, I love getting feedback from you :)

I use:

  • Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine - I've had it for about a year and a half now and feel like it performs very consistently well. 
  • (Affiliate link)
  • Janome Juno Serger - I've had this for about 2 years and have not had any problems.  
  • (Affiliate link)

  • McCall M5972 is my favorite bodice pattern.  It has a modest high neck, 2 sets of darts in the front and 1 set of darts in the back for a good fit.

  • Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, etc. by emailing me at:

    sewpetitegal (at) gmail.com

31 comments:

  1. I cannot find the bead/button on the end that resembles the Chan lu type..........its oval/concave sorta usually in silver. Do you know a source to find them?

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    Replies
    1. I've been using normal buttons from the craft store and haven't come across that kind of button. Sorry! If I ever do, I'll come back and reply with a link.

      Delete
  2. What size Nymo thread do you use for your leather wrap bracelet?

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  3. Hola!!! Nice page!!!!!! Why were you avoiding it??

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  4. hi! i was wondering what brand of sewing machine you use? thanks-jodi

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jodi! I use a Singer Heavy Duty 4423. I've had it for almost a year and love it! I bought it through Amazon for $130 shipped:
      http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4423-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003VWXZQ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1346497934&sr=1-1&keywords=singer+heavy+duty

      Hope this helps!

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  5. im having trouble when i try to start a new thread. how do you tie it? (the one with beads and the new one you are going to start. Please tell me step by step.

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    Replies
    1. Hi! You can really tie any kind of knot you like to connect a new thread. The trick is to add a dot of super glue to make sure it stays secure.

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  6. I am inspired by your tutorials. Can you recommend a sewing machine for a beginner?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! Thank you for your kind words! I use and love the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 - it's a basic, reliable machine for a good price. I bought it through Amazon for $130 shipped:
      http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4423-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003VWXZQ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1346497934&sr=1-1&keywords=singer+heavy+duty

      Hope this helps!

      Delete
  7. Hi SPG,

    Any recommendations as to what accessories to get with a sewing machine? Just bought a Brother 6000I from Amazon for only ~135 shipped and would like any helpful tips you may have. Also any sewing blogs (if any) you recommend aside from yours ;)

    Thank you for inspiring me to learn how to sew.

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    Replies
    1. Hello! My most used "accessory" is my serger, but if you're a beginner, I'd probably wait until you know for sure that sewing is something you want to do as an ongoing hobby. I never knew how much I would use that thing until I got it. Other extras are a rotary blade, cutting mat, blade sharpener, extra needles (I have a twin needle for knits, but have yet to use it bc I've been lazy about looking up how to thread it), LOTS of bobbins, a good seam ripper and I use regular chalk to mark my lines.

      For sewing blogs, I love Little Nashua, but I don't think Kerry has updated it in a while. A Pair and A Spare has cute DIYs too - both of these are on my blogroll under "Crafty". Little Nashua also has a good blogroll to check out :)

      Good luck on everything!!

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  8. Hi! I really like the dress you made for extrapetitegirl on her most recent fb post. Can I ask how much you would charge to make it and how long it would take for u you to make one? I am having a bridal shower the end of the month and that dress would be perfect! Can you contact me at qtqt72@yahoo.com

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  9. I know I'm relatively late but I'm interested in the skirt you posted on instagram (custom map skirt). Is there any way you could make something with a similar pattern? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. To Janice Lee, You can make a dress, slacks, short pants) you name it. It is a lovely fabric. I will love to buy it to make me a dress.

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    2. Hi Janice! Would you mind emailing me? sewpetitegal (at) gmail.com

      I don't know how to contact you besides a blog comment :)

      Delete
  10. Can you please tell me where you found the wide striped fabric for your Kate Spade dress. It would look perfect for me to where to my son's and DIL upcoming shower.
    Thanks so much Amy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amy! I purchased it at Fabrics R Us in San Jose :)

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  11. Hello! I read about your blog through ExtraPetite.com, and when I made a visit it was love at first sight! People knew little of the art of sewing (myself included), and fewer still are the ones who are really good at it. I want to learn how to sew so I can mend and create clothes, so I included a sewing machine in my bucket list. Please post more DIYs--I'm learning from them. Thank you! :D

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    Replies
    1. You are so very kind! Thank you! I will definitely be posting more DIYs / tutorials :)

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  12. hello, love you creations. could you recommend a machine that is capable of basic initialing...is that considered full blown embroidery? thx!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words! I think you are correct. Creating monograms / initials most likely lies within the capabilities of embroidery machines rather than regular sewing machines. I think your best bet is to do a basic Amazon search on embroidery machines and sort by the highest reviews. From there, I would google for a more in-depth review from bloggers. Sorry this isn't more helpful!

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  13. Hi, love your blog! I am also very petite, alter EVERYTHING and have sewn since I was a child, I'm curious to know where you found a dressform to fit you?!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Margaret - thank you! I got my dress form on eBay - she's not perfect (bust is bigger, waist is smaller), but is closer to my measurements than my previous one. Here's a link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Female-French-Pinnable-Dress-Form-Slacks-Medium-WBLK-Clothing-Display-Dummy-/130581271214

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  14. hi..love your creations and especially this skirt..http://sewpetitegal.blogspot.gr/2012/06/pencil-skirt-w-removable-peplum-diy.html..can you make one for me?my email is www.annaoik@hotmail.com..thanks for the attention..bst wishes to your family and you..anna

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anna and thank you for your interest! If you wish, you can purchase the skirt here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/102904904/custom-made-map-of-the-world-skirt-w?ref=related-0

      Delete
  15. Hi
    I just discovered your blog through Extra Petite and loving it already. If you can, can you create a DIY to take in pants/skirts waistband? I always have trouble with bottoms since my hip is so petite.
    Thanks in advance.

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    Replies
    1. Hi and thank you for your kind words! Jean actually just posted a tutorial on that same subject here: http://www.extrapetite.com/2014/08/diy-alterations-tutorial-exposed.html

      I'll definitely come back with a link if I ever do an alterations post in this vein though :)

      Delete
  16. Hi,
    Where did you buy your dress form and what's the measurement on it? I'm also petite and cannot find a dress form that is close to my size :(

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    Replies
    1. Hi! I found my dress form on ebay by searching "pinnable dress form" - you should be able to find a good variety of options with the measurements listed. I believe mine is 34-26-35.

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I'm the type of gal who gets giddy when I receive mail - it's no different with comments! I really appreciate the feedback and love hearing from you :)

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