sewing • cooking • crafting • all things domestic
My mom (aka Grandma Jane) is amazing. She sews more in a year, than I think most people sew in 10. It helps that she retired almost two years ago and has time to really sew, but even when she was working full time, she always amazed me with the amount of projects she could finish in such a small amount of time. … continue reading
It's that time again.......another Lessons with Lindsay sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines. On today's Lessons with Lindsay: How to Gather Fabric, you will learn traditional gathering techniques as well as how to use a ruffler attachment for a traditional sewing machine and how to gather using a gathering foot on your serger. … continue reading
I just received this Cottage Quilt Block back in the mail last week. I don't know if I mentioned it here, but last year my sewing machine sponsor (Baby Lock) flew me to Iowa to film two episodes of the PBS show Fons and Porter 'Love of Quilting' with Mary Fons. A few of you have emailed and said that you saw my episodes (yay!). Surprisingly I haven't seen them myself. Unfortunately, our PBS station doesn't pick up the sewing shows, but hopefully I'll get a copy someday and can check it out........or not........it's always so strange to hear myself talk. … continue reading
Today I am so excited to share the first post about our New Cottage Home! I know I've mentioned that we moved and that we renovated a foreclosure home that we purchased, but now I'm finally ready to reveal some of the before and after pictures of what happened this summer in, what I like to call, the New Cottage Home. First up, our Before and After Kitchen Makeover. … continue reading
I have been meaning to blog about this Sashiko Baby Bonnet for over 6 months now, but time just has a way of getting away from me these days. This beautiful baby bonnet was a gift for Jospehine from the amazingly talented Evy Hawkins. I met Evy through our mutual sewing machine sponsor, Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machines. We apparently just missed each other teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. The first year I started teaching, she wasn't teaching, but luckily our paths crossed at the first Baby Lock Common Threads Event. … continue reading
Have you ever had Monkey Bread? If not, it is truly a wonderfully sugary sweet breakfast treat made with store-bought biscuits (although, you could certainly make those from scratch as well). You've got to try my Monkey Bread Recipe! Monkey Bread is probably not an everyday sort of breakfast item, but it's perfect for a special occasion. We like to make this on the morning of Thanksgiving........it's something a little bit special, but really easy to get prepared the night before. You pour over the butter and brown sugar mixture in the morning before you bake … continue reading
I'm slowly but surely starting to focus on hanging some things up in my new sewing studio. I bought three of these inexpensive cork boards from IKEA a few months ago........one for my office and two for Savannah and Matilda's room to go next to their desks. I originally thought I would just put them up as is, but that just seemed kind of boring. I'm all about incorporating fabric whenever and where ever I can, so I did these Easy Cork Board Makeovers this weekend and I'm excited to share this DIY project with all of you. … continue reading
Hi there! Happy Happy 2016. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and have had a great start to the new year! I wanted to take a moment to let you know that this year I'm going to be changing things up here on the blog a bit.......not much, but a bit. Of course you'll still see your normal sewing posts as well as more of my new sewing video tutorials; however, this year I'm going to be sharing more interior design posts, before/after room and furniture makeover posts, organizing ideas and some additional recipes. A little more variety, if you will. These … continue reading
In this weeks Lessons with Lindsay Video, I share with you the many different options for finishing the edges of your fabric when sewing garments. I'll also show you step-by-step how to create a lovely French seam and share several other tips and tricks for beautifully constructed children's clothing. … continue reading
Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to lots of new and exciting things here on The Cottage Mama. One goal I have for myself is to take more candid photos of the kids and our family. Daily life kind of stuff, you know? I love the pretty, modeled pictures of the kids that I get to take from time to time, but I want to make sure that I capture 'real' life as well. You didn't think my whole life was just pretty dresses, beautifully plated food and perfectly clean interior design, did you? I try my best, but no one is perfect. There are days my kids pick out their own … continue reading
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
Welcome! My name is Lindsay Wilkes and I am the owner / designer of The Cottage Mama, a boutique children's sewing pattern company and the author behind, 'Sew Classic Clothes for Girls'. The Cottage Mama blog is where I share my love for sewing, cooking and crafting and all things domestic. If you like what you see, you can read more about me HERE.