Category : Sewing

I have been sewing for 35 years. I love it, and I know some things about it.

Learn to Sew a Cycling Cap

Note: the class described below is no longer happening, but you can still learn how to make a cycling cap following the instructions in my carefully-crafted downloadable cycling cap sewing patterns. The included instructions include illustrations and are so detailed that in over 12 years selling them, I’ve only ever had two people contact me with questions! If you’ve wanted to set aside the time to finally make yourself a cycling cap, why not book a class? Meet some new people, get help to get over any tricky bits, and check that project off your list? Ellie at Klum House, a professional seamstress and sewing instructor, is teaching a cap sewing class in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 5pm. She will be teaching using Little Package sewing patterns. Level 2 Sewing Class: Some prior sewing experience continue reading…

star wars cycling cap bills

Handmade Bike Caps!

Mr. Joe brought it to my attention via Instagram that he has been busy making cycling caps from the sewing pattern I offer. He has added in a few touches that I thought were super worthy of sharing. As you can see, Mr. Joe took an awesome Star Wars print and put it under the bill of his cap. He LOVES Star Wars. Who doesn’t? I think I see a Star Wars cycling caps enterprise in Mr. Joe’s future. I know when I was making caps, I took many orders from customers wanting specific fabric prints. Those were always the most fun caps to make. When I quit making caps a lot of people were disappointed, so I left behind my sewing pattern in the hopes they could find ways to fill the void. You don’t need me! You just continue reading…

Lighthouse Surrounded by Trail Trash

The Best Ultra Lightweight Sleeping Bags

Ultra lightweight sleeping bags are purpose-built for long-haul treks where space is at a premium and weight is counted in grams, but they can also be used on your ordinary family camping trips. I call that win-win! The sleeping bag is part of “The Big Three:” your backpack, your tent, and your sleeping bag. These three items comprise the most weight, and take up the most space of all your gear. Also, they are items (aside from food and shoes) that can make–or break–your hike or tour. Be prepared to shell out good money up front (and not have to re-purchase something better later). This is an investment you’ll be putting to very good use. A sleeping bag is a camper’s best friend. Considerations Bag girth and length. You want enough room to be able to roll over in your continue reading…

screenshot of cycling cap sewing pattern

Digital Cycling Cap Patterns Now Available!

People have been requesting this product for years, and I’ve finally made it! My two cycling cap sewing patterns — with the best instructions, templates, and style/fit available — are now downloadable as PDFs. You can buy, print, and be cutting and sewing within minutes from now! Check them out: These patterns include the same templates and guidelines that I follow when sewing caps in my studio. They even include instructions on how to add a cozy earflap for cold-weather riding. I worked for several years ironing out hiccups and honing the style so that these would look and fit great on everyone. The patterns print out on letter sized (or A4) paper. Just make sure to print at 100% – no shrinking to fit. Please note my patterns and designs are protected by copyright and intended for personal use continue reading…

White 970 human whisperer

Human Whisperer

This week I pulled an insane maneuver: I sold the sewing machine I use to make cycling caps — before getting a replacement. I sold it right out from under my business, without warning or much planning. It had been listed on Craigslist for several weeks as part of my plan to buy a new machine to improve my tax situation, and suddenly one evening someone wanted it badly. Off it went to a happy new home, perfectly good but massively depreciated. Off it went, leaving me high and dry. A replacement won’t be here until mid-next week. I do own these two vintage “backup” sewing machines, though. They sit pretty, high up on a shelf above my desk, collecting compliments and dust. I pulled them both down this week in a desperate attempt to keep up with sewing jobs. continue reading…

I’m a Softie for them Soft Bills

Somewhere along the line, I decided to fill my cycling cap bills with something other than plastic. I don’t know why. Maybe I ran out of plastic in the studio. Maybe someone special requested a soft bill. I honestly can’t say when it happened, but when it did it was magic. I stumbled right onto the perfect solution: just the right filling, and just the right amount of it, and lots of top-stitching; and right off the bat I had the very best soft bill there was. And yet people are still not sure they want a soft bill. Why not? Because they’re floppy? I’ve got news for you: they’re not. Not mine. Mine don’t crack or warp either, and you can fold and stuff them into your jersey or bag when you’re on the run. They hold up to continue reading…

My Guest Post on the Sewaholic Blog!

This week was I featured as a guest writer on someone else’s blog! It was pretty cool of Tasia of Sewaholic to invite me to write about my experience sewing a waterproof jacket. I was anxious to share more details and photographs about DIY waterproof outerwear because when I went hunting on the web I found only breadcrumbs of information. But what made it even better is that rather than sharing it here (a virtual Internet dead zone, ha), I got to share it with lots of interested readers on one of my very favorite sewing blogs. I love Tasia’s enthusiastic and inquisitive writing style — it is so friendly and engaging. Not only that but she sure can sew and draft a pattern, and is percolating one of the most exciting independent pattern lines yet. Click over to read continue reading…

Juki HZL F-Series Sewing Machine User Manual

This is a machine I own and use daily. I believe what the local dealer says about this machine needing several hours on it when new to “break it in,” as I had tension issues for the first week or two. Since then it’s been dreamy. I do have a problem though, and maybe someone else will chime in with a similar issue (though I’ll probably have it professionally fixed by then). When rolling along I get a loud buzzing sound issuing from the bobbin shuttle, which vibrates intensely at anything above a medium speed (when machine is set at full speed). I may have damaged the

Husqvarna Viking 6440 Sewing Machine User Manual

You can download the Husqvarna Viking 6440 / 2000 manual here for. In November 2016 I re-scanned this manual and meticulously created a PDF version of this manual superior to anything else you will find on the internet: full-color, compressed, print-ready, and zoom-able. Also visit a great online (Yahoo!) group discussing pre-1980 Viking machines for even more information! These are great machines!

Nelco Amica Sewing Machine

I am very excited about my luck thrift purchases, particularly my Nelco Amica sewing machine. Heck, I’m ecstatic about my sewing machine. It’s the first one I ever bought for myself and I wasn’t counting on it working when I chanced buying it. But not only does it work, but it’s a champ. Sews through anything without a complaint. Made in Italy, I’m guessing 1960s based on the instruction booklet art. Update 1/2006: I no longer have this machine. Update 3/2013: You can now get the manual here: http://www.little-package.com/shop/nelco-amica-user-manual