#5: what does your screenshot folder look like?

Most of my sewing projects start with a screenshot. I’ve chatted a bit before about my creative process, but really, when I look back at MOST of my projects, they usually start with a screenshot.

I’m sure most *normal* people use screenshots for documents, or recipes, or news stories, or video stills, or a book to read. But sewists are different. We take screenshots of things we want to make. (I’m not the only one… right? RIGHT?) Sometimes it’s merely a screenshot of an ad (because they’re boundless), or sometimes it’s someone you follow on social media wearing THE CUTEST shirt. Which leads to an absolute rabbit hole of reverse google image searching and youtube tutorials and pattern searching. Sure, I COULD just buy the dang thing, but most of the time the thrill of the search and pursuit to recreate is a lot more fun.

I took this screenshot way back in Sept. 2023. This is approximately how long an image of an item of clothing can take hold in my brain! I immediately filed it on my “to-make” list. Luckily this one was easy - these are a clear match to the Coe Trouser by Daughter Judy. The fabric was a little harder; such a unique orangey/tomatoey color. I ended up with some rusty colored corduroy from Blackbird Fabrics (purchased during black Friday in ‘23). So then I proceeded to sit on this project for WAY TOO LONG, but here they are folks. The most perfect barrel-leg corduroy trousers:

My camera is telling you these are red, but in fact reader, these are slightly orange in real life :) I think I like my pair even more than the inspo because of the belt - it makes these feel so much more put-together!

---

On to my next recent screen-shot-fueled project. This perfect knit lettuce-hem tee.

If ya’ll don’t follow Gretchen Jones (of Project Runway fame) - you should. (@weirdspecialty on insta and she’s other places on the internet as well) She’s since pivoted from the fashion world, but SHE’S STILL SO FASHIONABLE. (I mean duh.) And her home projects are gorgeous. But most importantly she is doing amazing things in the female-owned small business sphere.

I DIGRESS. I love this top she’s wearing. It looks cozy as hell and I wanted one the second I saw her wear it.

So here goes… Here is my Nikko top - minus the mock neck, with all the seams serged inside out, and a rolled lettuce hem for the neckline, waist hem, and sleeve cuffs.

Mine’s a little more waffle-y and a little less ribbed. But I can live with that, because this deadstock knit fabric is so beyond cozy. With all the seams exposed like this, the interior is just so dang soft! It’s a WEE see-thru, so I’ll probably be wearing this indoors (or layering with a tank or something).

I hope you enjoyed a peek into my brain/screenshot folder. I think I’ll keep writing about these projects because they’re the most fun to me. I see it, I like it, I want it, I make it. (SEE WHAT I DID THERE? I didn’t just buy it!)

Ok au revoir for now, hope you are keeping yourself busy with little arts and crafts instead of listening to the horrors coming from our government here in the U.S.

@oliviaherrickdesign on Insta <3