Fennel Goods

05/26/2026

Meet 2 new adult styles I'll be using to teach garment sewing classes.

These 2 patterns, the Wilde Jacket & the Foxy Top are done with fitting...

I hand drafted these patterns in a size small ( 2/4). Then I sewed and fit tested 4 different samples per style. After getting the desired fit details and sewing construction, I graded both patterns to a size medium to confirm the grade and fit again.

Now it's time to carefully digitize the patterns on the computer so I can grade out to a whole size range and create PDF printable patterns :)

05/14/2026

05/12/2026

Make your own fabric weights!
I used slivers of brick, but pieces of tile also work. Then wrap them neatly with magazine covers.

04/08/2026

I sewed something pretty today - needed some joy.

This is a 1st sample of sewn from upcycled fabric. The scrap of silk I placed behind the label is dyed using oxalus or sour grass.

I used all clean finishes except for the bottom hymn which is left raw with a raw with 1/4" top stitching.

I need to sew a simpler second sample for an upcoming class . Thinking of using a lightweight linen as suggested in the pattern instructions ;)

03/29/2026

Coat:

The pattern is . I sewed it from upcycled quilted fabric. The exterior is linen while the interior is cotton velour, cozy to the skin :) 

The original pattern had a separate collar that had too sharp of collar point for me to finish nearly with bias binding. So I altered the pattern to have a rounded collar point. But alas, I was not able to pull off a beautiful sewn bias where the CF piece attached to the front collar, so I ended up eliminating the collar all together. This made for an easier finish that I am very happy with! 

In order to prevent the pocket bags from flapping around in the interior I ended up adding hand top stitching though to the exterior. Not only functional, but also a beautiful touch. 

In quilted fabric the bias cut elbow seams are bulky in a location I do not want extra stiffness. And the welted pockets are very fussy in quilted fabric. I would not sew this coat again in quilted fabric, but I do think it would be nice in a canvas!

Pants:

These are the wide leg (view A) pants. I sewed a size 4 for my 37.5 hip circumference which actually fit well, but next time, and I do plan to sew another pair, I'll add 2" to the frt/bk rise. 

I used a hemp/organic cotton fabric from Pickering International in SF. And to complement the vertical stripes, I changed the back pocket bags to rectangular, 6"W & 8.5"L with the stripes going horizontal, which I love!

I also added a 3" hem which weights the fabric well at the bottom of the wide leg - love this effect.

My main critique for this pant is that it should be a completely different name than the Chanterelle pant with pleats/cuff (view B). The hip circumference, rise length, outer leg shape, front pockets & leg width are all different on the two pant styles. It's confusing that both pants have the same name. I think they can be two different patterns with different names;) Nonetheless, I will be making both of them again!

03/22/2026

A pair of by using beautiful fabric purchased .sr in Santa Rosa, ca.

This is version B, but I'm modifying is to have front pockets same as version A.

02/27/2026

I originally purchased this fabric from to make a pair of adult pants. But after bringing it home I realized that it was too light weight.

Luckily it's the perfect fabric for the boxy top I'm currently patterning, providing a bit of drape while still holding some structure. I also think it will wear really nicely and become extra soft 💜

Once completed, this pattern will be used to teach one of my sewing classes .sr

02/25/2026

Use craft to make your clothing stand for something ❤️

Why "LOVE + RESIST"
1) I feel strongly about using love to counteract hate.
2) Webster's: Overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counter act or repel it.

I stopped scrolling IG yesterday afternoon to craft these words on a thrifted Pendleton vest. The letters are upcycled leather from the

Social media feels so heavy right now. But I believe that it's an important time in history to stay plugged in & aware of how the greater powers are shaping our future. If we the people do not stand in their way, it most likely will be a future we do not want. But sometimes it feels hard to know how to have an impact, how to voice your beliefs, other than "heart"-ing things you disagree with (which brings up a whole nother internal conflict for me).

I'm a child of the 80's. This was a decade when clothing brands broadcasted messaging, or brand names, on clothing. We were "walking billboards". Today, our garments still have the opportunity to share information. They are a blank canvas! But this time around, let's share our truths through positive messaging.

Where are your values?
Wear your values!

I understand that not everyone these days has the privilege of making their clothing stand out. But for those of us that do, it's a small contribution that can help bring the conversation from online to to the "real world". I often feel like online is an alternate universe paralleling the one I live day-to-day. It feels like an out of control reality TV show, or horror film, depending on where in the world the focus is zooming in on. Both of these scenarios go against my beliefs for human dignity and respect for our environment. So let's bring the conversation into our everyday lives 💜

Constructing garments from scratch takes a ton of time. But enhancing already existing garments takes much less time. This is a very accessible way to create clothing that carries a powerful message that doesn't take days to make. And if you don't own a sewing machine, you can stitch by hand or use embroidery. Or maybe channel the 90's by using safety pins to attach your words to a shirt.

02/22/2026

The mustard fields are in full bloom!

fabric: .sr
pant pattern:
shirt: sample still in progress

02/02/2026

Poncho Shirt class anyone...?

When I was teaching a sewing class yesterday .sr , a customer came in and said she had bought one of my garments several years back and that she still cherishes it and wears it to this day ❤️ Hearing her story made my heart sing! This is why, in my early twenties, I went to school for fashion design. But I always had a challenge with the word "fashion". It felt frivolous, and at that point I already knew the fashion industry was extremely wasteful and exploiting workers all over the world. For me, even when I was in school, I would say I was studying garment design, which felt more useful and grounded in the making of something we needed for survival - clothing. Instead of being frivolous adornments, which is most of fast fashion, clothing can enhance and ground us. I love the way that a garment can affect the way a person feels. A piece of clothing can rise someone up, make them feel confident, graceful, comfortable, and the list goes on...

Both the blue and mustard samples above are vintage! They are over 20 years old! If you look closely at the cotton tag, you can see that I hand stamped the word 'fennel'. This is a hand drafted pattern, by me. Upon inception, this design was named the "Poncho Shirt". I wore several samples myself, gave some away to friends, then made a small batch for and later when it was in the .

This is a lovely garment to sew from a mid weight wool. It layers nicely over a long sleeve shirt for winter months. Similar to a vest, it keeps your core warm while allowing your arms to move freely. The double layers of wool at the neckline add even more warmth. I currently have adult sizes S/M and M/L. I could be convinced to grade up to a XL/2X ;) On Tuesday 2/3, I'll drop off a sample .sr for fit testing & design review ;)

Let me know if you own a yourself, or if you're interested in joining a class in the next 2 months .
❤️