For the past two years, I’ve talked myself out of making and selling physical products. The margins are razor-thin, the logistics are complicated, and I’d spent enough time working in tech to know the difference between a real business and an expensive hobby with decent branding. So, I’ve kept writing this newsletter, creating short-form content, and selling exactly one digital pattern on Etsy, but I knew that wasn’t strategic or brave enough to scale.

I sat down at the beginning of the year and decided it was finally happening. I've always wanted to build a lifestyle brand with goods I could eventually design and manufacture at scale. But manufacturing requires capital, and capital requires revenue, and revenue requires starting somewhere. Patterns (yes, even one!) fund operations. A small drop funds for additional inventory. Inventory funds the eventual thing.

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Starting a new project feels like an ultra-seductive promise that often goes unkept.

I have a folder full of $7 patterns I bought just so I wouldn’t lose track of them. To me, buying one feels like buying a pack of gum. It’s borderline frictionless, almost free, and relatively easy to justify. I download the file (instant gratification), skim it, and tell myself I’ll source the fabric someday. Then there’s the sewing notions I bought on impulse and the fabric that looked so cute in the store but belongs absolutely nowhere in my house. I’ve scored thrift wins that were practically free and have sat untouched for years, because a score is a score, and anything under fifteen dollars doesn’t really count.

Promises, promises. None of those are really plans for starting anything, though. To a lot of sewists, shopping for the hobby is a hobby within itself. I’m ashamed it took quitting my job to understand that every single purchase has to justify itself, especially when running a small business. Dopamine shopping for fabric and patterns isn’t a quirk anymore, it’s a liability and I have to answer to the tax lords eventually. I had to get real honest with myself about what I was actually going to make, especially right now where I’m in the middle of a big inventory push for the summer and fall.

In my lifelong pursuit of discipline, I made a filter for myself. Here are eight questions I ask before I commit to any new project.

1. Do I already own something like this?

This sounds obvious until you realize how many versions of the same thing you own. I have several pairs of wide-leg denim pants. When I see a new pattern for wide-leg pants, I save it anyway—different pockets, slightly more structure, a barrel leg instead of a straight one. Technically, they’re different! Practically, they’re the same. The real question isn’t whether this is an exact duplicate of something you already have. It’s whether the things you already own are getting used, and if they are, why you’d reach for this version instead of those. If you can’t answer that, you don’t need it.

2. What will this actually look like in real life?

Marketing photos are a controlled environment, and I've learned not to make decisions based on controlled environments. Before I commit to anything, I go looking for real-world proof—hashtags, tagged photos, reviews, Reddit threads, videos of someone who bought it and actually used or made it. I want to see the pants on a body like mine, made in a material like the one I’d use, executed by someone at my skill level and maybe by someone above it.

3. Is this the right season to make it?

Think like the fashion industry, where you plan seasonally and work backward. When will you actually need this item? How much time can you realistically put into it between now and then? A winter coat you start in November is (probably) already late, and a summer dress you finish in August is a dress you wear twice before it gets cold.

That being said, sometimes the timeline is urgent and maybe a little irrational. I once made a dress in the middle of a Michigan winter because I needed something blue and fancy-ish that could survive Florida heat in two weeks. Nothing in any store nearby was going to be seasonally appropriate, and I wasn't about to spend $300 on a linen dress online or $30 on something I'd hate. So I made and wore it, and it was well worth the scramble.

Outside of the exceptions, the question is usually: Am I starting early enough that it’s ready when I actually need it? If the answer is no, be honest about whether you’re okay shelving it until next year.

4. What is this actually going to cost me?

Not just the materials, I mean all of it, like the special hardware you’ll have to order or the extra weekend when the first attempt doesn’t work. There’s always one late night when you’re deciphering instructions that assume you already know three things nobody told you. Every project has hidden costs. If you’re not accounting for the full price, including time, money, energy, and frustration, you’re not actually committed. You’re just deciding to start, which is also okay.

5. Do I have what I need, or do I have to hunt for it?

The projects I actually finish are almost always the ones where I can start immediately. I can’t help it, I’m impulsive! The projects I stall out on are the ones where I’m waiting on something, like a specific fabric or a particular tool. Hunting and gathering is almost like its own project inside the project. If you don’t have what you need and you’re not sure when you will, be honest about whether that’s a reason to wait or a reason to let it go.

6. Do I trust the source?

If I’ve used a pattern designer’s work before, I know what I’m getting. I know whether their instructions make sense, whether their sizing runs true, and whether they assume knowledge they’re not going to give you. If I haven’t, I’m gambling. The same applies to recipes, tutorials, courses, and any creative project where you’re following someone else’s lead. Much like question #2, look for proof before you commit.

7. What’s the boring middle?

Every project has one. The part where the excitement has worn off, and maybe you're just doing the same thing over and over, or you’re just stuck. A popular term for this is called the Valley of Despair,1 a project phase I know intimately. Most abandoned projects aren't abandoned at the beginning. They're abandoned in the middle, when the honeymoon period is over and what's left is just the work. If you can identify what the tedious part is before you start, you can decide whether you're actually willing to travel through it.

8. Is this a skill stretch that excites me, or one that’ll make me quit?

I like starting projects that are just outside of my skill level. It’s incredibly satisfying to work through new problems and come out the other side with a finished product… and something I’ve learned. Hands-on learning just clicks with my brain, which makes this a reliable way to add skills to my toolkit.

But I’m also honest with myself about the skills I know I wouldn’t enjoy. I keep getting the itch to try woodworking. I want nice things for my house, and I like the idea of making them myself. Like, how hard can it be? But I know the reality. Woodworking makes a huge mess, and it’s a significant financial investment in tools before you’ve made a single thing. I once painted an IKEA side table and thought, “This was absolutely not worth it, and this isn’t for me.”

There’s a huge difference between a challenge that excites you and one that’s going to make you quit halfway through, and knowing which is which isn’t a weakness or a failure. It means you know and trust yourself to stay in the lanes that make you happiest.

so, what’s in your saves anyway?

I talk a great game, but I still have a project wishlist. I keep these organized in Notion with all the tags, statuses, and whistles, so I can easily peruse them when I have the bandwidth to start something. Here are the 12 patterns I’m keeping close →

Snow Top by Jules Smit
This pattern I had printed in large format, and it’s practically ready to start. I have enough fabric, I just need to commit. I love the silhouette and can see it being a staple throughout the year, especially for northern summers when days can lean nippy.

Rebel Jumpsuit by Daughter Judy
I purchased this one with the Coes for its voluminous look and dress/romper blend.

Adelphi Top by Sa Sews
After hemming and hawing over what to do with leftover denim yardage, I realized this pattern was a no-brainer. As I’ve learned more about proportions and styling, I like a top that doesn’t sit right at my hips, and the boat neck creates really nice visual balance. I’m envisioning this as a perfect matching set with my Coe trousers, and I feel much more confident working with denim now!

Mistral Asymmetric Top by Isa in Stitches
This is a very close second to the Adelphi Top as a match for my Coes, but. I don’t think the heavyweight denim is going to play nicely. Still, I could see this looking really cute with mismatched buttons, as some ladies have done.

Fran Pajamas by Core Fabrics
I really, really want a set of luxury pajamas. But in true “I can make that” fashion, I saw the Fran Pajamas patterns and knew those fit the bill. Tailored, crisp, classy—chefs kiss.

Autumn Pullover by Ozetta
Including this one in the roundup because in my absolutely deranged mind, I thought I’d be able to knit this. And maybe one day I will! But I caved and got the Babaa during their sale, so this one will sit on the back burner. I do agree with the internet; it looks like the perfect dupe.

Julia Dress by HubbaDing
I’ve had this dress saved for a while, and I just keep meaning to thrift the perfect bedsheets to make it with. This lives in an adjacent luxury pajama-land, the more feminine, flouncy, Victorian-esque era kind.

Slouchy Bow Bag by Faye Studios
One of my first TikTok maker follows, I was obsessed with this bag and its cute bow ties. It’s giving Damson Madder in a more minimal way, though you could go wild with the fabric and make something really fun.

Ornella Top by Spaghetti Western Sewing
’s Ornella Top is a social media darling, as are most of her patterns. This top with the bralette detail is so fun, so summery, I’m saving this one in my back pocket for one of those impulse makes, because I think it would come together relatively quickly.

New Year’s Kiss Quilt Pattern by Toad & Sew
My OG quilt save—the one I saw on Instagram and immediately kicked me down my sewing frenzied path. I will make it… one day.

Now show me yours. I’d love to know what projects or patterns you have saved. Drop what they are in the comments and let us know what you love about them.

Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you use them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work that keeps this studio running!

Back in December, when a certain celebrity’s mountain home was featured in Architectural Digest, I immediately went hunting for the credits.

Who was responsible for this obnoxiously impeccable curation that made a new build feel like it had been there forever? Heidi Caillier, of course. It’s a feat I’m constantly trying to recreate myself—though without the help and eye of an interior designer, I suspect it mostly comes down to time and slow curation.

In several of the AD photos, I spotted quilted pieces and squealed a bit. There was a blanket here, a throw pillow there. I was curious about where they had been sourced or who had made them.

To my very pleasant surprise, there, buried in a blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it caption, was a credit to the artist. Today, anyone can get a mass-produced quilt from just about any home goods store (another quilt featured in the home was from Bode), so I was impressed that the design studio still went out of its way to commission custom pieces. I immediately searched up Nissa’s name, and upon landing on her Instagram, I reached out without a second thought or even much of a real plan.

Her world of warm, nostalgic patterns immediately resonated with me. Like, this is everything I hope my own quilts and work might look like over time and with more experience. Like with interiors, it’s not the easiest formula to replicate. Nissa’s work is transportive, using color and patterns to remind you of another era, all while still being firmly planted in the present.

I wanted to know more about her, her process, and the way she thinks about quilting. And, of course, I wanted to share that with you! I suspect this will be the first of many studio visits—I’m so glad Nissa was kind enough to take the time and offer up her beautiful work and words with us, especially as the first Studio Visit guest of honor. Enjoy!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.
I live in a colorful little pattern-filled home with my 16-year-old, on Mercer Island, just East of Seattle. Although I’m well set up at home for endless hand sewing, the bulk of my work happens in my West Seattle quilting studio, where I keep a thirty-year-strong collection of textiles. For the past few years, I’ve focused solely on commissions, though this year I plan to expand my offering with quilts to purchase outright. It’s a rich and exciting time, and production is well underway.

How do you describe the kind of quilts you make—the mood, the materials, and the world they live in?
In addition to quilting cotton, a single quilt may contain squares cut from vintage clothing, bedding, drapery, table linens, silk scarves… I also use fabrics from my mother’s vast collection (the greatest gift I’ve ever received), as well as beloved fabrics from both of my grandmothers.

My quilts live in the world of memory, in concept and construction. Similar to how memories repeat, so do the colors and patterns I select, with great consideration. And just as memory tells one story in many ways, my aim is to make quilts that do much the same. While a specific pattern, say a late 1960’s floral, might spark a memory, its placement in a quilt can feel entirely aspirational. I find nothing more engaging than simple, square patchwork. My practice is an endless study of what sits side by side. This color next to that. That pattern next to this. It’s about adjacency, repetition, and wonder. A relationship that unfolds over time.

How did you arrive at quilting? Do you have any personal or family connections to the craft? Have you always made art in some form?
When I was a teenager, I watched my mother dedicate herself to quilt-making. At the time we lived in central Vermont, the winters of which couldn’t be more perfect for any ‘sit and sew’ endeavor. Her love and labor over fabric choices, challenging piecing, and hand binding easily wove its way into the culture of our family. In my early twenties, we made a quilt together for a dear friend. I can still hear her soft voice and clear instruction, start to finish. Shortly after, I studied apparel and residential design, both of which sat on the foundation of quilt making. I’ve always been in love with ‘home,’ in structure and in theory. And clothing, for its practicality and theatrics alike. Though it’s the river that runs under life itself that really gets me. What it means to love and lose, and how we continue. Quilts come from and return, to that river.

Is there a part of the quilting process that you wish people talked about more?
Several of my commissions have been made with family textiles. So many of us have clothing and textile home objects from loved ones passed. Often with no clear idea of what to do with them. Cherished boxes in the basement with uncertain fates bring mixed feelings. Turning these items into quilts isn’t a new idea. Though I do think we have an opportunity to do much, much more of this. It’s not just about turning a shirt into a quilt. Rather, inviting inheritance into our daily lives. To experience continuity. Today.

What’s something you hope people feel when they see your work for the first time?
When someone comes across my quilts for the first time, they may point to one square and say, ‘This one reminds me of grandma’s kitchen.’ I hope this is just the beginning. Memory isn’t just about the past; it holds the present and points forward, if we listen. Quilts hold yesterday, today, and tomorrow, while remaining entirely useful. How beautiful is that?

Your aesthetic has this rich, layered quality that sits in the same world as Bode or Pierce + Ward (and of course, Heidi’s). It feels warm, patterned, and nostalgic. Where does that sensibility come from for you?
When I walk into a room, or a shop, or a restaurant, I want it to surround me. To eat me up. I crave spaces alive with color and texture. An entire world to sink into. Perhaps it was my paternal grandmother’s bedroom that really hooked me. Wrapped in palm tree wallpaper, with a sit-under-hair-dryer perched in the corner. An invite was unthinkably exciting. We sat on her bed and ate toast. One time, she brought me into her closet full of colorful caftans and costume jewelry. I’d only known her to wear simple trousers and a white button-up. But there it was. The wardrobe of her past. Present and powerful. Nudging me onward.

//

Be sure to follow Nissa’s work on Instagram →

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This month: Grab a warm drink. We're going to the Alps. We’re dreaming about retro ski and après culture and how we might bring this to our quilts and makes. Inside, you'll find the moodboard, trip highlights and recommendations from Megève and Chamonix, and things I want to be making right now.

Little ol’ Miami-born-and-raised me would have never believed you if you told me I’d be skiing as much as I am now or willingly choosing to live this close to Canada. See, I didn’t experience winter or snow until I was 18, when our high school senior trip set out for Montreal. I was introduced to what’s now a forever favorite, poutine, along with some version of beginner skiing known as “pizza”. Mostly, I made snow angels and just… played (along with a lot of black and brown kids who had also never seen snow before).

Right off the bat, let’s be so for real—the sport is wholly inaccessible. My family didn’t have the means to go on any kind of ski or snow vacation growing up. We stuck to Florida-discounted Disney parks and quiet beach cottage vacations on the Gulf, which was very exciting to us city folk who were used to a very crowded South Beach.

I gave skiing another try in my mid-twenties, where I ate shit so bad on a powder day somewhere in Colorado. The fall triggered a full-on panic attack, and a very young ski patrol bro escorted me down to the nearest lift that would allow me to ride back down, by myself, in shame. I vowed never to go skiing again. I was too adult, too stiff, too scared, and it just wasn’t worth the potential injury. I was a Floridian after all, and the Caribbean gal in me was certain this Type 2 Fun danger shit was absolutely NOT it.

As life would have it, I ended up marrying someone who was practically born skiing. I thought I’d be let off the hook entirely, but I didn’t want to be left out of all the fun. And, I had just moved to Utah! Eventually, I agreed to some lessons so I wouldn’t stay home sulking (and so Ben didn’t have to teach me… we had both seen enough couples in fights and tears). I slowly improved over time, got over my panic and fear, and learned to control my speed. We traveled around to Jackson Hole, Breckenridge, and all the Salt Lake City-adjacent resorts. Living out west spoils you because everything about skiing is significantly cheaper when you live in the foothills. It’s even cheaper now in the Midwest, if you’re okay with trading out huge mountains and long runs.

Then there’s my personal favorite part of skiing, the après. That’s what will really do you in, if you’re a retired party girl like myself. Nothing hits quite like an Aperol spritz or a crispy beer on a sunny, bluebird day with vibey house music playing on the loudspeaker. I don’t even like beer! Okay, so you don’t drink? Neither does my husband. Have a crispy Diet Coke, a lil’ espresso, or a non-alcoholic beer/cocktail. Sprinkle in the Upper Peninsula’s sauna culture to the mix, and winter suddenly became something to look forward to.

Ben cashes in his daddy bucks annually and allocates a ski trip to go chase that mountain high the Midwest just can’t provide. Fine! But we agreed to go as a family once our boys started skiing. And that day finally arrived.

Early on, we committed to teaching them to ski in hopes we’d avoid the hockey circuit that is so popular up north. While the jury is still out, I’d say being a ski family has been enjoyable so far. It took a few years of physical effort—schlepping the boys to the local hill, paying for group lessons, and toddler meltdowns of epic proportions. Again, all much more affordable where we live, plus there are lots of great gear hand-me-downs available through the local community.

We finally reached the magical moment when they became surprisingly self-sufficient and could ski greens, blues, and beyond with relative ease, and we were confident they could make the trek. They leave me in the dust, but that’s ok, I’m comfortable skiing slowly behind them.

And so we just returned from the Alps for skiing, which included a short and sweet visit to Paris to meet up with my friend and her family. This was our first long-haul trip as a family! The boys did great despite the expected jet lag. For skiing, we stuck to Megève (Mont d’Arbois/ Mont Joux) and Chamonix (Brévent-Flégère), flying in and out of the Geneva airport.

@alexestclinetook our kids to the alps 🇫🇷✨ now I need to catch up to them! #frenchalps #familytravel #chamonixmontblanc #megeve

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I had started pulling this retro ski moodboard a few weeks before we left, but being there helped bring it all into focus. And so we continue the story of appreciating winter for itself. Not that this was totally surprising, but I was struck by the way people dressed (like they actually cared) and the way places felt (cozy, textured)—nothing overly luxurious or glitzy but definitely more considered and intentional. I mean, what can I say? It’s very… je ne sais quoi, a little joie de vivre, very… French.

The vintage-Euro-retro ski fashion aesthetic is not unique in having its seemingly annual moment, with brands like J.Crew creating limited edition collections in partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the H&M x Perfect Moment collab. Is it overdone? Maybe. But for this now-northerner, it’s giving just enough to get us through until Spring.

Consider this your key to the chalet, friends. Let’s get into the moodboard with a heavy side serving of trip recommendations—like the skiing, the food, and places worth seeking out—plus a Stash Report full of quilt patterns, what I brought back from France, and how strategically I packed for the trip.

Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you use them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work that keeps this studio running!

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“What’s the worst that can happen?”

I asked my seven-year-old this on our way up to the top of his first downhill ski race (slalom, if anyone cares). He’s my cautious one—pensive, anxious, and feels at ease once he’s mapped out every possible scenario before doing hard things. Meanwhile, his five-year-old brother, the youngest kid in the entire race, had already sent it down the hill without a care in the world.

Nico thought for a moment and finally said, “I could fall.”

Okay. And what happens when you fall?

“I get back up.”

Ding-ding! I told him even Olympians fall. Noah was taking the advice in, too. Before the next race, he repeated it back to his brother, unprompted, “Yeah, Nico! Even professionals fall!”

Nico ended up skiing very slowly and carefully, gradually gaining his confidence and speed by the final run. Noah did great, considering most kids in his group were 7 years old. He had wiped out mid-course, popped back up, and finished to cheers.

So I’ve been asking myself the same question. What’s the worst that can happen when the falling is public, and the people watching are people you know?

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This month: we’re covering stars, tarot, and finding your creative direction. Inside, you'll find a reflection guide for 2026, the full celestial quilting moodboard and Stash Report, and downloadable backgrounds.

I debated making a quilting moodboard this month because, if I’m being honest, I haven’t been doing much quilting. My making has been consistent but scattered, with knitting taking center stage due to its portability. Quilting usually demands trips to the sewing cave, and I wasn’t willing to pull super late nights during the busy holiday season.

And gone are the days when I would spend most of December figuring out what the next year should look like. I used to start planning resolutions and goals, reflecting back to figure out a way forward. December is already too chaotic—I prefer to focus on family, with January feeling way more like a calm, clarifying time to find your bearings without setting unrealistic aspirations.

Below you’ll find some navigational prompts, but be gentle with yourself! We’re still hibernating creatures! At least my house is quiet again, and I can hear myself think enough to do some light intention setting.

revisiting the sawtooth star

Last year, I decided on a variation of the sawtooth star as the main branding icon for Well Pressed. Not the most original choice, I know, but quilting has always been about shared vocabulary. You see the same blocks passed down through the years, reinterpreted, and made new with different fabrics and by different hands. Stars are beacons within our community.

For mine, I intentionally manipulated the points and proportion, imagining a sawtooth star stretching and reaching outward. It’s sharp and looks a little ominous, protective of its small core. Maybe slightly Sagittarius-coded: spiky exterior, soft and tender inside—if you’re lucky enough to get that close.

the star card

As I kept circling around stars, I kept landing in the same place: my tarot deck. I am, by all accounts, a tarot girlie. I’ve been getting readings since college, with my last one being in the ever-mystical town of Sedona. I just love the way tarot prompts you to reflect on what’s going on in your life, to look for patterns or connect dots that weren’t visible before. It makes for a great group activity if you use it like We’re Not Really Strangers, where you go a little less fortune-telling and more towards intentional reflection.

In tarot, The Star appears after The Tower as the first calm, structured moment after everything falls apart.

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I will take any chance I…

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As an insufferable Sagittarius, my birthday also happens to land 6 days before the big day. After a lifetime of Decembers, I’ve grown used to everyone being too busy, heading off for travel, prepping, gift shopping, wrapping, and attending corporate parties. I’ve learned to downplay my birthday so much that I don’t even enjoy celebrating it. I think my fellow late December sags might agree.

I know, I know! “Poor little 36-year-old who has everything her heart desires!” But let a gal have some fun. Gift guides always assume we’re shopping for an entire village, when in reality, many of us have maybe two or three people to buy for. My husband and I aren’t even doing gifts this year—we chose a February family trip instead. Consider this more of a personal wish-list-slash-inspiration board that you’re welcome to steal from.

Part of why I even have a wish list right now is because TikTok keeps pushing that “things I’d ask for for Christmas if I didn’t already own them” trend on the fyp, which I love, in theory. However, I’ve been on a relatively low-buy streak after quitting my corporate job and building a house, two extremely privileged life events that still came with real financial trade-offs. I hate to break this to anyone who thinks Well Pressed and my content creation life is printing money: it definitely has not replaced my tech salary. My shopping has basically been business-related stuff (fortunately, fabric counts here) kid stuff, groceries, and free-range thrifting.

I actually do keep a sort of running wish list in Notion, thanks to my genius, stylish, and econ-savvy friend Brittney. I know Erika Veurink of Long Live also keeps some version of the same. Letting something live on the list for a while is very telling—some desires disappear almost immediately, others stick around and earn their keep. It’s a well-known tactic that has actually changed my spending habits. You can duplicate mine for free below.

Get the Notion Template

So, I’m going through the gift guides and building my hypothetical Santa list, having a pure, unadulterated, unhinged add-to-cart and close-the-tab moment. “Wow, that’s actually a great sale,” then I shut the dang laptop.

If you’re new here, I’m Alex. I’m a mom, sewist, quilter, designer, serial hobbyist, etc. I get easily distracted, and I often let the laundry pile up in favor of making things. Living in a rural area, I have limited access to anything new, cute, or trendy. There is no street style—I rely on the internet for the general cultural zeitgeist. Maybe this list will give you a better sense of who I am, or maybe it will inspire you to make your own and hand it to Santa, your partner, your mom, your kids… or just to keep as a 2026 shopping list for future you.

Some of the links below may be affiliate links. If you use them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work that keeps this studio running!

Daughter Judy - Coe Trouser Sewing Pattern
Starting strong with something that’s actually in my cart, whoops! This might be, singlehandedly, the most flattering pant make on the internet. At least that’s what I’m going into it believing. I already mentioned these in the Winter Moodboard, but they deserve a second mention. I’m waiting for her winter pattern drop before finalizing my cart.

Handi Quilter - Moxie XL
I didn’t say this list was going to be realistic, did I? If you want to talk darkest, deepest desires, this is it. I want a long arm machine so bad, I know it would fix me! I have to believe this is in my future, but I have to be patient. It’s been on my list for practically two years now. Initiating lucky girl syndrome, stat.

Dansko - Professional Clog
A good studio shoe that feels put together, chic (I know, they’re ugly), and gives some dang support. I feel I’m missing this in my dream “studio uniform” where I’m wearing free-flowing me-made linens and bathed in sunlight, as opposed to the more common scene, where I’m in the basement being a goblin in leggings or pajamas. I’ll get there, eventually. When I feel cute, I get less angry at my sewing machine.

Ganni - Crinkled Check Long Dress
This is a bit of a cheat to include in this section, but I’m going to let you in on a secret. I bought this beautiful, lightweight cotton fabric at Mood that has this vibe in a different color, and I want to make a dupe of this dress. I just… haven’t quite figured out how yet. I’m confident I can do it, though—and for less than a cool $455. Because, I’m sorry, what??!!!! And the material is what??? Recycled polyester??!? My crashout is valid.

Cohana - Magnetic Spool Pin Holder
I have one very basic magnetic pin dish, and it’s simply not enough. Having a few of these around the studio would reduce unnecessary back and forth, as well as the occasional stepping on pins.

Madam Sew - Electric Fabric Scissors
Probably unnecessary for quilting, but I definitely see the appeal of having these on hand for some larger quantity production work and garment-making.

Rick Rubin - The Creative Act
One of those books I’ve thumbed through every time I’m at the book store but just feels like it should be a gift from someone else. I collect hardcover “coffee table” books, and this belongs in my collection. Also nice to see Rick Rubin on Substack sharing little excerpts from the book.

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Normcore - Spring-Loaded Tamper
Ever since snagging a Breville, I’ve gotten obnoxiously into espresso. The thing is, the Breville was steep. And as I learned more about espresso-making, I realized there are a million accessories to upgrade the experience. In fact, let’s throw this whole bundle in, because I’m working with nothing right now—a tamping mat would be the bare minimum, since I’m using dish rags to tamp at the moment.

notNeutral - Lino Latte Cup & Saucer
I love my fancy stonewear mugs, but I’m convinced the larger surface area this will make my latte art better. I’ve got three months of practice down, and I am definitely improving—I take a photo of my latte every day. It’s not bad, but it’s not good.

Lazy Jamie - Wakeup Call Espresso Set
If we’re being honest, I want this engraved for the ~vibes~. Maybe it can say “cafecito” or “cafe cline” or something cheesy, for the Live Laugh Love of it all. This may just stay on the wish list forever, and that’s okay.

Bialetti - Stainless Steel Induction Plate
Ben really wanted an induction stove, which rendered my cafetera useless. This induction plate solves for that, so I can get my Cuban coffee going.

Ceramic Colada Espresso Set
How many espresso sets are too many? Trick question! I love this ceramic colada set, meant to mimic the styrofoam and plastic little cups you get at any Miami ventanita.

Estelle Colored Glass - Champagne Coupe Stemware
Martini glasses have been on my list forever, but I haven’t been able to commit to any I find at the thrifts. I do prefer the shape of a coupe (less tippy/spilly, IMO), which has been harder to find. These glasses have some insanely beautiful colors, color-blocking, iridescents—it’s hard to choose. As an alternative, these dot coupes are a very strong runner-up.

Le Crueset - 8-Qt. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Does Le Crueset need an introduction? I just want to start my collection. That’s all!

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Diptyque - L’eau Papier
One of those things I’d never actually buy for myself but have lusted over for years. “…celebrates a creative encounter, a moment of suspension in which hand, ink and the blank sheet are as one. A gentle, hazy cocoon - and an invitation to create.” Ok, maybe it sounds a little AI, but I’m sold. In a world where I had money to burn, this would be a blind buy.

Nécessaire - The Body Duo
When did being basic become a crime? I love smelling good. I love sensorial experiences. Everything is tied to scent, and I want that to happen every single day in the shower.

Saltair Driftwoods Essentials Set
I’m a Saltair Deodorant truther—it’s the only deodorant that allowed me to switch over from aluminum, and I like to shout it from the rooftops. It’s basically a serum for your underarms; it smells amazing, and the AHA helps correct dark areas. This set includes the deodorant, body wash, & body oil in the new driftwood scent collection. Drool.

Crown Affair - Shampoo & Conditioner & Leave-in Conditioner
Color me influenced by the internet and social media. I usually use very cheap drugstore shampoo. This would be a little luxury, and I’m sure my hair would be pleased.

Chunks - Nimbus Claw in Malachite
I became entranced with Mia Goth’s costumes in Del Toro’s Frankenstein, especially the green malachite dress. This clip is a nod to that same vibe—I have one other Chunks clip and guard it with my life. Literally the best hair clip I’ve ever owned. Side note: this Harper’s Bazaar interview with costume designer Kate Hawley is incredible.

DÔEN - Lucilia Nightgown
Ah, to float around my house in a nightgown, distressed, holding a candle to light my way and check on the vampire zombie ghost I’ve crossed paths with… a girl can dream. I’ve clearly been influenced by the resurgence of modern gothics. The night gown is definitely one of those “I know I can probably make this” items, but I’m not about to act like receiving one would be a burden.

Salomon XT-6 Goretex
I’m going to go out on a limb and say these would actually be useful here in the UP. I know they’ve been trending for years now, but I pride myself on not immediately jumping on the trend train and letting things sit on my mentals for a minute. I have the benefit of avoiding bigger, metropolitan-esque fashion pressure and not having immediate access to the items I’m tempted by. All that to say, I want the dang sneakers.

Babaa - Navy Jumper
Well, I’m certainly not going to knit one myself, given that I’ve been working on the Sophie Hood for damn near a year (it’s not my primary hobby, I took a lot of breaks, okay?). And it will probably cost more in materials alone. I’ve never regretted spending money on a good sweater, so I’d like to add this heirloom-quality one to the collection.

Whew! Wish lists are fun, but here’s the part I don’t usually talk about. Let’s get into the decision-making framework—a loose system I use to figure out what’s worth it, what’s not, and what belongs on a long-term list instead of in my cart.

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Happy Friday! The weekend is finally at our doorstep, and I’m ready for a little R&R.

It’s been a busy week in the Well Pressed world. Behind the scenes, I’ve been building some of the infrastructure I’ve wanted for a long time, and today I finally get to share it. Consider this a mini reset and a check-in with the people who keep this engine running (you!).

Before we get into today’s update, a small milestone: Well Pressed hit #17 Rising in Art & Illustration today. What?! I’m honestly floored. The timing feels spot-on, because today’s Dispatch is all about building the foundation for what’s next.

I’ve desperately wanted to dedicate a little home for the smaller, more practical pieces I could create and offer. The last year has been chock-full of making, but I have been scattered. A lot of little tools and ideas have been sitting around collecting dust.

In an effort to begin consolidating and amassing some of this work, The Library is officially open. Step inside! You’ll find a growing set of studio extras. Think: downloadable tools, worksheets, templates, resources, bundles, and other pieces that support and inspire consistent creative practice.

And while I focus mainly on quilting and sewing, my goal is to eventually have a little something for everyone. It’s a modest start, but I’ll be adding to it regularly.

study of steps

One of the first additions is something many of you followed in real time: the Study of Steps project. Maybe you’re tired of hearing about it, but for now it’s my magnum opus. Sorry!

The block study has been refreshed and re-designed into a mini pattern of sorts for intermediate quilters, complete with the block breakdown, measurements, fabric requirements, new color palette ideas, and a printable coloring page. I had been wanting to do this for so long—I’m glad to finally get it into your hands.

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First off, I’m beyond excited to announce a lil’ collaboration with Daughter Judy’s The Bulletin Board for their annual Holiday Reader.

Daughter Judy is a design-driven pattern collection whose mission is to infuse intention int…

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I love some good ol’ fashioned spooky stuff, which is probably why I find myself returning to moodboarding this month. It’s just so… easy. There are so many visuals to work with—dark, deep, gory, mystical, harvest-y, witchy, ethereal, ghostly.

Our black-barn house made the perfect backdrop for Halloween this year. To balance the seriousness of a…

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Hi friends,

I’m patting myself on the back for showing up when I said I would. It’s the little things! I’ve been looking forward to this week’s letter and have a few fun updates to share. Most days, it feels like I’m not making any progress at all, but writing these short notes helps me realize there is some forward momentum.

This week’s letter will be …

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Dear friends,

I have to admit, I became daunted by the task of creating a new quilt moodboard every month, complete with all the trimmings and goodies. There were some months I could swing it and other months I simply couldn’t. I love making a good, sprawling moodboard, so they will come! I’m thinking moving towards a seasonal pace feels more sustainable…

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I have pulle…

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I initially recoiled at the thought of butter yellow trending, probably because that was the go-to interior paint color in the early 90s. It’s grown on me a bit, either by influence or by sheer, hopeful optimism.

It’s “spring” here in the UP, which means gray skies 95% of the time, maybe snow, maybe rain, and lots of slushy melt. We occasionally get the elusive and euphoric spring day, where we all bathe in sunshine and convince ourselves that the 50-degree weather is here to stay… this time, I’m sure of it!

But April continues to fool, and a fool’s spring is what we get (but not what we deserve!).

I always sit to write these newsletters while feeling so behind. I continue to write about it because it continues to be my reality, but I’m aware that it can sound whiny.

March was relentless for us. My husband, Ben, went on his annual ski trip, leaving me solo parenting for about ten days. During that time, Marquette was hit by a huge snowstorm, so the kids had two snow days in a row. Ben returned and immediately had to leave on an unexpected work trip right before our trip to Florida for my sister’s wedding… I solo-traveled with the boys, and he did eventually make it to the wedding! Then we had spring break, another snow day—I managed to keep up with some video content, at least.

My pattern writing class has been on the back burner, but I’m hustling to finish up one more promised quilt. I’m planning a photoshoot for two quilts, then a shipping day for them both.

I wrote about my wall hanging design and construction process in February’s moodboard. I really believed I was the only person who found these pixel letters cute, but as it turns out, that project led to my first true commission.

Jacqueline, who is opening Mome Studios, a pilates and barre studio, in South Portland, Maine, reached out and wanted their slogan on a mini quilt! Of course, I said yes. The brand matched up perfectly with the brief: a quirky, folksy quilted wall hanging to match their new space. I was honestly shook when I saw her recent update with the sign painting, and I can’t wait to see the wall hanging in its new home.

I don’t know if I will continue doing commissions. If I do, I’ll be super selective and take on projects like these where I can remain genuinely excited about what I’m making, push my skills, and still deliver a quality product.

Any quilter or sewist can tell you that these projects take a lot of time to design and create, and the truth is… the economics of it don’t make much sense in the end. Most folks are still used to fast-fashion pricing (even with bigger manufacturers like Schoolhouse), so it’s tough to strike a balance between client and customer expectations and realistic, fair pricing.

That being said, I’m glad we were able to squeeze this one in on a tight timeline, even with everything I had going on. It gave me a new appreciation for this banana cream yellow from AGF. Swoon. It never photographed quite right, but it was the perfect yellow—not too baby, not too creamy, not too buttery, not too banana. The color lives somewhere in between.

color as practice

Give yourself permission to trend-chase with this one. I’m trying to get better at seeing possibility before evidence, warmth before confirmation. A true optimist doesn't need perfect conditions to begin, I know that, logically. But it is a practice, not a switch. I'm unlearning habits ingrained from years in corporate life, where immediate critique was valued over what might come of something.

the psychology of anticipation

Researchers have found that anticipation triggers dopamine release in the brain, sometimes more powerfully than getting the thing we're waiting for. It's why planning a vacation can be as satisfying as taking it. This "anticipatory joy" has concrete benefits—it improves mood, enhances resilience during difficult times, and helps with creative thinking. We're neurologically wired to find satisfaction in anticipation.

When working with yellow during these gray days, it kind of feels like I’m hacking my own happiness system. It’s freezing outside, but I’m bringing spring indoors with my fabric choices… a cognitive dissonance I can get behind.

the stash report

Caitlin from Feral Notions was kind enough to send me a ton of goodies, as well as a gift for all my internet friends: 20% off with code WELLPRESSED20 (cue screaming!!!).

Her products just speak to my soul and make me so happy to have scattered about my messy af studio. I’m rounding up some of the favorites I unboxed from her package, as well as other cute things I have my eye on. The following are not affiliate links, I genuinely just love her brand and products.

@alexestclinei’ll say CUTE as many times as i want to!! get 20% OFF of the cutest quilt supplies in existence with WELLPRESSED20 on feralnotions.com 🍅🌹 @Feral Notions #gifted #quilting #sewing #quilttok

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• Fish Binding Spool: I love this thing so much, I made an entire video about it. Its dumbfounded face, the iridescence… 10/10 no notes, you need this.

• Seam Roller: this legitimately saved me so much time while making that commission piece. I was piecing together hundreds of 1” wide squares and rectangles, and I was able to breeze through them by rolling the seams open at my desk.

• Retro Flower Thread Cutter: For cutting chain piecing in style. The acrylic color combo is *chefs kiss*.

• Mini Machine Build Kit: Speaking of the acrylic color combo above… I saw another creator purchase this, and now I’m influenced. Cute little gift for the sewist in your life.

• Tomato Pop-up Ruler Handle: I already popped this bambino this on my main ruler because I’m obsessed. It’s like a pop-socket for your ruler. I kind of want one for my phone now.

Okay, Substack is officially cutting me off. Until next time!

xx

AEC

Some links above may be affiliate links. If you were to purchase anything through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting my work and dreams of one day turning crafts into a paying gig. 🤍

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Last night's belated Valentine's celebration was very us. We went for a casual dinner at a bar restaurant and live music at our favorite brewery. My husband and I have never been big “Valentine’s Day” people—not because we snub our noses at it, but because of our early long-distance days and Ben’s ski season schedule, the holiday usually fell by the way…

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Early in November-ish, I stumbled across ’s wonderfully curated fashion pulls and felt so cool and validated for gravitating towards baby blues for the cold days ahead. After leaving New York in 2014, my never-quite-there it-girl factor that relied on street style scouting began its steady decline—my reliance on the internet for breadcrumbs of trends an…

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We all know that person who seems to find the perfect gift every time. To be honest, I usually get lost in the hunt for something just right until time runs out. That's why I'm excited to finally share Well Pressed's inaugural gift guide—composed with enough time to shop and curated with intention.

I wanted to create something that celebrates different moments throughout the quilting journey, whether you're shopping for someone who's just eyeing their first project or already has a fabric stash that rivals the local shop. You'll find thoughtfully chosen items across price points, mixing beloved small makers with trusted bigger brands. Each section includes gifts that honor both the technical and creative aspects of the craft.

And if you're not a quilter yourself but know someone who might be falling down that rabbit hole, don't worry—I've got you covered, too.

Some links above may be affiliate links. If you were to purchase anything through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting my work and my dreams of one day turning crafts into a paying gig. 🤍