Sewing, patterns, and fabric obsession

Sew Lomo

# Modifying the Grafton dress pattern

I started off my Grafton dress journey making a sample garment for the bodice/top. I quickly discovered that while the pattern is suitable for curvy figures, it needs modifications for a curvy on the bottom, athletic on the top physique.

I originally sized myself as a size 6, which should have worked for the waist and the bust. What I didn't count on was that my shoulders and arms were too big for armholes. My test garment used a stretchy poly knit with only 10% stretch, which made the overall effect a bit constrained across my chest and not particularly forgiving. For my next approach, I moved to a stretchier floral fabric with more that 25% stretch and cut the pattern to a size 8.

![](/images/Screenshot%202025-02-14%20at%205.23.34%E2%80%AFPM.png)

Floral fabric with 25% stretch

![](/images/Screenshot%202025-02-14%20at%205.23.59%E2%80%AFPM.png)


Cashmerette Grafton Dress

## Designing the ultimate jacket

My ultimate sewing goal has always been to create the perfect all weather jacket for San Francisco. It must block wind and provide a cozy shelter while still being packable and breathable. The Beachcomber jacket with the lined interior and the option for a hood seemed to fit the ticket.

I purchased 9 ounce American made twill from Etsy in dark navy and lightweight microfleece from Polartec in tomato red ordered from Seattle.

![](/images/Screenshot%202025-02-14%20at%205.23.41%E2%80%AFPM.png)


A journey in adapting a men's jacket to fit my physique.

Friday Pattern Company Beachcomber jacket


If you're using **Next.js** and **Netlify**, you’re tapping into a powerhouse combination for fast, reliable, and scalable web applications. 

**This is an example post. There's another one [here](/posts/example-post-1).**

Here’s why they work so well together:

1. **Seamless Deployment**: With Netlify’s Git-based deployment, pushing updates to a Next.js site is automatic and effortless. Every change pushed to GitHub or GitLab triggers a fresh build and deploys your site without any manual effort, perfect for fast-paced projects.

2. **Static and Dynamic Content Flexibility**: Next.js shines by allowing both static generation (SSG) and server-side rendering (SSR), and Netlify makes deploying either easy. Static content is globally cached on Netlify’s CDN, making your site lightning-fast, while Netlify Functions handle any server-side needs with zero configuration.

3. **Serverless Functions**: Netlify’s serverless functions work beautifully with Next.js API routes, enabling dynamic features (like forms, authentication, and data fetching) without additional servers. This lets you build interactive, backend-supported sites with just front-end code.

4. **Edge Caching and CDNs**: Next.js’s pages are distributed across Netlify’s global CDN, ensuring that your users get a fast experience no matter where they are. This setup optimizes load times and enhances site performance.

5. **Developer-Friendly Workflow**: Both Next.js and Netlify focus on a developer-friendly experience. Local development, previews, and rollbacks are simple, so you can focus on building a better user experience without worrying about the infrastructure.

For anyone building with Next.js, deploying on Netlify means you get the best of **speed, reliability, and ease**—all the ingredients needed to create high-performing, user-friendly web apps!

## Additional resources

- [Next.js on Netlify](https://docs.netlify.com/frameworks/next-js/overview/)
- [Use Visual Editor with Next.js](https://docs.netlify.com/visual-editor/frameworks/next/)

If you're using Next.js and Netlify, you’re tapping into a powerhouse combination for fast, reliable, and scalable web applications.

Why Next.js Works Great with Netlify


Mental models are frameworks people create in their minds to understand how something should work. They’re the expectations users carry with them when they encounter a new app, website, or product. For example, a user expects that clicking on a logo will take them back to the homepage, or that clicking a shopping cart icon will show them a list of items they’ve added.

Mental models vary from user to user, depending on factors like cultural background, experience level, and personal habits. However, successful designs usually align with widely shared expectations, allowing for intuitive interactions.

This is an example post. There's another one [here](/posts/example-post).


Consider that for a moment: everything we see around us is assumed to have had a cause and is contingent upon.

Mental models for designers


In the evolving world of UI design, a tool that has remained a steadfast favorite among designers is [Sketch](https://www.sketch.com/). Since its inception in 2010, Sketch has consistently proven to be a powerful, intuitive, and efficient platform for creating stunning, functional user interfaces. While many competitors have entered the market, Sketch continues to offer unique features that keep it in the toolkits of solo designers and design teams alike. Here’s why Sketch is still the ultimate tool for UI designers.

**This is an example post. There's another one [here](/posts/example-post-1).**

## User-Friendly Interface

Sketch is celebrated for its clean, minimalistic interface that feels welcoming to beginners and intuitive for seasoned designers. Unlike other platforms that may overwhelm with too many options or complex panels, Sketch offers a streamlined workspace that allows designers to focus on what matters: crafting excellent UI.

## Vector-Based Design for Scalability

Vector-based design is essential in UI, where icons and graphics need to scale across various screen sizes. Sketch’s vector capabilities ensure that designs stay sharp and consistent, no matter the device or resolution. Designers can create everything from tiny icons to full-screen mockups without losing image quality.

## Symbols and Reusable Components

One of Sketch’s most beloved features is its Symbols feature, which lets designers create reusable components. This is a game-changer for maintaining consistency across projects, as elements like buttons, icons, and navigation bars can be updated once and reflected throughout the design. The ability to nest Symbols and create overrides adds even more flexibility, enabling designers to craft complex design systems with ease.

## Powerful Plugins and Integrations

Sketch’s extensive plugin library is unmatched, offering tools for everything from animations to code export. Tools like Anima, Stark, and Craft by InVision extend Sketch’s functionality, enabling designers to customize the tool to their workflow. The robust plugin ecosystem allows designers to stay in Sketch while integrating seamlessly with prototyping, developer handoff, and collaboration tools, making Sketch highly adaptable for varied design processes.

## Cloud Collaboration and Sharing

Collaboration is critical in modern design workflows, and Sketch’s Cloud feature makes it easy to share work with clients, teammates, and developers. The ability to upload designs to the cloud allows for real-time feedback and streamlined developer handoff. Sketch Cloud supports commenting, version control, and asset exporting, making remote collaboration a breeze.



While new design platforms continue to emerge, Sketch has held its ground as a go-to for UI designers, offering an impressive mix of simplicity, precision, and power.

Sewing, patterns, and fabric obsession

Cashmerette Grafton Dress

Friday Pattern Company Beachcomber jacket

Why Next.js Works Great with Netlify

Mental models for designers

Why Sketch Remains the Ultimate Tool for UI Designers