truly claire

The Hypocrisy of Man

When I think that humanity can create healing medicines, antibiotics, and vaccines; create music and art; study the stars and explore the depths of the oceans; but also drop bombs on hospitals, rape and pillage land in the name of technology and progress, and divide people along arbitrary lines like skin color or religion I…

November 13, 2023
My Favorite Fashion Illustration Techniques Resources

Finding a solid resource for learning fashion illustration techniques specifically has been my quest for the Holy Grail since I was in middle school. There are thousands of books on drawing techniques and on working in specific mediums like watercolor, acrylic, oil pastels, etc. but I have yet to find a single resource that stands…

November 10, 2023
Little Notes: Doing The Thing

My dreams are big and wild and wonderful, but I don’t want to just dream them. I want to live them and I want to help others live them too. If I can be an example of what’s possible for just one other person I’d be so thrilled. I’m being that example for myself and…

November 4, 2023
Sketchbook: 2024 Birthday Gown Design Progress

Right now I’m thinking gold and white with flowing ethereal vibes. Sparkle, drip, elegant, soft, petal, bold are the words that come to mind when I think of what I want to feel and look like when I step out in it. In the next week or so I’ll be illustrating ideas for the final…

October 28, 2023
Stitching the Stash: Fabric Stash Challenge Round I

A few times now, I’ve started to make a concerted effort to crack down on the amount of fabric I have in storage and then I would tumble off the wagon in a glorious fashion. I’ve been great, mostly, about not buying any new fabric unless I’m actively working on a project using it. I…

October 20, 2023
Developing A Sewing Pattern Line

A collection of home sewing patterns was my first business idea that I really loved, but I was too resource limited to try 10 years ago. I opened an online boutique and while that was nice while it lasted. Though I learned a great deal from it, it ultimately wasn’t what I wanted. Things have…

October 13, 2023
Maximizing Space: Temporary Setup for a Portable Cutting Table

My most active hobby is sewing, but having a cutting table ready to access 24/7 would make the space feel cramped. I thought about using my dining area for instead but it turns out I really enjoy having a dedicated spot to eat and socialize when friends come over. For years I’ve used one tried…

October 6, 2023
Little Notes: You Will Always Be A Work In Progress

I first started writing this post back in November 2021. As you can see, we’re well past that time and yet what I have to say is probably more relevant for me now than it was even then. Since 2020, my life has had so many twists and turns. Some I was eager for and…

August 31, 2023
Sketching More to Make Good on My Yearly Goals

Finding time for sketching and doing just about any other project that takes concentration and time has been a bit of a bitch, but I think I’m onto something now.

February 26, 2021
Fighting Against Perfectionism or Why I Postponed Finishing My Bday Gown Until After My Birthday

Ivery much want to be good at everything I set out to do. I think most people do. That desire isn’t wrong or terribly unreasonable. But did you know that ability, time, unforeseen happenings, and being fallible — human— are all factors that affect outcome? I know that, yet sometimes I think I can overcome…

January 26, 2021