I think I might have said this before but a sewing class is more than just a class. A place to meet like minded peeps. To learn a new skill. To share the highs and lows of a project. A community. Supportive and generally nourishing in it's being. A safe space. All...
Blog
Sparkling into the Season
Sparkles, sequins and all things shiny. Sparkles are my go to as the Christmas season approaches. Even if I'm not one to actually go out that much. Let's face it, none of us has had much of a party life for the last couple of years and now we can I'm all for making...
A wardrobe of thoughts
Ramblings of a creative mind. Or, not such a creative mind. The blog has been silent for a long time. I've not felt able or had the urge to create for ages. Life has thrown a couple of curve balls in and along with a long winter it has definitely been like walking...
Feeling out the Fails
We all have sewing fails! There. I've said it. Sometimes, things don't go together that well or they don't fit as you'd like. The fabric's the wrong weight or the shape doesn't do it for you. It's the last issue that has struck me. If I'm honest I can't really...
Zadie the wonder pattern!
I think we can all agree that I've had a lot of use out the Zadie jumpsuit pattern form Paper Theory. I really is a wonderful pattern. Simple in it's structure and always looks smart and feels/ is the complete secret pyjama pattern. How it all began I started with...
Sewing Bras and finding the fit
It's no secret that I found a love of sewing lingerie. I'd kept everything pretty soft on that front though. The world of rtw Bra's however can be a mine field. I decided to tackle that ever elusive, fitting bra. Hoping to find one that stayed put, didn't dig in or...
Cactus Zadie
Every once in a while I sign up to do a Minerva make. When I saw this amazing cactus print I could see a really fun make. Origionally I thought it might have been a heavier cotton perfect for a bag of positivity but when It arrived it was much lighter. I mused on...
Hunting out the perfect T
Hunting out the perfect T I think we all long for the perfect t-shirt, don't we. I have 2 shapes that I like to wear. A close fit for under jumpers and a looser fit for summer wear and when I want something that hugs me less. As we've progressed through lockdowns...
The loved up quilt
A loved up quilt. Is there any other, really. To spend that long planning, buying fabric, cutting out and sewing up again. There has to be a certain amount of love there. This was for my tiniest of nieces who, due to the last year, I've not really got to know first...
Musing Morgans
Musing my Morgan jeans So a while before I made my Ginger Jeans I tried the Morgans from Closet Core. Although I love a skinny jean, in the summer I like something a little looser. I have to admit, my skinnys only really come out when the winter or long boots come...
Pattern storage
Pattern storage How do you store your patterns? Are they all neatly put away in a box? On display on a shelf? Filed in a cabinet? Left in a pile? I thought I’d got it sussed. I have all of my general, big four stored in a plastic draw tower and boxes. Yes, I’ve got a...
A Bounty of Blackwoods
Building a bounty of Blackwoods I'm beginning to get a bounty of blackwoods. I’m super-late to the Helens Closet Blackwood Cardigan but boy, does it live up to it’s reputation. I love a cardigan. Normally my go-to cardi shape is cropped and fitted. ...
Cosiest of jumpers
I think I've made the cosiest of jumpers ever! I love a bit of knit wear. Nothing can make you feel like you're being cocooned better than the perfect jumper.(sweater) I'm constantly on the look out for the knitwear of dreams and I think this comes pretty...
New Year-New Skills
New skills Trying something new is a great thing to get you out of a lull, regain your mojo and lose yourself in. To pull you from your regular projects and gain some joy and momentum with your creativity. I might have said this before but I love to learn something...
Dinosaurs and Dressing up
Why don’t we dress up? In these days of staying home I think we should take a lesson from the smalls in our lives. They don’t care if they don’t have a party to go to or if they need to see anybody on a zoom call. If they fancy dressing up as a princess or a dinosaur they just do it.
Seasonal sewing
Do you do seasonal sewing? I don't often. Gifting what we sew can trigger a minefield of emotions. What can I make? Will they like it? How am I going to work out sizing? Have I got time? Most importantly, will they appreciate the time and energy put into making? ...
A positive project
I'm determined to stay positive through this second lockdown in the uk. This time we kind of know what we're in for. During the spring lockdown, I found those first 6 weeks really quite difficult. Positivity was definitely in short supply. The world stopped. My...
Closet Core Staple Pattern
Who knew a jean pattern could become a smart staple. It should have been obvious since I can live in jeans when I don't need to be in work mode. My normal trouser pattern is a wide leg fly front which wouldn't have worked for this fabric. Naturally Closet Core...
Striking back with Zadie
The Zadie pattern strikes again with another variation. It's no secret that this pattern is a good base for a variety of hacks. I love it! Having started with the jumpsuit , I went onto a dress and now I've lengthened the top part into a really versatile wrap top. ...
Community Over Competition
This sewing community can be a wonderful place. We can share the love of fabrics, the latest pattern inspirations and generally boost each other in our favored creative outlet. As I tentatively start organising classes again in these strange covid times I realise how...