Fresh from choosing my Make Nine projects for the year, I started with a project that was just in time as the snow and ice made an appearance – 3 January – Gertie’s Mrs Maisel inspired Swing Coat – Patreon Exclusive Pattern What can I say about this? I mean, look at it – it […]
All Posts By: Mary-Ellen
Sew Over It, Marguerite Dress
It’s no secret that the Sew Over It line of patterns are a staple in my wardrobe – while I challenged the limits of this pattern by using a heavy canvas cotton instead of the fluid recommended fabrics – I’ve ended up with a really pretty make that I know I will get a lot […]
Tilly and the Buttons, Juno Pyjamas
This was one of those patterns that was all over Instagram when they first came out – I have an aversion to making current trends. It’s the same with books – I tend not to read a book if everyone is reading it. However, with all the ice and snow coming in over recent days, […]
Sew Over It 40s Wrap Dress
I have a new habit and you can tell me whether it is good or bad. When I get a new pattern and read the recommended fabrics and see something I am not particularly fond of – say, for example, the crepe or rayon suggested for use with this pattern – I just shrug my […]
Barbie Top – Gertie Patreon Exclusive Pattern
If you haven’t joined Gertie’s World yet, what are you waiting for? The Patreon exclusive patterns just keep on delivering real vintage charm. Now, I’m not really one for sewing separates (unless they’re cardigans like the Peter Pan Collar Bolero), but when I saw the Barbie top I knew an exception was at hand! This […]
Sew Over It – Maisie Dress
When I saw the Maisie dress, I knew it had to be on my Make Nine. Since I started sewing – 10 months ago now, I can hardly believe it – I haven’t bought a single RTW garment. This was one of the imperatives that got me sewing – I wanted a sustainable wardrobe and […]
Charm Patterns (Patreon Exclusive) Swing Coat
It is no secret how much I love Charm Patterns and my Patreon subscription is quickly becoming my pattern staple. I’m amazed at the amount of exclusive content Gertie offers her patreons – she is no mere human! December’s pattern was a Mrs Maisel-inspired swing coat and I couldn’t wait to get started. However, I […]
Make Nine 2021
I’ve jumped on the bandwagon and thought I would take part in the Make 9 challenge this year. Last year I made a total of 79 garments from March to December so it’s not that I doubt I can make 9 garments… What I’m really taking part in this challenge for is to help me […]
Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses
I finally made a start on this book that I bought back at the start of lockdown: Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses. I don’t know what took me so long; I think I was simultaneously intimidated (I mean, Gertie is the goddess of vintage style) and distracted (as a novice in the sewing world, I was […]
December 2020 Sew Diary
This month, as we counted down the days to Christmas, the momentum picked up at work as well as with voluntary commitments so I didn’t have a lot of time to sew. Work related travel (in wintery conditions) left me too tired to be productive in the evenings. More often than not I’ve been sitting […]