It has been a while since I read a piece of sewing-themed fiction but The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie did not disappoint. Natalie Fergie is a professional textiles enthusiast who owns numerous sewing machines and was inspired to write this multi-generational saga after buying a century-old sewing machine, manufactured at the Singer factory in […]
All Posts By: Mary-Ellen
Thanks, it has pockets.
We’ve all said it, haven’t we? When someone compliments our latest handmade dress? “Thanks, it has pockets” It’s such a commonplace thing now, the pocket. It’s fair to say it’s something we take for granted. The pocket, however, has a much more interesting history than you may be aware of. The history of the pocket […]
Cashmerette Fuller Cardigan
Ever since I took up sewing (during the initial lockdown), I have been curious about the Cashmerette pattern range because of the fact they are drafted with curves in mind. As a curvy woman, I probably should have jumped on them, but I have never made one of the patterns until a couple of weeks […]
The Boatneck Dress
I bought Gertie’s Jiffy Dress book back at the outset of the lockdown in March 2020 when I started dressmaking. It was this book which pretty much taught me everything I know about basic sewing. I previously made this pattern when I wasn’t all that attune to making alterations and perfecting the fit so I […]
Charm Patterns, Princess Coat
The cropped jacket version of this pattern has become my signature outerwear. I first made this a couple of months ago (and wrote a blog post on it for The Rag Shop. Having made another since then (and with the fabric for a third one going into the prewash) I thought it was worth chronicling […]
Cashmerette Alcott Dress
This was my first time making a Cashmerette pattern; they’re not usually my style, if I am being honest. I prefer my clothes to have a more vintage-inspired twist (saying that, the Upton dress is on my make list as it has a really classic silhouette). However, I purchased a gold jersey fabric from New […]
December 2021 Sew Diary
I knew there would be time for sewing as I use a lot of annual leave in the winter months rather than summer. In spite of December being a busy month, it is much easier to carve out sewing time when work doesn’t interfere with life! My dear friend Lisa (bobo_bun ) and I were […]
Decades of Style, E.S.P Dress
The Decades of Style ESP 101 pattern has been on my radar for a long time; it is a part of their ‘Decades Everyday’ pattern collection designed with the premise ‘sew in a day, wear everyday’; the pattern is easy, accessible, and quick to make. I bought the No. 101 E.S.P. Dress pattern a long […]
Helen’s Closet, Jackson Sweater
The Jackson Tee and Pullover is a pattern you’ll be able to use again – as a gender-inclusive pattern, it’s the pattern to get if you’re making handmade wardrobe gifts for friends and family, especially for occasions such as Christmas. The size range is, as typical of Helen’s Closet, incredibly inclusive; it ranges from 0-34 […]
November 2021 Sew Diary
Again, I am running a bit late with the monthly sewing round up but life really doesn’t go out of its way to allow me time to blog – and I really hope to remedy that soon so I can share the details of more of my makes in the incoming months. Helen’s Closet, Hudson […]