Fancy making a new bed for your furry friend? This one is Gatsby approved. You will need the following: A square cushion pad A zip Washable toy filler (in case it gets dirty) Your chosen fabric – cotton, denim, canvas or upholstery fabrics are perfect, depending on how hard wearing you need it to be. […]
All Posts By: Mary-Ellen
Charm Patterns, Scout Dress
I think the July Patreon was one of my favourites to date – the Scout Dress, which is a quintessential 1950s inspired shirt waist dress. This is the pattern I’ve always wanted – it carries real Grace Kelly vibes and is even reminiscent of the New Look (which I have written about in my previous […]
July 2021 Sew Diary
I almost forgot about my sewing diary this month – and it may well be my last month featuring summer clothes. I’m moving on to autumnal shades and patterns now. Peppermint Magazine Paddington Top As you know, most of my makes are dresses so it take something special to make me want to make a […]
Pattern Test – StitchWitch Patterns, The Basque Dress
I’m in love. I knew when I saw Madeline’s sneak peeks on Instagram that I was going to love the Basque dress (which is also a top pattern) and I was delighted when I was offered a spot on the tester team as I wouldn’t have to wait until it was released to give it […]
María Dueñas, The Seamstress
The Seamstress (The Time Between Seams / The Time in Between) is a wonderful tale of espionage and intrigue, adventure and fear, dishonour and love and it is not surprising that it has made María Dueñas a household name and catapulted her to the top of Spain’s bestseller lists. A couple of years after the […]
A. C. Wise – Wendy, Darling
It has been over 25 twenty years since Wendy, Michael and John returned from their adventures in Neverland with Peter Pan. Rather than them retaining happy thoughts, Wendy is the only one who remembers Neverland; her brothers have forgotten (or, more aptly, repressed their memories). Michael has survived World War One but is suffering from […]
Cari Thomas, Thread Needle
Within the boroughs of London, nestled among its streets, hides another city, filled with magic. ‘Magic and love. Love and magic. They destroy everything in the end …’ Anna’s Aunt has always warned her of the dangers of magic. Its twists. Its knots. Its deadly consequences. Now Anna counts down the days to the ceremony […]
Friday Pattern Company, Adrienne Dress Hack
I have several Adrienne blouses in my wardrobe – it’s a classic pattern. You can find my previous post on the blouse here. Three pattern pieces makes it a very simple make but such an effective one with the billowy sleeves. As much as I love the pattern, I find that I do not reach […]
Peppermint Magazine, Peppermint Top
I don’t make separates very often; I have to really love a pattern to take a break from ‘dressmaking’. I couldn’t resist the latest offering from Peppermint Magazine, though: The Paddington Top. It’s a free pattern (although there is a suggested donation of $2 if you would like to pay for it; if not, you […]
Top Ten Online Fabric Shops
I thought I’d take 10 minutes out today to share a few of my favourite online fabric and haberdashery businesses. Having taken up sewing as the word went into lockdown, online fabric shopping is all I’ve known. There also isn’t a great variety of bricks and mortar dressmaking shops in Northern Ireland so shopping online […]