I have been disgracefully lax in my blogging in the last few months; it has been unavoidable but I am going to try and catch up on what has been happening in my sewing room over the last couple of months. Viola Dress I tested the new pattern from Schulz Apparel, the Viola dress, a […]
Browsing Tag: sewing
My Valentine’s Look Book
I considered doing some fabric shopping for Valentine’s Day until it suddenly hit me – I have an array of items in my handmade wardrobe that are perfect for the occasion. Whether it’s for date night or to go for a few cocktails with the girls, it’s always nice to make the effort on Valentine’s […]
My five top tips for making professionally finished garments
I have had a lot of people tell me they are surprised I have been sewing for less than two years because my clothes look so professionally made – it’s such a beautiful compliment to receive and if you’re reading this and you’ve been one of those people, know you have made my day. I’m […]
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 […]
#SewRecreateTheLook
There’s a new sewing challenge on Instagram right now which is right up my street – #sewrecreatethelook, hosted by @sosewdressmaking and @jenlegg_teescreatives. The brief: take inspiration – whether it be from Pinterest, the catwalk, the high street or another makes – and recreate the look. For me, vintage fashion is my constant inspiration so I […]
Sew Over It, Ivy Skirt
I wear dresses 99% of the time and that’s unlikely to change, if I am honest. However, I have made quite a few tops lately and I need a couple of skirts to wear with them – this is a no trousers zone! I have plans to make a few Stanwyck skirts (Charm Patterns) but […]
This Feminist Sews
This post was born out of a throwaway comment that was directed at me recently: “sewing is a bit of an anti-feminist hobby, isn’t it?”. When I recovered from the initial shock of such an uninformed and uninvited opinion, I was not shy of explaining why this person were wrong in their rude assumption… I […]
Puff Sleeves: History’s ‘biggest’ trend
In L. M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables, Anne Shirley dreams of owning a puff-sleeved dress. Set in the late 1800s, puff sleeves were the height of fashion and Anne’s longing for a puff sleeved dress speaks to her desire to fit in with all the other girls. Much to her disappointment, Marilla […]
Sewing with Broderie Anglaise
Broderie anglaise is one of my favourite fabrics; here are some tips for working with it, a recent project of mine – the Kosedo Studio Lima Dress – and some other pattern suggestions for sewing with broderie anglaise.
The Weighty Issue: What Size Matters?
This post was originally written for and published on the Sew Anonymous Sewist Blog. It’s mental health awareness week; my mental health and self-worth has always been linked to my weight. I have not always been comfortable with or accepting of my body. I was the chubby child who became the early developer with curves […]