Unusual and challenging sewing techniques

Unusual and challenging sewing techniques

I was having a conversation with somebody recently about the different techniques we use in sewing clothes. So I began to make a list. I'm not talking about the basics like laying out a pattern, cutting, simple darts. They are important for sure, but I'm more...

2026 Sudoku wardrobe contest

2026 Sudoku wardrobe contest

This is an ongoing post, and I'll update it as I go The 2026 wardrobe contest organised by Sewing Pattern Review is the perfect opportunity for me to use up my (huge) stash and also to sew a new wardrobe after big weight loss over the last 12 months. I also need to...

Revisiting my youth

Revisiting my youth

..through the medium of Vintage Sewing Patterns. I discovered this classic deep in my stash recently. Apparently I was a size 12 back when I was 18 years old and sewed this the last time. I loved this pattern, especially the jacket which was so cool. I made it from a...

Garden redesign

I've been shopping for plants at Farmer Gracy for the great garden redesign of 2025. These arrived today and are now potted up, parked in the greenhouse and doing their thing while I get the borders ready. Photos and descriptions from the Farmer Gracy websiteOne...

May round-up: what I sewed (and didn’t sew)

May round-up: what I sewed (and didn’t sew)

My makes in May May always starts off with me intending to wear more of my makes as part of Me Made May, and to be fair I did wear quite a few this year. But I never remember to take photos. I really need to improve my selfies. Maybe I should take a course and set up...
Pink aviator jacket: Style Arc Carly

Pink aviator jacket: Style Arc Carly

  DD3 has been requesting an aviator jacket in pink suede for a couple of years now, so naturally, I was delighted when Style Arc released their Carly Aviator jacket. It’s an oversized style so I wasn’t too worried about fitting it, but it does...

Spring into Summer SWAP

I’m so indecisive!! I’ve spent the last week or so pulling out fabrics from my stash, lining up TNT and new patterns, and wasting hours on Pinterest trying to come up with a collection that’s a) sewable and b) wearable!Anyhow, I had to decide about...

Piano SWAP: planning

I still need a better title than this for the SWAP. Using the Piano shawl as a starting point I’ve been through my sewing room and pulled out fabrics that go. All are solids, and pick up the brights in the shawl, as well as ivory, taupe and an ink blue. The...