Can you still call it pattern hacking if it is your own poor-planning that is to blame…? While I absolutely love this finished smock top, getting to this point involved plenty of playing jenga with pattern pieces, adding in additional seam allowances and changing a pretty big element from the original design! I think it is only fair to highlight the I mistakes made — making mistakes and working around these challenges are so important to grow and improve as a sewist — but I really don’t think it detracts from the finished garment, which is as swishy and dreamy as I envisioned! […]
I truly believe that wrap skirts and summer are the perfect combination; they go together like strawberries and cream… or like gin and tonic! These skirts are such an easy option for both dressing up and down, and feel so comfortable to wear when the days get warmer. I was on the hunt for a good wrap skirt pattern and found McCall’s 7606, which has two options for the skirt and two bodysuits. I immediately was drawn to View C, as it would hit me about mid-calf length and has a big statement ruffle around the hem, which just screams summer vibes. […]
Since picking up sewing as my hobby again, I have had a list of challenges to complete in my mind. As much as I want to fill my wardrobe with endless colourful, cotton skater dresses, I also know that pushing myself to learn new techniques and try out new fabrics is beneficial to grow and improve as a sewist! Getting out of my comfort zone and learning to sew with knit fabrics is one of my first challenges of 2020; with this project complete, I can officially put a mini checkmark next to it, as I imagine this will be the first of many projects with stretchy fabric this year. […]
When deciding on fabric to make my own clothes, ex-designer deadstock fabric is usually high on my list. Deadstock fabrics are leftover from fashion designer’s collections and they either end up in landfill or sat in warehouses waiting to go to waste — not good. Ex-designer deadstock fabric is then not only a sustainable choice, but also a choice that means you can make your own clothes out of amazing quality fabrics! […]
Lately, I have been itching to get sewing a selection of summer tops – I am daydreaming about lightweight cottons and linens in fresh colours, and blouse patterns that are flowy and keep me cool when it starts getting warmer. […]
At my workplace, we aren’t expected to turn up in full business formal wear everyday — thank goodness! While I could never be one to wear a white button-up and suit each day, I do think it is important for my work wardrobe to look professional (yet to also let my personality peep through!). […]
One of my biggest weaknesses in fashion is fun, patterned dresses; from the fairly standard, like floral prints or geometric shapes, to the more unusual, like cacti patterns or embroidered matchsticks, I will immediately gravitate towards these items. Wearing dresses makes me happy – and wearing a dress with bluebirds printed on? Consider me doubly happy! […]
