First project of 2022! DIY pyjama set

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that 2022 is off to a gentle and happy start for you. Here in Amsterdam the lockdown continues, with hospitality shut but non-essential stores now open by appointment. I have to admit, it's really hard going. Last January and February were quite hard for me mental health wise in…

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Autumn Amelia Dress

I was gifted the fabric for this blog post by Oyin at Lush Cloth. All views are as always my own! How do you plan your makes? Since starting my sewing journey, the way I approach projects has really changed. Previously it was very fabric driven - I would fall for a fabric or print…

Wardrobe by Me Ozark Vest

I received a free copy of the final pattern in return for testing the Ozark vest. This blog contains affiliate links. All views, as always my own! When Wardrobe By Me put out a call for testers for their new pattern, it was perfect timing. Recently my boyfriend Jacob had been thinking about getting a…

How to organise your sewing patterns using Google Sheets

While some might say my love for patterns is out of control....I prefer to call myself a pattern connoisseur! We all have an aspect of sewing we can't resist, right? For some it's fabrics, others haberdashery...well for me it's patterns, both printed and PDF. I absolutely love my pattern collection and am perfectly happy in…

Seamwork Madhu top

Summer is teasing us here in Amsterdam - here one moment, gone the next, you really don't know how to dress from one day to the next! With this in mind I'm looking for pieces that will take my wardrobe from season to season in a flash - ie, separates! I recently joined Seamwork after…

McCall’s M7974

Bear with me everyone - I want to see if I'm the only person who has had the experience of procrastipatterning....? When I first started sewing, the M7974 stood out to me immediately as a pattern I would want to make. The V neck bodice and yoke, nipped in waist and flared skirt ticked all…

Soline Shorts by Staysitch Pattern Co

I am on the pattern testing team for Staystitch Pattern Co and receive a free copy of the finished pattern in return for my feedback. As usual, all views are my own and I was not obliged to write this post! Staystitch Pattern Co are back with their second pattern and I was delighted to…

Helen’s Closet Jackson Tee

There are some patterns that before you've even finished the first one, you've got another ten planned. This was definitely the case for me and the Helen's Closet Jackson tee! As you might know, I'm not very experienced in sewing with jersey. Don't get me wrong, the projects I've dabbled with have gone really well,…

Spring Dress by Nina Lee

Who is on your shortlist of favourite pattern designers? For me, it's definitely Nina Lee. I may not have made all of her patterns, but I really admire her style and the construction of her patterns which I can always make confident that they will suit me. So when I saw Nina had developed a…

Pattern test: Homer & Howells Ingrid

I tested this pattern for Homer & Howells and in return was given a copy of the final pattern as well as a pattern of my choosing from their range. All views as usual honest and my own! Following the recent discussions in the sewing community, I reached out to Homer & Howells regarding their…

Aisling blouse

My pledge for Me Made May in 2021 is to identify some of the gaps in my wardrobe. It's not too difficult to tell.....hint, it's separates! As much as I love making dresses they're just not practical for the Dutch rain. Now that outdoor hospitality can open 12-6, we are trying to explore our new…

Lahja Gown by Named Clothing

I was provided fabric for this make as part of the Minerva brand ambassador programme. All opinions are my own. Over the last year my sewing journey has taken me in a few directions, but the one thing I haven't made? Loungewear. I know. 12 months of sewing through a pandemic and the one thing…

The Lola Tank by Staystitch Pattern Co

I was on the pattern testing team for Staystitch and received a free copy of the final pattern in return. There was no obligation to share and all the feedback below is my own. Introducing the Lola tank! When I saw that Candice from Sew Bake Make was releasing her first pattern in partnership with…

Pattern Review: Dawn McCall’s

Do you sew with "Big Four" patterns? McCall's are one of the biggest sewing pattern companies, stocked worldwide and you usually find their patterns sold in printed form on the tissue paper you traditionally associate with home sewing. I haven't got too much experience with them but here is my very short summary... Before working…

Spring inspo with Tammy Handmade & Rainbow Fabrics

I know I'm not the only one planning my Spring makes at the moment and daydreaming of sunnier days! For this blog post I've taken inspiration from this month's Modista brands, Tammy Handmade and Rainbow Fabrics! Both are offering exclusive discounts this month to Modista Patreon members - Tammy's PDF patterns are 15% off and…

April Sewing Challenge: #MeMadeModista

In April 2021 I am taking the plunge and hosting my very first sewing challenge! Eek! The challenge has been motivated by the milestone (or at least, it is one to me!) of reaching 5000 followers on Instagram last month. I truly can't thank my followers enough for the support, both in sewing and life…

Ogden Cami Hack

This post contains gifted fabric. As usual, all reviews and thoughts are my own! Spring is feeling like it's ready to bloom here in Amsterdam, with the daffodils and tulips doing their best to brighten my days in lockdown. After some really sunny days I was inspired to try and manifest a safe and smooth…

My Spring Frankendress!

PSA: Organising your sewing stash does wonders for your productivity! Last month I took a Friday off and specifically reserved the day to play with my new toy - a home printer. Now if that isn't the most 2021 activity.... My PDF pattern stash had gotten out of control and the tactic of rolling them…

Interview with Cross and Woods

In March on the Modista Patreon we have two new feature brands offering exclusive discounts to members; one of them is Cross and Woods, based in the Hague who are offering a fantastic 25% discount to members! I have been following Cross and Woods for a long time now as their collection is so beautifully…

Loungewear pattern round up

This month on the Modista Patreon we've been talking ALL about loungewear patterns. Remember when "loungewear" was something you only saw on the posh rail at M&S or the White Company? I remember nipping into M&S on a whim when the first lockdown was looming - I decided to treat myself to some nice jammies…