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… Continue reading First project of 2022! DIY pyjama set
Tag: sewing
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… Continue reading Autumn Amelia Dress
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… Continue reading Seamwork Madhu top
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,… Continue reading Helen’s Closet Jackson Tee
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… Continue reading Aisling blouse
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… Continue reading The Lola Tank by Staystitch Pattern Co
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… Continue reading Pattern Review: Dawn McCall’s
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… Continue reading Spring inspo with Tammy Handmade & Rainbow Fabrics
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… Continue reading My Spring Frankendress!
Reeta Dress by Named
Here in Amsterdam we are on strict lockdown with an evening curfew, everything closed including shops and bars and schools, including my workplace. So let's just say my #MakeNine2021 is moving MUCH faster than I'd expected! I bought the Reeta dress last autumn after seeing the fabulous version by Stitch Odyssey. I love Marie's version… Continue reading Reeta Dress by Named
Sewing themed gift ideas – global edition
This blog post contains affiliate links that are clearly marked. I have worked with some of these brands previously but not on the basis of this blog post - if they're on here, I really rate their products! Normally, every month in the Modista newsletter I send an introduction to the sewing community in a… Continue reading Sewing themed gift ideas – global edition
Fibremood Honey Blouse
This blog post contains affiliate links. I was given early access to the Honey pattern in exchange for making the pattern and posting it on launch day. All views are as usual my own! Fibremood 12 is released today and it has some stunning patterns to choose from! I've always really liked Fibremood patterns and… Continue reading Fibremood Honey Blouse
Homer and Howells Blair Jacket
I was given the Blair jacket pattern as a prize in the Homer & Howells giveaway. There was no obligation to sew or review the pattern. Can you believe it is the end of October already? I feel like October Blairly just started! Ok, I'm sorry. Let's get to sewing. The Blair pattern is intended… Continue reading Homer and Howells Blair Jacket
Sewing in the Netherlands round up
It's that time again where the Modista tour takes us to a new country to explore the instagram sewing community there. This month I had to highlight my new home of the Netherlands where I moved about 6 weeks ago. Having done some research in advance I knew there were some great sewists and stores… Continue reading Sewing in the Netherlands round up
On the rise: Ready to Sew Pio
This week I finished one of the first pieces from my autumnal WFH capsule; the Ready to Sew Pio pants and have been really enjoying wearing them! It’s no secret that I really like Ready to Sew patterns -available in French, Spanish and English their patterns always have simple silhouettes with an interesting deisgn feature,… Continue reading On the rise: Ready to Sew Pio
‘Sia dress’ by Marsha Style
This blog post contains gifted products - all opinions are honest and my own! This week I finally finished my Sia dress and couldn’t wait to show it off! This is my first make from our new home in Amsterdam (!) where we moved just over a week ago. In between flat hunting and exploring… Continue reading ‘Sia dress’ by Marsha Style
Autumnal picks from this month’s brands!
Is it just me or has this year gone by in the flash of an eye? With lockdown the spring/summer of 2020 felt like they went by so quickly and already we are into planning our autumn makes.! In this month's Modista newsletter we have two cracking independent fabric brands offering exclusive discounts to subscribers… Continue reading Autumnal picks from this month’s brands!
Constructing the Sew Over it Libby collar
This blog post contains gifted fabric. I chose the fabric to be able to blog about a garment and topic of my choosing; One of my favourite recent makes is the Sew Over It Libby blouse. I'm entering the sewing stage that follows the immediate intense obsession of initially discovering sewing; now I'm realising I… Continue reading Constructing the Sew Over it Libby collar
Sewing a Kew dress hack
Happy hump day everyone! I was off on Monday and it's strange how easily that throws me completely out of kilter - it's felt like Tuesday all day and the last 3 months have basically been the longest Monday ever. A couple of weeks ago I worked on this project while taking part in the… Continue reading Sewing a Kew dress hack
An introduction to the world of French sewing
Salut! As I've written before on here, I love all things French and have enjoyed French culture, language and fashion ever since I started learning the language when I was little (the cool kids went to dance class, I went to French Saturday school...) and lived in Paris on and off between 2014-17. Years later… Continue reading An introduction to the world of French sewing