Ruffle Sleeve Top
Ruffle Sleeve Top It's been like forever since I last posted here. Don't know where to start with the excuses. Covid. Businesses closed. Been volunteering for various causes which have kept me busy. Been a bit miserable. Alcohol and cigarettes ban plus curfews....
Wilder Gown
Wilder Gown Am totally and utterly in love with this Wilder Gown Dress. Since I started buying pattern magazines and downloading PDF patterns, I have to say, I've had OK results. Usually I have to make the item once - figure out what to do - and then make it again to...
Ogden Camisole
Ogden Camisole The Ogden Camisole has been hailed on social media as a super pattern. This marvelous creation that sewing bloggers make in multiples. How could I resist? Wish I could say it was a piece of cake to make. I can't. My first attempt I can probably blame...
Unicorn Bag Tutorial
Unicorn Bag Unicorn Bag Tutorial This Unicorn Bag Tutorial came about as I wanted to make a 'Thank You' gift for someone who is frankly obsessed with unicorns. It's surprisingly easy to make. Here's how. You need: - canvas or firm fabric for bag, facing, straps and...
DIY Tote Bag
DIY Tote Bag DIY Tote Bag This simple DIY tote bag comes from - this - tutorial. Have made a few of them in different colours using left-over fabric. Love, love, love them. With the silver one I had to use some iron-on interfacing as the fabric was a bit too soft....
Using up Left Over Fabric
Using up Left Over Fabric Using up Left Over Fabric It's always so satisfying when I use up left over fabric. This is a nice firm piece of curtaining which I used to make - curtains - and - a laundry bag. It's really easy to make a phone pouch, phone cable pouch,...
Wilder Gown Top 1
Wilder Gown Top Wilder Gown Top I've been wanting to make a Wilder Gown for a while. They look so romatic in a thoroughly contemporary way. This was my first attempt to make a Wilder Gown. I made a mistake and cut the bodice part too long, so it became a Wilder Gown...
Kochi Jacket 2
Kochi Jacket Kochi Jacket This is my second Kochi Jacket. What I love about this Kochi pattern - from the Friday Pattern Company - is how the look and feel of the jacket varies considerably depending on the fabric you use. It's so versatile. This version is...
Simple Summer Dress
Simple Summer Dress Simple Summer Dress This Simple Summer Dress can multi task as a dress or a maxi skirt. Have made this style a good few times in different fabrics. See a version - here. You can make it more or less gathered. And in a lighter or heavier fabric....
Kochi Jacket 1
Kochi Jacket Kochi Jacket 1 I've been wanting to make this Kochi Jacket for a long, long time. The pics on Instagram always look so good no matter what weight or drape of fabric is used. It's very similar to my free sewing pattern - see that here - shared way back in...
Wall Shoe Holder
Wall Shoe Holder Wall Shoe Holder I found the inspiration for this from Style Novice on You Tube. I'm happy with it but I should have made the pockets a bit deeper. I used an A4 page for the pocket pattern. Then made the background piece to fit the pockets. Here's how...
Orton Bag
Orton Bag Orton Bag I found this free pattern for the – Orton Bag – via merchantandmills.com. It’s easy an easy pattern to follow. Here’s my version of the Orton Bag. No need for written instructions as the pics are clear. Cut out pattern pieces Sew strap in place Sew...
How I made a Burda Jacket
Burda Jacket 115 How I made a Burda Jacket This isn't a tutorial as such, but explains how I used a Burda magazine to make Burda Jacket 115. The pattern comes from quite an old Burda magazine - 11/2013. There are two versions of a similar item in this magazine. As is...
Plastic Free Food Covers
Plastic Free Food Covers Plastic Free Food Covers I saw cotton plastic free food covers in our Zero Waste shop the other day and was shocked at how expensive they are! Also, being cotton it was porous to air, something I didn't want, as certain foods would dry out. I...
Green Puff Sleeve Top
Green Puff Sleeve Top Green Puff Sleeve Top I bought this fabric ages ago. The inspiration for this green puff sleeve top is the fresh floaty floral summer fashions trending right now. You need: - pattern - I found one on Pinterest - see belowfabricmatching colour...
Straw Bag
Straw Bag Straw Bag This straw bag is made from two IKEA round place mats. You could use square ones or use place mats made from something else to make this easy bag. Here's how I made this one. You need: - 2 x place matsmatching colour threadStrap for the...
Linen Balloon Sleeve Top
Linen Balloon Sleeve Top Linen Balloon Sleeve Top I'm loving statement sleeve tops - hence this Linen Balloon Sleeve Top. And as always, I use easy shapes to make my clothes. Here's how to make this top. I am a UK dress size 12. Adjust bigger or smaller to fit your...
Brocade Shift Dress
Brocade Shift Dress I've made a good few simple loose shift dresses like this brocade dress. You can head to the Dresses section at the top of this blog to see two I made in different fabrics and colours. Am not going to re-write all the instructions but rather put...
Out of Africa Earrings
Out of Africa Earrings Out of Africa Earrings This is a bit of a 'blast from the past' post. I made these Out of Africa earrings ages ago in the very early days of this blog. Since still I wear them so much, I thought I would post them again. With a much improved pic....
New Look Jacket
New Look Jacket New Look Jacket I've made this exact same New Look pattern before. First time was - here - when I made it as the pattern was meant to be. This time around, I lengthened the sleeves a bit. And made it a touch narrower in the back. Use the link above for...
Suedette Pouch
Suedette pouch Suedette pouch I made business card holders in a similar manner to this suedette pouch in - this - blog post. And a lightweight sunglasses cover in - another post. This is a variation on those two using left-overs from a softer suedette fabric. You...
Stone & Silver Earrings
See how to make stone & silver earrings in this blog post. So easy you will want to make lots of them.
Quick Tote Bag
Use up fabric scrapsw to make this quick easy bag to use for everything from work files or gym to shopping.
DIY Fabric Necklace
Use leftover fabric to make this fun diy fabric necklace. Play around with prints or colours to mix it up or sew on pearl or crystal beads.
New Look Kimono Jacket
New Look Kimono Jacket New Look Kimono Jacket I might have mentioned a while back that a friend's mother went into a care home. She was an avid seamstress and had a pile of fabric which I inherited. I made a pair of culottes from this fabric as well a New Look Kimono...
Party Bag
DIY Party Bag Been a while since my last post. I will never stop posting as I cannot stop making things. But real life does get in the way of having fun sometimes. Recognize the dress in this pic? The pattern for that is - here. And I've made a similar style bag to...
Malachite Earrings
Malachite Earrings I've been trawling Pinterest for inspiration to make silver wire jewelery and came across something similar to this pair of malachite earrings. I love the simplicity of it. No clasps or soldering or anything other than a bit of calculated bending....
Beach Kaftan
Beach Kaftan Beach Kaftan I made this beach kaftan for a summer holiday in the south of France this year. Am not really a sun bunny. Nor do I care do get it all out with regards to my body. Just No! So this was great to wear over my swimming costume. It's sheer but...
Twisted Bead Necklace
Twisted Bead Necklace This isn't a particularly DIY-ish post but what I'm trying to show with this twisted bead necklace is how to rework and existing item. You need: - two or three similar length long necklaces a clip (usually found in a bead shop) You do: - You will...
Black Culottes Tutorial
Black Culottes Tutorial If you cannot find a pair of culottes you love, then this black culottes tutorial is perfect for you as you can make your own. It's super easy. The only slightly technical thing to do - is fit a zip. And I have a tutorial for that on this link...