Category: sewing

Haute Stuff: Trends for Spring 2021

Haute Stuff, sewing

There’s a glimmer of hope…spring is just around the corner. It may be a bit up and down at the moment, but it’s definitely time to start planning our warmer-weather makes.  I’ve rounded up my top trends for spring 2021, however, these aren’t clothes for short-lived fads; I’ve chosen trends, styles and patterns that’ll see you through for years to come.

The Two-tones

So easily overlooked, the classic pairing of black and white has been given some oomph in the form of sleek cuts, colour blocking and voluminous shapes.

This trend could be applied to any patterns you have (saving you money, hurrah!), and can be easily worked into your everyday wardrobe. I’m planning to use some white offcuts to make some minimalist tops inspired by Chanel (above centre), and I’ve gone all-in for monochrome in the form of gingham, with purchases from Thimble and Notch, Minerva and Dalston Mill Fabrics.

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I Am Artemis: a goddess of a jacket

Pattern review, sewing

French pattern house I Am Patterns released the Artemis jacket as part of its I Am A Goddess collection – Artemis being the goddess of the hunt, and this jacket is killer. It has a really minimal shape, even the sleeves are part of the body pieces, and the seams along the front hide sneaky massive pockets, hooray!  The jacket is classed as beginner-friendly, and quite rightly so. With no sleeves to set in and a boxy shape, if you can sew a straight line, you can sew an Artemis.  

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I love Lemp(i)

Pattern review, sewing

A new (to me) favourite dress has come in to my life for autumn and it has to be shared! The Lempi button down dress – lempi meaning love, from Named doesn’t seem to get a great deal of attention from the Instagram sewing community, but it is such an unsung hero.

The relaxed fit, pulled together with a self-fabric belt, makes fitting and sewing so straightforward. There are bust darts but other than that the dress is essentially straight up and down. Named designs are subtly quirky, they don’t create ‘out there’ shapes or overtly ‘statement’ garments, but I love the subtle details they put in to their patterns that make them beautifully unique. On the Lempi, this detail is found in the collar. Taking it up a notch from being a standard shirtdress, the open ‘step’ between the collar pieces gives a little twist to a classic shape; it’s almost a little nod to 1950s dresses, but on a totally modern dress.   Continue reading “I love Lemp(i)” →

I Am Juliette – how to make your own pleated sleeves!

How to, sewing

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Juliette shirt; it’s an everyday staple with a bit of edge, and it has so much potential for putting your own stamp on it. I made myself one with pleated cap sleeves and the seamstress curse struck: my sister said, “Can you make me one too?” Of course I happily (*ahem) obliged, and here I’m going to explain how to make your own pleated cap sleeves like these (whether for yourself or a pesky sibling is for you to decide!):

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