Make it slightly less simple: Tilly’s Safiya dungarees

Tilly Walnes’ third book ‘Make It Simple’ has been, unsurprisingly, a huge success. The premise of the book is to make sewing less complicated with its six ‘easy, speedy sewing projects to stitch up in an afternoon.’

I love a good bargain, and this book is a brilliant investment. For £25 you get the six patterns mentioned, but each one has a number of variations included on the pattern sheets, and there are more suggestions for you to create yourself too. The designs are really varied including pyjamas, day dresses and a more tailored pinafore dress, but here I’m going to talk about a pattern I’ve fallen hard for: the Safiya.

Continue reading “Make it slightly less simple: Tilly’s Safiya dungarees”

Ogden cami: how to make your own button-up version!

You may not have heard of this rarely seen top…it’s called the Ogden cami from True Bias. Yes. That one that every single person who sews has sewn. It’s just so good.

For very good reason, the Ogden hangs inside the wardrobe of every seamstress, and I thought I’d share a simple little hack to make your own button-up version.

Continue reading “Ogden cami: how to make your own button-up version!”

Bobbing along: Tilly and the Buttons’ Bobbi skirt

Always late to the sewing party, I have finally jumped on the bandwagon and made a Bobbi skirt from Tilly and the Buttons. I made a similar skirt last year and I’ve worn it so many times, it’s a brilliant everyday basic:

A new version was on my Make Nine and I was going to self draft, but this pattern release came in perfect time because it saved me the faff of drafting! The pattern has two variations: a skirt and a pinafore, both of which are so so gorgeous. Continue reading “Bobbing along: Tilly and the Buttons’ Bobbi skirt”

Discount codes, free downloads and free patterns: justification for an unnecessary expense

I caved. I’d been eyeing up the first issue of Sew It Vintage but at £12.99 I was really put off buying it. However, baby arrived two weeks ago (hooray!) and I’m now breastfeeding for 90 hours a day, so I need some reading material. This came with two really gorgeous patterns, Vintage Vogue V8788 and V9187.

The 1960s top looks like a good ‘un with different options, and the 1954 dress is goooorgeous. I think I’ll try making it in this floral loveliness I found at a car boot sale for £3! Should be perfect for Christmas celebrations:

vintage-vogue-patterns.jpg

Continue reading “Discount codes, free downloads and free patterns: justification for an unnecessary expense”

Let’s begin at the beginning

It’s fair to say that sewing, knitting and craft in general has boomed over the last few years. It’s an amazing thing to be able to create your own clothes, accessories and homeware, but it’s not the cheapest hobby to access. Particularly as a beginner, you don’t want to cut in to some fabric that cost £20 per metre only for it to go tits up. So, that’s where this blog comes in. I’m going to share my tips, tricks and hacks to get make the most of your patterns! Enough waffling, let’s get down to it… Continue reading “Let’s begin at the beginning”