My finished Tissura dressmaking project: Liberty of London front zip shirt dress

Summer is the busiest time of year for me at work and this usually starts around spring, so I’m very grateful for everyone’s patience with me posting here. I am happy to report that my one of my dressmaking projects (see previous inspiration post here) is now complete after encountering some difficulties.

Today, I will talk you through some lessons I’ve learned from sewing this project (having been sewing sporadically for 5 years now) and reveal my final design.

New Pipe Dream Patterns sewing project: My Sew Called Sweater

It’s April and with having a week off, I’d quite like to spend this time getting back into my sewing groove! I had started some children’s sewing projects last year (see here, here and here) after the sewing and crafting plenty for our 2015 wedding (you can see the full details of my projects here). Afterwards I believe I burned myself out and with my excitement to try to sew all sorts of things babies and expecting parents would need last year.

One of the first things that piqued my interest in sewing again was when I discovered Pipe Dream Patterns, a fledgling indie pattern company working towards creating comfortable wardrobe staples with fun style lines to help you explore your own creativity with colours and textiles.

Re-creating high fashion: dressmaking project with fabric from Tissura

We get inspiration from all around us for creative projects and sometimes seeing something you like but wanting to change it to suit your own style is the most straight forward way. Years ago when I was avidly catching all the premier designer fashion shows, I was also watching out for the celebrities to see what they wore. Sometimes what’s on the front row is just as good as what is being paraded down the runway!

There was one such Asian celebrity who wore what I thought was an interesting gown. It was made with textured rose pink coloured fabric, was short-sleeved and was the length of a coat, but was in fact a dress with a short zip of around 6 inches which meant the celebrity had to wear shorts underneath. Somehow the length and style of the dress really fascinated me. In Scotland, you wouldn’t catch me wearing the dress with short shorts underneath, but it was one that definitely stayed in my mind!

The Creative Craft Show and Scottish Quilting Show, SEC Glasgow

Fancy getting creative in 2018? Then a trip to The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show is a must.

The co-hosted shows are back at Glasgow’s SEC on March 8 – 11 bringing together over 100 exhibitors showcasing artisan, handcrafted gifts, supplies and inspiration and demonstrations for crafters and quilters.

Announcing the winner and updates for the Glasgow SEC Crafts for Christmas Show

Thank you to everyone who entered in my giveaway (here) for two (2) tickets to the Crafts for Christmas show at the SEC in Glasgow which will also gain you entry into the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts show in the next hall.

Update 12/10/2017: As the previous chosen winner had not responded to various e-mails to claim her prize, I had to pick a new winner.

The winner has now been picked at random and the winner is…

Discovering a new world of luxurious fabrics from Tissura

Anyone who is experienced with sewing and dressmaking will be able to tell you that the choice of fabric for any project, whether it be a jacket, dress or curtain, is very important. Choosing a lightweight cotton fabric for curtain doesn’t help serve its purpose; using heavyweight fabric for an evening gown makes it impractical. Finding suppliers who offer a great range of beautiful fabric can also be a tricky task. Most sewers are fascinated by haute couture designs, so it’ll come as no surprise that Tissura is the company that can supply you with the same high quality luxurious fabrics, directly from the manufacturers, that premier fashion houses use.

My first baby sewing tutorial: So Sew Easy burp cloths

After a lot of deliberating about fabric choices for several baby sewing projects (see the ones I’ve thinking about here), I finally got started on the burp cloth project.

Using So Sew Easy’s perfect burp cloth pattern (download here) I’ve finally made a set for one friend who’s expecting. I’ve still to make another set for a friend who gave birth to her baby boy a couple months ago though!

An unexpected surprise: sewing ideas for the wee ones

If you haven’t already guessed from the subject above, I’m excited about a new baby! I’m sorry to disappoint, but it’s not me that’s expecting. I’m not sure if we’re really at the stage where we want to start expanding our family just yet, but a friend had mentioned she and her husband are expecting and I couldn’t be happier for them! Of course, when I mentioned it to the OH, he suggested that I could sew for the new baby and for the baby boy of friends of ours who was born earlier in the year.

Become a Wrap Pyjama Fairy: a volunteer sewing project

Ever since I started my journey in dressmaking 3 years ago, I’ve mostly been sewing for myself. Occasionally, I get asked to make faux fur snoods or to make a dress for a friend. As you probably already know, I also did several sewing projects for myself and the bridesmaids. I’ve always wanted to sew for others and couldn’t have found a better choice in volunteer charity Wrap Pyjama Fairies.

Welcome to the sewing family, Brother!

Having used the trusty ol’ hand-me-down Singer sewing machine for the past year and a half that the OH was given more than 5 years ago, I’d recently taken the plunge and bought a brand, spankin’ new sewing machine. I saw a deal come up on Groupon and after much hemming and hawing, decided to go for it. The deal had come up previously, but I was quite content with the trusty Singer we’ve been using for many years.

The temptation of not having to sew button holes by hand and being able to sew more than just a straight stitch was too big to resist any longer. Especially when the OH’s mum gave me some money to buy a new one. The impatient wait has finally come to an end, the box was sitting waiting patiently for me when I came through the front door after work!