Hi Reader, āNo mumā. That was my eldest daughterās response to the suggestion I make her prom dress. Oof. That was crushing. The thing is, while my kids were growing up, I hadnāt really sewn much apart from rushed World Book Day costumes from random bits lying around. She had absolutely no idea that before she was born, I used to make competition ballroom dance dresses and bridal gowns. She probably imagined I was about to whip something up from musty old curtains or worn out sheets from the...
about 16 hours agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, When you buy a place on one of my Summer Sewing Experience Days you will:- šŖ”Discover the secrets of using a sewing machine with ease, so you can start sewing your dream projects without getting tangled or frustrated! š§µMaster the art of threading, stitching and adjusting your machine's dials, buttons, and knobs, so you can achieve perfect results every time - no thread nests, wonky seams or uneven stitches! šCreate a practical and beautiful summer project under my expert guidance,...
4 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, I was recently approached by Winslet Patterns to become an affiliate for them. I only ever share products, tools, and patterns that I have actually used myself and would genuinely be happy to recommend. So before saying yes, I had a proper look through the collection, asked one of my daughters to choose a style sheād actually wear, and sewed it up. She chose a pair of high waisted wide leg trousers in a green linen mix from my stash. I was really pleased with how they came...
30 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, My party dress was supposed to be a quick make. It was for my husbandās 60th, I had very little time, so I chose a ready-made pattern instead of drafting from scratch and some crushed velour from my stash. I adapted it for stretch, made a toileā¦ But it didnāt look good. Something was off and I couldnāt quite put my finger on it. So I asked AI and Iāve written a blog post about what happened including what AI got right, what it got wrong, and what actually worked. READ THE FULL...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hi Reader, The moment right before you start sewing is often the hardest. Not threading the machine. Not cutting the fabric. Justā¦ starting. In class this week, one of my learners had everything ready. And then she stopped and said: āIām scared to sew in case I make a mistake.ā So, I asked her: āWhat happens if you do make a mistake?ā Her answer, and what came next, is something I see all the time. And itās probably the one thing that keeps people stuck for the longest. Iāve written about it...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, The class looked up in surprise. I had just told one of the learners to send her brand new sewing machine back. She had bought it from Amazon for about Ā£80 and brought it to class for its first outing. At first it stitched forwards perfectly well. But every time she pressed reverse to secure the seam, then tried to sew forwards again, the thread immediately jammed underneath. So we checked the usual suspects. Threading. Bobbin. Fluff in the bobbin case. But this machine was brand...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, She bought the last pair to match her blazer. They were several sizes too big. Not just at the waist. Everywhere. There was six inches to remove in total. This wasnāt a quick nip at the back seam. It involved redistributing width across multiple seams, adjusting the waistband, repositioning belt loops and accepting that the side pockets would become almost decorative. When she came to collect them, they fitted perfectly. She was thrilled. If youāve ever bought something that almost...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Iāve sewn LOTS of buttons this past week. It was half term, and I was back in GSAās costume department helping with alterations. What really struck me (again) was the designerās ability to tweak existing stock into completely new looks. With a few smart changes, pieces were transformed into convincing Victorian for Onegin and delightfully quirky for High Buttoned Shoes. The buttons I stitched were added to waistbands for braces and to jackets where they completely shifted the...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, We are on a roll with themed parties at the moment. Last week was 90ās and our costumes were inspired by Neo and Trinity from The Matrix. This week was 80ās. Our inspiration was Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart from Eurythmics. The main pieces came from Ricky Playerās wardrobe, but the accessories made the outfit. The red scarf, trilby hat, feature necklace, pink DMs, beltā¦ and of course the orange sprayed hair. I got the orange hair spray from Amazon and was slightly doubtful Iād get...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, My husband and I were invited to a 90s-themed party. Now, my husband really hates dressing up. Properly hates it. Fancy dress is just not his thing at all. The idea of ācome as something from the 90sā was so vague and broad that it immediately felt overwhelming to him. So I did a bit of research and looked up some 90s icon couples. After a bit of scrolling, I landed on The Matrix. Neo and Trinity. That, surprisingly, did appeal to him. The costumes are mostly black, simple, and...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read