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 “come as something from the 90s” 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...
about 10 hours ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Quick question.... Right now, what would you most like help with in your sewing? I want to make sure what I share next actually fits you, not a made-up version of you in my head. It'll take under a minute. Just click the option that feels closest. Which of these sounds most like you right now? My Lutterloh kit is sitting on the shelf because I'm not confident getter started or drafting patterns that actually fit My sewing looks a bit "homemade" and I want my garments to have a more...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I'm back teaching classes after the Christmas holidays, and one theme keeps popping up. Fit. So many people take up dressmaking because they struggle to find ready-to-wear clothes that fit properly. They want clothes to feel like they were made for them. But even after learning to sew, so many still find themselves frustrated when their handmade garments don’t fit and come up too small. This week, almost every class I’ve taught has come back to one simple, crucial step. Taking...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Yesterday I did my very first Christmas fair with my beginner-friendly sewing kits. It was a big build-up: days of cutting, marking, pressing, packing, printing instructions and planning the stall. I sold a few aprons, a few tote bag kits and some Christmas bits, but nowhere near what I’d quietly hoped for in terms of takings. Talking to the other stallholders, it was clear it wasn’t just me. Footfall was low, there were more stallholders than people browsing, and lots of us went...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Last week I had a surprise couple of days inside the Guildford School of Acting costume department. They needed an extra pair of hands for alterations, so I stepped in and honestly, it was such a joy. Across the two days I: • Added extra panels to a dress and skirt to give them more room • Took in a T-shirt and a pair of trousers • Let out another pair • Repaired a tear on a gorgeous vintage cape (right at the neck edge) • Stitched a lace collar onto a jacket to give it a Victorian...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I was rolling up my yoga mat at the end of class last week, still in that blissful post-yoga glow, when my yoga teacher stopped me on the way out. “Would you like to have a stall at the Christmas Wellness Fair I’m organising on December 13th?” My immediate, very un-zen thought “I DON’T HAVE TIME.” She’s been running these fairs for just over a year now and I’ve always wanted to support her but I've always been away. I’ve always fancied doing a craft stall. But the timing?...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, I've just created something new and while it might not be for you, you might know someone who needs it. The Straight Stitch Starter Pack is a printable guide I'm creating for brand-new sewists who are struggling to get their machine to cooperate. They've bought a machine, watched a few YouTube videos, and now they're convinced they're doing everything wrong because their stitches look nothing like the ones in the tutorials. Spoiler: Many of those tutorials are typically filmed on...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, It started as a quick tip video — just me sharing how to cut faux fur without making a mess. Next thing I know, it’s taken off. Over 600,000 views and 555 comments on TikTok (and counting). Absolutely wild! Honestly, I had no idea so many people would be fascinated by faux fur. But that’s the beauty of the internet — you never know what will catch people’s imagination. And there's been a ripple effect... I’ve had a couple of costume enquiries pop up because of it. One is a Goofy...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you got my latest free seam and hem finishing guide yet? Read to the end to get the link. The Longest Yarn You have to see this if you're into crochet or knitting. The Longest Yarn exhibition is like Legoland model village but knitted and crocheted. It's a series of sets (60 metres) that walk through the story of how WW2 unfolded for Brits on the home front, from the announcement of war, to gas masks, rationing, bombing and taking shelter in the underground stations, through...
6 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Woohoo! I did it! After six months of dedicated work, I’m thrilled to announce that I have officially passed my AET teaching qualification! 🎉 When I first embarked on this journey, I thought it would be a doddle. After all, I’ve been teaching sewing to adults for several years now, and I expected to have it all wrapped up in six weeks. However, I found this qualification was quite a challenge! The experience has been both enlightening and rewarding, pushing me to grow in ways I...
6 months ago • 1 min read