Secret Life of a Seamstress

Secret Life of a Seamstress

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    My Make Nine Plans for 2021

    January 24, 2021 /

    If you aren’t already familiar with the ‘Make Nine’ challenge, it’s described as a ‘gentle self-guided challenge for makers’ and the idea behind it is that, at the beginning of the new year (or any time really), you set yourself nine things you would like to make over the coming year and post them on Instagram using the hashtag #makenine so that other makers can follow along with your journey and progress.  It’s also great inspiration to see what other makers are planning for the year and a great way to find new pattern/fabric pairings and ideas. Although I have loved seeing other makers take part in this challenge in…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    April 24, 2020

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  • Pattern Reviews

    My First Wildergown – a pattern and fabric review…

    January 23, 2021 /

    I absolutely loved the look of this Art Gallery Rayon fabric from Minerva particularly because of the beautiful rust/burnt orange colour of the print.  I loved it so much that it took me ages to decide what to make with it because I had so many ideas. I’ve been thinking about making the Friday Pattern Company Wilder Gown for a long while now too and after a lot of deliberation I decided that the Wilder Gown and this beautiful, floaty rayon would make a perfect match. I am 5’ 3” in height and although I absolutely love the look of the full length dress, I decided that, for my first…

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    Sally Gauntlett 2 Comments

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  • You Tube

    VLOG Fabric haul | What I bought in the January sales and some sewing plans

    January 17, 2021 /

    Hi everyone welcome to another fabric haul vlog talking about some fabrics I picked up in the January sales and some plans I have for what to make with them. I hope you’ll enjoy the video let me know if you have any ideas of what I should make with the fabrics. Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • Uncategorized

    Thoughts on 2020 and what I’ve learned in my crafting journey this past year…

    January 13, 2021 /

    Well, 2020 was quite a year wasn’t it!  For us (like many others) it meant a new home schooling routine and working and staying at home for pretty much most of the year.  Luckily I’m quite a happy home bird anyway so the staying at home wasn’t too hard but of course we missed seeing all of our family and friends so much. Again, like a lot of us I’m sure, the pandemic caused me a lot of anxiety and when anxious my mind is always calmed by crafting, and thoughts of crafting and planning more crafting so it’s fair to say that a LOT of sewing and making happened…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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  • You Tube

    VLOG – Sharing my 10 favourite makes of 2020…

    January 11, 2021 /

    Hello everyone welcome to another vlog, today I’m showing and talking all about my favourite makes of 2020. Everything I mention should be linked in the description of the YouTube video but don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions I hope you like my favourites! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • Pattern Reviews

    The Florence Blouse by Size Me Sewing – A Pattern Review (in collaboration with Makerist.Com)

    January 6, 2021 /

    Before Christmas Makerist kindly asked me if I would like to try one of the patterns from the designers they were featuring in a post Christmas $2 sale.  Makerist have an amazing selection of craft patterns including sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery, you can visit their website and view their vast collection here. Flicking through all of the lovely sewing patterns on their website the Florence Blouse caught my eye.  I loved the relaxed style of the blouse and the shirring detail at the cuff.  I thought this would be a make for my wardrobe that could be dressed up or down so I knew I would get a lot…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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  • You Tube

    VLOG – What I’ve been sewing in November and December…

    December 21, 2020 /

    Join me as I chat all about what I’ve been sewing during November and December. Including the Sew Over It Heather Dress, the Tilly and the Buttons Agnes Top, the Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress, the Tilly and the Buttons Billie Sweatshirt, a Friday Pattern Company Sagebrush Top hack and a Cassiopee Mini Dress by I Am Patterns for my daughter. I hope you enjoy it! Sally x

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • You Tube

    VLOG – Fabric haul & sewing plans | What I’m hoping to sew in time for Christmas

    December 15, 2020 /

    Thank you for joining me for another fabric haul and sewing plans video chatting about what I’m hoping to make in time for Christmas. I hope you’ll enjoy it! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • You Tube

    VLOG – Sew a Tilly & the Buttons Billie Sweatshirt with me…

    December 8, 2020 /

    Hello everyone – I hope you’ll enjoy this ‘sewalong’ video in collaboration with Becky from Notes from the Sewing Room where we’ll both be sewing up a different version of the Billie Sweatshirt by Tilly and the Buttons. Happy watching! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • Uncategorized,  Knitting Projects

    The Fred Cardigan from Lovecrafts.com – a knitting pattern review…

    December 4, 2020 /

    One sunny afternoon in September I found myself in that lovely position of just having completed a knitting project and therefore being able to justify to myself looking for another one.  Love Crafts is my go to place for knitting patterns at the moment and I find they have some excellent free patterns for all levels of knitters.  After scrolling through for a little while the Fred Cardigan pattern, pictured below, caught my eye. I usually stick to pretty basic patterns where knitting is concerned because I like to be able to knit in front of the TV in the evening and not be doing anything that requires too much…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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My latest VLOG is now live and I’m talking all a My latest VLOG is now live and I’m talking all about my ‘Make Nine’ plans this week. I’ve also written a blog post all about what I’m planning to make too and you can find the links to both in my bio if you’d like to watch/read 💗
Patterns from top left are:
@iam_patterns I Am Merlin Coat
@sewhouse7 Toaster Sweater
@closetcorepatterns Carolyn Pyjamas
@tailoressstudio Whitmoor Sweater
@tillybuttons Jessa Shorts
@truebias Roscoe Blouse
@truebias Hudson Pants
@mccallpatterncompany M7969
@truebias Marlow Sweater

I’m really excited to be taking part in the challenge this year after lurking along with lots of other makers in the past 🤓

Any tips or advice on any of the patterns please do let me know. Are you taking part? xxx
Because I’m not quite ready to move on from this Because I’m not quite ready to move on from this dress quite yet 😂 Sewing dresses is definitely my favourite, what’s yours? Xx 
My full write up of this dress is now up on my Minerva profile. Link in bio 💗
Pattern: @fridaypatterncompany Wildergown 
Fabric: @minervadotcom
•Other Crafts• A while ago I picked up this Pe •Other Crafts• A while ago I picked up this Peter Rabbit cross stitch in the sale at @hobbycrafthq and promptly forgot about it. Knitting is usually my go to ‘other craft’ but over Christmas I found myself in that strange period of having finished one project but not having another one yet to pick up so I decided to give this a go instead. I used to do a lot of cross stitch as a teenager and loved it so it was lovely to pick it back up again and I found it so relaxing and mindful to do in the evenings - with a full light on because it’s definitely harder on the old eyesight than it used to be 🤓 I think I might get myself another cross stitch to pick up on the days I want something different to do. What’s your go to relaxation craft?? Xx
A few snaps of my finished Wildergown by @fridaypa A few snaps of my finished Wildergown by @fridaypatterncompany in this beautiful Art Gallery rayon from @minervadotcom . This was a pattern I’ve admired from afar for a long time but wondered how it would look on little old 5’ 3” me. Swipe to see that I decided to add elastic to the waist in the end to bring it in and give it some more shape. Now that it’s done I couldn’t love it more but I think it’s definitely spring/summer wear for me. My full write up and review of this pattern and fabric is now up on my Minerva profile and there’s a link in my bio that will take you straight there if you’d like to read. I cannot wait to try a top version of this pattern now xx
(#ad fabric #gifted in exchange for a review in my own words)
If you watched my stories at the weekend you’ll If you watched my stories at the weekend you’ll know I’ve already finished this dress but I love to see and post works in progress so continuing the tradition here’s half a Wildergown 😂 I’m going to get some proper photos of the full dress and get this make blogged and up on my @minervadotcom profile this week. I have to say I’m loving this pattern and I can’t wait to make a top version too. Have a lovely Monday xxx
Pattern: @fridaypatterncompany #wildergown 
Fabric: @minervadotcom Art Gallery rayon
New VLOG- Sharing some fabrics I picked up in the New VLOG- Sharing some fabrics I picked up in the January sales and some plans I have for them. I’ve just passed 3000 subscribers over there so thank you so much if you have subscribed - the link to my YouTube channel is in my bio if you’d like to watch 💗
Instagram is such a brilliant way of documenting a Instagram is such a brilliant way of documenting all of my makes - like a little scrapbook of my crafting world. At the beginning of the month I wanted to write down and count up everything I made in 2020, so I did that with the help of my account and I’d made 48 things!! Not all for me I might add but I was surprised at how much. It’s ironic that lockdown has given me my best handmade wardrobe ever but yet I have nowhere to wear it all 🤣 Still claiming that sewing has helped keep me sane though!! 😂 xx
Pattern: @deer_and_doe_patterns Myosotis Dress
Fabric: @stoffstil
I do love a bit of January planning. At the beginn I do love a bit of January planning. At the beginning of this year (at least!!) I’m going to try to be sensible with my makes and sew up some things I’m actually going to get some wear out of during these strange lockdown times. So it’s all the cosy wear for the foreseeable (apart from the pretty dress I need to finish up this weekend but that’s another story) 😜 Are you a planner or a just make what you feel like-er?? Xx
Never taking this sweatshirt off!! 😉 A little s Never taking this sweatshirt off!! 😉 A little snap of my first Linden Sweatshirt from @grainlinestudio on. This was made in a super cosy fleece backed jersey fabric from @minervadotcom. Since I’m all about the lockdown lounge wear at the moment I think there will be many more of these to come in the foreseeable 🥰 What’s your favourite sweatshirt pattern? I have my eye on a couple more 👀 Xx
Team cable match or team non cable match it’s al Team cable match or team non cable match it’s always good to have pockets 🥰
I almost didn’t post this close up because it suddenly became obvious to me that my cables don’t match on the neck band. Then I realised I really don’t care that much because I absolutely love this dress! 😜
Personally I wouldn’t be too put off by stripe matching if you really find it difficult/don’t want to. I have a pretty expensive rtw and the stripe matching on it is terrible - I’m sure I wouldn’t even have noticed if I didn’t sew and I’m even more sure that no one else would be that bothered. 
Of course the finer details are something we can all work towards as we get better I guess I’m just trying to say don’t let it put you off learning (just my humble opinion and I’m talking as much to myself as anyone else here!!) 🤣 xx
Dress: @sewoveritlondon Heather Dress
Fabric: @minervadotcom
Good morning!! I have a new VLOG up on my YouTube Good morning!! I have a new VLOG up on my YouTube channel chatting all about my 10 favourite makes of 2020. The link is in my bio if you fancy a watch 💗 Sneak peek at one of my faves from the picture 😉 xx
I shared this on my stories yesterday so apologies I shared this on my stories yesterday so apologies for the overkill but as a couple of people had asked how I found the pattern I thought I’d share a bit more. This is my first attempt at the Linden Sweatshirt pattern by @grainlinestudio which I made with a lovely cosy fleece backed jersey from @minervadotcom (I think it’s out of stock now sadly). I LOVED this pattern it was so quick to make and if I hadn’t had a couple of overlocker threading issues in the middle I think I’d have made it in about an hour. I love the raglan sleeve style of this pattern too, it makes it a little different from say the Billie pattern which is another sweatshirt pattern I’ve bought recently. I did make mine slightly cropped as I did my usual trick of not checking whether I had enough fabric for the pattern before cutting and just hoping to wing it! 🙈😂🙈
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Recent Posts

  • My Make Nine Plans for 2021 January 24, 2021
  • My First Wildergown – a pattern and fabric review… January 23, 2021
  • VLOG Fabric haul | What I bought in the January sales and some sewing plans January 17, 2021
  • Thoughts on 2020 and what I’ve learned in my crafting journey this past year… January 13, 2021
  • VLOG – Sharing my 10 favourite makes of 2020… January 11, 2021
  • The Florence Blouse by Size Me Sewing – A Pattern Review (in collaboration with Makerist.Com) January 6, 2021
  • VLOG – What I’ve been sewing in November and December… December 21, 2020
  • VLOG – Fabric haul & sewing plans | What I’m hoping to sew in time for Christmas December 15, 2020
  • VLOG – Sew a Tilly & the Buttons Billie Sweatshirt with me… December 8, 2020
  • The Fred Cardigan from Lovecrafts.com – a knitting pattern review… December 4, 2020

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