Secret Life of a Seamstress

Secret Life of a Seamstress

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  • Pattern Hacks

    An Indigo/Lyra pattern mash up – possibly my new favourite dress…

    September 9, 2021 /

    Ah the midi dress trend, are you a lover or a hater?? I have to say, for a long while I was unsure about this oh so difficult length to get right, particularly in ready to wear dresses where my little old petite self would simply end up drowning in what should have been midi length and invariably turned out to be maxi and possibly a little bit more in the shops.  Enter yet another reason why I love being able to make my own clothes… I have to say though, I really like the midi dress trend.  I think it’s that little bit more flattering than maxi if you…

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    Sally Gauntlett 2 Comments
  • Pattern Reviews

    My (first) three versions of the Billie Sweatshirt by Tilly and the Buttons – a pattern review…

    February 25, 2021 /

    As soon as Tilly and the Buttons released the Billie pattern, I fell in love with it.  I love to wear jersey and sweatshirts have fast become my wear of choice during this extended lockdown period we’ve found ourselves in here in the UK meaning that we’re at home in our cosy clothes far more than we usually would be perhaps.   The Billie can be made as a sweatshirt or as a dress.  I’ve not yet made a dress version but I definitely hope to in the future. You can order yourself a copy of the Billie pattern here. I loved the look of the basic sweatshirt pattern, but…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

    DIBY Club Emmeline Gathered Dress Pattern Review

    March 5, 2020
  • 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 4 Comments

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

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    March 5, 2020
  • 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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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

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    March 5, 2020
  • You Tube

    VLOG – What I’ve been sewing during July and August (part 2)

    August 27, 2020 /

    Hi everyone, welcome back to my channel and to part two of my ‘sew and tell’ all about what I’ve been making over July and August. As there are quite a few makes to get through I’ve decided to split the video into a part one and part two. You can find part one on my channel if you haven’t watched it and would like to. I would love you to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already and don’t forget to hit the notification bell to be notified of any future videos I make. Happy sewing and thank you again for your support! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • You Tube

    VLOG – What I’ve been sewing during July and August (part 1)

    August 25, 2020 /

    Hi everyone, welcome back to my channel and to a bit of an overdue ‘sew and tell’ all about what I’ve been making over July and August. As there are quite a few makes to get through I’ve decided to split the video into a part one and part two. I would love you to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already and don’t forget to hit the notification bell to be notified of any future videos I make. Happy sewing and thank you again for your support! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • Uncategorized,  You Tube

    Cosy Rainy Sewing Day | Sew a Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges dress with me

    June 21, 2020 /

    Join me for a cozy, rainy day sewing day where I sew up my latest (there are many!) Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges dress in this beautiful embroidered chambray denim. I’d love to know what you thought of this video and whether you would like to see more of this kind of thing. Also do comment below and let me know if you’ve made the Darling Ranges dress and what you thought of it. Happy sewing! Sally xx

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    Five of My Favourite Sewing Tools

    April 24, 2020

    Beginner Sewing Project Hair Scrunchie Tutorial – easy ‘make in an hour’ project

    April 14, 2020
  • Minerva Blog

    Megan Nielsen Sudley Dress/Top Hack

    May 26, 2020 /

    I think I have an obsession with Megan Nielsen dress patterns, there’s always so much potential to adapt and so many different variations to the patterns.  When I saw this beautiful blue spot crepe fabric on the Minerva website loved it immediately and wasn’t sure what to make with it at first, then the Sudley Dress pattern came into my life and I knew it would be the perfect match.  I wasn’t sure at first whether to make the dress version or a top from this fabric and in the end I settled on something in between.  A sort of hack of the pattern to make a peplum top.  Here’s…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments
  • Uncategorized

    Summer Sewing Inspiration – five looks I’m loving…

    May 17, 2020 /

    Like a lot of us, even though we’re still in lockdown here in the UK, the nicer weather has got me thinking about all of the lovely summer makes I want to sew.  Yes, even though I’m spending most of my time at home in comfy loungewear I still need lots of pretty dresses ok husband!! 😉 Here’s a little round up of summer inspiration I’ve collected over the last few weeks. I’ve linked to anything I mention so if you want to take a closer look just click on any of the links or pictures and it should take you directly to the item. The Floral Midi Dress I…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    Beginner Sewing Project Hair Scrunchie Tutorial – easy ‘make in an hour’ project

    April 14, 2020

    Five of My Favourite Sewing Tools

    April 24, 2020
  • Pattern Reviews,  Uncategorized

    Pivoine Blouse Review – Delphine & Morissette

    May 10, 2020 /

    I made this blouse back last summer 2019 and, after posting pictures of it on Instagram, I had so many lovely comments, messages and questions about the making process that I kept saying that I would write a blog post on the pattern and I am just getting around to it now in May 2020!!  Lockdown does have some advantages, it’s giving me time to write up a lot of my makes and it’s lovely to get them done and remember what I loved about them. So, anyway, I had seen so many beautiful versions of this pattern around and fell in love with it.  I absolutely love French style,…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

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    March 5, 2020
 Older Posts





secret_life_of_a_seamstress

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Sally Gauntlett
Another way I’ll be styling my Simplicity S8796 Another way I’ll be styling my Simplicity S8796 this winter. Probably one of my favourites 💕

Outfit details:
Coat - handmade @simplicitymccallsuk S8796
Sweatshirt - @newlook 
Leggings - @marksandspencer 
Trainers - @veja 
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#simplicity8796 #simplicitypatterns #sewingreels #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #isew #memadestyle #mmootd #stylingreels #outfitoftheday #petitestyle #petitefashion
A few photos of my latest Whitmoor Cardigan on. I A few photos of my latest Whitmoor Cardigan on. I love this one so much it’s super cosy in this Rowan Kid Classic yarn and I much prefer the shorter length and bishop sleeves on me.

Once again I’m amazed by the magic combination of soak blocking and lace. Lace is so bumpy when you’ve finished isn’t it but the soak makes it so lovely and smooth and, well, holey 😂😊💕

Pattern: Whitmoor Cardigan by @tailoressstudio 
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#whitmoorcardigan #tailoressstudio #tailoressstudiopatterns #knitting #knittingaddict #knittinginspiration #knittersofinstagram #iknitmyownclothes
Ok, after an initial ‘I’m not so sure’ I can Ok, after an initial ‘I’m not so sure’ I can report I’m now loving my new coat now. It’s that hang on the door and walk away for a while that does it 😂💕

Outfit details:
Knit dress - @newlook 
Boots - @boden_clothing old 
Coat - Simplicity 8796 handmade by me
Bag - @hm old

Ps. I know I need to smile more in these videos - for some reason it just can’t be done 😆
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#simplicity8976 #stylingreel #sewing #sewingreel #handmadeclothing #sewistsofinstagram #stylingforwinter #outfitoftheday #outfitreel #psimadethis #mmootd #ootd #petitestyle
A little puff sleeve appreciation post this mornin A little puff sleeve appreciation post this morning because I haven’t really made anything since my coat so I don’t have a lot to share 🤪

Definitely feeling the urge to sew something floaty and viscose-y now though after all that thick coating fabric. What are you working on this week? 

I might have to start thinking Christmas dresses… 🤔🎄💕

Pattern: Nicks Blouse by @closetcorepatterns 
Fabric: Art Gallery rayon from @minervadotcom 
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#closetcorenicks #nicksblouse #artgallery #artgalleryfabrics #isewmyownclothes #sewistsofinstagram #minervamakers #minervamakes
The lace detail on the Whitmoor Cardigan has got t The lace detail on the Whitmoor Cardigan has got to be one of my favourite patterns ever (not that I’ve knitted many lace patterns but still… 😆). It’s so satisfying to knit and looks so pretty. I feel like I’d be happy just knitting a wardrobe full of Whitmoors in lots of different colours - still need to try out the sweater version too 💕
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#whitmoorcardigan #whitmoorsweater #tailoressstudiopatterns #knittersofinstagram #iknit #knitting_inspiration #knittingaddict
I had a lot of fun using Pinterest images to style I had a lot of fun using Pinterest images to style my handmade and ready to wear clothes over on YouTube last week. I think this was definitely one of my favourite outfits 😊

Logan Shacket by @stylearc worn under my jumper from @oliveclothing 
Boots @hm 

The link to my channel is in my bio if you fancy watching 💕
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#stylingreels #sewing #sewingreels #stylingmyhandmadewardrobe #stylingmyhandmadeclothes #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #loganshacket
A couple of pictures of my newly finished coat (th A couple of pictures of my newly finished coat (there will be more) 😆

I thoroughly enjoyed sewing this up. From start to finish I took my time and really enjoyed the process. I’ve decided I really enjoy making coats…

However, when I initially tried this on I had that moment of ‘errrr not sure if I like that on me…’ and it had to hang on the door for a few days before I could return to it - if you know you know 😂

Anyway, I’m pleased to report that after a couple of wears out of the house, I actually really like it. It’s different for me because it’s not a padded dog walking/rain coat but I love how it can be dressed with pretty much everything smart or casual.

I’d like to make another coat soon but definitely need to choose a darker colour. That’s three coats I’ve made now in a camel/beige 🙈😂

What are your thoughts on coat making??

Pattern: Simplicity S8796
Fabric: Lili fabrics 
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#s8796 #simplicity8796 #coatmaking #coatsewing #isewmyownclothes #isew #sewistsofinstagram #mmootd #memadeeveryday #sewinginspiration #sewover40 #sewingforautumn
Which Ilford outfit is your favourite??? I think t Which Ilford outfit is your favourite???
I think this has got to be one of the most versatile makes in my wardrobe - it just goes with everything… 💕

Need another one asap!

Pattern: @fridaypatterncompany Ilford Jacket
Fabric: Mind the Maker cotton twill from @minervadotcom 
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#minervamakers #minervamakes #ilfordjacket #fridaypatterncompany #sewingreels #stylingreel #stylingreels #outfitreel #sewistsofinstagram #isew #isewmyownclothes #sewover40 #autumnstyle
Just incase you missed it, over on YouTube this we Just incase you missed it, over on YouTube this week I shared everything I’ve been sewing, knitting and crocheting lately. Including my new winter coat which I still can’t quite believe I actually made 😊

The link to my channel is in my bio if you fancy a watch (and thank you so much to those of you who already have) 💕
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#sewandtell #sewingyoutuber #sewingvlogger #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #imakemyclothes #sewinginspiration #sewingplans
A mix of handmade and ready to wear garments in th A mix of handmade and ready to wear garments in this outfit. That’s generally how my dressing seems to go. I’ll never be a completely handmade wardrobe kind of person I just love rtw clothes too much 🥰 Do you do the same or are you aiming for handmade only? 

This was a lovely, comfy, cosy outfit for autumn, everything is listed below 🍂 😊

Handmade:
T Shirt - Agnes by @tillybuttons 
Cardigan - Whitmoor by @tailoressstudio 
Jacket - Jack Trench by @ready_to_sew 

RTW
Jeans - Topshop mom jeans from @asos 
Trainers - @veja 
Jeans Topshop @asos 

Ps. Going to try and be better at doing more of these outfit type reels 🤪
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#outfitreel #stylingreel #handmadeoutfit #handmadeclothing #imakemyownclothes #isew #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #knittersofinstagram #whitmoorcardigan #sewingagnes #tillyandthebuttons
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