Secret Life of a Seamstress

Secret Life of a Seamstress

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  • Pattern Reviews

    The Hayley Robe by Tammy Handmade – a sewing pattern review…

    October 21, 2021 /

    A new dressing gown, or robe whatever you’d rather call it, has been something that’s been on my ‘to sew’ list for quite some time so when Makerist kindly invited me to collaborate with them again on their most recent $2 sale campaign I of course said yes and after a scout through all of the wonderful patterns on their site, soon settled on the Hayley Robe by Tammy Handmade. I loved the look of this pattern because it didn’t look too oversized as some robe patterns can be. I also loved that there were two length options given and of course you have the option to make it in…

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

    DIBY Club Emmeline Gathered Dress Pattern Review

    March 5, 2020
  • Pattern Reviews

    Sewing my first coat | A review of the I Am Merlin Coat by I Am Patterns

    March 17, 2021 /

    When I Am Patterns brought out the Merlin Coat in autumn 2020 I jumped at the chance to buy it. I had been looking for a pattern to try as my first foray into coat making for a while and I loved the oversized look of this coat and the slight cocoon shape in the body. The Pattern I ordered myself the paper pattern directly from I Am Patterns and it arrived around a week later.  This is the first paper pattern I’ve bought from this company and I liked the minimalistic style of the pattern cover with its gold backing and see-through front. Something to note about the paper…

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

    DIBY Club Emmeline Gathered Dress Pattern Review

    March 5, 2020
  • 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
  • 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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    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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  • Uncategorized

    Five of My Favourite Sewing Tools

    April 24, 2020 /

    For this blog post I thought I’d do a little round up of my top five favourite and most used sewing tools.  I could have added many more but these are my current favourites J I’ve linked the products in each section if you would like to check them out for yourself.  Burda Tracing Paper Not sure if this can be considered a ‘tool’ but I guess it kind of is.  I absolutely love this stuff, since I trace off all of my patterns now I go through quite a lot of it. I’ve tried various types of paper (I’ve even tried greaseproof baking paper) for tracing patterns and I…

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

    April 14, 2020
  • The Fabric Guys

    Sew Over It Ava Skirt Pattern and Fabric Review with The Fabric Guys

    January 31, 2020 /

    THE PATTERN I have wanted to make a Sew Over It Ava Skirt for ages and when I saw this super pretty needlecord on the Fabric Guys website I knew it would be perfect for this pattern.  I have a similar ready to wear skirt in corduroy and it’s just perfect for the autumn and winter months. I chose to make the mini version of this skirt without the pockets.  Leaving out pockets was not a decision I took lightly because we all love a pocket don’t we but I didn’t want the inseam pockets to interfere with the silhouette of the skirt in this fabric. I made a size…

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  • 2019 Makes,  The Fabric Guys

    The Avid Seamstress – The Blouse. A Tutorial in Collaboration with The Fabric Guys

    November 18, 2019 /

    This pattern has got to be one of my favourite patterns ever and it was a pleasure to make this one in this beautiful floral rayon from The Fabric Guys! I have always wanted a handmade blouse in my wardrobe but been put off by the collar stands and difficult cuffs that come with the making. In my opinion this pattern is the perfect introduction to shirt making, the instructions are clear and easy to follow and there are lots of little hints and tips along the way to help you out. I’ve made two versions now – for my first I loved the pattern image so much I used…

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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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