Secret Life of a Seamstress

Secret Life of a Seamstress

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  • Pattern Hacks

    How I hacked the Lyra Dress pattern to make a fully button down shirt dress…

    June 22, 2022 /

    I’d been admiring button down, full length, maxi dresses on the high street for a while now and wondering whether I should invest in a new pattern in order to be able to make my own. Here are a couple I had my eye on, aren’t they lovely… When it comes to sewing patterns though, I always try to make the most of what I already have. If I fancy a new garment, or trying to re-create something I’ve seen in the shops or on Pinterest, I’ll always have a delve into my pattern stash first to see what I might be able to use as a starting point. This…

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  • Pattern Reviews

    My Three Versions of the Davenport Dress by Friday Pattern Company…

    March 23, 2022 /

    Now and again a pattern is released, and you know immediately that you NEED to own it and get it into your wardrobe asap.  This was the case for me when Friday Pattern Co released the Davenport Dress pattern.  I loved the boho style of this dress and the little details involved, such as the gathered yoke at the back, the shoulder flutters, the elasticated neckline and let’s be honest – who doesn’t love a drawstring waist anything! I’ve made three versions of the Davenport since buying the pattern last year and in this blog I’m going to give a short run through of how I found the pattern initially…

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  • You Tube

    What I’ve been sewing and making in February…

    March 7, 2022 /

    Join me as I chat all about everything I’ve been sewing and making in February, including a swimsuit, some trousers and two dresses. Thank you so much for watching! Sally x

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  • Sewing Inspiration

    Designing My dream Valentines Day outfit – with Makerist and MyFabrics…

    February 10, 2022 /

    So, during February, Makerist and My Fabrics are running a Valentines challenge over on Instagram and the idea is that you create a sketch or mood board of your dream Valentines Day outfit. If you’ve not heard of Makerist before, they are an amazing craft website with loads of sewing, knitting and craft patterns and creative blogs, tutorials and inspiration. If you’d like to visit their website I’ve linked it here. My Fabrics are a fab online fabric seller with a really wide range of dressmaking and home wear fabrics, knitting supplies and haberdashery. If you’ve not heard of them before and want to pay them a visit, I’ve linked…

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  • You Tube

    VLOG | My favourite sewing and knitting makes of 2021…

    January 17, 2022 /

    Hello everyone… In this video I’m sharing all of my favourite sewing and knitting makes from 2021, chatting through them and talking about how last year went and plans (or not) for the new year. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching! Sally x

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  • You Tube

    VLOG | What I’ve been sewing and knitting in October 2021…

    November 1, 2021 /

    Join me as I chat all about what I’ve been sewing and knitting in October 2021 🙂 Thank you so much for watching!! Sally xx

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  • You Tube

    VLOG | Sharing my entire collection of handmade woven summer dresses…

    July 27, 2021 /

    Join me as a share and talk through every handmade woven summer dress I currently have in my wardrobe including some Sew Over It, Tilly and the Buttons and many more. I’ve really enjoyed making these collection videos and I hope you will too! 🙂 Thank you for watching! Sally xx

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  • Uncategorized

    How to hack patterns, sharing my hints and tips…

    April 25, 2021 /

    Hi everyone – this blog accompanies my YouTube video on pattern hacking tips. You can watch the video by clicking below, all of the patterns I talk about have been linked below (where possible) simply click on the pattern link and it’ll take you straight there. Tip No. 1 – Take inspiration from the high street, designer wear, Pinterest etc. I love to take inspiration from all around me and keep a Pinterest board of clothes and outfits I’ve seen that I like to use as inspiration for making new garments. I used a combination of the Megan Nielson Sudley Dress and Fibre Mood Mira Dress patterns to make the…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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secret_life_of_a_seamstress

✂️ Sewing Blogger, YouTuber & Content Creator
🧵 Handmade wardrobe inspiration & tutorials
📍 Bedfordshire
👇🏻 Subscribe to my YT channel and Blog below

Sally | Sewing Content
•Sneak Peek• @cath_craft and I have something •Sneak Peek• @cath_craft and I have something super exciting to share with you at the end of the week and this new make might be something to do with it… 🤫 
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Any guesses what I’ve sewn up here??? Answers on a postcard… (anyone old enough to remember those days) 😂
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Stay tuned to see what we’ve got coming up - all will be revealed soon 😉
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#sewingsneakpeek #sewingcloseup #sewover40 #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #isewfashion #mmootd #memadeeveryday #petitesewing #petitestyle #millenialsewing #sewingbee #makersgonnashare #makersgonnamake #sewersgonnasew
Probably one on my most comfy (and most worn if I’m honest) outfits ever…! These Safiya Trousers have been SO worn that the elastic has actually gone in them and they are getting baggier and baggier at the waist 🙈😂
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Does anyone have any tips on how to fix that once already sewn in??? And yes I have also sewn right through the elastic with zigzag to stop it twisting too 🙈 Xx 

PS. Not me today as we left these cushions out in the rain last night and now they are going to take approximately 345000 hours to dry 😫
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#sewingsafiya #tillyandthebuttons #makeitsimplebook #sewover40 #isewmyownclothes #isewfashion #petitestyle #petitefashion #sewinginreallife #makersgonnashare #makersgonnamake #sewistsofinstagram
I made a short sleeve top from the Davenport Dress I made a short sleeve top from the Davenport Dress pattern and I love it!!
I’ll have a little reel coming soon about how I made the changes but in the meantime if you fancy watching more of the sewing process head over to my YouTube channel (link in bio). My latest video is a ‘a day in my sewing life’ where I’m making up this top.
I don’t think I’m done with hacking this pattern yet, next has to be a sleeveless version I think… 💗

Pattern: Davenport Dress by @fridaypatterncompany 
Fabric: @felicity.fabrics 
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#davenporttop #davenportdress #davenporthack #fridaypatterncompany #memadeeveryday #sewingtime #sewinglife #whomadeyourclothes #sewcialists #imakemyownclothes #whatiwore #petitefashion #petitestyle
#sewityourself #diyootd #sustainablesewing #sewover40
#mmootd #petitesewist #sewingjourney #yesisew #sewingbloggersofinstagram
I quite liked this outfit from the other day so I I quite liked this outfit from the other day so I thought I’d take a quick snap. I’m laughing at my little photo bomber - swipe to see 🐶 😂
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Skirt: Bonnie Woven Skirt by @stylearc 
T Shirt @nextofficial 
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#stylearc #stylearcpatterns #bonnieskirt #bonniewovenskirt #ootd #mmootd #diyootd #sewistsofinstagram #petitesewists #petitefashion #petitestyle #sewover40 #fashionover40 #sewingforsummer
•Taika Dress• Out out 😝 I wore this dress o •Taika Dress• Out out 😝
I wore this dress out for a lovely Ruby Wedding celebration a couple of weeks ago, with a pair of heels shock horror!! Can’t remember when that last happened- the going out or the heels… 😂

Ps. Apologies for the very rude statue behind me, I think I managed to crop most of it out but still 🤭

Pattern: Taika by @namedclothing 
Fabric: @minervadotcom 
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#taikablousedress #namedclothing #minervabrandambassador #minervamakes #memadeeveryday #sewingtime #sewinglife #whomadeyourclothes #sewcialists #imakemyownclothes #whatiwore #petitefashion #petitestyle
#sewityourself #diyootd #sustainablesewing #sewover40
#mmootd #petitesewist #sewingjourney #yesisew #sewingbloggersofinstagram
•Style Arc Bonnie Skirt• I don’t think I’v •Style Arc Bonnie Skirt• I don’t think I’ve shared a photo of this here, only on YouTube so here we are 📷 

Despite my troubles trying to work out the waistband instructions, I absolutely love this skirt, the back is elasticated so it’s really comfy to wear and I love the button down style!! Thumbs up for another Style Arc pattern 💗

I have a sewing video on my YouTube making this skirt if you fancy watching the link is in my bio xx

Pattern: Bonnie Skirt by @stylearc 
Fabric: Viscose Poplin from @abakhanfabrics 
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#stylearc #stylearcpatterns #stylearcbonnie #memademay2022 #memadeeveryday #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes #isew #isewfashion #mmootd #diyootd #sewingforsummer #sewover40
I feel like I’ve not posted for a while so here’s a little close up on the sleeve shirring I did on my recent Lyra Dress hack. Shirring isn’t something I’ve ventured into much so far on my sewing journey, the elastic thread scares me a bit 😝 so I’ve mainly just admired it from afar on other peoples makes. 
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I have to say though,  it was the perfect ‘quick fix’ for bringing these sleeves in a little bit once I’d already hemmed them and definitely easier than elastic channeling them (technical term)! 😂

Is shirring something you love, hate or haven’t tried yet? X
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#sewinglyra #tillyandthebuttons #lyradress #lyradresshack #memadeeveryday #sewingtime #sewinglife #whomadeyourclothes #sewcialists #imakemyownclothes #whatiwore #petitefashion #petitestyle
#sewityourself #diyootd #sustainablesewing #sewover40
#mmootd #petitesewist #sewingjourney #yesisew #sewingbloggersofinstagram
A couple more pics of my Taika Dress by @namedclot A couple more pics of my Taika Dress by @namedclothing (swipe for full pic from a breezy day in Paris) 😉 This was my latest make for @minervadotcom and the full write up is now up on my Minerva profile (link in bio) if you fancy a read. I did have to do a little bit of altering on this one since the pattern is drafted at 5’ 8” and I’m 5’ 3”….!! 
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This was such a lovely pattern to sew up and I can’t wait to have another go at it soon 💗 Is this pattern on your sewing list for summer?? Xx
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#taikablousedress #namedclothing #minervamakers #minervamakes #isewmyownclothes #youcanhackit #patternhacking #sewistsofinstagram #sewcialists #sewingblogger #sewingblog #sewingforsummer
Morning everyone - this weeks YouTube video is now Morning everyone - this weeks YouTube video is now up and I’m talking all about everything I made in May including my Taika Blouse Dress by @namedclothing, my Bonnie Midi Skirt by @stylearc and my button down Lyra Dress by @tillybuttons hack too. The link to my channel is in my bio if you fancy a watch 💗
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I’m so excited for summer sewing season I just wish the weather would warm up a bit for it now it’s still a bit 🥶 🌧 💨 here in the UK! How is it where you are???
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#sewingyoutuber #sewingyoutube #taikablousedress #sewingindigo #sabonnieskirt #stylearcpatterns #tillyandthebuttons #sewingvlog #sewingvlogger #sewinghelp #sewinghacks #youcanhackit #isewmyownclothes #isewfashion #sewingmakesmehappy #sewcialists
•My latest Lyra Dress hack• Excuse the leg - o •My latest Lyra Dress hack• Excuse the leg - oo la la 🤪🤭
I made this one fully button down and I absolutely love it! This was a bit of a wearable toile really just to see how it worked with some super cheap viscose from the market. I didn’t expect to love this green as much as I do - it’s actually really pretty!! I also added a bit of shirring to the sleeves to bring them in a bit and I’m so pleased with how it all turned out 💗 
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I’ll be sharing more about how I made the changes in this Sundays YouTube video where I’ll be sharing my makes for May - don’t forget to subscribe and click the 🔔 if you fancy watching (channel link in bio… 😉 
As always when I made something I love I can’t wait to make my next one haha 😛 

Pattern: Lyra Dress by @tillybuttons 
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#sewinglyra #lyradress #lyradresshack #tillyandthebuttons #memademay2022 #memadeeveryday #sewingtime #sewinglife #whomadeyourclothes #sewcialists #imakemyownclothes #whatiwore #petitefashion #petitestyle
#sewityourself #diyootd #sustainablesewing #sewover40
#mmootd #petitesewist #sewingjourney #yesisew #sewingbloggersofinstagram
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Recent Posts

  • How I hacked the Lyra Dress pattern to make a fully button down shirt dress… June 22, 2022
  • Vlog | A day in my sewing life, sewing a Davenport Top hack… June 20, 2022
  • Vlog | Crafty Catch Up June 13, 2022
  • Vlog | My Top Five Super Speedy Sewing Patterns… June 6, 2022
  • Vlog | What I’ve been sewing in May 2022 June 6, 2022
  • Vlog | Three looks I’ve been inspired to recreate for my spring/summer wardrobe this year… May 23, 2022
  • Vlog | A Day in my Sewing Life… May 17, 2022
  • Vlog | My Top Five Sewing Patterns for Jersey Tops… May 9, 2022
  • The Kara Sweater Kit by We Are Knitters – A knitting pattern review… May 4, 2022
  • Vlog | What I’ve been sewing, making and crocheting in April… May 2, 2022

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