Secret Life of a Seamstress

Secret Life of a Seamstress

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  • 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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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    DIBY Club Emmeline Dress

    DIBY Club Emmeline Gathered Dress Pattern Review

    March 5, 2020
  • You Tube

    What I’ve been sewing and making in February…

    March 1, 2021 /

    Hi everyone – welcome back to another video talking all about what I’ve been sewing in February. This video includes another Billie Sweatshirt by Tilly and the Buttons, a Linden Sweatshirt, the Stella Joggers and my finished I Am Merlin Coat by I Am Patterns. I hope you enjoy the video and thank you for watching! Sally x

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  • Uncategorized

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

    April 14, 2020

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    April 24, 2020
  • 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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  • Uncategorized

    The ‘Cassiopée Mini’ Dress by I Am Patterns – A pattern review in collaboration with Makerist.com

    September 17, 2020 /

    For this blog post I’ve teamed up with Makerist.com who kindly invited me to review two of their patterns and offer my lovely followers the chance to win one of three free patterns in a GIVEAWAY over on my Instagram account @secret_life_of_a_seamstress.  Makerist are also kindly offering my readers 20% off of all full price patterns too so if you’d like to treat yourself to a lovely sewing pattern as well as enter the giveaway simply enter the code SECRETLIFE20 at checkout. *Please be aware that the giveaway ends on Monday 21 September and discount code ends on Monday 19 October, so if you’re reading this post after these dates…

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    Sally Gauntlett 0 Comments

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    Five of My Favourite Sewing Tools

    April 24, 2020

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secret_life_of_a_seamstress

✂️ Sewing Blogger, YouTuber & Content Creator
📍 Bedfordshire
🧵 Handmade wardrobe inspiration & tutorials
👇🏻 Follow my sewing journey-all links below

Sally Gauntlett
•Patina Blouse• Here’s a full photo of my fi •Patina Blouse• Here’s a full photo of my finished version and I really, really love it!! I enjoyed slowing this up slowly last week, there are some really pretty details in there, I love the pointy collar and the gathers at the sleeve cuffs it was just a really lovely sew and I can’t wait to make another one already - it’s on the never ending list! If you saw my fabric sort out YouTube video this week you’ll know how many plans I currently have 😂🙈 The fabric is a viscose poplin from @abakhanfabrics kindly gifted to me as part of their new autumn/winter range and I think the colours in this will be perfect for the colder months. Have you made the Patina yet? What did you think of the pattern? 💗
Next project on the needles - the Thread Sweater a Next project on the needles - the Thread Sweater another @weareknitters kit. This is knit on much smaller needles than my Lighthouse Sweater so I think this one might take a little longer! ————————————————————— I know a lot of people find craft helpful for anxiety and for me this is definitely the case, even more so than sewing I find knitting so therapeutic. Im terrible at just relaxing and sitting sometimes (all the time) and for some reason keeping my hands busy doing something like knitting really calms my mind!! What’s your go to craft for anxiety or de-stressing??? . . . . . #weareknitters #threadsweater #makersgonnamake makersgonnashare #psimadethis #makerslife #craftsposure #makersgonnamakeit #craftstagram #craftastherapy #knittersofinstagram #ukknitters #mumswhoknit #handmadeparade #mumswhomake #makestagram #makerslifestyle #handmadeisbettermade
✨Lighthouse Sweater✨ I’m just going to throw ✨Lighthouse Sweater✨ I’m just going to throw it out there and say that this is probably my most favourite knit yet and if not that it was definitely the quickest! I knit this using a kit from @weareknitters (my first one) and I’m so impressed with the quality of the yarn, the instructions and the fit is really nice too. So happy to have this in my winter wardrobe this year, it’s super cosy! I’ll probably blog this one soon so look out for that if you’re interested to read more 😊💗 —————————————————- Ps. It’s definitely true that sometimes the hardest part about having a sewing & knitting blog is getting the photos. It took all of my mental energy to get the camera out before it got dark yesterday 🙈
I had a bit of sewing time this week and managed t I had a bit of sewing time this week and managed to get my Patina Blouse by @fridaypatterncompany finished! If you look really closely there’s a pretty pointy collar in there 🥰 I absolutely loved sewing this up, I did it slowly over three days rather than being my usual rushy self and really enjoyed the little details like the burrito method and the pretty gathered cuffs I’ll hopefully get some photos of it on soon 💗 Ps. This gorgeous viscose poplin is from @abakhanfabrics new autumn winter range and it’s so pretty I’ll link it in my stories 🥰 Ad/pr . . . . . #patinablouse #fridaypatterncompany #sewingproject #isew #isewclothes #sewistsofinstagram #abakhanfabrics #imakemyownclothes #sewingcommunity #sewhappy #millenialsewing #dressmakersofinstagram #sewingforme #indiepatternsewing #sewinginreallife #homesewnwardrobe #seamstresslifestyle #sewingvlogger
I’ve finished my Lighthouse Sweater by @wearekni I’ve finished my Lighthouse Sweater by @weareknitters and I absolutely love it!! I think this was possibly the quickest garment I’ve ever knitted possibly due to the stripes. I have this weird thing where I can only stop on a completed stripe set - don’t judge that’s perfectly normal right?? 🤪 The yarn in this felt so fluffy and delicate that I didn’t dare soak block it so I pinned it out and sprayed it with water and a couple of drops of my no rinse wash and that seemed to set it but I guess it’ll have to be properly washed eventually and then I’ll have to hand wash/soak it (the care label says hand wash). More experienced knitters - what would you do??? xx . . . . . #knittingaddict #knittinglove #knittinginspiration #knittersofinstagram #knittingproject #ukknitters #knittingisthenewyoga #stayhomeandknit #shareyourknits #yarncrafts #iknit #knittingismysuperpower #knittingismyhappyplace #iknitmyownclothes #knittingmakesmehappy
Milking those pumpkins for all they’re worth!! 😂 🎃 Have you entered the #mommyandmesewingchallenge yet?? If not there’s still time, entries need to be in by 26 November and there are some fab prizes up for grabs from both @makerist_com and @spoonflower. Here’s a couple more snaps of our entry again. I made the @iam_patterns Cassiopee Dress for me and the Cassiopee Mini for Lilly - such a super quick and easy pattern to sew up - perfect for beginners too. I’ve put a link to both of these patterns and the fabric I’ve used here in my bio and don’t forget you can get 15% off of both using my discount 15secretlifeofaseamstress at checkout… 💗 AD/PR . . . . . #memadeeveryday #sewingtime #sewinglife #whomadeyourclothes #sewcialists #imakemyownclothes #whatiwore #petitefashion #petitestyle #mummyanddaughter #mummyandme #sewityourself #diyootd #sewover40 #mmootd #petitesewist #sewingjourney #yesisew #sewingbloggersofinstagram
Here’s a few random pumpkins to brighten up your Here’s a few random pumpkins to brighten up your Friday morning!! I kind of feel like pumpkin season came and went so quickly and everyone has moved onto Christmas already - slow down people!! 🙈 Thanks again for all of the suggestions on my last post you’re all so lovely - I tried Olbas Oil last night and have woken up a little less stuffy I think 🤞🏻 —————————————————————— In other random chat is anyone watching Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out on BBC? It’s seriously making me want to declutter my whole house, I do love a good sort out! 😜 Happy Friday everyone xx
I don’t want to keep banging on about Covid but I don’t want to keep banging on about Covid but has anyone that’s had it suffered with horrible blocked sinus’?? Not your typical symptom it seems but I’ve had this for over a week now and as well as being painful I can’t sleep at night for headache and feeling so congested and its getting me down now 😫 Not in any way a sympathy post but please if you have any magic remedies or tips for this do let me know, I’ve been using a Sudofed spray but you’re only supposed to use them for 5-7 days apparently. Apologies for the possible TMI - normal, non nasal related sewing content should resume shortly 🤞🏻😞🙈 . . . . . #sewingblogger #sewingblog #covidsymptoms #topdown #cosyhomeclub #alittlebeautyeveryday #stylingtheseasons #persuepretty #myhappycapture #lovecolourfully #simplestyling #nestandflourish #momentslikethis #livethelittlethingsinlife #livebeautifullyeveryday
First day out of isolation for us today and it fel First day out of isolation for us today and it felt a bit odd to say the least! Luckily it was a beautiful sunny autumn morning for our walk to school…. Sharing this little dress again because I don’t have a lot else to share at the moment but now I’m feeling better I’m itching to sew something - but which of my plans do I make first 🤔🍂 ________________________________ Dress: @iam_patterns #cassiopeemini Fabric: @spoonflower (shop this pattern and fabric with 15% off in my bio and use the code 15secretlifeofaseamstress) . . . . . #sewing #sewingproject #isew #isewclothes #sewistsofinstagram #imakemyownclothes #sewingcommunity #sewhappy #millenialsewing #dressmakersofinstagram #sewingforme #indiepatternsewing #sewinginreallife #homesewnwardrobe #seamstresslifestyle #sewingvlogger
I’ve been doing not a lot other than sitting on I’ve been doing not a lot other than sitting on the sofa lately whilst being poorly and I’ve actually managed to read a whole book in a week which is unheard of, for me it’s usually months 🙈 I read Both of You by Adele Parks and it was actually pretty good - although the ending was a bit odd, you might have got that too if you’ve read it… ————————————————————— I’m now part way through another of Adele’s books now Just My Luck and I’m hooked already, it’s really made me love reading again and I know I need to make more time for it! So, what are you currently reading or what have you read recently that you can recommend??? I’m going to make a list and keep it on my phone so that after this one I don’t have that. ‘What to read next’ blank after this one… 🤔 📖 📕 🤓 . . . . . #whatimreading #whatimreadingnow #bookstagram #onmytable #ilovetoread #alittlebeautyeveryday #stylingtheseasons #persuepretty #myhappycapture #lovecolourfully #simplestyling #nestandflourish #momentslikethis #livethelittlethingsinlife #livebeautifullyeveryday #sewingblogger #teaandbooks
I finally made a ‘matchy matchy’ outfit for my I finally made a ‘matchy matchy’ outfit for myself and Lilly and I love them (swipe for the outtake) 😂😍 I made the @iam_patterns Cassiopee Dress for myself and the Cassiopee Mini for Lilly and I absolutely love both of these patterns. Such a simple design, super quick and easy to sew up and perfect for anyone who hates fastenings because for the adult version there are none!! These dresses are what I made for the #mommyandmesewingchallenge in collaboration with @makerist_com and @spoonflower running from 5-26 November - fancy joining in?? All details below and there are some fab prizes up for grabs 👇🏻🌸 ——————————————————— Don’t forget you can also use my discount code 15secretlifeofaseamstress for 15% off of anything sitewide on @makerist_com and @spoonflower and I’ve popped a direct link to both Cassiopee Dress patterns in my bio too (you can use my discount on those too if you like). Let me know if you’re planning to take part and feel free to tag anyone else you think might want to join in below 💗💗💗 ________________________________ To enter the challenge you need to:- - Make a matching mommy and me outfit with matching pattern or fabric (this doesn’t have to be a Makerist pattern or Spoonflower fabric) - Post a photograph on Instagram before 26 November with the hashtag #mommyandmesewingchallenge and tagging @makerist_com and @spoonflower - Three winners will be selected for the most creative makes - Makerist patterns and spoonflower fabrics will be amongst the prizes for the the lucky winners I can’t wait to see all the entries 😊 AD/PR - paid partnership
How much autumnal cuteness can you get in one fabr How much autumnal cuteness can you get in one fabric?? I added a teeny little ruffle to the raglan seam of this Cassiopee Mini dress from @makerist_com. I love this pattern - perfect little girls dress 💗 A sneak peek of what I’ve been making for the #mommyandmesewingchallenge with @makerist_com and @spoonflower. I’m explaining more about this challenge in my latest YouTube video (link in bio) and will be sharing more ‘proper’ photos over the next few days 🍂 _________________________________ You can also get 15% discount on anything on the @makerist_com or @spoonflower website using my discount code 15secretlifeofaseamstress 💗
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Recent Posts

  • VLOG | Sorting out my entire fabric stash and organising with Trello… December 6, 2021
  • Ten Crafty Christmas Gift Ideas | What’s on my list this year… November 18, 2021
  • VLOG | What I’ve been sewing and knitting in October 2021… November 1, 2021
  • The Hayley Robe by Tammy Handmade – a sewing pattern review… October 21, 2021
  • VLOG | Three looks I’ve been inspired to sew for my wardrobe this autumn/winter… October 11, 2021
  • Sirdar 9523 Cardigan Knitting Pattern Review… October 7, 2021
  • VLOG | What I’ve been sewing and knitting in September 2021… October 4, 2021
  • VLOG | How to sew a fabric pumpkin… October 4, 2021
  • VLOG | Sew a Chalk & Notch Wren Blouse with me… September 27, 2021
  • My Favourite Makes of Summer 2021 September 23, 2021

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