'It is all in the pressing' was the first piece of sewing advice I was ever given. You should spend almost as much time pressing as sewing if you want to achieve a truly professional finish on your handmade garments. Ignore this advice and an incredibly well made item of clothing could still look, well, very handmade. In this article we share top tips to press like a pro. Continue reading →
If you follow our blog you will know I need more casual day dresses in my life. Whatever the weather I'm bored of trousers and am working to redress my jeans overload. It is quite a mammoth task - I don't even have a simple T shirt dress. I mean, seriously, who doesn't have one of those?! When we sourced our awesome new range of summer fabrics I knew I could make some serious strides on my mission. This geometric jersey jumped out at me. Soft and cool with a pale mint green print it was perfect for summer. Continue reading →
This week I thought it would be nice to share my summer makes so far and the plans I have for my next few projects. There is a brand new dress, which I haven't blogged yet, a couple of previous makes and some thoughts on my favourite fitting book. This is a great opportunity to see how garments in our fabrics hang, hear my thoughts on some of the patterns I've used and get ideas for pattern and fabric combos. Links to all of the patterns and fabrics mentioned are detailed below. Enjoy! Continue reading →
Last year I met a lovely lady called Anne. Anne is a Technical Tutor on the Textiles: Innovation and Design degree course at Loughborough University and has been sewing for work and pleasure for most of her life. When she invited me to view the textiles exhibition in the University Arts Degree Show 2017 I couldn't resist. A morning ogling fabric created by the bright young things set to become the designers of the future? Yes please. Continue reading →
Right now embroidery is brightening up accessories and clothing everywhere you turn. Shoes, handbags, tops, dresses, jeans - I've even seen it on plant pots! Not only is it incredibly pretty, it is easy to master enough hand embroidery stitches to create your very own designs. It is also a calming and therapeutic pastime, which is always a plus point in my book. Here we share 7 easy hand embroidery stitches to get you started and demonstrate how you can start to put them together to create a feminine floral design. Warning this craft is seriously addictive! Continue reading →
As usual this flared skirt sewing project started with some serious fabric love. When we sourced our new cotton lawn range I could not wait to get them home. The designs are truly beautiful and the quality is second to none. I fell head over heels with this floral cotton lawn immediately. The digital print was bang on trend as was the grey backdrop. Continue reading →
Using the right interfacing, tapes and waistband stiffeners will give your dressmaking projects a truly professional finish, but the vast range of products available can feel overwhelming. Our range of these products is by no means exhaustive, but caters for the most common dressmaking and tailoring requirements well and we'll give you a good overview of what they're used for and how to choose the right ones below plus a handy reference table too. Continue reading →
Hand sewn button loops and rouleau loops are such a pretty way to fasten a garment, particularly when a feminine finish is required or when working with delicate fabrics. They are ideal for the pretty summer garments we are all working on right now and are relatively easy to master so I wanted to share the love! Here is a little step by step guide on how to create them. Continue reading →
As promised here is the next instalment of our fabulous spring/summer fabric range. This week the John Kaldor range will have you weak at the knees! Continue reading →
This week I'm thrilled to bring you my contribution to the McCalls Cocktail Hour blogger tour. If you haven't already heard the McCalls pattern company have selected 20 gorgeous Vogue cocktail dress patterns for the initiative (see the list at the bottom of this post). Over the next seven months a contribution from the sale of each and every one of the designated patterns will be donated to the Eve Appeal, a charity that raises funds to fight the five women's only cancers. To promote the initiative 26 bloggers have been selected to take part in a tour and make their favourite pattern. There is also a yummy cocktail recipe and you can share your makes and join in the fun using the hashtag #sipandsew. So grab a cuppa cocktail and have a read about my most exquisite and challenging make to date! Continue reading →
Our hotly awaited, glorious selection of new spring summer fabrics are now up on the site. We've had one day of balmy temperatures and it had me in a tizz! There's nothing worse than warmer weather finally arriving and then feeling like you have nothing to wear. My spring summer handmade wardrobe is currently on hold whilst I'm beavering away on my McCalls cocktail hour dress, but that hasn't stopped my mind racing with ideas of things I would like to make. So here's some of the key catwalk trends for the current season with suggestions for the patterns and fabrics you could use to make them. Come on sunshine, we're ready for you! Continue reading →
Feast your eyes on our fabulous range of new dressmaking fabrics perfect for the new season. Get an idea of the drape, get inspiration for what to make and get ready to drool - they are beauties! Continue reading →
