I’m sharing a video introduction to the Barberry Jacket over on the vlog. See the jacket in motion, and hear a bit more about design.
Tag Archives: vlog
Festive Stitch Project Suggestions

I have finally made it back to my blog and vlog to share some suggestions of festive stitch projects (knitting, crochet, punch needle, bargello) you might enjoy in the run up to Christmas.
I’ve made a start on the bauble advent calendar mentioned. I’m really enjoying having a daily challenge and the variety of the different designs. Two baubles complete so far, and 22 left to go!
Access the vlog below or on my YouTube channel:
Things mentioned:
Arne & Carlos, Christmas Balls Advent Calendar
Whole Punching, Bauble Punch Needle Kit
Tina Francis, Bargello Banner – Festive Fun
March Sewing Zine Vlog

No new vlogs for two months and then two in one week!
I’ve just uploaded a new vlog about what I’ve been up to lately, including my plans for the Sewcialists Sew Your Birth Year mini-challenge, and attending a soft basketry workshop.
View it below or via my YouTube channel:
Things mentioned:
The Sewcialists Sew Your Birth Year Mini Challenge
Sugardale, Len Coveralls
SewOver50, #so50visible challenge
My The Maker’s Atelier Asymmetric Gather Dress
Paper Theory Patterns, Olya Shirt/Shirt Dress
Soft basketry workshop with Averil Otiv
The SewBrum Meet-up (Saturday 24th October 2020)
Little Black Duck, Spools of Thread Mini Quilt
My Favourite Sewing Pattern Releases in 2019

I’ve published my first vlog of 2020, which is a look back at my favourite sewing patterns released in 2019.
You can watch the vlog below or via my YouTube channel.
If you fancy revisiting some great previous pattern releases, see also my favourite patterns in 2018 and 2017.
Patterns mentioned:
Charm Patterns – Princess Coat
Helen’s Closet – Yanta Overalls
Carmen Bouchard – La Jupe en Jean
Sew Over It / Lisa Comfort Magazine – Amelia Jacket
Friday Pattern Company – Wilder Gown
Closet Case Patterns – Pietra Pants & Shorts
Closet Case Patterns – Sienna Maker Jacket
October Sewing Zine Vlog
I’ve uploaded a new vlog about what I’ve been up to lately, including my Georgie Dress, Observatory Shawl and faux fur Tamarack Jacket.
View it below or via my YouTube channel:
Things mentioned:
Closet Case Patterns, Pietra Pants
Alice & Co Patterns Georgie Dress (free pattern)
Masson Mill in Matlock Bath
The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
SewBrum meet-up
The Little World of Fabric (‘The Liberty Man’)
Pink Coat Club & Adornments by Rosheen Headbands
Petershams Millinery Supplies Headbands
Untangling Knots Arachne pattern
Kate Davies Observatory pattern
Grainline Studio Tamarack Jacket
August Sewing Zine Vlog

I’ve uploaded a new vlog about what I’ve been up to this month, including the tweed and tartan weaving course I attended a few weeks ago.
View it below or via my YouTube channel:
Mentioned in the vlog:
The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers summer school
My weaving tutor, Jan Beadle Textiles
Closet Case Patterns, Ginger Jeans
Guthrie & Ghani shop opening in April 2013
June Sewing Zine Vlog

Yesterday evening I recorded a new vlog with what I’ve been up to over the last month, including craft workshops & sewing swaps.
Things mentioned:
Monoprinting with Crafty Bun Studio
Knit Sweater – Embroidery Stitch Sampler
Birmingham & District Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers
#PatternSwap19 organised by Alice & Emma
#OgdenIdaSwap19 organised by Jen & Samantha
Paris Sewcial
Last weekend was the Paris Sewcial / Paris Coud meet-up, organised by myself and Carmen Bouchard.

Back in 2014, I attended a Paris meet-up organised by Carmen, and this January I decided it was time for another large meet-up in Paris. Carmen agreed to organise it with me and took on the tasks of arranging our meals, as well as recommending lots of great shops and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent (thanks Carmen!).

Around 50 of us met near the Sacré-Cœur on Saturday morning to visit Montmartre’s fabric shops. We had lots of attendees joining us from the UK and France, but also from Belgium, Germany, Canada and America. Phil was roped into taking a group photo in front of the Sacré-Cœur before departing to do his own thing for the day.

We split into smaller groups as people moved to find lunch and explore further afield, but almost everyone made it to the dp Studio pop-up shop. By coincidence, the pattern company were holding a pop-up to sell their patterns and leftover fabric from previous samples and collections for one day only on the Saturday. The fabric was priced at €5 per metre (although they were generous at rounding down) and we all enjoyed a good rummage. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to try one of their patterns for the first time, and picked the Le 600 Blouse which is well represented on Instagram.

By this point we were well into the afternoon. Paris’ fabric shops are open quite late (until around 7pm) so lots of the group visited one more shop before heading back to hotels to drop off fabric and prepare for dinner. Carmen had arranged a three-course meal, plus musical accompaniment, for us, after which everyone was ready to fall into bed.

On Sunday, a group of us met for brunch before visiting the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, located in the building where the couture house was based in Paris and where Yves Saint Laurent worked. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, the last women standing travelled slightly out of town (by metro and bus) to visit Bennytex Fabric Warehouse. Bennytex made us very welcome, staying open until we finished shopping, and giving each of us a small coffee on arrival and a free metre or so of jersey fabric before we left.

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us over the weekend. As always, it was lovely to catch-up with old friends and to meet new ones. As someone who has never lived outside of Birmingham, it’s brilliant to be part of an international community online and – sometimes – in person.

I’ve published a short vlog with some footage of the weekend, and of my purchases, which you can view here:














April Sewing Zine Vlog
Favourite 2018 Pattern Releases
I’ve published a vlog of my personal favourite sewing patterns releases during 2018.
I’ve only sewn one of these so far, but I suspect I’ll get around to a fair few eventually. I have a couple in progress currently, including a Yates Coat.
In no particular order, my favourites are:
Night and Day Dress – Charm Patterns: https://charmpatterns.bygertie.com/shop/night-and-day-dress/
Yates Coat – Grainline Studio: https://grainlinestudio.com/shop/women/yates-coat-paper-pattern/
Myosotis Dress – Deer&Doe: https://shop.deer-and-doe.fr/en/sewing-patterns/65-myosotis-dress-pattern.html
Eloise Dress Sewing Pattern – By Hand London: https://byhandlondon.com/products/eloise-dress-pdf-sewing-pattern
Zelie Shirt – République du Chiffon: http://republiqueduchiffon.com/en/home/118-chemisier-zelie.html
Honeycomb Shirt & Dress – CocoWawa Crafts: https://www.cocowawacrafts.com/shop/sewing-patterns/honeycomb-shirt-dress-pdf-sewing-pattern-eng/
8605 – Simplicity Pattern: https://www.sewdirect.com/us8605a/
I AM Félicie – I AM Patterns: https://iampatterns.fr/en/sewing-patterns/116-felicie.html
Audrey – Seamwork: https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/audrey
Pinnacle Top/Sweater – Papercut Patterns: https://papercutpatterns.com/products/pinnacle-top-sweater
Justine (Free Pattern) – Ready to Sew: https://www.readytosew.fr/en/store/dresses-and-skirts/the-free-pattern-justine
Fika Tote – Noodlehead: https://noodle-head.com/product/fika-tote-pdf-pattern
TPC21//Drop Shoulder Coat – Trend Patterns: https://www.trendpatterns.co.uk/shop/tpc21drop-shoulder-coat-1
Len Coveralls – Sugardale: http://sugardale.net/sewing-patterns
“Karma” Trench – Milan AV-JC: https://www.milanavjc.com/zero-waste-karma-trench-en
Jarrah sweater – Megan Nielsen: https://megannielsen.com/products/jarrah
Floreat dress & top – Megan Nielsen: https://megannielsen.com/products/floreat