Anyone local to Southampton, UK?

Calling all sewing addicts: is there anyone reasonably local to Southampton (UK) who would be interested in a spot of sew-socialising? I know a couple of local people but we seem to have somewhat different interests. So just checking if there's anyone else? Looking for like-minded people interested in more complex projects, vintage patterns or…

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A bustle and a cat

I know I promised to get on with my Shivering Isles dress and do those fancy sleeves, but life interfered again: in 11 days we are going Subaquatic! And that requires an outfit, obviously. Plus, I finally figured out what to do with my purple outfit featuring The Cat: I mean the cat on my…

Lessons from 1940s

I have now made several patterns from Beyers Mode für Alle 1940/41 magazine. These patterns are significantly different from 1950s patterns that I've sewn before. My college tutors always warned us that you couldn't just measure a 1940s pattern and know how it would fit - the amount of draping, subtle and obvious, and the…

My grandmother’s undergarments

No, not the actual stuff! I am not about to air her bloomers or anything. 😮 My elder grandmother was born around 1908 and got married in early 1930s, with her first child born in 1936, so 1930s was very much "her" decade - the time when she was young. The 30s remained with my…

Those fancy sleeves

Remarkable garment design pops up in most unexpected places, like fantasy worlds. Unexpected, because this tunic from Shivering Isles is perfectly wearable in this world too: Ok, ditch the bow, but look at those sleeves! Yum!! And by the way, here is a design from the latest Quail Studio collection for Rowan Yarns, 10 years…

The things to come

This is a rather unusual post for me - it's about planned projects. I normally only post about completed projects, or at least the ones well underway. But this one is too exciting to keep quiet about! 😀  We've just come back from the Steampunk Asylum in Lincoln. If you don't know what it is…

My evolving sewing crew – 4th edition

These machines are installed in my sewing room and are being used all the time. Each machine has its own unique set of functions which are needed in different situations, so although "all the time" does not mean 24/7, it still means that these machines are needed regularly and should be ready, willing and available…