Wrapping up 2025
Season’s Greetings Everyone, and welcome to the last post of 2025. The blog is now on holidays until late January-ish. The Craft of Clothes Christmas staff party was on the weekend. It was only me there, as I’m the only staff. Catering was a breeze, no boring speeches, and the chickens provided the entertainment. The…
Read MoreDream Jumpsuit Finished + Free Pattern
The jumpsuit I aspired to own as a teen is now complete, and I love it! I first saw this jumpsuit as a teen in the 1980s, when no-one wore onesies, and always wanted one. At the time, I didn’t have the confidence to sew one nor the $ to buy. But here we are,…
Read MoreDream Jumpsuit Progress Update
Last week I embarked on a project to re-create a jumpsuit that I saw once in my teens. Since then I’ve cut out a jumpsuit and run it up on the machine. It wasn’t without problems – I made the crotch 10cm too high and nearly cut myself in half trying it on. Otherwise things…
Read MoreTeenage Me’s Dream Jumpsuit
Back when I was in high school in the 1980s, I saw an oversized fleecy jumpsuit. It was at a mid-year study camp, the weather was cold, and a girl in our dorm wore one to bed (and to study in, if I remember correctly). I loved it! And determined that one day I would…
Read MoreNew Pattern: Humpty Dumpty
Hi Everyone, I have a new pattern. It’s a zero waste Humpty Dumpty. This pattern was my workshop project for Making Zen earlier this year. It’s now got a bunch of extras. The Humpty pattern is in my shop now. Please enjoy 25% off for the next month. Humpty stands at 23.5cm/9″ tall (he’s unable…
Read MoreRed Trousers Go With…
The red trousers from last week’s book review of Sewing with Scraps have been successfully worked into my wardrobe. It wasn’t too difficult – they go with so many things. If you’re contemplating red trousers, here are some ways to wear them. 1. Any print with red in it Any print with even a tiny…
Read MoreBook Review: Sewing with Scraps
It’s my pleasure to review Sewing with Scraps – 15 projects to sew a sustainable wardrobe using leftover fabric by Birgitta Helmersson and Sam Grose. In the interests of disclosure, the book’s publisher asked if I would like a free review copy, and I said yes, as I knew it would be good and thought…
Read MoreHome Ec at Home
Neither of my two teens have been interested in sewing; their creativity has taken other forms, but a chance combination of events has led to my older teen to try a sewing project. My teen happened to see a checked shirt from the op shop, which was going back to the op shop. Mr H…
Read MoreNew Tips for Sewing Rouleau Loops
I had a wonderful visit from a long-time sewing friend. Of course we talked about sewing and clothes! She works in a bridal salon making gowns, and shared a couple of new tricks she’d learnt. The salon uses rouleau loops and buttons a great deal, as they’re stronger and more reliable than zips. They make…
Read MoreHow to Sew in Bed
Many years ago, when I was a fashion student, I tried sewing in bed. It was winter, my bedroom was cold, and I had some handsewing to do to finish off an assignment for class. So I sat up in bed and sewed. All was fine and I got it finished. But you can probably…
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