Aussie woolgrower Allen Kelly talks mulesing, the pandemic and sustainability
In the world of fashion, Allen Kelly & family’s farm is a the very beginning of the supply chain. Their farm, Glen Holme, in South Australia breeds Dohne (pronounced doo-nee) merino sheep as well as growing mixed crops. In Australia, most farms are owned by families and Allen is the third generation to farm at…
Read MoreThe Cendre Top blooper reel
It’s not often that I misjudge a fabric/pattern/thread combo, but it happens! Please take a look and enjoy a giggle. How can it look so wrong? On reflection, the babycord looks a little like velvet, the taupe thread looks like old-gold trim and probably the puffed sleeves add to combination. So the message is: match…
Read MoreNew pattern: the zero waste Cendre Top
Hello Everyone, I have a new zero waste pattern: introducing the Cendre Top. It’s in my little Etsy shop now; please enjoy 25% off during November. This pattern comes in 12 sizes, from an 87cm/34″ bust to a 142cm/56″ and can be made in bigger sizes if needed. The pattern pieces are drawn straight onto…
Read MoreHow to take good photos of yourself wearing clothes you’ve made
Sometimes I read comments on Instagram posts like I’m not good at taking pictures or Sorry about the photo, this is the best I can do. I know this feeling; it’s how I felt when I first started taking blog photos of myself wearing things I’d made. It was really hard to get a good…
Read MoreIt’s Book Week 2020!
This week was Children’s Book Week, which I thought had been cancelled due to you-know-what, but it was merely postponed. The theme this year was Curious Creatures, Wild Minds, and children dress up as a book character they like, or failing that whatever’s handy in the dress-ups box. I do acknowledge that some parents dread…
Read More3 makers, 1 pattern: reviewing the Sawyer hoodie
The Sawyer hoodie is a zero waste pattern I released last month after a series of blog posts “show and telling” its development as it unfolded. The final post is here. As a sort of adjunct to this I asked 3 friends who are prolific and adventurous in their sewing to give the pattern a…
Read MoreMaking rubbish wearable: a Smith Pinafore from upcycled denim
During the week I got a brilliant idea from @whendy7 for the Smith Pinafore dress. She suggested making it from old jeans – the panels of the dress could be cut from the legs. Great idea! I even had something handy I could use. Some years ago our local opshop gave me old jeans to…
Read MoreNew pattern: the Smith Pinafore Dress
Hi Everyone, I’m excited to introduce a new pattern: the Smith Pinafore Dress. It’s in my little Etsy shop now; please enjoy 25% off during October. This pattern comes in 12 sizes, from an 87cm/34″ bust to a 142cm/56″ (but can actually be made bigger than that). It’s designed for traditional non-stretch (rigid) denim and…
Read MoreAn un-holey tutorial
Unpicking. We’ve all done it. After you’ve unpicked, sometimes you need to remove the holes and restore the fabric to its pristine state…before sighing deeply and restitching. Here’s a technique from the workrooms of Caroline Charles, which is described in The Dressmaker’s Companion, along with other handy stuff. You’ll need some water and a steam…
Read MorePainting meets Sewing
Have you ever wondered what you would look like if someone painted your portrait? Earlier this year, artist Meg Mader asked if she could paint me for the Clare Portrait Prize in April. I felt extremely humbled and honored! The idea was that it would coincide with Zero Waste Sewing‘s book launch and we would…
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