February and March: A Year of Zero Waste Sewing

Back in March I announced a new book project, A Year of Zero Waste Sewing, to be published in installments as a zine. The first one is complimentary – read about this project and download your free copy here. I’ve now finished the next two, which are in my shop for $AU5each (+ tax). Here’s…

Read More

“Let the fabric inform the design direction”

Let the fabric inform the design direction

Let the fabric inform the design direction. What does that really mean, practically? It sounds a little nebulous and mysterious, like a departed guru appearing in a dream and bestowing wisdom in that echo-y voice they use in the movies, something like: You must listen to your inner voice, or Use the Force Luke, or…

Read More

Tutorial: how to sew on a button FAST

Here’s the fastest way I know to sew on a button by hand. The key is to use four threads instead of two. But how do you thread a needle with four threads without getting in a terrible tangle? Here’s how: With four threads you can sew a two-hole button with three passes through the…

Read More

As it happens: designing a zero waste top (part 1)

zero waste top toile cut out

Many pattern designers and authors, including moi, like to keep their projects under wraps until it’s ready to show. Often it’s to stop someone pinching their idea before they bring it to fruition, but sometimes it’s because they aren’t sure of the outcome or how long it’s going to take. Over the next several weeks…

Read More

Ticking off that bucket list

My sewing bucket list bucket

I don’t know about you, but it inspires me to see things other people are doing while in isolation at home, whether it’s sewing their stash, perfecting bread making, learning an instrument, Marie Kondo-ing their house or setting a new world record for non-stop Netflix viewing. I thought I’d review my sewing bucket list, written…

Read More

3 Useful sewing ideas

3 Useful sewing ideas

A short post this week, with three unrelated sewing ideas I hope you’ll find useful…   Unpicker cover The Clover unpicker, while expensive, is considered by many to be the unpicker of choice, with its smooth sharp blade and comfortable handle. However, it comes with a flimsy sleeve to protect to blade (which I lost). …

Read More

My sewing bucket list

My sewing bucket list bucket

Do you have a sewing bucket list? There are a lot of things on my sewing list I’ve ticked off over the years, and yet there are still projects that pique my interest. Here they are: (listed in no special order and with no special time-frame for completion!) A new ultimate trousers pattern.  The sort…

Read More