Sewing success! A bigger bumbag

The larger size bumbag I started sewing last week is now finished (and my children’s predictable bum jokes continue…). I’m so thrilled with how this bag turned out! I took the zero waste waist bag pattern I made 2 years ago and simply got it printed it out at double the size, to make a…

Read More

A Bigger Bumbag

(Or as my children said: it’s a bag for a bigger bum, Mum!) For some time I’ve been thinking about making a larger version of the zero waste waist bag to wear as a cross body bag. I saw a larger version on Instagram which inspired me, and then lately a friend said she’d just…

Read More

Indigo Fabric meets Xanthea

Coming up this month, I’m presenting a course in collaboration with Kate Ward. The course combines learning how to create special fabrics using indigo with sewing a zero waste Xanthea top. Xanthea is a zero waste pattern I published in 2021 and is my most popular pattern. It comes in 19 sizes to fit up…

Read More

Making a Pink Nightie

Believe it or not, it’s very rare that I sew something with no considerations other than personal choice. Usually my sewing consists of fit and photography samples, where things like colour, print, proportion etc all have to be deliberated. As well, I have plenty of clothes and no need to make more, as I hardly…

Read More

Book Review: Zero Waste Patterns by Birgitta Helmersson

It’s my pleasure to review Birgitta Helmersson’s new book, Zero Waste Patterns. Birgitta is a Swedish/Australian designer and pattern maker based in Malmo, Sweden, where she and partner Sam Grose run a shop and studio. She has been making zero waste patterns for over a decade. Take a look at Birgitta’s website, where you’ll find…

Read More

Making Zen Online Retreat

Coming up later this month, I’m presenting a session at the Making Zen Online Retreat. This is a FREE online event that goes for 5 days, from Monday 15th – Friday 19th of May. It’s a 5 day happening where stitchers and crafters can learn new processes, improve their techniques and get inspired. If you’re…

Read More

4 Ways to Wear a Petrea Blouse or Dress

Last week I introduced a new pattern, the Petrea blouse and dress. It comes in twenty sizes, to fit an 81cm/32″ bust to a 178cm/70″. The dress is zero waste and the blouse is low waste. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now – please enjoy 25% off. Some of the Petrea samples are…

Read More

New Pattern: Petrea Dress and Blouse

Hi Everyone, I have a new pattern. Introducing Petrea, a dress and blouse. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now – please enjoy 25% off for the next month. This pattern comes in twenty sizes, to fit an 81cm/32″ bust to a 178cm/70″. The dress is zero waste and has generous in-seam pockets, and…

Read More

Literally, Wearing a Square

Curiosity overcame me during the week, and I tried out the square-shaped top I had in my sketchbook, originally from Pinterest. I was very interested to see what it would look like on a body. For fabric, I had some striped soft double-knit that Mum gave me. The stripes are narrow on one side and…

Read More

Presenting the Zero Waste Bra Pattern

Here’s the pattern for the zero waste bra I’ve been working on. The previous posts about this project are: June 2021 when I thought I could make a bra; this led to a zero waste bra in one size but I put the project aside; then I picked it up again some weeks ago; last…

Read More