There is a spirited and playful quality to the textile and wallpaper designs of Dutch maker Ottoline de Vries, who established her eponymous company, simply called ‘Ottoline’, in 2011; since then her work has become an international success, gracing magazine spreads and interiors throughout the world. Ottoline, now based in London, is widely recognised for…
Vibrancy and Fun: The Playful Pattern Design of Ottoline
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into sewing? Hello, I’m Madison! I have been creative since I was really little, from drawing dress designs, to ballet, to film photography. The very first time I used a sewing machine, I was a Counselor-in-Training at an arts camp. They assigned me…
From her busy studio in the Netherlands, textile artist Milla Novo has been making great waves in the realms of interior design since launching her career in 2017. Widely recognised today for injecting a lease of new life into the traditional macrame craft, she creates vast, all-encompassing wall-hangings and installations, in which vividly coloured and…
There are so many ways to finish a seam, from good old overlocking to French seams and binding. I recently stumbled across another method that’s pretty nifty, and honestly, I kind of wish I had known about it sooner. It is a bit like binding, but topstitched in place so it doesn’t move or flap…
Rising French textile artist Elise Peroi makes liminal artworks that hover between mediums; part tapestry, part painting, and part sculpture, her delicate and intricate work brings plant forms and subtle, naturalistic colours into semi-translucent constructions that act like doorways into another realm. Exploring the airy, breathable, and mutable properties of nature, she likens herself to…
What is Studio Wylder? Tell us a little about how it all started. Studio Wylder is a women’s clothing brand built on strong ethical and sustainable foundations. We create small-batch collections of thoughtfully curated, effortless pieces designed to blend beautifully into your existing wardrobe. I started Studio Wylder at my kitchen table in 2020, after…
Hello hello! Today I’m sharing my newest sewing project with you – an elevated pair of Calantha pants in the most beautiful Chocolate brown midweight linen! As a lover of trousers and “hard pants” with non-elasticated waists, I’ve been trying to make peace with the idea of elastic waist pants for a looong time. As…
Elastic is a really common notion used in sewing. You’ll find it on everything from waistbands to cuffs and necklines. It plays a crucial role in giving garments both support and shape. Have you ever had the waistband of your pants twist and never sit quite right? Or maybe you’ve noticed the leg opening of…
A romantic sensibility runs through the patterned textiles of British designer Molly Mahon, whose vibrant, whimsical patterns are produced using traditional block print techniques. Her fabrics feature motifs inspired by the natural world, which she reimagines using bold, contemporary colours, and busy, intricate motifs that enliven the spaces they inhabit. She also places a strong…
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into sewing? My name is Gabriela, and I live in Chicago. I’m a mother of two and married with the love of my life. I am originally from Romania, although I grew up in Spain, Barcelona for over 12 years. I started a…
Tell us a little about yourself and what Indigo Indigo means to you. I’m a 35 year old fabric shop owner and designer living on the west coast of Norway, in a tiny town with mountains and fjords surrounding us. I’m a toddler mum, dog mum and wife of a fellow creative type designer. When…
There are so many different presser feet available for sewing machines, each designed with a specific purpose, whether that be creating particular stitches or working with certain fabrics. Even after almost 20 years of sewing, I still haven’t used them all. In this article, my goal is to give you a helpful introduction to what…
French Fauvist painter André Derain was a true pioneer in early 20th century painting, paving the way for abstraction with his dazzling, experimental use of colour. Vibrant, electrifying shades of crimson like Cherry appeared in many of his most celebrated, early career paintings, transforming the French landscape into fiery fields of electrifying light. He said,…
Just like you’d use a bread knife for bread or a pizza cutter for pizza, sewing scissors are designed for different materials and tasks. From dressmaking shears and embroidery scissors to snips, pinking shears, and thread clippers, each one has its place in your sewing toolkit. There are plenty of brands to choose from too—Prym,…
Recently, I drafted a pattern and made a toile of a pair of drop-crotch pants. When I tried them on, I straight away noticed (and felt) they weren’t quite right. The most obvious issue was that the back crotch felt tight and pulled uncomfortably, especially when bending over. Walking also felt a little restricted, with…
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