Category Archives: TUTORIALS

Once you start to build your practice and confidence with natural dyeing, it can be incredibly exciting to expand the palette of colours available to you. When I first discovered modifiers, it was as if a whole new world of colour possibilities opened up to me. This can be done in many ways, using what…

Another week, another home sewing project. With a majority of my summer plans being cancelled, I decided this was the year to tackle my long list of personal sewing projects. So out came my antique trunk full of found textiles. My mission? To make a custom tablecloth for my grandma’s mid-century modern kitchen table that…

Sewing a zipper fly when making pants or trousers can be quite an intimidating task for a lot of people. There are many different methods and techniques for installing zippers, some more confusing than the others but none are truly difficult. Once you learn all the right steps and practice a couple of times, you’ll…

There are so many similarities between natural dyeing and cooking. Just like every chef has their way of cooking, whether it’s by exact measurements or eyeballing, natural dyers have their own way of following recipes and creating colours with many ways to get to the same result. In the same way that some of us…

In this final part of the CAMERON sewalong we will show you how to sew and attach the sleeves to the bodice. CAMERON top/blouse/dress pattern comes with two choices of sleeve (short or 3/4 length) or a sleeveless option. The short sleeve is finished with a pleated cuff and the 3/4 sleeve has a tailored…

When we speak about natural dyeing, it is in reference to dyeing natural fibres of which there are two categories: Plant & Animal. Plant fibres are cellulose-based and cover anything that comes from a plant or the earth such as cotton, linen, hemp, nettle etc. Animal fibres are made of protein and include anything that…

In our previous posts of the CAMERON sewalong series you’ve learned how to attach the back yoke and sew the neck placket. Today we start the next part of the pattern construction where we will show you how to sew the side seams, attach the gussets and finish the hem. Please note that this example…

When it comes to sharing the process of natural dyeing, I like to make it as simple as possible for those of you that are new to this. With that in mind, I have put together another tutorial for you, this time using yellow onion skins. The yellow onion, which is botanically classified as Allium…

In our previous post you learned how to attach the yoke of your Cameron top pattern using the “burrito method” technique. Today, we will be showing you how to sew the neck placket. Cameron has a tabbed neck placket with double topstitching and a pointed V-shaped tab. Constructing a placket is never easy as it…

As most Sewists, I have a big collection of scrap pieces and remnants. I am always looking for projects to make these scraps useful. The Bombazine Mitt is the perfect remnant busting project. The mitt is quick, easy, useful, and makes a great gift! This tutorial includes some additional tips and ideas not included in…

My extra time at home the last couple weeks has resulted in more home decor projects and I’m pretty happy about it.  First on my list, reupholstering a set of mid-century modern chairs I found on Facebook Marketplace for $20. Score. These chairs will be used in my sewing studio as extra seating for guests…

Do you need some additional help putting together our CAMERON pattern? This sewalong will take you through the pattern construction with step-by-step photographs and in-depth instructions. You will find lots of helpful tips and extra detail beyond the instructions provided in the booklet. We hope that with this little extra guidance the sewing process will…

One of the most wonderful things about working with natural dyes is learning about colour first hand. I am quite fortunate to be surrounded by colour in my work through dyes, powders, swatches and textiles. These parts that make up the picture of my work also feed and nourishes my soul. I don’t know much…

Materials Vintage Linens, bits of fabric you have lying around IL019 INSIGNIA BLUE Midweight 100% Linen 4C22 NATURAL Heavyweight 100% Linen Frame “I need to do something just for fun”. I have heard those words muttered in many conversations, in many different arenas of life lately. Often followed by a deep sigh. You too?  This…

As we continue to stay in our homes in various stages of lockdown I have put together a simple tutorial for you on dyeing with avocado stones. Some of you may be familiar with this dye but for those of you who aren’t you might be surprised to know that avocados can give the most…