Tell us a bit about yourself. I grew up in the south with a father in finance and a mother who was a chemist so how I ended up in fashion is still kind of a mystery. I did grow up around multiple generations of women who sewed, crochet and quilted, like most of us…
Behind the Scenes With: Chelsea Carson of Daughter Judy Patterns
Since launching her eponymous fashion label in 2009, French designer Olympia Le-Tan has earned a cult following for her whimsical, playful and artisanal approach to making accessories. From the outset she has been producing stylised ‘storybook bags,’ hand-woven clutch bags in the same size and shape as limited-edition books, featuring ‘covers’ with references to pop…
Starting a new sewing project is always exciting. But there is nothing more frustrating than running out of fabric halfway through… or ending up with scraps that aren’t quite big enough for anything useful (trust me, I’ve been there! I have a whole drawer full of pieces like this). If you’re working with a commercial…
One might say that tartan runs through my veins! I’ve always had a deep and personal connection to the Scottish Arts. Growing up with a bass drumming dad, I was surrounded by kilts, bagpipes and Highland Games. From a very young age, I was completely mesmerized and hooked. Since the age of three, being fitted…
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into sewing? My name is Antigoni and I live in a small town just outside Athens, Greece. I am an engineer by trade and I work (from home) as an AI/speech expert in a research institute. I have always been a crafty person,…
Fashion in the late Middle Ages was an essential tool for marking one’s social status, with the more opulent and impractical denoting those of higher rank and nobility. Art of the era can tell us much about the types of clothing people wore, and what those garments said about their position within society. Notably, art,…
There are certain garments that I never intended to sew myself. We all have them- the “no fly” zone of patterns. For some, it’s bathing suits or basic tee’s. For me…it is athletic clothing or loungewear… like a bathrobe. But here I am – sharing my completed robe experience! I recently made the Capucine Robe,…
I think often cotton poplin invokes the image of dress shirts and preppy clothes. When I was asked if I wanted to review this fabric, I was excited. I love to try think outside the box to what might be thought to do with fabric. I have used a lightweight cotton poplin before and its…
Every garment needs seam allowance—it’s a crucial part of garment construction. Sometimes it’s already included in the pattern; other times, it may need to be added, especially when working with a self-drafted pattern or after making adjustments. Seam allowance is the extra fabric added around the edges of a pattern piece. It creates space between…
A shirt dress is a style that looks beautiful on any figure. Wear it with comfortable shoes and get ready for the weekend. Under the blazer and get a set for the office. Bright sandals and accessories for a night look. Sneakers- and you’re ready for a walk with your kids. When I saw the…
Summer of 2012. I’m on vacation with my family in Bodrum, Turkey. We take a stroll in one of the night markets after dinner, walking by piles and piles of beautiful traditional Turkish towels – peshtemals. We come across one particular shop where the owner’s wife takes your peshtemals of choice and crafts them into…
Fashion during the High and Late European Renaissance was a true lesson in opulence, with exaggerated silhouettes that accentuated the human form, along with indulgent, luxurious fabrics adorned with sequins, embroidery and precious stones. Italy led the way during the early 16th century, shaping and influencing much of what was worn throughout Europe, leading to…
Buying fabric online can be overwhelming. You can’t feel the texture, see how it drapes, or know if it will work for your project until it arrives. I’ve been there—staring at endless fabric choices, wondering if I’m making the right decision. That’s why I want to help you visualize IL019 All-Purpose Midweight linen so you…
The great flourishing of arts and culture that took place during the European Renaissance inevitably made its way into the realms of fashion and textiles, shaping and informing the way people across Europe would dress for centuries to come. But with few surviving artefacts of clothing from this era, art has much to tell us…
Now in her 93rd year, Colombian contemporary fibre artist Olga de Amaral makes woven textile art that is reliant on a slow, structured approach, one that results in striking, monumental woven wall hangings and installations that are deeply embedded with exquisite craftsmanship. Yet she also relies on spontaneity and intuition, choosing to forgo pre-planned ideas…
SEW THIS LOOK
Latest Posts
Search engine
Use this form to find things you need
LATEST COMMENTS
20 Feb 2026 @ 12:46 am by Vicki Lang
17 Feb 2026 @ 8:45 am by Emma Cartmel
17 Feb 2026 @ 8:45 am by Emma Cartmel
17 Feb 2026 @ 8:45 am by Emma Cartmel
21 Mar 2023 @ 3:18 am by Jennie Bainter