I met up with a couple of friends recently, and one of them wore a pair of really cool fringed trousers from & Other Stories. I wanted a pair and left my friends with a promise I’d make some.
Here they are! But you try photographing black silk. Even better, try photographing a black dog sat beside some black silk. Welcome to the vortex, friends! This photo makes me laugh so much.
Well, in a few hours from now we’ll know one way or another. If England is through to the finals. Do you have your beer in the fridge and sewing machine wheeled in front of the telly?
Whatever the outcome, the team’s manager, Gareth Southgate has proved himself heroic. The world’s in love with his humble yet powerful leadership – and his waistcoats!
If this has inspired you to sew a waistcoat, the 70s were the waistcoat decade. The above is a Woman’s Realm pattern. It’s not dated, but by those haircuts I’m going with 1970s. Agreed?
Of course, we can go much farther back than that – take this Vogue 1950s pattern for a man’s waistcoat. How debonair.
I shan’t claim that all waistcoat patterns shall have you brimming with inspiration. Shudder…
Phewee! It’s a heat wave and no mistake. Right now, lifting a little finger involves breaking out in a profound sweat. I applaud anyone who’s managing to sew. Are you down to your underwear yet?
I’m not above sewing in my bra and knickers – either because of the heat or constant trying on of a work in progress. Sometimes the constant rigmarole of climbing back into my day clothes feels like one step too many, especially when I know I’ll be wriggling back into a dress in a moment.
Why bother getting changed? Why not just sew in my knickers?
I have heard of sewing injuries to delicate parts of the body, but am glad to report that hasn’t happened to me – yet.
And sewing classes don’t guarantee modesty. I’ve changed in toilet cubicles, in front of the mirror, in an office and – my proudest moment yet – before a bay window as the light was fading and the sewing class was lit up like a beacon!
Do you indulge in naked sewing and when have you been most shameless?
Disclaimer: No eyeballs were scarred in the writing of this blog post. I kept my clothes on.
‘That’s modern technology for you,’ I overheard a man say, as I walked past the confetti in the gutter.
I was on my way to the closing down sale of Ernest Wright & Son.
Can’t Beat A Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress
Ever heard that William Shakespeare quote? “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Shakespeare must have had Louise in mind. She was definitely born great. Just look at that winning smile, positive personality and incredible sewing!
Louise appears in the team vlogs from Sew Over It (episodes here and here). She is a natural in front of the camera and I’m secretly hoping that Louise has applied for The Great British Sewing Bee.
When I met Louise at the launch party for baby and toddler patterns Poppy & Jazz I asked if she’d be kind enough to be interviewed as part of my Meeting Makers series, and she agreed.
Keep reading to the end of the post for an awesome animal print discount with Sew Over It.
Q: Louise, how did you come to work at Sew Over It?
A: I discovered Sew Over It when my mum gifted me a subscription to a sewing magazine. It came with a free copy of the Sew Over It Vintage
At the time, I was a stay-at-home mum of two kids under two. As much as I love my children, I really wanted to go back to work. I realised that Sew Over It was the company I wanted to work for!
When the role of Operations Assistant was advertised, I applied and was successful. Since then I’ve managed to work my way up to the Show Coordinator role and I absolutely love my job.
Having spent a year knitting my Heaven And Space Shawl on commutes around the world, I thought I’d share a few tips I have learnt!
This shawl has gone on holidays, retreats, trains, through airport security, smuggled into meetings and even to the pub.
It’s kept me calm, sane and occupied at key times when I needed to blank out my mind or just dodge boredom. I’m dreadful at sitting still.
If you also want to carry your knitting around with you, here are my five top tips.
This is the Heaven And Space Shawl. I knitted it over the course of a year, little realising that I’d finish in time for yellow to be this season’s colour. Guess I’m just lucky to be a slow knitter!
If you ever think you have life nailed, you’re probably wrong. And after eight-ish years of sewing, I’ve realised the same is true about making your own clothes. Honestly, sewing still scares me sometimes!
This struck me on my latest make. Here are the first five fears that occurred to me, starting with the biggest fear I just can’t shake.
I am nothing if not derivative. This entire outfit was inspired by The Foldline’s Sew The Summer Trends vlog that featured a place holder image of a giant gingham outfit. I mean, the gingham was giant. Not the outfit. Only a giant could wear a giant gingham outfit. But a normal person could wear an outfit sewn from giant gingham…
Oh, you know what I mean!
… is Ciao Linda who teaches AWESOME maths lessons. I’ll be in touch for a postal address, Linda.
Do go back and read the extremely humbling stories in the comments on this giveaway. You might find you have something stuck in your eye…
