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How to make reusable facial rounds
These little makeup wipes are super easy to make and have been a great addition to my toiletry bag! It’s a lovely way to use up fabric scraps and, of course, reduce some cotton swab waste. Let me walk you through it. What you need Fabric and matching thread Something round for a template (a…
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Simple, gathered Heron culottes
After seeing a few lovely pairs of elasticated waist Fern shorts on Instagram (here and here), I felt inspired to give it a go for a winter-friendly pair of Heron culottes. I unearthed this perfect rust corduroy that I bought just before I left Cape Town. It’s super velvety and luxurious with quite a bit…
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The Afternoon Hat | Free bucket hat sewing pattern and tutorial
Hello fellow stitchers, and happy 2019 to you all! Summer is in full swing in Cape Town and the sweltering days are eased by dips in the brisk Atlantic water followed by lazy sundowners on the sand. This is my favourite hat that often accompanies me on such an occasion. I’ve had it since I…
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Free pattern! The Afternoon Clutch
In honour of Fashion Revolution week, here’s a quick and simple clutch pattern that you can use to transform something old into something fabulously new. Fashion Revolution is a campaign to demand transparency from an increasingly exploitative fashion industry. Someone has to pay the price for cheap fashion, and the system works to conceal it.…
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First Impressionism: sewing Burda #104 06/16
Hands up if last minute sewing is your thing. It can’t just be me. I so often find myself in this situation; in a flat panic at 2AM, resetting my zip for the second time and repeating bugger under my breath. Needless to say, it’s not how this dress started out. I bought this painterly,…
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Tropical ruffle blouse
When I was little, I would carefully save the Easter eggs that were too pretty to unwrap. They would stand in my cupboard for ages and ages until finally I would give in and nibble on an ear. I think my approach to this fabric has been a bit similar. But with summer now palpably…
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Geometric Candy Blouse
When I was in Barcelona earlier this year, I picked up this geometric crepe georgette at Ribes & Casals. And man, if it isn’t perfect for this Candy blouse! At the time, I had no idea what it was going to be but I knew I had to have this print in my wardrobe. It’s…
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Intro to Menswear: the tailored blazer
Earlier in April, I set about making a blazer for Nick from pattern 6872 by Burda Style. After cutting out all the pieces, it lay dormant on my table for a while until an occasion arose that it just HAD to be finished for. A bit of urgency does wonders for the productivity levels. I…
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Faux leather jacket: part 3
Equal parts chic and rebellious, the leather motorcycle jacket is the wardrobe staple that has stood the test of time. I must admit, it’s an investment piece to buy, and it’s certainly an investment piece to make! In time and effort, it all adds up. But it certainly adds effortless cool-factor to your closet. Overall,…
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Faux leather jacket: part 2
All that successful top-stitching after my last jacket update had me quite excited, but my machine struggled to keep up with my enthusiasm during the last throes of this project. The seams got thicker and the sewing more laboured, but I gotta hand it to her, that old girl still knows what she’s doing. This…
