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Faux leather jacket: part 1

Not only does a leather jacket look a bit hardcore, but you also have to bring that attitude to the sewing machine. As I’ve discovered, the fabric manipulation is a lot more “hands on” than your usual dressmaking requirement. The pleather needs some muscle to bend it to your will! Here are some guidelines I’m…
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Summer Holiday Holly Jumpsuit

The jumpsuit is the cooler cousin of the summer frock. Effortless, stylish and edgy. It is always worth the more complicated trips to the bathroom. The Holly jumpsuit from By Hand London is no exception. It delivers in every respect. I got down to tracing off the pattern this holiday. One cannot take a vacation…
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#ProjectRework: overhaul a top

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#Project Rework: make a dress into a skirt

As I mentioned in my introductory post on #ProjectRework, this is a personal endeavour to slow down and appreciate the value of clothing. After watching The True Cost movie, I couldn’t justify the obsessive focus on the accumulation of clothing – and that we need to be part of that damaging cycle to be considered…
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Introducing #ProjectRework
After watching The True Cost film a couple of weeks ago, I’ve found myself struck by the incredible reach of the damaging effects of the fashion industry. It seems nearly inescapable. Fashion intersects with problematic aspects of agriculture, capitalism, employment and globalisation in such myriad, complex ways. It’s difficult to wrap one’s head around the…
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Afternoon is in Ideas magazine!

Afternoon is getting into the swing of spring with Ideas magazine! Inspired by the bursts of colour heralding a new season, Lizel Cloete takes you through four methods you can use to dye your own fabric with flowers and vegetables. The results are a stunning natural riot of colour. Pick it up when you’re next…
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A warm winter cape

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Sew a tie 101: tips for a novice

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Maya’s DIY oven mitts

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Make a quilt: part 3

The last few steps of the quilt-making process are probably the simplest, and definitely the most exciting. As the whole thing comes together, the beautiful puzzle finally starts to take on the shape of a useful object. For those who are interested, or following along, here’s how I went about finishing off the quilt. Lay…
