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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
I love the idea of clothing swaps. I just don’t love it in practise. The clothes are beautiful but somewhat ill-fitting so they lie dormant in the bottom of your cupboard. One such item is this pure silk top from Trenery that I picked up at Greenpop clothing swap last year. Or maybe the year…
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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
Current fashion trends aside, there is something so timeless and effortlessly chic about the cape. When I unearthed this Burda 7113 sewing pattern, I knew I just had to make one. Usually I tend to buy fabric on a whim, and think about what to make later. But this was a special project, so I…
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Sew a tie 101: tips for a novice
People of the internet. Let it be known that if someone sews you a tie, they must be in love with you. With many bow ties under my belt (so to speak), I recently quite blithely agreed to sew someone a tie. You know, the usual one; corporate staple, school boy stranglehold, wedding prerequisite. A…
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Maya’s DIY oven mitts
I dedicate this project to a dear friend, who was rather indignant that I had not yet named a sewing pattern after her. Maya, this one’s for you. I have recently moved into a gorgeous new apartment with my flatmate, and my ever-increasing fabric stash has had to make the transition with me. My new…
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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…
