This project started of as a test garment for McCalls 7387, which was an utter fail. If it hadn’t been for the nice print and a perfect button placket, made using a new technique, I would have given up. With a bit of pattern tetris, I was able to transform it into a blouse that I love.
Weaving with mail satchels : The Remnant Bag

The ‘fabric’ for this bag was woven with strips of plastic for mail satchels.
It was woven on the same warp as the first bag that I made using plastic wrappers for Plastic Free July, last year. That bag has been carrying home my shopping each week as is holding up well. It’s quirkiness still gets a few questions at the check-out and often a few surprised looks when I point out the different product wrappers in the weave.
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Trialling Sinclair Patterns: Gaia Keyhole Tank and Sunset Lounge Pant

I was immediately drawn to the design of the Gaia Keyhole Top by Sinclair Patterns. The design of the back is quite unique and a nice variation on a plain knit tank. Last year I’d downloaded their Sunset Lounge Pant when it was offered as a freebie but hadn’t got around to using it.
This was another pattern co that uses the tester promotional model of heaps of tester photos/glowing reviews when a new pattern is released. Usually it is a turn off for me, but I had received a survey from the pattern co a while ago that looked like they where genuinely looking for constructive feedback. So I decided to give the top a go and make up the pants as well. I’m glad I did.
Continue reading “Trialling Sinclair Patterns: Gaia Keyhole Tank and Sunset Lounge Pant”
Making lemonade
Doing a happy dance. I pulled apart the top that I made last week and was able to remake into something I love. The pattern I’ve used is Knipmode Top 11 July 2019. That collar!! To make the best use of the fabric, I used with the peplum from Dress #10. Just love how this turned out. Yay!!!!


Sewing Project Score card
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Trialling Designer Stitch Patterns: Donelle Top and Harper Pants
I had seen a few of the tester makes of the Donelle Top by Designer Stitch and I’d been tempted by the Harper Pant before. They are a Aussie pattern co, which is nice to see, so I decided to give them a try.
Normally I’m a but dubious about seeing heaps of tester photos, all with glowing reviews, when a new pattern is released. They strike me as being more promotional than actually testing the pattern. So many of the Indie pattern companies use this model. Usually, that is a turn-off for me. I’m curious if you feel the same?
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Something to brighten up a dull day…
I saw this bold bright brushstroke knit at The Remnant Warehouse and just couldn’t resist. Love the lime cotton knit too. Both nice for a pop of colour on a grey day.
The wrap knit wasn’t as successful – way to deep in the neckline. The tucked piece doesn’t have enough spread in the pattern piece and distorts the waist seamline. Continue reading “Something to brighten up a dull day…”
Plastic-free July: Weaving with soft-plastic wrappers
I wouldn’t call this shopping bag a thing of beauty, but it makes a statement in it’s own way.
Plastic-free July
This month, I’ve signed up to Plastic Free July, aimed at reducing single-use plastics.
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- Most of the simple things I’m already doing so my challenge is to:
- reduce usage of tetra-pacs: We’d use 5/week for soy and lactose free milk.
- make beeswax wraps as an alternative to cling wrap
- make shopping bags from soft plastic packaging waste
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That hand-knitted jumper is finished
Just wanted to say a big thank-you to those who left comments when I asked for advice on the best style for my hand-knit jumper (A knitwear design experiment). I finished it a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. Continue reading “That hand-knitted jumper is finished”
Graffiti jacquard bomber jacket
This project has been in the pipe-line for a while so it is nice to see it finished and finally blogged. I wanted to make a bomber/varsity jacket from a ‘graffiti’ jacquard fabric but finding the right pattern wasn’t as easy as I first thought. There is something about jacquard fabrics that I can’t resist. This one is from Elliot Berman Textiles. Continue reading “Graffiti jacquard bomber jacket”
Butterick 5988 Revisited
Floral Top
Last year I made a rayon top using Butterick 5988. I loved the design as it is a nice alternative to a fitted woven T. The waist darts release into a box pleat which gives a slight peplum look. It was a very wearable muslin, but I had taken the side seams in quite a lot during fitting but the shoulders still felt very big.

Handwoven: Veggie basket from garden prunings
How cool is this? A lovely handwoven basket made from prunings from the garden. Just perfect for harvesting the vegies. The idea for the basket came from a recent episode of Gardening Australia (fact sheet and video here). Making the basket is fairly easy, although a bit time consuming. The shape of this one is quite broad and perfect for harvesting vegies and fruit. Finished dimensions for the base is 60cm x 35cm and 20cm deep Continue reading “Handwoven: Veggie basket from garden prunings”