I'm delighted to have recently added a small selection of Nani Iro Quilted Fabrics from the 2022 Collection. Specially commissioned a few months ago, you won't find these beautiful fabrics anywhere else. Stocks are really limited, so if there's one in particular that you've got your eye on, you know the drill...

Pre-quilted, they're perfect for all sorts of sewing projects, the most obvious being cosy jackets and coats. The Hovea by Megan Nielsen has three options that call for quilted fabrics including the jacket version shown below.

The Lab Coat, by The Assembly Line, is an unlined style that would look equally good made in a quilted fabric.

Unlined, this coat which is mid-length features a hidden button front, a clean round neck and large patch pockets for added functionality. 

Whether it's a Quilted Nani iro fabric or the Thelma Thermal Quilted Fabrics by mind the MAKER®, it really would make for a beautiful statement piece.

 A cape is another outerwear piece that lends itself to these beautiful quilted fabrics. Issue 1 of TAUKO Magazine features a style called Hug... designed for you to quilt your own fabrics, however you can easily use the Nani Iro Quilted fabrics for this style. I'm going to be making one of these for my mother-in-law for Christmas, not to mention one for me!

As well as garments, these quilted fabrics would work really well for accessories. Bags, for example, would work well in both the Nani Iro and mind the MAKER® Thelma Quilted Fabrics... the Jack Tar Bucket Bag by Merchant & Mills, pictured below, I can see looking fantastic in the Thelma Quilted Fabrics and Grainline Studio's Stowe Bag would look equally good in one of the Nani Iro Quilted Fabrics.

Wash bags are another accessory that lend themselves to these fabrics, they make great gift items and you can find lots of free tuturials for varying shapes and sizes online.

Cushions too would look lovely made in the Nani Iro Quilted Fabrics and for outdoor cushions the Thelma Thermal Quilted Collection would work really well.

I hope this post has inspired you to try your hand at sewing with these beautiful quilted fabrics... happy sewing!

Karen

It makes perfect sense for The Assembly Line to have introduced their first patterns for girls to their stylish collection of sewing patterns. Starting with two patterns, both are 'mini-me' interpretations of best selling styles. 

There's the Cuff Top Mini, based on what is undoubtedly The Assembly Line's most popular style, the Cuff Top. It features the same signature cap sleeves with elastic cuffs. It has a straight fit and keyhole opening with snap fastening at the back. 

I was excited for the launch of TAUKO Magazine from the moment the introductory email from co-founder Mila Moisio landed in my inbox back in May 2021. 

Described as "a pioneering independent print publication for home sewists and design-oriented crafters around the world" I knew instantly that this new, quarterly sewing magazine, was going to be a perfect fit with The Draper's Daughter.

Mila Moisio and Kaisa Rissanen are the founders of this beautiful new magazine, with headquarters in both in Helsinki and Berlin. Previously they owned and ran an award winning sustainable fashion brand, also named TAUKO, during which time they become very familiar with design, pattern making, collection presentation and international fashion weeks.

TAUKO stands for a break or a pause in Finnish. It describes a strong, silent, and still movement that is almost impossible to notice.

In March 2021 they started planning a new kind of international craft and lifestyle magazine and in November, the first issue of TAUKO Magazine was launched in more than 20 different countries.

Each issue will feature at least 10 sewing pattern designs created by celebrities and newcomers from the sewing community. A carefully curated selection which makes designed clothing accessible to anyone willing to try out sewing and learn new skills.

With actual-size paper patterns, easy guidelines, agile images, and illustrations, they wish to make the sewing experience empowering, exciting and fun.

As well as the patterns, the magazine explores topics including crafts, culture, and climate which are featured in interviews, columns, articles, tips, and recommendations by their international contributors.

You can view both the First and Second Issues by clicking here.

The top version of the Wilder Gown was the first style that I made by Friday Pattern Company. I've seen so many gorgeous versions of this style over on Instagram that I simply had to make one for myself.

I decided on the top for my first make of this lovely style and chose to use a Nani Iro tencel fabric with this lovely painterly border detail.

It might not look like it but this style really is very easy to make. The instructions are really clear and very easy to follow, with helpful step by step illustrations.

The raglan sleeves don't need to be set in so are very simple, and the channel for the bow comes together really nicely.

I didn't make any modifications to my top and in terms of sizing I'm a UK size 8 and I made the XS size which fits me perfectly.

This style works really well in plain fabrics but would work equally well in a pattern, florals in both small and large scale, stripes, ginghams and spots all look great.

I'll definitely be making this again, I'd like to make a long sleeved version of the top, for this I'm thinking the Eglantine et Zoe Zebra print in Khaki. I'll also be making a short sleeve dress for summer, it looks great in plain linen I'm going to use one of the Merchant and Mills Laundered Linens, most likely the Scuttle Black however other colours would look equally good.

Most of all, what I really love about the top is that it really does elevate an outfit and I always feel really good when I wear it, and as I mentioned just now I'll definitely be making more...

As you can see, it really wasn't long before I made another top. It really is such an easy style to make and is a joy to wear, next for me will be the dress.