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. 

With Christmas fast approaching I've added some lovely sewing related gift items to our online store. I thought I'd share a few of these with you here to give you some gift inspiration for the "sewist" or "stitcher" in your life... or perhaps even as a treat for yourself... I know I've got my eye on one or two f these...

We have new embroidery stitch kits from Stitch Happy, I love the modern botanical themes, these great kits are suitable for all skill levels and make a great project for winter evenings. I've recently started on the Botanical Tattoos Kit and I'm really enjoying the processes involved. 

The launch edition of TAUKO Magazine would make a fabulous gift for any sewing enthusiast. With 12 modern designs by international designers complete with step by step sewing instructions and actual size paper patterns, a 128-page collectable magazine with a modern aesthetic. 

Mend your way to a more sustainable wardrobe with these beautifully tactile, hand-turned solid wood darning eggs by Socko. The eggs are beautiful simply as an object, they're really tactile and lovely to hold. The egg comes with a small length of darning yarn, a darning needle and needle threader, together with darning instructions. 

The Label Collectors Tins together with packs of Woven Labels by Kylie and the Machine also make a great gift. We've lots of fun packs of labels and you can easily tailor this gift to suit your budget. 

The beautiful wooden sewing tools and buttons Arrow Mountain make lovely gifts. Handmade by Ho-mei the wooden sewing tools in particular are not only very giftable but really useful for all your sewing projects.

Please find below the recommended dates from Royal Mail for posting to guarantee delivery in time for this Christmas. However, as was the case last year, I'd strongly recommend that you place your orders asap.

For reference, please find below are the Royal Mail recommended dates:

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Monday 6th December

ASIA & FAR EAST: Wednesday 8th December

USA & CANADA: Monday 13th December

EUROPE: Thursday 16th December, however please note that unfortunately at this time we're still unable to ship to our lovely EU customers

UK 1ST CLASS DELIVERY: Friday 17th December 12PM

UK EXPRESS DELIVERY: Friday 17th December 12PM

Please note that Friday 17th is the last date that we'll be sending out orders... any orders placed after 12PM on Friday 17th will be sent out when we return to work on Monday 10th January 2022.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all very much for your custom, and for supporting my small business throughout 2021. 

I know that times are still strange, however I'd like to wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas and here's to life getting back to some sort of normality in the New Year.

All the very best,

Karen xx

My obsession with puff sleeves continues so as soon as The Sagebrush Top by Friday Pattern Company was released I just knew that I had to make it!

I've seen some fabulous versions over on Instagram including ginghams, florals, stripes as well as plains and this style works really well in them all.

After a lot of deliberating I decided on a Nani Iro stripe called Libero. I wanted to use a fabric with a subtle design and this almost black stripe on dark grey is perfect.

I usually gravitate towards styles that are pared back but with an interesting detail so puff sleeves are quite a step change for me. I felt that the ruffle along the front yoke was a step too far for me personally, so I chose to leave this off which still works well. I've seen other versions were the ruffle has been replaced by piping which also looks good.

This top was a joy to make, the instructions are really clear and easy to follow and there are helpful illustrations too. In terms of sizing I'm a UK size 8 and I made the XS size which fitted me perfectly with no alterations.The top has ties at the back which are another lovely detail, it also means that there are no buttonholes or zips to worry about and means that it's suitable for beginners, that said I think more experienced sewists would also enjoy making this style.

The Sagebrush Top is really wearable, not only that it's a style that's prefect for taking you from day to evening. I'll definitely be making more...

This year I wanted to try a more planned approach to my sewing projects and decided to join in with the #MakeNine2021 Challenge on Instagram. This challenge made me really think about the garments that I want to make, and secondly I'm hoping it will encourage me to find some valuable sewing time!

If you're not familiar with the #MakeNine Challenge, it was established in 2015 over on Instagram and is described as 'a gentle self-guided challenge for makers'. The founder, Rochelle, was inspired by the "Best Nine" hashtag and instead of looking at her best nine photos from the past year she decided to look to the future and share nine projects that she wanted to make in the future. If you'd like to join in it's not too late, you can find out more by clicking here.

Pictured below are my final nine choices....

Having chosen the styles that I'd like to make, I've tentatively paired these with fabrics that I think would work well. 

Starting with the top row and working from left to right:

1. Edie Top & Dress (Merchant and Mills) - I love the balloon sleeves on this otherwise simple top and dress pattern, they're all that's needed to create a standout style.

I haven't decided yet whether I'll make the top or dress, or possibly both! However, initial fabric choices include Nani Iro's Waltz design which is printed on a soft cotton double gauze; or possibly Robert Kaufman's Indigo Denim 4.5oz.

2. Cielo Top & Dress (Closet Core) -  another style with an (optional) statement sleeve! This pattern is really quite versatile, you can choose to make a fairly simple boxy tee or shift dress with a cuffed short sleeve or for a more statement look choose the gathered longer sleeve which is shown pictured below.

I have a definite look in mind for the top, inspired by a version made by French blogger Julie (@joliesbobines on Instagram) in a silk organza which she modified by adding an elasticated cuff to the sleeve to create a more dramatic statement sleeve. The fabric that I have in mind is the Kokka Seersucker Bubble fabric in Black which is semi-transparent and has a fabulous three dimensional quality to it with some structure.

The long sleeve dress would also look good made in our 8oz Denim in Black or Washed Indigo.

3. Cuff Dress (The Assembly Line) - the Cuff Top remains one of my favourite patterns and the dress version has been on my list to make since it was launched last year.

This style looks great, as shown above, in a plain fabric but I also think it would work equally well in a pattern. I like the idea of something to make a statement and think it would look fantastic made in Nani Iro's Chant et Poesie in Pinks and Blues. I also think it would look in the laundered linens by Merchant and Mills, in particular Scuttle Black, or the new lightweight denim by Robert Kaufman. Another possibility is the Homespun Essex Linen fabrics by Robert Kaufman, the woven structure of this particular weave would create subtle added interest.

Middle row left to right:

4. V-Neck Jumpsuit (The Assembly Line) - the relaxed fit of this jumpsuit is what clinched it for me, plus it looks like a great first make for this type of garment and is classed as suitable for beginners.

I like the idea of using either one of the Washed Cotton Twills by Mind the MAKER or for a lighter weight version any one of the Laundered Linens by Merchant and Mills would be lovely for spring/summer.

5. Wilder Gown & Top (Friday Pattern Company) - I made the top last summer which I really enjoyed making, so much so that I'd love to make another one.

I'm undecided as to whether it'll be another top or the dress version at this stage, or possibly both. For the top I'm looking at Nani Iro's Birds Eye design, an abstract equivalent of a ditsy floral which would look great in any of the colourways. I've seen some lovey linen versions of the dress on Instagram and that would be my choice too. 

6. Mersis Dress & Top (Pattern Fantastique) - this brand are relatively new to me, it was this style that first alerted them to me. Of course it's those statement sleeves again...

I'll be adding these patterns to our collection in mid February. If you'd like to reserve a copy of the above pattern please email me via the Contact Page. I love this style exactly as is, so will be looking to make this in a linen such as the Sweeps Scrim Laundered Linen by Merchant and Mills.

Bottom row left to right:

7. The Pocket Dress (Nani Iro) - from the Nani Iro Sewing Book, this style has a beautifully designed unique silhouette, the clever use of buttons down the back creates a subtle waistline but at the same time it has a relaxed fit.  

I think this shape would work well in a multitude of fabrics, and it works particularly well as a print vehicle. The Zebra Print by Kokka Fabrics would look great, however if you prefer as more understated look then any one of the fabrics from the Driftless Collection would work equally well.

8. Array Top (Papercut Patterns) - more statement sleeves! I've seen this top made in all sorts of fabrics and it looks fabulous whether it's in a plain or a pattern, drapey or structured, a lightweight lawn or a velour.

This is the only style that I haven't quite landed on in terms of my fabric choice, at the moment I'm leaning towards the Santa Barbara Tencel/Cotton fabric which has a lovey drape and sheen to it. 

9. Gyo Dress & Top (Merchant and Mills) - having made the top which was fun to make, and which I've worn a lot, I'd really like to make the dress version too.

For the dress I'm thinking a subtle stripe such as Nani Iro's Libero or one of the new designs from her 2021 Collection launching in February.

I've invested quite a lot of time on this challenge, firstly choosing the styles that I wish to make this year and, secondly carefully considering what fabrics would not only work well, but which ones I'd really like to work with and more importantly wear. I'm hoping this will really encourage me to make more time for sewing in 2021. 

My aim is to write a review in the form of a blog post for each garment that I make, I really hope that you'll be part of this journey and possibly join in too.