Author: sewmanju

By day I work in the exciting world of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, registering medicines (!), but by night I turn in to a sewing diva, making all manner of clothes in my beautiful sewing space (which you can tour using the link at the top of this blog). I love how sewing and sewing clothes that fit my curvy body continually challenges me. I enjoy working with all different types of fabric, and whilst I don't like to put restrictions on myself and say I won't buy RTW, the truth is that I probably rarely do buy it, preferring the fit of my own me-made clothes. I love to use natural fibres where ever possible and colourful coats are an obsession of mine! Sewing is both my addiction and my therapy. You can contact me at sewmanju@yahoo.co.uk

Friday Pattern Company Heather Blazer: DIY Oversized Blazers in Wool Suiting and Linen Blend

July 1, 2022.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hey Everyone, A couple of months back I made the Heather Blazer by Friday Pattern Company in wool suiting (that’s the brown blazer in these pictures). I wanted an oversized “dad blazer” and this pattern seemed to tick all the boxes. However, when I had finished making that first version, something felt off. It was, […]

Simplicity 9326 modified: DIY Floral Square Neck Midi Dress

June 25, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Here’s some fitting/ pattern modification notes on Simplicity 9326 that I recently made. The main thing to note is that I added sleeves to this sleeveless bodice and changed up the skirt. Details below. The fabric is a floral viscose jacquard from Selvedge and Bolts. Fitting Notes I cut a size 18 for […]

Named Clothing Reeta Shirt Dress: DIY Blue Animal Print Shirt Dress

April 29, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Inspite of using the Named Clothing Reeta Shirt Dress to make tops three times (see here, here and here), I’ve never actually made the dress version. I finally bit the bullet and made it as intended (albeit with the addition of long cuffed sleeves) using some viscose crepe purchased from eBay. Conclusion: love […]

Closet Core Elodie Wrap Dress: DIY Wrap Dress with Dolman Style Sleeves

April 6, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today’s post features gifted items. Both the fabric and pattern were gifted to me by Sew Essential. If you haven’t come across Sew Essential please do check them out. They are a UK based company that sells not just sewing patterns and fabric, but also a wide range of haberdashery products as well […]

November Knits Sunde Sweater: DIY Merino Mohair Striped Sweater

April 4, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi, Before sweater weather disappears for the year, here’s a sweater I finished recently. This is the Sunde Sweater by November Knits, and I am very pleased with how this has turned out. It’s very soft, cosy, warm and I love the classic colour combo. Whilst understanding some aspects of the pattern took me some […]

McCalls 8008: DIY Viscose Lawn Printed Blouse

March 18, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey Everyone, I’m back sharing a blouse I made using McCalls 8008. This is a bit of a sleeper pattern: it comes with a pattern for overalls/ dungarees/ rompers, but I haven’t seen that many versions of either in the sewing community. I made the blouse and I really like it. But then it’s got […]

Butterick 6385: DIY Midi Khaki Quilted Coat

March 13, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hi Readers, In an attempt to get up to date with blogging, here goes trying to write and post a blog post from my phone for the first time! (I’m using the WordPress app for anyone interested). I’ve made this pattern once before (see here), and check below for my modifications to this version. The […]

New Look K6471: DIY Tie Neck Blouse

February 22, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hello Everyone, Today I am sharing details of a blouse that I made using a New Look pattern. I just had a look, and I think the last New Look pattern I made was back in 2018. I no longer tend to even consider New Look releases because I find the sizing to be very […]

Helen’s Closet Dressing Robe and True Bias Ogden Cami: DIY Sleepset

February 18, 2022.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Today I am sharing details of a completely unseasonal sleep set, but one which I am looking forward to wearing when the weather improves. To make this set I used the Helen’s Closet Dressing Robe pattern (pattern no longer available for sale), and the True Bias Ogden Cami, which I have made before […]

McCalls 8034 #CoraMcCalls: DIY Red Jacquard Square Neck Fitted Dress

January 26, 2022.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi Everyone, It was Kezia’s 13th birthday this week and after ordering a dress from Zara which just didn’t fit like she wanted it to, I offered to make her one. I made McCalls 8034 (#CoraMcCalls) in a beautiful red jacquard (ex. River Island) from Rainbow Fabrics. The colour is stunning and it washed, pressed […]