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

Closet Core Pietra Pants: diy heavy stone washed linen pull on pants

February 21, 2021.Reading time 11 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Back with another pair of pants! This time, it’s the turn of the Closet Core Pietra Pants made in the most perfect heavy weight stone washed linen which was gifted to me by Sew Creative, as part of their ambassador program (all thoughts are my own). Sew Creative are an independent fabric store […]

Muna and broad noice jeans: diy high waisted tapered leg ecru mom jeans

February 9, 2021.Reading time 12 minutes.

Hey Everyone, I have been dreaming of making a pair of high waisted, tapered leg ecru coloured mom style jeans for ages, and had a length of ecru coloured bull denim in my stash when a new-to-me pattern company, Muna and Broad, released this pattern. These are the Noice jeans and I really like them. […]

Petite knit novice sweater: diy hand knit alpaca blend top down sweater

January 22, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

I hope it is not too late to wish all my Readers Happy New Year! And my first finished project of the new year is actually a knitted garment! This is the Novice Sweater by Petite Knit, my second garment knitted using this brand of patterns (see here for first), and I am very happy […]

Pattern Mash up: newlook 6160 + mccalls 8040 + Mccalls 7948: DIY easy fit dress

December 26, 2020.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Hope you all managed to enjoy Christmas (if you celebrate) as you best you could in these current circumstances. I know this year in particular would have been harder than most for some people, especially here in the UK where heavy restrictions were in place limiting movement and meeting other people. We are […]

simplicity 8797 and butterick 6331: DIY long pile burgundy faux fur coat and black faux leather trousers

December 13, 2020.Reading time 16 minutes.

Hi Everyone, I have wanted to make a faux fur coat in a long time, and actually did attempt to make one a few years back, but for reasons too lengthy to go into right now (the fabric had stretch in the direction of the nap and just kept stretching out when I went to […]

Simplicity 8842: diy high waisted pleated front black wool trousers

November 24, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hey Everyone, I feel like I may just have found my new favourite trousers pattern! High waist, contoured waistband that doesn’t gape, tapered legs, slash pockets and pleated front. Even though this pattern made me work HARD to get the fit that I wanted I love the end result. This is a Simplicity Amazing Fit […]

Grainline studio tamarack jacket: diy grey cotton quilted jacket

November 17, 2020.Reading time 12 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today I am excited to share my version of the extremely popular Grainline Studio Tamarack Jacket. I’ve had the idea to make a quilted jacket floating around in my head for probably more than a year. It sometimes gets chilly in my office (in pre-Covid days of course, when I used to go […]

Wool and the gang needed me cardigan: DIY pink mohair cardigan

November 6, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi Everyone, In my previous post I mentioned that the sweater I shared was actually my second knit in the last 12 months. Today I am sharing my first ever knitted garment, which was knitted on straight needles. This is the Wool and the Gang Needed Me Cardigan, which I purchased as a birthday gift […]

Petite knit louisiana sweater: diy grey alpaca wool sweater

October 23, 2020.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Today I am excited to share my very first sweater knitted on circular needles. This is the Louisiana sweater, designed by Danish knitting designer, Mette, of PetiteKnit. Actually, prior to knitting this sweater, I did knit a cardigan on straight needles, and I will share that cardigan with you all in a few […]

Mccalls 7977: DIy ruffle white broderie anglaise and black spotted net blouse

October 9, 2020.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today I am sharing details of one pattern, done two ways. This is McCalls 7977, made in a white cotton broderie anglaise and also in a black net fabric with large scale spots. Both of these fabrics were purchased from the eBay seller, fabricmarket. Full review below, but here are some details of […]