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

Butterick 5616 Denim Jacket, Named Clothing Reeta Shirt and Simplicity 8389 Woven Joggers

June 26, 2021.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Today’s post is all about comfortable staples made using patterns that I have shared before, and beautiful, breathable fibres. Pictures speak louder than words to be honest, but let me give you the basics. The linen shirt and khaki tencel twill woven joggers were both made using fabrics purchased a little while ago […]

Bella Loves Patterns Flor Dress: DIY Black Swiss Dot Cotton Ruffle Wrap Dress

June 13, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi All, I am excited to share a pattern from a new-to-me pattern company today: this is the Flor Dress from Bella Loves Patterns, and it is a beautiful, fun, feminine and extravagant pattern which can be sewn as either a dress or a crop top. There is so much to love about what this […]

Peppermint Magazine Loungewear Set and Simplicity Cotton Jersey PJs

June 1, 2021.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Today I wanted to share some PJs that I made for Kezia but then I realised I have never shared my new favourite PJ pattern combo for myself, so today you get both! Let’s start with Kezia’s set. This the free Peppermint Magazine Loungwear set designed by Common Stitch and which is available […]

PetiteKnit North Sea Set and Hipster Hat: DIY Knitted Hats and Scarf

May 21, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hey Everyone, I am sharing a couple of recently completed knitted items today. First up is a hat and scarf set that I knit for myself using PetiteKnit’s North Sea Set pattern. The hat comes in one size and is knitted, along with the scarf, using Drops Nord yarn, which is a 45% alpaca, 30% […]

mcCalls 8036: DIY Ditsy Floral Midi Wrap Dress

May 7, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

Ah Dresses! I have missed you. Missed making and wearing you. It would appear that this is my first dress of the new year, and its a repeat pattern make, made using McCalls 8036 and some ditsy print floral viscose purchased from eBay. Here’s a look at my first version of this dress. I didn’t […]

McCalls 8180: DIY Statement Ruffled Collar Blouse

April 25, 2021.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hello Readers, When I first saw the trend for large collared blouses I swore I wouldn’t go near them 🙂 And then I saw McCalls 8180 and I decided to try it out. It’s a really cute design, but personally I feel the drafting is a little bit off/ I need to make further modifications. […]

True Bias Marlo Sweater: DIY Oversized V-Neck Sweater

April 16, 2021.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hi Everyone, When I saw the Marlo Sweater by True Bias released at the beginning of the year there was something about it that really appealed. I think it is a very easy to wear and versatile piece, but I love the V-neck and the wide bands add interest and opportunities to make the sweater […]

BUtterick 6331: DIY Midi Length cotton twill Trench

April 4, 2021.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Today I am revisiting a pattern I made some 4 years ago; Butterick 6331. Here’s a link to the first version, and a picture below so you can see it. As designed, it is supposed to be a short trench, with an elastic casing in the back to give some shaping. I actually […]

Vogue 7975: DIY LInton Tweed French Style Jacket

March 14, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hi Everyone, This jacket kind of started off as one thing, but ended up as another. I found what looked like an easier, quicker method of making a quilted French style jacket, shared by Alexander Denton on Instagram. Her method cuts down on hand sewing by sewing the outer jacket shell pieces together first (at […]

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 […]