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

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 […]

Butterick 6179 and Simplicity 2317: DIY Animal Print Satin Skirt and oversized white crew neck T shirt

October 4, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today I am sharing an outfit that was super quick to whip up, but which I can already see both pieces being worn in so many ways within my wardrobe. The skirt was made using Butterick 6179 and the top was made using view B from Simplicity 2317. I have made other views […]

peppermint magazine wrap top: diy pink double gauze wrap top

September 11, 2020.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hi Everyone, The Peppermint Magazine wrap top is a free pattern available to download from the Peppermint Magazine website (although you should consider making a donation towards the cost). It is a beautifully drafted pattern created by In The Folds, and is the third of this series of patterns I have made (in fact, I […]

Butterick 6295 and greenstyle lille racerback tank: Diy active wear

September 8, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today’s post features a remake of an active wear outfit that I first made 4 years ago. Check out the outfit back then: I have come a long way since then in terms of understanding fit, fabric and mastering sewing techniques! Working out from home and I was tired of the active wear […]

Kwik sew 3586 and mccalls 6613: diy womens silk blend and mens cotton checked shirts

August 14, 2020.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi Readers, I have been on a shirt making kick. Shirt making is a great way to improve your precision sewing! And it is something you only get better with, with practice. Over the years I have accumulated my own tried and true methods for shirt making, so I rarely follow pattern instructions, preferring to […]

OOP McCalls 7543 and mccalls 7902 pattern mashup: diy shirred bodice dress with full sleeves

August 2, 2020.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hi Everyone, These Sleeper-inspired dresses are popping up everywhere at the moment. The idea behind the brand is dresses handcrafted in Ukraine using natural materials like linen, to make sleepwear inspired dresses comfy enough to nap or lounge in, but pretty enough to wear out. That’s the idea anyway. The whole shirred bodice dress is […]