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

OOP McCalls 6172: DIY Animal Print Crombie Style Coat

October 14, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hi Everyone! Excited to bring you one of my latest makes: an animal print coat in a style that is as close to my dream coat pattern as I have managed to get until now. Let me back up… Last year I made Simplicity 8451, and in that post I talk about what my dream […]

Vogue 1638: DIY Satin Skirt with Flounce and Asymmetric Hem

October 9, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hey Everyone! When the fall Vogue patterns were released a few months back I instantaneously thought “wow, what a great collection!” So much so that I ended up ordering this skirt pattern, V1638, together with V1649 and V1650, to be shipped to me from the States. At the time I had been seeing lots of […]

OOP McCalls 6991: DIY Sage Green Wrap Tie Blouse

September 22, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Can you believe that this is the fourth time I have made this (now out of print) pattern? I have made two versions using view B (see original posts here and here): And the very first version made using the view that I made again for this post, view C (see original post […]

McCalls 7811: DIY Shoulder Princess Seam Shirts in Denim and Brushed Cotton

September 15, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today I want to share my review of McCalls 7811, which no one else on the face of the planet seems to have made yet, lol. I liked my first version (in denim) so much that I decided, whilst I had the pattern out, to make a second version (in brushed cotton) straight […]

Simplicity 8292: DIY Black Stretch Woven Fitted Sheath Dress

September 1, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Getting caught up with outstanding blogging. Today I am sharing a dress I made before I went on holiday to wear for a meeting at work. I just wanted something comfortable, well fitting, easy to wash and wear, and smart. I had this textured stretch woven in my stash (mystery content) and decided […]

True Bias Ogden Cami: DIY Floral Cami Sun Dress with Ruffled Hem

August 25, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone! Has it really been more than 6 weeks since my last blog post? Wow. We’ve been away for almost 3 weeks in India and I was busy prior to going, sewing things for the trip which I will share in due course (you get to see a sneak peak of some stuff in […]

Named Clothing Reeta Shirt and Peppermint Magazine Wide Leg Pants

July 12, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hi Everyone! Hope you’re well. First a quick life update: I had a follow up appointment with my consultant following on from my brain haemorrhage some four months ago, and all is good. I am back to normal with assurances that it should not reoccur. I am very fortunate and very grateful to all of […]

Paper Theory Patterns Zadie Jumpsuit: DIY Wrap Over Black Wool Crepe Jumpsuit

June 29, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Has it already been 3 months since I made my first Zadie? It was the annual PTA ball at my daughters school, and this year I really wanted to accomplish two things: Make something using fabric from my stash and Make something which stood a chance of being worn again! After much dithering, […]

Schnittchen Patterns Chari Dress: DIY Pull on Floral Viscose Ruffle Neck Dress.

June 17, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hi Everyone, today’s post was sponsored by Makerist. They got in touch and asked if I would like to select a pattern from their website and also give me a small cash payment with which to buy fabric to make the pattern up. All of the opinions expressed in this blog post are my own […]

Simplicity 8889 by Mimi G Style: DIY Cropped Linen Mix Shirt

June 2, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone, My love of button up collared shirts is well known, but how about a cropped version? That is entering new territory for me. But when I saw this version released by Simplicity patterns/ Mimi G, I just thought it looked so cute, and I also thought it might pair well with higher waisted […]