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

Peppermint Magazine Wide Leg Pants: DIY High Waisted Wide Legged Pants Trousers

February 14, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone, I am back today sharing my second make using a pattern from Peppermint Magazine. You can see my first make using one of their patterns here (the ruffle sleeve top). Like the first, this pattern is also a completely FREE pattern to download, and comes in a decent size range (24 – 45.5″ […]

Closet Case Ginger Jeans and Jalie Eleonore Leggings: DIY Dark Denim Skinny Jeans and Faux Leather Leggings

February 1, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone, At the beginning of January I decided I was going to spend the rest of the month making items which I needed to make, rather than wanted too. Items which I needed either in my wardrobe (like jeans!) or in my home (like curtains…still not done). Anyway, in the month of January I […]

Simplicity 8014: DIY Animal Print Crepe Shirt Dress

January 22, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Today is a short post to share my latest version of Simplicity 8014. You only have to search this blog to see how much I love this pattern. Not only have I made both views of this pattern twice (this being the second time for view C/D) but I have also used this […]

Making Luna Lapin: DIY Wool Felt Heirloom Doll Rabbit with Clothes – Sewing Book Review

January 13, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Garment making is interrupted to bring you something a little different today. Over the Christmas break I made a couple of heirloom dolls, namely two wool felt rabbits using the book, Making Luna Lapin by Sarah Peel. Long time readers of this blog will know that 1. this is not the usual kind […]

2018: A Year of Sewing

January 3, 2019.Reading time 12 minutes.

Happy new year Readers, I hope the new year has started well for you. Thank you for all the love for my Linton Tweed biker jacket. It was a great way to finish the year on a sewing high. Whilst the new year is still fresh, I thought it would be good to have a […]

Butterick 6169: DIY Moto Biker Style Jacket in Linton Tweed

December 31, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Squeezing in the final post of the year to share my latest completed make of 2018: a second version of Butterick 6169, this time made in a Linton tweed. You may recall the first version that I made more than 3 years ago (already?!) in a black leather. That version has been such […]

OOP Simplicity 1591 and Simplicity 8746: DIY Striped Sequin Pencil Skirt and DIY Red Crepe Wrap Skirt

December 27, 2018.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, if you celebrate. We had a quiet time at home with my family joining us for Christmas day. I can’t believe we are in the final few days of 2018! I am going to try and get a couple of last blog posts up to finish […]

Burdastyle B6420: DIY Black Zip Front Cut On Cap Sleeve Sheath Dress

December 18, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hey Everyone, This is the dress that I made to wear for my birthday this year. It’s Burdastyle 6420. It comes with two views, and I made view A which has a sporty look to it I think. I would describe this view as having cut on cap sleeves, an exposed zip front opening in […]

Pauline Alice Aldaia Dress: DIY Blue Stretch Velvet Wrap Bodice Fit and Flare Dress #sewfrosting

November 30, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

Hi Everyone, Just popping on to say that the UK fabric store, Sewisfaction, recently asked me if I would like to write a guest post for their blog. I selected some of their beautiful blue stretch velvet and made my third version of the Pauline Alice Aldaia dress (you can see version one here, and […]

Vogue 9201: DIY Dark Floral Tie Neck Shirt Dress

November 27, 2018.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Readers, We are fully into the colder weather and shorter, darker days here in my part of the world. And of course, that means my sewing is reflecting that. This is Vogue 9201, made in a viscose crepe with a dark, dramatic floral print. This is a shirt dress with some interesting features. Let […]