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

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 […]

Vintage Simplicity 8719: DIY Polka Dot Ruffle Hem Peasant Sleeve Dress

May 26, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hihi! Today I am sharing a dress I made using a vintage Simplicity pattern, Simplicity 8719. At the time of writing there does seem to be a few copies of this pattern available on various sites, for example, here. It’s amazing to me that this pattern was copyrighted 41 years ago but is still relevant […]

Simplicity 8014 and Simplicity 8019: midi length striped shirt dress and floral button front skirt

May 13, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Hi Everyone! Summer is (hopefully) fast approaching and I have been in the mood to make easy to sew and easy to wear pieces in viscose, one of my favourite fabrics to wear in warm weather (or any time of the year for that matter!) In case you didn’t know, viscose is a breathable man […]

Paper Theory Patterns Zadie Jumpsuit: DIY Wrap Over Orange Linen Jumpsuit

April 30, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hey hey! It’s not very often that I will purchase and make a new pattern close to it’s release. More often than not I will hang back to see the pattern start to appear in the wild on different body types before jumping in. But once I started seeing versions of this jumpsuit basically looking […]

Alina Sewing and Design Company Fulton Sweater Blazer: DIY Camel Ponte Knit Casual Blazer

April 24, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hey Everyone, First of all, in case you hadn’t heard, I won a fourth prize place in the Tessuti Colour in Thirds Contest! So it was worth it pushing myself to get the dress I posted about in my last post finished and blogged in time. I haven’t spent my winnings yet: my voucher is […]

OOP Vogue 9186 by Kathryn Brenne: DIY Shirt Dress with Asymmetric Hem

April 14, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hi Everyone! Today’s post is about OOP Vogue 9186 by Kathryn Brenne, which is hot off the sewing machine. Let me rewind. Before my brain haemorrhage, I decided that I wanted to enter this year’s Tessuti Fabrics contest, which, for this year, is called Colour in Thirds. I have entered once before, in their Gridlock […]

Simplicity 8014 and McCalls 6613: DIY Womens and Mens Button Up Shirts

April 8, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey Everyone, Thank you so much for all the love, encouragement and support you guys showed me following my last post. I am making steady progress and feeling so much better. I have even managed to sew a couple of easy projects! Anyway, today is basically me sharing a couple of shirts that I sewed […]