A Little Diary Thread Because I'm At The Age Where I Forget!

Hi Donnie

Absolutely loved reading your diary entry! It sounds like you have learnt so much over the last year, which is so fantastic! It's really wonderful to get that "ah-ha" moment when things start clicking into place around fitting adjustments and what needs to be altered.

Learning what kind of fabrics you enjoy wearing and how they differ to fabrics you appreciate looking at and sewing with is actually a really big hurdle for a lot of new sewers. A lot of us are really drawn to big, bold, colourful patterns and prints like you might be drawn to art that you'd hang on the wall. But they actually don't fit into your lifestyle and wearing them feels completely different.

Having sewn as a dressmaker for over a decade I can tell you that I've only recently learnt that I prefer wearing a more muted colour palatte of soft blues and dusky pinks and have become a lot more particular in the type of prints I wear. Whilst I can appreciate a bold and colourful floral print and have a lot of fun sewing it... they aren't the garments I typically reach for to actually wear! It has been an interesting journey! 

On the subject of fabric choices, I bought this a few years ago because I loved it. I bought quite a lot of it as I had no idea how much fabric items needed. It's very loose weave and it unravels at the slightest touch. With a few months of sewing under my belt I began to have an understanding of the problems I was going to face when I came to use the fabric and I decided it would have to wait! However, the need to make some space meant January was the month when I tackled it.

I decided a complex pfabric needed a very simple pattern. I was going to try making the Seamwork Ivy jacket (a simple, thigh length boxy unlined jacket with a detachable scarf) but then I found the Itch to Stitch Koersel cape pattern. I confess that I didn't give too much consideration as to whether or not I would actually wear a cape at that stage, I was simply on a mission to see if I could make anything.

C.L. Hardie (The Thrifty Stitcher)suggested using a K10 fusible interfacing and I block fused each of the pattern pieces as soon as I cut them out. You'll perhaps see that I used oversize pieces as I was minded to wrap a 1cm overlap around to the right side to strengthen the seam edges. 

I bought some cotton poplin to make a lining. The pattern was an unlined cape, but with the block interfacing I felt it needed a prettier inside. 

It isn't quite finished. I also extended the length of the cape thinking it might be more 'me' but now I'm not sure!

I'm not going to risk button holes so have found some duffel coat fasteners to use instead.

For now it is sitting on the tailor's dummy whilst I think. I don't want to stitch 9 metres of binding if I am going to be shortening it!

Will I ever wear it? I go back to the comment in my first post, I still love the fabric but am not sure I love it on me! However, I am proud that I have made something without it unravelling and falling to pieces. At least not yet. I think it could be quite cheerful on a grey winter's day provided it is dry - I'm not a fan of the smell of wet wool!

My few days off work are coming to a close but I've finished 2 knit garments. The colourful Lenny dress is a Seameork pattern and incredibly straightforward provided you read the pattern properly and use the correct seam allowance. I graded the pattern 3 times, some smaller, some bigger. I love this fabric but wondered if I'd like it when worn. I'm not generally a leopard print type of person! But I think for brightening up grey days it is perfect.

The second project is the True Bias Bryn cardigan. I thought I'd wear it as a dress as that meant I didn't have to do buttonholes. I have a very basic sewing machine and whilst it will do buttonholes, it gets really stroppy if things are not smooth, stable, flat and thin!!!! It occurred to me that I could perhaps attach the band in a different way to minimise the usual bulk and, it worked! I even managed 12 button holes! I had to make an adjustment to the back after construction. I don't know if the fabric stretched out slightly or if I was just clumsy with the band . For the full length version there's a centre back seam, so it was relatively easy! 

Now need to find the part of me that knows what needs to be done at work!!! I've managed to switch off completely and just sew for a few days.  It has been wonderful. 

April has been the month to throw myself into the sew socials and give myself permission to prioritise my sewing. Interesting that the ceiling didn't fall down at work when I stopped working 80 hour weeks

This month I've made a lot, which is just as well as none of my old summer clothes fit now. I hacked the Chalk and Notch Wren dress to make the skirt longer and more fitting for someone of my age, however, despite it fitting well enough, I felt as if it swamped me. At one of the sewing socials Ruthy suggested inserting fisheye darts and they improved the garment immensely. I may still re-do the skirt to remove some of the fabric, but I'm waiting until bringing it into rotation in 'me-made May' before doing anything else with it.

This month has seen the production of the Seamwork Cosmo blouse, the Tilly and the Buttons Frida shirt, Maison Fauve Ronsard Jeans, the Style Arc Armidale dress (some of these are included in the photos here), two Canyon tops and the Rosie blouse from Atelier Jupe. The Ronsard and the Rosie were my first experience of using the French/Belgian patterns and it's been very pleasing to a. not panic about the differences and b. figure things out.

Also sewed up is the Sew Over It Estelle dress (still waiting to be hemmed) and finally finished is a wearable toille of the Seamwork Nolan trousers which I think fit me well...although it is remarkably challenging to look at your own derriere without distorting the fabric of the trousers. I'm taking those with me to a sewing retreat at the end of May to get them checked.

I love the new Friday Pattern Co Canyon pattern. The proportions of it are perfect for me and I have fabric in the washing machine as a I type to make the dress version. I've felt like an old fuddy-duddy looking at some of the fabric choices of the YouTuber influencers in the sewing domain, but through Hayley have now found Root-id and it feels like my fabric spiritual home. I love the styles and the sustainable approach. I'm looking forward to making the Canyon dress in fabric sourced from there.

As the end of the month approaches it seems a new capsule wardrobe has been created, without the beautiful planning that Adele did, and I never quite got around to! I am convinced this is due to this community and the sew socials. Having a reason to show up and sew has really helped me on so many levels and I'm grateful to everyone here for their camaraderie, support, humour and the fact that you too showed up!

MeMadeMay 1st May 2026

A work day. I work from home. I love wearing this top, but hated making it! It’s a very lightweight viscose jersey, A remnant I picked up from Lamazi. I swear the fabric had a life of its own. The pattern on the fabric and the pleated design conceal a lot of less than perfect sewing! The pattern is from Itch to Stitch - their Brasov Wrap Top. I will make again, but I’ll be more conscious of fabric choice. Having said that, this lightweight fabric is proving to be a very comfortable and versatile wear!

Also today are the Ronsard wide leg jeans from Maison Fauve. Purchased as a kit with a tutorial from Flying Bobbins, By following the fit guidance in that tutorial plus some attempts at toiling these (which didn’t go well) I’ve ended up with a pair of jeans that fit and are comfortable to wear. I do think that, being short with quite a small frame (even though it is well padded in parts), wide leg trousers are not for me. I feel swamped by so much fabric. I chose to put a turn-up at the hem as the denim is quite lightweight and I felt the turn-up helped to weigh down the length of the leg.

MMM Day 2.

A dress retrieved from the ‘this isn’t working pile’. I’m a dogs and horses girl and I thought this Love Notions Blue Grass pattern would be perfect for me. I made it a year ago. It was a challenging make for where I was then with lots of top stitching, buttonholes and pockets - particularly the placement on the chest. I think the initial problem was fabric choice. I love the idea of corduroy (this is a needle cord) but it never feels quite right when I wear it!

I don’t think I like this dress length on me either!

The dress is now way too big. I’ve tried to show this in some of the photos.

I’m going to wear it all day and see how it goes. I’ll then decide whether to alter it or let it go!

I stress there’s nothing wrong with the fabric or the pattern - other than my choices and pairings! This is all me trying to figure out what I think suits me, what’s comfortable, what’s practical and what makes me happy!!!!

PS there’s even a bonus photo of me trying to smile for the camera at the end!! I have a natural resting bitch face usually!!!

MMM 3rd May

An Olya shirt/blouse from paper theory. I love this patten it has a really interesting construction hat this version conceals under pattern! I’ve made several and wear them a lot! I wish I didn’t look so miserable in photo!!! 🤣

MMM 5th May

Not a day for sartorial elegance. Hit by a migraine yesterday. A very unpleasant 24 hours later and I’m still sore but can function. A day for the Waves and Wild Four Seasons Joggers - the first things I made in knit fabric. I used the main jersey fabric to make a loose cuff hem at the ankle as I don’t like the tight ribbing ankle cuff on me.

Combined with my Megan Nielsen Jarrah sweater. I lengthened the pattern and added a funnel neck. This is my go to when I need to be warm, snuggly and comfortable!

Both fabrics came from Guthrie & Ghani. The cotton jersey for the leggings is made from recycled denim.

MMM 7thMay

A staying at home outfit as these are all far from perfect.

The Seamwork Nolan trousers are a wearable toile started to figure out trouser fit. The dark fabric made it very difficult to ‘see’ what was going on, so I didn’t think that one through. They’ve been unpicked and chopped down so many times I’m amazed they are wearable !! I still think the height the rise is too high for me, but they are comfortable!

The boat neck version of the builder t shirt from wardrobe by me has a seam on the front and back that shouldn’t be there! I cut out during a social, not paying attention, but it’s wearable and the fabric is soft and snuggly.

The cardigan isn’t great! I discovered, having made that the term cotton jersey covers a multitude of things! The turquoise jersey is more like athletic wear (I now know) or even a ponte, but it is quite rigid and it sticks out at the bottom! This was also my first attempt at buttonholes on knit using my old, simple machine - they are not pretty. It’s the Fig cardigan from Seamwork,

Fabrics from Jenny stitches and Guthrie & ghani.

But, for a chilly day spent working from home, they are all comfortable and adequate and a good reminder of how much I’ve learned since making them!!!

MMM 8th May

A viscose jersey from fabworksonline purchased before I was sewing and had any clue about how I was going to use it. Purchased for the colours!

Interestingly (to me at least) I bought some Fairy non bio washing liquid to wash a load of knits and the colour on all of them is diminished slightly and the fabric has come out with a slight fuzzy look, which is irritating.

The top is from the Cashmerette Grafton pattern suite and the skirt is self drafted from an old Weekenders skirt that I really like.

I really like this silhouette. Nothing flappy around my head and arms but some swish in the skirt! I also get more wear from co-ords like this than I do from dresses (just a reminder to my future self!!).

A very simple make. I think the fit is good on both items although I know the elasticated waist is on the loose side!

I also made a very straight, just below the knee length skirt in this fabric and I like that too. I still have enough fabric to make a t shirt I think. (Had no clue how much fabric I’d need to make anything when I picked it up!)

I think I’ve found my new uniform!

MMM 9th May

Lots going on today so two outfits.

First good old M&S ready to wear jeans with a me made shirt- the Cashmerette Vernon in a colourful needle cord that came from Jenny Stitches last year. Very comfortable. I made a mistake with the cuffs! (Isn’t there always something?) and I put the buttonholes on the wrong side. It doesn’t matter but it does make them extraordinarily difficult to fasten them!!!

And the new Canyon dress made in very inexpensive ginghams (Fabrics Galore)as a wearable toile.

I made an adjustment to the placket to make it slightly less revealing and am pleased with the way that worked out.

I’m out for tea with friends this afternoon and plan to wear it. They’ll fall of their chairs when I turn up in something other than jeans!!

Whilst I still love the idea of dresses, I’m not overly comfortable in them and I think I’ll get far more wear out of separates, particularly co-Orr’s that can be worn together, or not! I need to remember that, as I plan future makes.

MMM 11th May 2026

My daughter tells me I can't wear double denim any more - so today is a ebellion, double and triple denim!

The ronsard jeans have already made an appearance in this diary, but they been through their first wash as a garment now. The fabric was pre-washed, but I'm interested to notice that they have shrunk a little. It's OK. Still wearable, but the length may need to be adjusted if it happens again.

The Frida short from T&TB. I really like this pattern. I did size down a lot as oversized stuff does swamp my relatively small frame. I am very pleased with the finished, the top stitching, the seam finishes and even the collar stand!

The Sew Liberated Lichen Duster. Believe it or not, this was my second attempt at dressmaking after the Hinterland dress that featured earlier this month as a nightdress! I bought this fabric from Minerva, with no idea what I would make with it. I finished the insides with flat fell and french seams (or at least my version of them) and gold bias binding. I messed up the collar as I didn't understand the instructions, but I don't think it shows! The issue of course is that I don't wear it as I feel like an East End Pearly Queen https://share.google/uxAU5reDpqymKx5Gh when I do!!

Looking back I can't believe I managed to construct this with the level of experience I had at the time. I do love the pattern. It's just the fabric that's a bit overwhelming for me - although there's a lot of it about nowadays..... perhaps I need to be brave and wear it out!! Perhaps next time I go to the Post!!

MMM 12thMay

Going to facilitate an MP briefing today and really needed to dress for courage. Thought this not-yet-worn Sew Over It Estelle dress might be perfect, but all I see in the photo are my own imperfections!

Not having finished hair and make up I guess doesn’t help. I remind myself that nobody will be looking at me anyway, but I do notice how the right clothes lend me confidence and bravery when my own disappears!!

This was made from an excellent kit sourced from Flying Bobbins. I enjoyed the make. I did size up because of the shape of the dress but I still find it too figure hugging for my taste. The back of the neck gapes a little, I think because I made the bigger size - I should have left the neck/shoulders in the size 10.

Now off to try to find something else to wear!

MMM 13th May

Back in the comfort zone of jeans and T shirt - all be it a bit of a fancier one. M&S jeans.

T shirt is a sew.lala pattern - The Mare top. I’ve made the pleated sleeve head and there’s a second option I haven’t tried yet which has another origami type fold. I’m very narrow shouldered so quite like something that balances me out a bit there. Looking forward to the return of 80’s shoulder pads! Not really!

A work from home day with dentist and hygienist later so this should carry my through with a gilet for extra warmth. Need more gilets as I wear them a lot and only have a few shop bought ones!

I’m loving the fact that I’m noticing and more conscious about clothing as a result of this MMM exercise. I’m really hoping this will help me with future makes as I was fast on the path of having a full wardrobe with nothing to wear!

MMM 14th May

My ‘first date’ with viscose’ !

The Ellsworth shirt from Merchant and Mills. Made from a Guthrie and Ghani kit.

One of my earlier makes and the first time I made anything with viscose, I cannot tell you how much I hated it. I decided it was impossible at one stage but many YouTube videos later, the purchase of lots of extra fine pins plus pattern weights and a rotary cutter, and I decided it wasn’t impossible it was just hard!

The fit still isn’t brilliant even though I’m now much smaller than I was when I made it and it isn’t the most flattering of garments but it is one I reach for a lot. It’s comfortable and big enough to wear a T shirt underneath for the extra layer we need at the moment in the UK. Probably won’t make another one but, on reflection, I’m amazed that I managed a collar, placket and buttonholes, at the stage I was at, with such a slippery material!

It was my first date with viscose and I didn’t think there would be a second, but I have gotten over that and appreciate the sustainability of many of the viscose fabrics.

I’ve chopped off my head as my resting b**** face is too depressing to see. I’m wondering when I stopped smiling!

MMM Friday 15th May

A day at the computer and a lunch date - so a change of clothes needed (Anyone else hate that? I really just want to get dressed once and it be done!)

My Reeta shirt dress. For the lunch date. Hayley doesn’t like the sleeves. I love them! I think they are almost identical to my old uniform summer shirts so my arms feel very familiar in them!

Made in quite a heavy viscose linen from Guthrie & Ghani that I love. However, I’m also aware that it is almost identical to my aged chintzy sofa 😂

The nearest thing I have to a grandson is coming to see me this morning for his birthday. He’s 7 today. So more practical clothes for the rest of the day. My Seamwork Nolan trousers, a wardrobe by me builder T shirt - the sleeveless v neck option - and the Closet Core Basalt shirt, heavily modified for my short frame. The cotton twill for the trousers from Jenny Stitches, the jersey and the cotton lawn both from Lamazi.

Actually like both of these outfits! The self loathing is diminished in them 🫣

MMM 16th May 3026

Slightly optimistic donning a dress today because the sun was shiny at 7am. By 10am I was back in jeans and jumper and trying to warm up!

This is the Celia dress from the Modern Sewing Company. Fabric is a viscose twill from Lamazi, purchased as I love the colours.

3 views: with the matching tie belt, no belt and a narrow regular belt.

I needed to pay more attention to pattern placement as one of the dark splotches is at the back and it looks as if I’ve sat in something!

MMM 17th May

Out for lunch today!

True Bias Emerson pants in vintage cotton plus an Ashton top from Helen’s Closet. Managed to get both out of 2m of fabric and using scraps for the facings in the top.

First time I’d made either of these but I’ll make more.

The top is better on my body than my previous go-to and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to try it!

I made adjustments for size and shape at the pattern stage and am really pleased with the fit.

The overshirt is the Atelier Jupe Alexa. I feel something is needed today as it gets chilly when the sun goes in. I love the viscose fabric - both colour, pattern and drape but am not sure about the pattern style. It’s a lot of fabric and I feel a bit swamped. I sized right down and it still feels overly large. I’ll wear it because I love the fabric! I probably wouldn’t make another.

Fabrics all from Lamazi.

MMM 18th May

A day at my desk looms.

A canyon top over a jersey camisole (rtw) and some baggy but comfortable jeans.

Love the neatness of the Canyon pattern. Not quite so keen on busy floral fabrics! This was made from a remnant as a wearable toile.

I may need a cardigan or gilet as I am cold!!!!

MMM 19th May

Advice and ideas requested please!

In some ways this could be called a cheat day as I won’t be wearing what the photographs show, as it is too big. But it is all me-made and I don’t know what to do with it for the best.

I feel swamped by the style of the jacket and skirt. Yes they are both very ‘roomy’ on me but I’m not sure size alterations are going to make much of a difference to the overall look of it!

I love the dark teal fabric. It’s a sevenberry Twill that’s beautiful to sew up but it’s a weighty fabric and I think it is too stiff for the skirt.

The jacket is the In The Folds Ormond sewn up from a Guthrie and Ghani kit early last year. I love the liberty fabric trim and finishes. I was very proud of the make but never wear it!

I bought more of the Liberty tana Lawn to make the Cashmerette Stanton blouse but used the wrong interfacing in the tie neck - I swear you could actually garrotte yourself on the tie! I eventually took it off and just added a simple neck band finish. Again, I haven’t worn the blouse.

Then came the Oshood skirt from Cashmerette. I loved the pattern when it was released. A heavier weight fabric is recommended but I think the twill is too heavy.

I feel like someone who spends their days digging up potatoes in their grandmothers clothes, when I put it on. (Not that there’s anything wrong with being a potato picker)

I’ve spent quite a lot of money on the fabric and kit, so there’s a guilt driven need to salvage something from these items. I think if I separate the blouse from the other items, I will wear it.

It’s what to do with the skirt and jacket.

Anyone with more imagination than me have any ideas?

MMM 20th May

An errands and meetings morning.

Nothing here I haven’t posted before.

The Atelier Jupe Blake trousers which definitely need shortening. Trying yesterday’s Swanton blouse with them and think that works. Also tried with and without belt (no belt loops on them so a narrow belt doesn’t stay put.)

And trying the Ormond jacket. Properly fastened today!!

I think there’s hope for the jacket but perhaps with straighter leg trousers or jeans…

MMM 21st May

The hot-off-the-sewing-machine Atelier Jupe Charlie sweater in a French Terry from Roo-Tid. Love the pattern and the fabric was lovely to sew and is a delight to wear. Ronsard jeans you’ve seen before but now without their turn ups!