cotton – Chronically Siobhan

Ready to Sew Julien Chore Jacket

Siobhan, a white Disabled woman, sits on a set of stairs. She wears a red toned checked flannel chore jacket and jogger jeans.

As I’ve been working through my fabric stash, I made my way to a checked flannelette I bought from Spotlight last winter. I think I intended to make a long Named Esme Cardigan from it, but the “cool reddish check” pattern on the roll looked a lot more like “grandma’s tartan pants” when laid flat, so I put it aside.

When I revisited the fabric this year, I decided that a button-up, chore style jacket / “shacket” might tone down the check pattern a bit and make for a comfy winter addition to my wardrobe.

In the Folds Wide Leg Pants, take two

Siobhan, a Disabled white woman, stands against an antique wardrobe. She wears wide leg, mustard tan coloured corduroy pants with large patch pockets and elastic waist, and a white button up shirt.

Have you ever browsed through Peppermint Magazine Sewing School? They have a bunch of rad patterns made by indie pattern designers available for free!* I’ve made the In the Folds Wide Leg Pants before, but they were a snug fit. This time, I altered the pattern to make them elastic waisted and much more generously sized.

Yet another Burda shirt, and RIP Burdastyle dot com

Note: I’m still catching up on my creations from 2019 – so bear with me, I think this is the last one!

Siobhan, a young white woman with short brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses, stands in an abundant garden arch. She wears a crisp button up shirt in a cream cotton with blue geometric patterning, slim black pants and leopard print loafers. She is smiling, and accompanied by a fluffy black and white cat.

What’s there to say about a pattern you’ve made over and over again? Well, about 1000 words, judging by this blog post! I’ve been sewing less lately, but in a more focused manner – creating those garments I’ll get a lot of wear out of, instead of one off fantasy items (Regency Gown and bonnet excluded!). This means button up shirts! Continue reading “Yet another Burda shirt, and RIP Burdastyle dot com”

The humble knitted dishcloth; and a hand injury update

A dishcloth made in a garter stitch log cabin style, with rectangular pink borders surrounding a blue square centre. — Log Cabin Dishcloth

It’s been 5 long months since I knitted last, and I really, truly, deeply, miss it. Knitting had been a constant in my life since I was a teen, and to not be able to keep my hands busy with needle and yarn has been a trying time. Knitting occupied my mind when I was anxious and soothed my through my trauma. It gave me something to do when I couldn’t do anything else but sit there. Now, I just have to sit and do nothing.

Continue reading “The humble knitted dishcloth; and a hand injury update”

Burda Tie Front Blouse 10/2010 #118B

A few months ago, my friend Lauren from Instagram offered to send me some fabric from a dedicated craft op shop. Well, fabric and op shops are my dream combination, so I couldn’t say no! Lauren was very good at picking fabrics according to my preferences (natural fibres, brown earthy tones) and I’m grateful to her for her generosity.

Siobhan stands in front of a blue weatherboard wall. She wears an earthy brown, fern-print short sleeve blouse with comically large bow at neck. She is smiling.

Continue reading “Burda Tie Front Blouse 10/2010 #118B”

Linen Burda Tie Up Pants

It might seem boring to some, but I really enjoy reading about people’s basic creations. I find it interesting to see what people wear everyday, as opposed to special garments which might only be worn once (which are of course, interesting in a different way!). With that said, today I’m sharing my second pair of black pants this year.

Siobhan stands in front of a tree-lined fence. She wears a pink tank top, black elastic waist straight leg linen pants and brown loafers. She is smiling.

Continue reading “Linen Burda Tie Up Pants”

Named Inari again – Indie Pattern Month 2018

I didn’t have any particular plans to enter The Monthly Stitch’s Indie Pattern Month this year, despite my all-out efforts last time around (New To Me, Hack It, Indie Pattern Royalty). It was pleasant happenstance that one of their challenges – Around the World – perfectly aligned with my existing sewing plans.

A woman stands in front of a garden fence. She wears a stripe knit tee dress with black leggings, silver runners and big tortoiseshell sunglasses. A cat sits on a bench behind her. — Say hello to my little friend. And our new garden bench from KMart.

Continue reading “Named Inari again – Indie Pattern Month 2018”

In the Folds Jersey Dress for summer

When I made my Aliexpress fabric order for mid-weight cotton slub knits (destined to become two winter dresses), I threw in some plain cotton/spandex jersey to keep on hand. As with the cotton slub knits, I was impressed with the quality of the cotton/spandex and decided to sew it up straight away.

Woman stands in front of garden fence. She wears a short-sleeve, grey knit boxy tee dress with pockets, black leggings and black ankle boots. She is smiling. — It was REALLY windy when we tried to take these photos, so these are the best of a bad lot. All of those drape lines basically disappear in person.

Continue reading “In the Folds Jersey Dress for summer”

Burda long sleeved blouse 04/2010 #114, V2

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know my love for Burda and their shirt patterns in particular. A couple of years back, I made the Burda 04/2010 #114 long-sleeved blouse which became my most-loved and worn button up shirt. When it finally hit the dust (RIP shirt), I didn’t think twice before replacing it.

Continue reading “Burda long sleeved blouse 04/2010 #114, V2”

Style Arc Blaire Shirt

You know when a project looks really different in your head to the final outcome? That’s what happened with my Style Arc Blaire Shirt. I completely misinterpreted the pattern of the fabric and the cut of the shirt, and ended up with an oversized, tropical-style shirt, entirely by accident. And I love it!