Contemporary Sewing Patterns for the Modern Maker
I’m so excited to share with you my latest Sashiko project – this adorable AsanoHa Sashiko pincushion! Last year I did an online Sashiko course with Atsushi of UpCycle Stitches and have really been enjoying practicing and learning more about this wonderful craft. The last stage of Atsushi’s course is an online zoom session.
This humble Rowan turtleneck is a hard worker. I actually made this bodysuit 5 years ago when I was working on developing the Rowan sewing pattern (yikes has it really been five years?!). I’ve worn it constantly since then, and yet have never written a blog post about it. Isn’t it funny how we class some makes as worthy of sharing and others as a bit boring or unimportant? The silly thing is that I practically live in this bodysuit through the cold months, which should really make it a high achiever worthy of an award instead of a make I forgot to blog about!
Taekwondo is a really big deal in our house and has been for the last four years ever since Buddy saw a class through a window and was instantly hooked. If you ask me about what Taekwondo means to Buddy I will probably cry. It’s not something I talk about online, but he struggles with severe often crippling anxiety, and out of all the things we have done to help him, Taekwondo has done the most. It’s a combination of the philosophy behind the art as well as amazing mentoring instructors, and I can’t recommend this incredible martial art enough. His strong desire to practice this martial art motivated him to overcome so many personal fears and challenges and I am beyond incredibly proud of him. He loves it so much that after watching him train for two years, his sisters fell in love with Taekwondo too and it’s such a joy (and dare i say adorable?) to watch all three training together! Being able to break boards with your kicks is an integral part of the journey and a skill you need in order to progress to senior belts. With three kids practicing we decided to get a kickboxing bag that all of our kids could use to train and develop strength in their kicks. And guess what you fill kickboxing bags with – FABRIC SCRAPS! And guess what I have coming out of my ears – FABRIC SCRAPS! So today is the story of filling a kickboxing bag with fabric scraps I’ve been hoarding for much too long!
There are certain items of clothing that are honoured with the title of “staple”. A good pair of blue jeans, a classic white button-up, black heels which take you from day to night. I’m rounding out my wardrobe staples with the help of my new Eucalypt dress: a classic, sophisticated tank style dress with the added benefit of comfort! For this post for Beginner Sews, I’ll take you through my journey sewing Eucalypt!
It’s no secret we are huge fans of Ellie Whittaker fabric designs in the Nielsen household, and the second I saw this “Peachy Keen” print I knew it was a perfect match for Birdie. I did what any sensible maker would do, and quickly stashed some ready for her next Mini Cottesloe swimsuit. When summer came along I showed Birdie my stash of different swim fabrics and I couldn’t have been more pleased when she gasped with delight at the sight of this fabric. It was love at first sight!