Contemporary Sewing Patterns for the Modern Maker
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!
Another month, another make dear readers! And this time I’m tackling our recent pattern of the month: Flint! Full disclosure: I had my heart set on making Flint pants for our Beginner Sews Series even before we announced it as our pattern of the month in Feb. There’s a gorgeous sample in the studio in a beautiful dusty pink shade that I’ve coveted since I started working here. Trying that sample on just confirmed what I already knew: I needed a pair of Flints, and I needed them now! Pants are one of those things that can be so tricky to get right. They’re obviously a staple, but if you’re long in the torso (like me) with wide hips (also like me), finding a pair of pants that are well-made, stylish and comfortable is near impossible. So even though I learned my lesson with Sudley to take things slowly and not get myself in over my head (you can read all about that experience here), I was determined to have my own Flint pants. Needless to say, I am grateful I didn’t let myself get psyched out, because I now have not one, but TWO Flints in my me-made wardrobe!
Take it slow, they said. Don’t rush into sewing without learning the basics they said. Well, they may have said it but I chose to ignore it all and instead dive headfirst into making a Sudley blouse (View B, to be precise). And whilst the entire exercise left me stressed out about lines of stitching not staying straight, sewing bias facing correctly, and attaching sleeves, I have to admit—it was really fun! I’m that person who wants to be amazing at everything they try on the first go. I’m a serial hobbyist—I pick something up wanting to give it a try, and when I’m not immediately good at it I get discouraged and decide it’s just not for me. So I’m putting a lot of my frustrations with sewing Sudley down to the fact that I’m just not as skilled as I thought I was—and that’s okay! Because I still loved making it, I have a gorgeous blouse to show for my efforts, and I’ve begun my sewing journey.
Welcome to A Beginner Sews, a new series here on the blog! And Hi! I’m Belle, a new team member at Megan Nielsen Patterns – but probably a familiar face if you’ve checked out our Curve pattern range (or not, it’s okay, I promise I won’t get mad). I’m many things—a Masters student, a writer, a movie buff, a Capricorn—but one thing I’m not is a dressmaker. Don’t get me wrong, I know how to thread a machine and sew a straight line or two, but that’s where my knowledge ends. Starting work here was like getting thrown in the deep end: words like baste, bias, overlock (huh?). I was in way out of my depth.