Diary of a Chain Stitcher

I made this jacket back in about April. I didn't expect it to be getting quite as much wear during this very wet summer here in the UK! I was in need of a practical jacket for walking the dog when it was wet but not that chilly. I absolutely adore my Kelly Anorak for winter but I lined the whole thing in cosy wool flannel so for damp spring walkies it gets a bit too warm. While I'm on the subject, I just realised I made my Kelly over 5 years and after a lot of wear it's still going strong. It must be one of my most worn garments so definitely worth all the effort I put into making it. 

Now that I have been sewing for a good number of years it is very rare that I see an item of clothing and think 'I want that, exactly as it is. Same fabric, same cut, same fit, same details, no tweaks necessary.' The inspiration for my sewing projects generally comes from an assortment of places and I like to tweak the details of a pattern to suit the image in my head. However, when I saw on Instagram the Aura Dress that Sandy made I absolutely had to have it. And so I did!  Sandy used paprika gingham linen from The Fabric Store to make her dress and I did exactly the same...even down to the same colour! I'm really drawn to warm and spicy tones like this paprika at the moment and I think the richness of the colour helps to make the gingham feel contemporary rather than twee. I've definitely been sucked right into the gingham trend this summer and have a few pieces waiting to be cut. Linen (in particular this mid-weight linen) is such a great choice for this pattern a...

I've been mulling over a plan for this jacket since last summer and when the weather finally started to heat up for spring (although it doesn't seem to have 100% made up its mind yet here in the UK!) I decided it was about time I got on and made one. I adore my Hampton Jean Jacket and it gets so much wear during three seasons of the year but I could do with a jacket of this type that I can wear with all the denim and blue items I have in my wardrobe. I also really love making outerwear so any excuse really!

At the turn of the New Year my sew-jo was lacking. I was enjoying planning my #makenine challenge choices and hunting through my fabric and pattern stash but couldn't find the motivation to actually get on the machine. I eventually persuaded myself to cut out a bunch of fairly simple and quick knit projects and that turned out to be just the thing to get me excited about sewing again! Completing a few straight-forward projects was really satisfying, plus comfy jersey clothes are all I want to be wearing right now in lockdown. Actually being able to wear the garments as soon as the final stitch had gone in was motivating. Has anyone else found themselves feeling like making 'going out' or work clothes is a bit pointless of late? Without anywhere to wear my more involved projects the shine was slightly wearing off.

Papercut Patterns describe the Axis Dress as their ode to Audrey Hepburn. When I picked this combination of fabric and pattern I certainly had high hopes for creating the kind of failsafe little black dress which would become the perfect choice to wear to so many events for years to come. Have I succeeded? I'm delighted to say I think so! This dress is absolutely going to be my go-to for all kinds of occasions. It feels modest whilst still a little sexy. Dressed up but understated. Interesting but o so timeless and chic. I just love it.

I fully intended on posting about something else this week but then I finished this project a couple of days ago and I was too excited not to share it immediately. This is the Pneuma Tank from Papercut Patterns and is one of those garments that I can't believe I waited so long to make. I've already got the pieces cut out for another which speaks to its success in my wardrobe. I made a couple of little additions/changes to the pattern which I didn't have all that much faith in actually working so when it turned out better than I expected I could not have been more delighted! I've had this pattern in my stash for a LONG time. I really like the contemporary vibe and creative design ideas of Papercut Patterns and love the unique style of this for workout wear. But until recently the majority of the exercise clothing I've needed has been for running and I just didn't think this would be supportive enough and those lovely straps wouldn't work with an addit...

Today I've got a jacket to share with you which has been worn pretty much non-stop since I finished it! It's become the perfect lightweight thing to throw on in the mornings over almost any outfit and feels like a piece of clothing to be proud of wearing even when I reach for it thoughtlessly. It is my second version of the Rigel Bomber from Papercut Patterns . I made my first version from a pale grey stable knit a couple of years back and whilst it's been worn fairly regularly since it has been even more in demand this spring than before. I've got bombers on the brain as there are so many delights out and about in London to inspire me this season and I decided more wardrobe could definitely do with another in my favourite staple colour...black. Whilst the plain grey of my first version is fantastic for working with so many different parts of my wardrobe I wanted something a little more special this time. I've had all kinds of ideas for bomber jackets bo...

In the midst of a particularly crazy time at work a while back I decided to squeeze in a bit of a break in the form of some sewing to ease my tired brain. You might think that in that circumstance a quick, gratifying, no brainer of a project would be in order but no no no I decided to pick a super delicate silk and a new pattern to work with! It actual turned out to be the perfect project as the patience and focus that it required really slowed me down and pushed work stress out of my head for a few hours. This is the top version of the Moana Dress from Papercut Patterns which I pounced on along with the Bowline Sweater when it was released earlier in the year. I love these designs which aren't like any other pattern in my collection. They have unique features to construct whilst still retaining clean, wearable lines. I love summer dresses and skirts but the temperamental British summer temperatures combined with the practical nature of my job often sees me in jeans and tees ...

Let me introduce you to my new favourite top! This little number was one of those projects led by the fabric. For some reason my favourite handmade garments always begin like that and this one has pretty much only been off my back to be washed since I finished it. I found this Theory Linen Knit in store at Mood Fabrics NYC on my trip last month. Can't find it online but there are a handful of other gorgeous linen knits  or the full Theory range of lovely unusual neutrals. I love a good browse of the Mood website but I find it's only when I get a fabric in my hands that I work out exactly what I want to make with it. I knew I wanted to make the new Papercut Patterns Bowline Sweater as soon as it was released and purchased it just before my trip. I had various iterations of it made up in my head in sweater knits and merinos. It wasn't until I spotted this bolt upstairs in Mood that I realised the pattern's full potential. It was a real ‘ding ding jackpot!’ moment....

I've been meaning to sew up this pattern forever. It's the Rigel Bomber from Papercut Patterns and I've fallen in love with basically every version I've seen on the internet. Every time I've seen a new one I've hopped on over to the website and hovered over the buy button. I've always hesitated though as I've never been tempted by the bomber style in RTW and wasn't sure if it was one of those designs that looked amazing in other people and like lots of fun to sew but yet wasn't quite 'me'. Then Papercut had a Black Friday sale and and the pattern dropped through my letterbox about a week later... I can't believe I've waited this long to make it. I loved constructing it and despite it being a trial version in non-ideal fabric it has rapidly come one of the most worn handmade items in my wardrobe. It is designed for woven fabrics but at the time of buying the pattern I’d recently picked up a piece of really interesting gr...