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How to sew narrow vintage fabrics

vintage fabric narrow fabric scrap busting knitting and stitching show-1

And using up those scrap pieces ‘Left over scrap fabric is a conundrum for every stitcher’ says the organisers of the Knitting and Stitching Show. They invited me to share my ideas on scrap busting at the Creative Living Theatre at the show in October 2022. I wanted my advice to be as practical as possible…

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History of Fashion in 100 Objects

Fashion Museum Bath history of fashion in 100 objects

A review of the Fashion Museum, Bath from 2017. Ahead of the closure on 30 October 2022 ready for the museum to move to new premises. The history of fashion always brings out the geek in me and the current exhibition at the Fashion Museum in Bath certainly had that effect. The current exhibition is…

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Korean Wave V&A Fashion Exhibition

Colour and print inspiration from Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition at the V&A

Colour and print inspiration from Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition at the V&A The rain was pouring down from a dark grey sky in London today, the only highlights being flashes of lightening breaking through the thunderous clouds. In a complete contrast, I spent the afternoon immersed in colour and print at the new cultural…

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How to shop for fabric in charity shops

how to shop for fabric in charity shops

Before September passes us by I wanted to mention the Oxfam charity shops campaign ‘Second Hand September’. The charity launched the campaign back in 2019 to encourage people to buy only second hand for 30 days. Their website states ‘not only are you reducing the harmful effects of fast fashion and refreshing your wardrobe without…

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Sewing Inspiration: How to use up scrap fabric

vintage fabric narrow fabric scrap busting knitting and stitching show-1

‘Left over scrap fabric is a conundrum for every stitcher’ says the organisers of the Knitting and Stitching Show. I’ve taken on the challenging of sharing my tips on how to use up scrap fabric left over from dressmaking at the show. Find me at the Knitting and Stitching Show on Thursday 6th October at…

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Zero Waste Sewing: scrap busting ideas

zero waste sewing scrap fabrics with Barley Massey

‘We have got enough fabric in the world, so much in our sewing spaces. You are forced to slow down and embrace the creativity. A whole new skill set.’ Zoe Edwards said in her popular podcast, Check your Thread. In conversation with Barley Massey from Fabrications, they talk about creating larger pieces of fabric from…

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Zero Waste Sewing: Cushions

zero waste how to make a cushion pad and cushion cover from scrap fabric

How to use up those tiny tiny fabric scraps I have been sharing ideas on how to use up fabric scraps for this week’s Zero Waste Week. I have now reached my box of the smallest pieces of scrap fabric. No matter how creative we are they are tricky to use. We can’t quilt them,…

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Zero Waste Sewing: Applique

zero waste week applique monogram letter set and Mirabelle skirt

The smallest pieces of fabric can be used to applique anything! Once you get into it, you can’t stop. I love adding monograms to bags, cushions, children’s clothing. Applique just means adding a piece of fabric on top of another piece of fabric. How to applique Minimal amount of equipment is required to try applique.…

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Zero Waste Sewing: Pockets

zero waste scrap busting fabric ideas pockets

Pockets are the perfect project to use up small pieces of fabric for zero waste sewing. Fun and practical! Add a patch pocket as a design feature or an in-seam pocket to hide things in. Patch pocket on Betty Tote Bag uses up a small pieces of vintage fabric How to make patch pockets Add…

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Zero Waste Sewing

zero waste week scrap fabric hot water bottle cover

Make a hot water bottle cover from scrap fabric Making our own clothes is eco friendly in many ways. One of the problems most sewists have is how to use up their scrap fabrics. Unless we use a zero waste pattern, small scraps of fabric are inevitable. Creating a larger piece of fabric from small…

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