Category: Latest News

JULES, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer (left)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
Yes, actually I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know how to sew. Clothes mainly but I’ll give anything a go.

Tea or coffee?
Coffee absolutely! It has to be Monsoon Estates Nicaraguan Elephant (when I can get it) 

Favourite cake?
Rose and Pistachio it’s like the cake version of Turkish Delight!

The last book you read?
After it Happened – I like a bit of Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Future fiction – because you never know!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A vet after I watched all Creatures Great and Small, but then I realised how long I would have to study for so decide on being a Fashion Designer instead. 

Your favourite cereal?
Skandi Noir

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
More house plants – I want to live in  a jungle!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RACHEL, Production Assistant  (second from left)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
My degree was in Fashion Design and back then I used to sew, pattern cut etc but as my career progressed I moved into more the digital design side of the industry! I am hoping to get back into sewing when moved into my new home. 

Tea or coffee?
Depends, I’m partial to a coffee in the morning and then tea throughout the day.

Favourite cake?
So hard to decide, I love everything and I LOVE baking. Salted caramel cake is delicious 

The last book you read?
French children don’t throw food by Pamela Druckerman, my friend gifted this to me to read during my pregnancy.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A vet or a wedding dress designer. I did work experience at both and realised that vets didn’t spend much time with the animals so went down the fashion path instead. 

Your favourite cereal?
Porridge or crunchy nut cornflakes

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
National Trust membership, Lucy & Yak Dungarees

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SHARON, Sous Chef and Bottle Dryer (second from right)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
Yes, I sew my own clothes in my Sheshed, I also like to make things for the home.

Tea or coffee?
Tea, I have just discovered Yorkshire Biscuit tea, however I do love a strong coffee in the morning.

Favourite cake?
Has to be Battenburg, I love all things marzipan

The last book you read?
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, which is my 38th book this year, my goal is 40

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a Journalist, as I do like to know everything

Your favourite cereal?
Weetabix with a sliced Banana

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
As it’s also a significant birthday for me, I am keeping everything crossed for a coverstitch machine and Ernest Wright scissors.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EMMA, Digital Marketing Assistant (right)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
Yes, I like to upcycle clothes so I rarely make anything from scratch. It’s a challenge but I love creating new clothes with as little environmental impact as possible.

Tea or coffee?
Tea, always! Either english breakfast or mint.

Favourite cake?
Anything with chocolate, even better if it’s got some salted caramel.

The last book you read?
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I really wanted to be an archeologist, I’m not sure why as I didn’t really enjoy history, I think I liked the idea of discovering things.

Your favourite cereal?
Curiously Cinnamon, it’s so sweet it’s basically dessert!

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
Some Lucy & Yak dungarees, and a label maker.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CLAIRE Sample Sewist, Sewing Tutor. At home: Mum, chef, dog walker (centre)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
Yes, I learnt to dress make when I was a teenager, it was cheaper to make clothes than buy them back in the 80’s! I still make clothes but rather like quilting now.

Tea or coffee?
Tea

Favourite cake?
Victoria Sponge

The last book you read?
All The Light We Cannot See. Anthony Doerr

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fashion designer

Your favourite cereal?
I don’t usually eat cereal, I’m a toast girl

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
Long socks, headphones & champagne truffles!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CHARLIE, Videographer (we couldn’t pin him down)

Do you sew? If so, what do you sew?
I leave most of the sewing to Jules, but I’ve had a go and made a cushion and a little bag. I’ve cut out a Throw It All In Bag… but not sewn it up yet. Maybe 2021 will be the year to do that. 

Tea or coffee?
First tea, then coffee, then tea, then coffee, then tea, then coffee… preferably with cake. 

Favourite cake?
Quantity. 

The last book you read?
David Attenborough – A Life On Air, as an audiobook. Totally recommended, he’s had an amazing life. 

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was six foot by the time I was 5, so it’s been a long time since I was little. But as a young child I wanted to be in the army, like my Dad. Then a vet. Then an environmental scientist. Then a photographer… 

Your favourite cereal?
Oats – whether as porridge, or in flapjacks, or crumble…

What’s on your Christmas wish list?
Some time off not shooting videos, photos, or editing them. And a nice walk. 

It’s time for a bit of Sparkle and Glamour on the run up to Christmas. I’ve been busy making my Christmas day outfit and wanted to show you that you really don’t need to be scared of working with “tricky” fabrics like sequins and velvet.

I have used our ‘everyday’ Regan Sweatshirt pattern but in a fabulous fabric combo. I think this is spot-on for the perfect Christmas Day top. Comfortable and relaxed but with a bit of sparkle. It would look great paired with the Ariel Cargo pants for some informal glamour. Or maybe even a pair of soft wool Portia trousers. Obviously with comfy socks and slippers too!

Why don’t you try making a simple pattern but with some glamorous fabrics to see you through the Christmas season. We have the whole project plus tutorials on how to work with sequins and velvet in the Technical Library section of our online Subscription Club; The Sewing Studio.

Join The Sewing Studio community here

Happy Sewing!
– Jules

I love linen. Those who know me or who have been to a workshop, or even seen us at a show will already know this. Most of the patterns I design are with some kind of linen in mind. It’s my favorite fabric of all time. 

For many years I was a fashion lecturer and mainly dressed in the required uniform of a fashionista- black. Being involved in Fashion back then meant some incursion into the latest trends and fabrics. Which were usually “technical” and basically means man-made. There was very little ‘Natural’ anything including fabrics.

Escaping from that environment allowed me to rediscover the freedom of natural fibres. They take colour so well and feel just gorgeous next to your skin, there really is no substitute. Wearing linen is like wearing a breath of fresh air. It is light and breathable much more so than cotton. 

Durable

Linen is known to be the world’s strongest natural fibre and far more durable than cotton. In fact it has been shown to be up to 30% stronger than cotton. This is due to the length of fibres within the plant. As the fibres are twisted together the longer fibres are much less likely to break making the yarn much stronger than the yarn made from the shorter fluffier fibres of the cotton plant. 

A cotton t-shirt may last a couple of seasons but a beautifully made linen dress will last years. Think about the textiles you may have had handed down to you, I’m sure there will be a linen tablecloth or some bed linen in there. 

Easy to care for

Linen is incredibly easy to look after. It can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. You can even tumble dry it, but to be honest that probably isn’t the most eco-friendly way to dry linen. For the best results I dry my linen clothing on the line outside when I can. Pegged out properly linen clothes will dry beautifully flat and require minimal ironing. 

Yes it does crease a bit, but modern prewashed or laundered linen is much softer and will not crease much at all. And besides, the warmth from your body will help to relax the fabric and allow the creases to just melt away. 

I feel the creases should be embraced as part of the natural charm of the fabric. I try hard to rock  the ‘Crumpled Look’ now as opposed to the ‘Corporate Look’ these days. 

Hypoallergenic

Many people will have noticed that wearing different fibers can cause irritation and discomfort. This is not the case with linen. Fibres such as cotton allow moisture to stay trapped within its fibres creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. 

Linen’s hollow fibres allow moisture to be absorbed and wicked away from the skin quickly. These same hollow fibres enable air to circulate around the moisture so it can evaporate effectively leaving you feeling cool and comfortable. 

Versatile

Linen is a fabulous allrounder, and I do indeed wear it all year round. The hollow fibres mentioned previously help to keep you cool in the summer by wicking away moisture but then help to trap air next to the skin in the winter helping to maintain an even body temperature keeping you warm. 

Whereas cotton or wool might make you feel warm initially, they can cause you to sweat as well. Linen’s breathability allows the excess heat to disperse keeping you at a comfortable temperature. 

The flax/ linen fibres can also be made into a variety of different types and weights of fabrics making it incredibly versatile to work with. From heavier weight linen for workwear style jackets and trousers to the finest, softest linen for baby clothes and christening gowns it makes up beautifully and is a delight to sew with. 

Sustainable

The flax plants from which linen is derived is a hardy plant and will grow in even poor soil. It requires much less water to produce linen from the flax plant, unlike cotton, and far fewer pesticides are used in its cultivation making it a more sustainable crop to grow and more Earth friendly too. Flax / linen fibres can be processed without the use of chemicals so it’s a win – win as far as I’m concerned. 

If you haven’t tried working with linen you really should! And you should definitely be wearing some this summer at the very least. 

Have a look at the linen fabrics we have in stock, I’m sure there’s something that will take your fancy.  I have another linen project on the go right now!

Happy sewing with Linen

Jules x

There has been rather a lot going on behind the scenes at Sew Me Something over the last few months. Some of which you know about and some you don’t – yet!

Lockdown has given a lot of people headspace and time to think and re-evaluate, including me. 

One of the things we have been re-assessing is our sizing. We have increased our size range gradually and hopefully more people have found it to their liking. But I have had a complete overhaul of our sizing system, something I have been wanting to do for ages and now I think we are in a much better place with it all. I will be writing more blogs on what we’ve done and how it’s changed later, but for now I have a special request. 

To reflect our change in sizing we want to find women that epitomise this. Real women, people like YOU.

Our style and ethos remain the same – relaxed, comfortable clothing for stylish, modern women. 

We are looking for new models to help us showcase our patterns, and we have lots planned for the future. It doesn’t matter what size you are as our patterns now go from a UK size 8 up to a UK size 30. We just want ladies that have a bit of sass about them and are happy in front of a camera. This is a paid gig. We don’t expect anyone to give up their time for free to do this. You will also need to be within easy reach of our Studio in Stratford upon Avon as that is where we hold the photoshoots. 

All you need to do is:

Tell us a bit about yourself in 100 words or less. 

Send us full length images of yourself, front, back and side views 

Let us know your:

Height

Bust

Waist

Full hip measurements. 

Send all your information to Jules at jules@sewmesomething.co.uk

This will be a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to meeting you. 

Jules x

The lockdown situation and postponement of all our workshops has allowed me time to reflect and consider where we are, what we are doing and how we are going to move on from this.

First and foremost the reason Sew Me Something exists is to help people. I firmly believe that this is, or should be, the purpose behind every business. We strive to help as many people as we can learn to sew and make the clothes they really want to wear by creating easy to use dressmaking patterns, running workshops and providing quality fabrics and haberdashery. 

It has become clear over the last few months to me and the rest of the team that we can reach far more people, and help far more people, by being more focussed online which is why I created the Sewing Studio. The tutorials, videos and in depth courses can be, and indeed are watched by people all over the world who would never be able to join us in person. 

So now is the time to grow our team and invite someone to join us and help us to help more people learn and develop their sewing skills and techniques. 

I am looking for an assistant. Someone to work with me to help create and produce new products including new patterns and courses. 

This person will need to have a specific skills set. Ideally I am looking for someone who can pattern cut, have a good working knowledge of adobe software including Illustrator and InDesign and who knows about sewing. 

They will need to be an excellent communicator and extremely organised as we have a lot to do!

The post would ideally be full time but we may consider a part time post for the right candidate. We are located on a farm just outside Stratford upon Avon, so the new team member will need to have their own transport and a clean driving licence. 

When the world returns to semi-normal we will return to exhibiting at shows, so some travel away from home will be required as the shows are a team event. But it is a brilliant opportunity to meet our wonderful customers face to face and so gain better insight into who we serve. 

For more information about the role and how to apply click on the WORK WITH US section of our website. 

I look forward to meeting you. 

Jules x

I have had my sewing gauge for quite some time now. In fact I can’t actually remember purchasing it or even when it came to live in my sewing box it’s been around for so long. But I wouldn’t be without it now.

I always have it with reach, next to my machine or over on the ironing board. Tape measures are great particularly when worn as a skinny fashion accessory around your neck, but a proper metal sewing gauge is just that bit easier to pick up and use. Especially when it has that lovely little red slider that will remember how deep your hem is even if you forget. 

But this is also a Multi Tool! Measuring is only one of its many uses. I love the point at the end which is perfect for using as a point turner and pushing out little corners. It is pointy enough but with a rounded tip so it won’t poke through your fabric.  

• 

• 

The funny horseshoe shape at the other end is actually a button shank spacer. Yes who knew that was even a thing! There are two of them so you can use it ‘double height’ or slide one out of the way if you have a smaller button to sew on. Laying the button over the top of the horseshoe and sewing through the gap will lift the button off the fabric slightly. So you can wind the sewing thread around the thread shank to allow the opposite side of  the garment to sit nice and flat underneath the button when it’s buttoned up. How fabulous is that!

• 

• 

You can even use this wonderful invention to draw circles just like a pair of compasses. The outer corners of the little red slider have a hole in them so you can pop a pin through that to hold it in place at the centre of your soon to be drawn circle. Just under the point of the sewing gauge there is another slightly larger hole, you can put your marker pen through this hole to draw out the circle ready for cutting out. Genius!

• 

• 

• 

You really need one of these in your sewing kit and to make more use of it. So if you haven’t got one already, You can. . . .

Buy Yours Here!