Lana tee for her and for me

It is not often that my girlies and I appear on the blog together, but here I am with my big love participating in the Lana top and dress tour today. This is the latest release from Coffee and Thread.

Juniper cardigan, Adrienne skirt and Idyllwild top

I didn't expect that my last three winter makes would go so well together! The patterns are the Adrienne skirt from Style Arc, the Juniper cardigan from Jennifer Lauren Handmade, and the Idyllwild tee from Itch to Stitch.

Ivy pinafore and Alexi top

Hi. I am Jenya. I used to be scared of spiders and small bust adjustment. Until I got obsessed with the Ivy pinafore from Jennifer Lauren Handmade.

Jeune twin set

A little while back my friend Suz, the talented lady behind Sewpony, shared a secret with me. She said she was working on a pattern that she wanted to release as a surprise. She asked a few ladies to help her test the pattern. For a little while a few of us whispered in secrecy, sewed the pattern, shared feedback... Today is the day we stop whispering. Our little project is no longer a secret. Today Suz released her newest pattern, the Jeune twin set.

I Am Cupidon

Autumn in Australia is all about layering. My wardrobe was lacking a lightweight sweater or a cardigan for when it just starts to cool down.

A couple of tees

I bet you have heard people referring to tee shirts and jeans as mums' uniform? Well, my mum uniform needed an update. While it is unlikely that you will see me sewing my own jeans in the near future, tee shirts are easy!

Fabulous and free

I am grateful to the designers who choose to share their patterns with us sewing addicts free of charge. The outfit I am showing in this post was created by using three free patterns. Try saying 'three free patterns' quickly! Fun hey?

Two tops more, one dress less

I am absolutely in love with the Courtney top pattern from Style Arc. In fact I love it so much I cut up my first Fringe dress to make a Courtney top! But before you condemn me for committing such an atrocity, please hear me out!

Issie top and dress by Sewpony

You have probably heard by now that Suz from Sewpony has updated her Little Betty pattern, added more sizes and views, and recently re-released the pattern as the Issie top.

La Maison Victor tour: the Dolores skirt

La Maison Victor magazine is well known to my European sewing friends, perhaps especially those in Belgium, Holland, Germany and France. Recently La Maison Victor published its first English edition! I am one of the first few lucky people who got to hold this beautiful magazine in their hands.

Vintage style skirt and Brigitte top

A month ago I have finally become an Australian citizen. Such an important occasion called for a special outfit. Any sensible person would have bought something suitable. Me? I decided to sew for myself.

Waterfall raglans

I had a mental picture of a beautiful sibling photo-shoot to present the matching tops I made for the girlies a few weeks ago... This is the best we got! hahaha One day I may be able to share tastefully styled photos of cooperating models... Until then, buckle up and embrace the reality!

Timpe Tee times two

The following images clearly demonstrate two things:

1) I am well and truly overdue for a haircut.
2) Boxy tops can work for me.

The Bellah blouse

It was love at first sight. Relaxed casual fit. Small pleats at shoulder seams. Slightly shaped silhouette. Subtle hi-low hem. The sleeve length, the neckline... The minute Annika showed a photo of the Bellah blouse pattern she was adding to her shop I knew I was going to sew it.

Alice top in blue voile

A few months ago I went to Spotlight and noticed this gorgeous textured voile in a stunning shade of blue.

Coffee + Thread tour: the Ania tunic

I love this girl, her happy smile, her zest for life... and her new tunic! It is the Ania tunic by Coffee + Thread.

Syrah skirt and an Uptown/Downtown top

A few weeks before Christmas Miss R and I had a very deep conversation.
Me: Would you like a special dress for Christmas?
Miss R: Oh yes!

So, naturally, I made a new skirt for myself. And a top to go with it. 'Selfish sewing' at its best!

Waterfall Raglan top

When I saw testers' versions of the Waterfall raglan pop up in my Instagram feed I knew I wanted to get my hands on this pattern as soon as possible. I could vividly imagine my little explorer in a Waterfall raglan in a beautiful soft knit with girlie print...

So While she was sleeping...

Top Knot Tee

The Top Knot romper, dress and tunic pattern by Chalk and Notch has been around for a little while now. In fact, I participated in the promotion tour and 'hacked' this pattern into a long sleeved tee for Miss R. That 'hack' was an enormous success! It made sense to sew a summer version of my hack. The only pattern piece I needed to print was the cuff. Too easy!

LOL swing top and Satya shorts

When Jenn from Jennuine Design released the LOL swing top pattern it was love at first sight. This gorgeous top has a classic A-line front, racerback yoke and nearly half circle back. It can be sewn in either woven or knit fabric. Despite falling in love with this top it took me a very long time to finally sew it.