I am a sewing blogger and teacher, with an interest in WW2 fashion. I am keen to recycle as much as possible. I love helping people to learn Imy craft so do get in touch, Angela. Also Blogger for Jaycotts.co.uk
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Monday, 27 December 2021
Troubleshooting your Sewing Machine with Jaycotts.co.uk
The Sew Over It Eve dress
A Minerva.com post
I love this pattern, I have one with the fluttery sleeves, but wanted another one with short straight sleeves
Sunday, 26 December 2021
Winter scarves capes and handwarmers
I have a lovely little project for you which is so easy to make and you don't need a pattern.
Saturday, 18 December 2021
Very simple machine embroidery on any machine
I give presents in shopping bags which are so easy to make and eco - friendly .
But don't just think bags . This technique is so easy, and addictive I must add, and you will think of lots of items which could be embellished from cushion covers. Bed covers, jackets, skirts and almost everything in between.
I have plans !
Saturday, 11 December 2021
Mimi G Designer Dress. Simplicity S9370
This dress is amazing. And I do mean AMAZING . It is a sophisticated dress perfect for parties and dances
It is a brand new Simplicity Pattern details below
Monday, 22 November 2021
A very beautiful blouse in fabulous Art Gallery Fabrics stretch cotton Jersey
I do not normally wear blouses and I was thinking about why I don't. I realised that I have always sewn them in a woven fabric and I feel too restricted when wearing fabrics like cotton Lawn, no matter how beautiful it is , it's just not me.
So I was glad to have been gifted a length of this fabric and also a copy of the pattern, so it was the perfect opportunity
Sunday, 21 November 2021
Lovely Warm gifts for you to sew.
Handwarmer, body warmer and a relaxing eyemask for you to sew. Plus a very easy neck scarf. Perfect for giving.
A lot of us suffer in the cold with aches and pains sometimes from arthritis. These simple garments are designed to help keep you snug and warm. Even if you don't , these delightful pieces make perfect thoughtful gifts
Saturday, 20 November 2021
My fabulous Lurex Pants suit
Channeling my inner Abba in this fabulous pants suit
Have you thought about what you are going to wear for Christmas yet? I wanted something glamorous yet comfortable and a lurex pants suit fits the bill perfectly.
The top is the Simple Sew Nancy tunic which I adapted slightly by cutting the front and back off on the diagonal from hem to just below the armsyce and stitching the triangles on again but this time the front goes on the back and vice Versa.i also altered the sleeve shape . All this was easy to do
Monday, 8 November 2021
Storage solutions , sewing room and other places.
Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Re-use, recycle. Will you take the challenge?
Re-use, recycle. Make Do and mend. What is this all about? Why should it affect me?
I am alarmed after doing some research just how much clothing, some of it unworn, goes to landfill. We purchase a lot of cheaper clothes which soon lose their appeal and out they go. Our wardrobes are crammed with things we hardly ever. Or never wear.
Not just clothes, I have been rescuing furniture too
Friday, 1 October 2021
My Simple Sew Bella Dress in stretch velvet
This is a wonderful wearable dress in luxurious stretch velvet from Minerva.com , see Minerva.com for more details and order fabric on. My Bella Dress info
***Fabric is reduced to £3:99 pm see below for link to purchase
Wednesday, 8 September 2021
The Simple Sew Cocoon jacket in Felted coating fabric
The Simple Sew Cocoon Jacket
This fabric is currently on sale at a fantastic price , so grab yourself some and if you don't fancy a coat then make a bag, a cape or even some cushions....Fantastic Felted Fabric
Saturday, 21 August 2021
The Sew Over It Chloe Coat
A #minervabrandambasador post for Minerva.com
The direct link to this fabric is Chenille Suiting
Have you ever made a coat? If not what puts you off?
Over the next couple of posts I am going to show you little tweaks you can make to simplify the construction.
Monday, 2 August 2021
Vogue V8952 Pullover Tunic Top
A Minerva.com make
You can read the post in full and view more photos as well as finding out how to order this fabulous fabric and pattern on this link My Vogue 8952 top on Minerva.com
What an amazing pattern this is. I love all three views but in the end decided on the version with the cowl neckline, however I am already planning on what fabric to make the other two versions in. This does seem to be a popular pattern and since purchasing mine I have seen quite a few versions and they all look fantastic
The fabric I used is a Viscose Jersy knit and it hangs really nicely don't you agree. It comes in four colours and is modestly priced especially as you only need 2m
This isxtgeclink to this gorgeous fabric which comes in several different colours
Wednesday, 21 July 2021
THE MAYFAIR DRESS BY NINA LEE
The Nina Lee Mayfair Dress from Simply Sewing magazine
Tuesday, 13 July 2021
McCalls 8064 in cotton jersey
McCalls 8064 in cotton Jersey from Minerva.com
details of fabric and pattern are on Minerva.com Cotton jersey dress so please do take a look
Tuesday, 11 May 2021
The dress that almost didn't happen - a beautiful 1940s Tea Dress by New Look
This lovely dress , New Look N6594 very nearly ended in the bin,
It is a 1940's WW2 Style Tea Dress ,looking at the pattern I feel it is more American in design rather than British as our clothing restrictions were much less forgiving than in America where just about the only clothing restricted was anything made from leather as it was needed for sadddles and so on.
Friday, 30 April 2021
Simple Sewing Project - APRONS!
When I was learning to sew at primary school the very first thing I ever made was a Gingham apron which I decorated with cross stitch embroidery. I suddenly thought that it is a brilliant idea for a first sewing project.
Sunday, 25 April 2021
Saturday, 24 April 2021
My green floral Jersey Dre ss
This beautiful dress is also on the Minerva.com website and isn't it fabulous
I feel like a goddess in it . View the full post on my page on their website too, the link is
Saturday, 6 March 2021
MORE BAGS TO SEW - EASY TOTE BAGS.
Easy to sew, eco-friendly, perfect for gifts.....
Not just any Bag
Friday, 19 February 2021
McCalls Siella in Navy Crepe. A version of the BUFFET DRESS featured in the GBSB 2021
This style of dress, the Buffet Dress was featured in the Great British Sewing Bee episode 1 2021
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Sew Over It Zoe Dress with The Ultimate Trousers
I was gifted this fabric from minerva and I knew instantly what I wanted to make with it.
Sunday, 3 January 2021
Sewing Seams and Sewing in Straight lines
This is a tutorial about working seams,finishing seams, and sewing straight seams
A Jaycotts.co.uk blog post
Recently I have had people tell me that it is years since they last used a sewing machine and could not sew in a straight line.
What is a seam?
- Pin the seam together right sides of the fabric together normally, but there are exceptions which we will come to later
- Pin the seam edges together matching the ends, notches and any other markings
- Hand tack the seam. You can omit this if your fabric is easy to handle and if you are experienced at sewing.
- Stitch the seam with thread which exactly matches your fabric and buy the best quality thread you can afford
- Finish the seam edge appropriately
- Trim loose threads
- Press every seam every time. Pressing gives a crisp edge and makes the thread sink into the fabric making the stitches invisible.