ABOUT ME

I am Angela and I love to sew. I started sewing as a child and by the time I was a teenager I was wearing the very latest fashions to go out in. All me-made. I am passionate about reducing the amount of textiles sent to landfill, and encourage you to repurpose fabrics and clothes I started this blog in order to have a way in which to pass on my gained knowledge, and my professional knowledge to you, Sewing is empowering, you can save money by making items, make money by selling then, You can pass your knowledge on to others. What is there not to love? Interestingly I am a direct descendant of the Flemish weavers who came over to England in the 1300's. I find that fascinating especially as most of my family from as far back as I can trace are somehow involved in the manufacturing of fabric . . I have a degree in tailoring with a special interest in WW2 fashion.

Saturday 7 November 2020

Easy to sew Lounge wear

 More loungewear to sew, easy for beginners 


I have shown you how to sew loungewear before but I don't know about you but I need some more.

This is a post for beginners and those not used to sewing stretch fabrics. Use the search tool in the sidebar to find mote posts for "sewing Newbies "

I have a disability as you know, I have Parkinsons, so please never give up on doing what you love, its just a question of finding different ways to do things. 


I have been raiding my stash and finding any fabric with stretch, from Ponte Roma to a wool melange knit and this is my result.

 


I have had a strange sort of year,  I don't know about you but I expect many of us have struggled.
I think that it is mood boosting to have smart but comfortable clothes to wear indoors , preferably something stretchy to encourage  a little exercise - yes  I am exercising indoors. ( smug face )

Wednesday 21 October 2020

Sewing stretch Fabrics the easy way

Sewing for Beginners

An easy to sew dress in fabulous Stretch Velour




I have had such a lot of good feedback from my previous post for Jaycotts about sewing stretch fabrics that I decided to show you a very easy to make and extremely easy to wear stretch dress.
If you think that stretch fabrics are not for you then think again


ain. A figure hugging garment in the correct size looks great on most figures.
This is how to wear a stretch dress

  • Don't make it too clingy or it will show up the lumps and bumps we all have.
  • Choose a thicker fabric with just a small amount of stretch 
  • Choose a darker colour and possibly a print
  • Wear the correct underwear - there is a lot of very good shapewear and it will help you to feel confident
  • Don't be frightened of accentuating your waist with a wide belt





The pattern I chose is McCall's 6886 it can be ordered from Jaycotts on this link.
It is a pattern which uses a medium weight, moderate stretch jersey knit fabric, so it is perfect for what we want.


Tuesday 20 October 2020

Pyjamas and lounge wear

All about our favourite clothes to relax in - pyjamas and lounge wear 



I love pyjamas don't you? They are so wonderful for relaxing in after a hard day working at the sewing machine. They are something which, at least in my case, are the garments I spend least on yet I love them so much.
I decided to address this immediately and kit myself out in PJs made only in premium cotton.



The pattern is straightforward and you can choose design features which appeal to you. The tops have optional pockets but I left them off. You have a choice of sleeve length and there are shorts as well as trousers.



These three  fabrics were actually from Seasalt but they are no longer in stock. You will want to choose your own colours anyway so may I suggest either a. Cotton lawn or a cotton Voile.
Cotton Lawn
Cotton Voile
Both of these come in a wide range of colours, designs and prices


Monday 19 October 2020

Cosying up in cuddle fleece

 Cold evenings just lend themselves to this snuggly cuddly fleece. Just picture yourself all toasty snuggled up with your book or favourite  TV programme 

Nothing could be easier to make, and with so much  fabric choice you can not go wrong .

How fabulous it will be to make these for children You could add an applique design to the front- a Christmas design maybe, or whatever you fancy. Just a simple heart or a star in sequin  fabric will be fabulous



Tuesday 6 October 2020

Very Pretty In Pink. A lovely dress in Art Gallery Jersey Knit

 This is a Minerva Crafts Blogger Network Post.

                                       Pretty In Pink 


A Beautiful Dress In Art Gallery Fabrics,  Lets Chalk Joyful Stretch Jersey Knit Dress Fabric
This fabric certainly is Joyful, I love the white design on this beautiful bright pink.

The fabric itself is 95% Pima Cotton with 5% Spandex which means that it stretches (and recovers) with ease. It is a medium weight fabric so perfect for a dress

The tutorial for this simple, elegant dress is on The MinervaCrafts web site, so do hop over to read it and hopefully make it.


    Click here                     Very Pretty In Pink




 Thank you  to Minerva for this absolutely gorgeous fabric 

                                         Angela

                                  Sewangelicthreads


#SewAngelicThreads #bestof2020  #sewing #handmade #tutorial #sewsewsew #sewingblogger #sewinginspiration #minervamakes #minervamakers #isewlation #isewmyclothes #sewingteacher #sewover50 #isew #isewmyownclothes #sewsewsew 

Saturday 26 September 2020

Vogue V881 Straight leg trousers

The vogue Custom Couture Collection by Claire Sheaffer. 

Straight leg trouser








Fashion trends are slightly turning away from nothing but skinny leg trousers and jeans,which don't always suit our shape. Straight leg trousers give a very balanced appearance to the figure and are more flattering.
This pattern is available from Jaycotts Vogue V7881 Trouser pattern


This is a Vogue designer pattern and I love it. The pattern envelope states that the instructions are easy to follow and I certainly found that to be correct.




Tuesday 1 September 2020

Vogue Nightwear in fabulous Art Gallery fabrics

A #MCBN post

Vogue Nightwear in fabulous Art Gallery fabrics






I saw a  pattern when I was browsing and although it is nothing like I have ever worn I wanted to make it.
One of my favourite fabric Brands is Art Gallery Fabrics and it took me no time at all to decide to use this combination of print and plain to make the garments

I was not disappointed!
This is an absolutely gorgeous outfit and I love it so much.  It is extremely comfortable to wear, it is fun and so different to what is available ready made.



There is also a camisole which I made with the leftovers.

To read this post and find out more about the fabric and pattern please click on this link
Vogue Nightwear in fabulous Art Gallery fabric


I do hope that you follow this link and read my post.
Thank you MinervaCrafts for the beautiful fabric

Angela





Thursday 20 August 2020

The Blue Dress

The Blue Dress 

A MinervaCrafts Blogger Network post 



We all need a special dress in our wardobe, something which makes us feel and look fabulous but which is easy to wear.







This stunning blue dress is perfect for parties and I can't wait to wear it. 
The fabric and pattern are as follows....

But wait! I do want you to read the whole post so head on over to MinervaCrafts website and all will be revealed The Blue Dress

Not only will you find out what the fabric and patterns are you will learn about negative ease and lengthening a pattern and much more! 


Thank you for reading this post, it is appreciated

#sewangelicthreads

Wednesday 5 August 2020

Get the fit right! The denim pencil skirt with exposed zipper


Why go to the trouble of making a beautiful garment if it does not fit you perfectly?


Labels

Exposed zipper
Fitting
Top stitching 


I don't know about you but I read a lot of blogs and I see a lot of people showing themselves wearing lovely hand made clothes which quite frankly just do not fit.
What's the point? Why go to all that trouble and expense only to end up with a garment which is either too big, or worse far too small?





I bought some stretch denim Stretch Denim from MinervaCrafts as I wanted to make a skirt. Some stretch fabrics - as this one does, just stretch across the width, some stretch in all directions. You need to ensure that with a two way stretch fabric the stretch goes across the garment.


Thursday 16 July 2020

Sewing on buttons and hemming jeans

A Jaycotts post

We all need some very basic sewing skills so I want to show you how to do two of them - how to sew a button on and how to shorten jeans.

Let's start with buttons.


Usually when you buy a garment there will be a spare button included. If it is a shirt button you need they are readily available , if it's something like a coat button you may need to replace them all of you cannot find the spare.
But how to sew the button on? A lot of people can't do it so you are not alone.
You need buttons. You may have a box full or you may need to buy a new set.
Jaycotts have a great selection Buttons from Jaycotts