If you've ever dreamed of owning a Baby Lock machine, but would like to see first hand just how effortless they are to use and how beautiful the stitches are, come along to our open day on either Friday 17th April 2026 or Saturday 18th April 2026 from 10am to 3pm at our showroom in the East Midlands.. Continue reading →
Vintage-inspired dresses can feel beautifully polished, but they only work when the proportions, fabric and finishing all pull in the same direction. The good news is that you do not need to be a historical dressmaker to get the look right. With the right pattern, careful fitting and a few era-aware techniques, you can sew a dress that feels elegant and wearable rather than costume-like. Continue reading →
A tiered skirt pattern may look complicated on the hanger, but the drafting is often much more manageable than you might expect. If you can use a measuring tape, draw a straight line and do a little simple multiplication, then you can use one of your favourite sewing patterns and start to add extra tiers, detachable ruffles or even a soft overlay. Continue reading →
Love a pattern, but want to sew it in jersey or another stretch fabric? You can often make that work with a few thoughtful changes. The key is to treat it as a proper pattern adaptation, not just cut a smaller size and hope for the best! Come on, we all know you were thinking it... In this guide, you’ll learn a repeatable way to convert a woven pattern into a knit fabric pattern.We’ll cover stretch percentage, ease, the pattern areas that matter most, and the small stabilising details that will stop it looking stretched out or baggy. Continue reading →
You don’t need a brand‑new pattern to create a show‑stopping dress. With a few thoughtful edits, many everyday dress patterns can become elegant evening wear. The key is choosing high‑impact changes, supporting them with the right structure, and finishing beautifully. Continue reading →
If you’ve ever wondered which sewing tools actually make a difference to your finished garments, you’re not alone! With so many gadgets available, it can be hard to know what’s genuinely useful and what will end up living at the bottom of your sewing box (forever). We’re sharing the sewing tools that we use on almost every single dressmaking project. These are the items that help you sew more accurately, achieve a more professional finish and stop you from throwing your project into the WIP pile never to be seen again. Continue reading →
If your overlocker stitches don’t look quite right, you’re not alone. Tension issues are one of the most common reasons sewists feel frustrated or nervous about using an overlocker. The good news? Once you understand how the stitches are formed and how the threads work together, diagnosing and fixing overlocker tension problems becomes much simpler than it first appears. Continue reading →
Starting to sew is an exciting step. There’s something genuinely magical about turning flat fabric into something you can wear or use every day. But if you’re new to sewing, it can also feel a little overwhelming at times. The good news? A few simple tips can make a huge difference to how confident and enjoyable your sewing journey feels right from the start. Continue reading →
If you ever feel as though you are constantly adding or taking away length from dressmaking patterns, you are not alone. Most patterns are drafted to a single "average" height, so if you are petite or tall you will often need a few simple pattern adjustments before you even cut your fabric. The good news is that once you understand where to add or remove length and how to keep your garment balanced, you can achieve a beautifully proportioned fit every time. Continue reading →
If the idea of making a toile feels a bit intimidating, you’re not alone. Many sewists hear the word and imagine hours of extra work, endless fitting tweaks and a project that never actually gets finished. The truth is much simpler, and much more empowering. A toile (sometimes called a muslin) is simply a practice version of a garment, made in a cheaper fabric, so you can test fit, construction and design choices before cutting into your lovely fabric. Think of it as a safe space to experiment, learn and make mistakes without the pressure. Continue reading →
Autumn has well and truly arrived, which means one thing for many of us: peak sewing season. The days are cooler, the nights are darker and there is nothing nicer than curling up with a cup of tea, your sewing machine and a gorgeous new project. In this round-up I’m sharing the key autumn sewing trends for 2025 and, more importantly, the patterns and fabrics you can use to recreate them at home. This is part two of my autumn trends series, so if you missed part one do have a look as well – there are even more ideas in there, including quilted fabrics and cosy layers. Continue reading →
Cosy-season is here. Discover 5 key autumn 2025 trends: quilted jackets, moody jersey dresses, fit-and-flare needlecord, knit trousers and check skirts, plus the patterns and fabrics to sew them today. Continue reading →
