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-the home of Simple, Speedy Sewing.

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Meri Blouse is a traditional dress worn in the Pacific Islands, originally introduced by missionaries I've heard. I made these four for a concert at church for some New Guinean ladies. The pattern cutting is very simple with little fabric wasted. And
To finish Me Made May, here's my favourite make of all time, worn by the lovely Emily. It's 5 metres of Ikea upholstery fabric, patternmaking uses subtraction cutting methods (google Julian Roberts, he has lots of free resources). As you can see from
What can I say? I'm in no danger of running out of handmade clothes for Me Made May (last count- more than 50 items in my wardrobe) but they are getting more...unusual. This flatpack shawl (it is a flat shape with armholes) was a college design proje
I made three of these dresses, because they look more complicated to make than they really are. This is black linen with a bit of sashiko stitching - cool to wear in summer or over a tee shirt when the temperatures go down. #memadewardrobe #sewers of

Channelling my inner grandma...

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Over the holidays, spent some time with my mother-in-law Amy, a professional grandma who taught me how to make green mango chutney (yum!).  This weeks dress looks like something she'd have worn in younger days! 

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This Vogue/Calvin Klein sewing pattern is nearly 20 years old and cost a mere 20 cents from a thrift shop at the Sunshine Coast. 

Can never be sure what you'll find at chain stores like Spotlight, but was pleased to find this cotton/linen granny print fabric was even made in Japan.

This dress is cut on the bias - pattern pieces are laid out diagonally onto the fabric to give the fabric a bit of stretch. Extra stretch means it has no buttons, zips or fastenings making it super quick and easy to whip up. I started at 3pm and was done before dinner!