Welcome to Clothesline Patterns

-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

At the Afesip Fair Fashion workshop...

The gang at Afesip Fair Fashion in their showroomHere I am in Cambodia!  That's me on the left, visiting an amazing social enterprise called AFESIP Fair Fashion.  Prostitution is a huge business in Cambodia, with many unwilling participants.  Afesip Fair Fashion workshop employs rescued sex workers who are starting a new life and career in my favourite occupation, sewing.

 

AFF Production roomThe AFF workshop is light, clean and airy.  No sweatshop conditions here!

Looking through racks of patterns with Mr Rotha, the operations manager Everyone sews complete garments (ie.  it's not piece work where you sew, say, zillions of zips all day long.)  It's slower (maybe only one or two garments finished in a day) but teaches girls great all-round sewing skills that they could use to set up their own businesses.

A couple of older ladies look after all the kids in a room upstairsI loved the great conditions - free childcare, accident and health insurance, trainees receive a decent wage (comparable to a policeman's.)  Wish all my clothes were made by this workshop!