Welcome to Clothesline Patterns

-the home of Simple, Speedy Sewing.

Clothesline INSTAGRAM

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

Sunday Best

The beautiful fabric is a textured silk (texture of Chux, according to my husband!) that I bought from a little old lady at her garage sale.

The beautiful fabric is a textured silk (texture of Chux, according to my husband!) that I bought from a little old lady at her garage sale.

When I was younger, everyone dressed to the hilt to attend church.  It really was your Sunday Best - high heels,  meticulous make-up, even fresh flowers in your hair! 

Everyone dresses very casually now, but to recreate the past, I've decided to put in a bit more effort.   Each Sunday, I'll try to wear something I've handmade myself.

After lowering the neckline on my pattern draft, it gaped a little, so I added tucks to rein it back in.

After lowering the neckline on my pattern draft, it gaped a little, so I added tucks to rein it back in.

Picked up a self-cover belt kit from an op-shop for twenty cents.  They add a lovely retro finish to a dress!

Picked up a self-cover belt kit from an op-shop for twenty cents.  They add a lovely retro finish to a dress!

 

Here's yesterday's effort - a little dress I based on a Sixties shift pattern.  I did make a toile in calico, before I cut into the silk and added a series of tucks to make the neckline fit better.  I always pick up self-cover belt kits from op shops as I've never seen them for sale anywhere else. You sew a bias strip into a tube to cover the buckle and iron on your fabric to the belt for a great retro accessory.  

Hmmm, must start thinking about next Sunday...