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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

We're going to the Prom...

My husband got this invite from the school he teaches at:

Chanelling the Fifties at the Year 12 Formal

Chanelling the Fifties at the Year 12 Formal

Mirani State High School would like to formally invite you and your parents to the Graduating Class of 2013's Year 12 Formal. 

Hmmm... while I would be required to pose as his 80-something year old Mum, thought I'd go anyway.

A 20 cent belt kit from the thrift shop gives a nice retro touch.  And literally had 10 minutes to buy some costume jewellery.

A 20 cent belt kit from the thrift shop gives a nice retro touch.  And literally had 10 minutes to buy some costume jewellery.

Luckily Lincraft had a sale on silk dupioni ($20 per metre instead of 40!) so made up this dress. I started out with a New Look pattern that had a big gathered skirt.  Well, in that coral pink, I looked like a fat fairy so I unpicked the skirt and put in big boxy pleats instead.  Accidentally assymetrically on the back as you can see.  But had no time to change that -  I just kept my back to the wall most of the night!

All good Persian carpets have one deliberate flaw woven into them, because only God is perfect. Spot the "deliberate" mistake here. Unpicking silk dupioni makes it fray so much, I may just have to live with assymetrical pleating on the bac…

All good Persian carpets have one deliberate flaw woven into them, because only God is perfect. Spot the "deliberate" mistake here. Unpicking silk dupioni makes it fray so much, I may just have to live with assymetrical pleating on the back of this dress.