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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

Mitchell Mitchell Shift Dress

Button-up Back of Swingin' Sixties Style Shift

Button-up Back of Swingin' Sixties Style Shift

When we were kids, a dressmaker we called Mitchell Mitchell, (in hindsight, more likely Mrs Mitchell) made most of our clothes.  Shop bought dresses were an expensive luxury.  How times have changed! 

Now mass-produced clothes are the norm and handmade clothing a luxury reserved for special occasions (ie. wedding dresses.)

In tribute to Mitchell Mitchell, I sewed a little girls shift dress, just like the ones we wore.  I think the fabric even came from Mum's archive (the granny flat behind her house.)