Author: Susan Goodwin

Since I was three, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I filled sketchbooks with drawings and ideas and picked all my school subjects based on what I needed to get into fashion college. After three years of college, I got my start in the industry and have been working ever since. Full time, freelance, part time or a combination of them all. I have had dream jobs, terrible jobs and jobs you do to pay the bills. Through it all I have continued to sew. I make most of my own clothes, am partial to a bit of hand stitching in the form of embroidery. Here I share my tales of my sewing.
Posted on by — 2 Comments

Sewing Adventures: Emma Racer Back Slip in a moody floral

My first make of the year that’s all for me! I’m very excited. It was such a wonderful feeling to pull on something I’d made after what feels like forever since I’d last done that.

Onto the make, it’s my newly released Emma Slip. I’ve been wearing these since I finished the pattern like 2 years ago. I kept putting off releasing the pattern thinking it wasn’t the right time or I need to have professional photos for it or a million and one other excuses. No more waiting for the perfect timing. If patterns are ready I’m going to let them loose into the world and not wait for that elusive perfect moment (that doesn’t exist anyway).

Size wise I went for a straight 14 as I’m still swollen post surgery and have an oddly lopsided torso. Ideally I think I should have gone 14 for the skirt section and cut a 12 for the bust as it’s a little big, not hugely so but just enough for me to notice it.

Apart from wanting to make that small size adjustment everything else is exactly as the pattern is. The dreamy moody floral knit fabric was a remnant at Pitt Trading and it’s lovely and soft. Perfect for a wriggly sleeper like me.

While I was making it I shared this quick tip on Instagram, when sewing to easily note the front and backs of a project I use one pin for the front and two for the back. You’d be surprised just how useful this turns out to be!

I like it so much I’ve already got more planned!

Pattern: The Emma Slip by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Floral remnant and lilac fold over elastic from Pitt Trading

Alterations or changes: Next time size the bust down

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Everyone Deserves Pretty Lingerie Week is Back!

It’s that time of the year again, the annual Everyone deserves Pretty Lingerie week! I started this week years ago to encourage everyone to make pretty knickers and it’s since grown to encompass all things underwear and lingerie.

So I encourage everyone to take a look at their lingerie supplies, patterns and wardrobe and decide they need something a bit pretty, something nice and go out there and make it this week!

I’ll be popping onto the blog all week with different bits and pieces from pattern releases to sharing of new makes of my own.

Blog yours too or if you are on instagram keep an eye out for the #everyonedeservesprettylingerie and #everyonedeservesprettyknickers hashtags to see what everyone has been creating.
Happy Sewing!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

It’s Me Made May and I’ve set myself a photo challenge

It’s Me Made May! For those who don’t know Me Made May is where sewers from around the world are encouraged to wear their own made clothes every day for the month of May and document it in some way. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the community, identify gaps in your wardrobe and generally show off your handmade wardrobe.

This year mine is going to be boring as I have such a limited wardrobe after the fire. So I’ve set myself the additional challenge of taking better photos. I’ve been experimenting with the timer on my iPhone and using my back pack as a tripod.

It’s not a brilliant solution (sometimes I have no head or not so flattering angle). But it’s making it a whole lot more fun to take photos something which I normally hate with a vengeance.

I’ve been busy scouring the city for beautiful art walls to use and while I’ve taken some photos already to take advantage of being in front of some beautiful art, I’ll still be seeking out more throughout the month.

I know some people frown upon pre taking some of the photos but when you’ve only got a handful of dresses to work with bathroom selfies of the same things over and over would be boring for everyone and  right now I need some fun in my life so fun photos it is!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Swimwear class at Bobbin and Ink

 

Just finished a fabulous weekend teaching at Bobbin and Ink. We did an intensive swim weekend where it was 2 full days ouf all things swimwear.


The class was keen and even went home and cut out more things on the Saturday night so it was a hive of activity.
Over the weekend there were
2 x Henrietta swimsuits
1 x Anne swimsuit
1 x Soma bikini by Papercut patterns
1 x retro big4 bikini
1 x Listte B6358 bikini
And 2 more rashies cut out as well

With such a variety being made there was plenty of fit issues to work through to ensure that every suit perfectly matched its wearer. Lots of fabrics to be talked through with hints and tips on how to best apply elastics to differing fabrics and so much more.

A thoroughly fun weekend!

If you want to make your own swimsuit keep an eye on the Bobbin and Ink website and follow them on Instagram for more of my upcoming classes.

Posted on by — 6 Comments

Prym being amazing

Last year I started a fabulous agreement with Prym to use their products and talk about them on my blog and social media channels. I was so happy because the products are amazing quality and even simple things like their loop turners are utter game changers. Seriously.

Some of my Prym supplies survived the fire because they were away from the source of the fire and crucially the lids on the Prym containers lock down to seal off anything getting through. That was super important as so many of the plastic tubs that stored my stash didn’t lock down and I lost a lot to smoke and water damage.

I sent Prym a quick email to let them know that makes of any kind would be a bit scarce until we were back on our feet and I things like sewing machines and things again.

Honestly I cannot describe how amazing they were. They immediately sent back messages of concern and support and offered to outfit my entire sewing area again. To make sure they knew they were serious they got in contact with Maria aka velosews and told her to make sure I really did give a list of everything I needed to replace.

Maria even came by and helped me make the list to ensure I didn’t forget things like hand sewing needles and rulers.

A few weeks ago the parcels arrived and I’m still blown away by it. Machine needles, hand sewing equipment, elastics, trims and so much more. They’ve replaced all the haberdashery I’d lost and then added in so much more for me to play with. Honestly when something so big as a fire happens it’s easy to think about the big stuff you’ve lost but weird when you go to reach for the little things like needles or elastic and realise you no longer have any. So for them to replenish all those things is a huge gift to me to making things feel way more normal.

Thank you so very much to the entire team at Prym for going above and beyond and thanks to Maria for helping me make my list. I’ll be doing my best to share my reviews, thoughts and projects and host some giveaways with everything throughout the year. It’s going to be fun.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sydney Spoolettes Fabric Swap Meet at Bobbin and Ink

One of the things I want to do this year is get to more meet ups and gatherings to talk face to face with more sewers. It’s not only super fun but I always feel like I learn something new or find out something to explore whenever I talk with other sewers.

With the Sydney Spoolettes having their first fabric swap of the year it was a great day to try and catch up with people and perhaps replenish my stash a little.

In January when we were cleaning up from the fire I took the opportunity to take some fabrics that had been stored in our storage unit (and therefore didn’t go through the fire) and put them aside for the swap meet. Happy to be finding new homes for 2 large tubs of fabrics I didn’t actually intend to come away with anything new.

Naturally that lasted all of about 5 minutes. I snapped up a pretty printed knit, some lilac stretch lace (perfect for lingerie) and a metallic stripe that reminded me of what my mum wore in the 80’s.

Satisfied with my pieces I was going away from the table when a lovely couple unpacked bags of silk and kimono fabrics to be added to the swap.

I had a chat to the lady (am sorry I missed your name!) and she explained that some of the pieces I had chosen from what she had brought were kimono panels, silk from a dress she had made and silk from her daughters wedding dress. Super lovely pieces that I have big plans for. Thank you so much for being so generous with your unwanted stash!

Thanks also to Natasha for giving me a lift to and from the event that was fantastic and so much easier than public transport on a Sunday from where we have been staying.

Was a good start to my year of trying to be more social and lovely new fabrics too! win win

If you are in Sydney and want to join the Sydney Spoolettes you can find us on Instagram or Facebook.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

An update on what’s been happening

I thought I’d do a quick update as I know many people have been curious as to what has been happening and while I’ve put it on Instagram the new algorithm means you could so easily miss things. So here’s the rundown

Last year I had surgery to remove a tumor from my back. Because of how and where the tumor was positioned I also lost my side muscles. Thankfully the tumor wasn’t cancerous so I’ve just been recovering from the surgery. Everything is going well but I’m still swollen and have an oddly lopsided torso.

While overseas for Christmas our apartment caught on fire and we lost around 90% of our possessions (including my sewing machines and a sizeable chunk of my stash) amazingly our cat survived. Everyone in the sewing community have been absolutely amazing and we have been so very very very grateful for all the support we have been receiving. From people lending their houses, financial help, checking in with us and a million other things it’s been amazing. If there is a silver lining to such a horrible accident it’s that people are generous and kind.

Even though mini the cat escaped the fire when the fire brigade broke the door in, she suffered some smoke inhalation issues. She has been on a few courses of treatment and is very slowly improving.

Since the fire we have been leading a nomadic life around Sydney suburbs as we wait for our apartment to be fixed so we can move back in. We have been lent homes, stayed in Airbnb’s, house sat and crashed on friends floors. It’s now over 4 months since the fire and no work has been started on our apartment yet so it looks like our nomadic lifestyle is set to continue for awhile yet.

So if things have been a bit quiet around here I hope that explains why? I’ve been busy making plans and trying to do what I can while we are in an odd limbo and hopefully I’ll be able to share all of that with you soon. From new makes to new patterns and cool stuff I’ve discovered along the way.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Swimwear patterns instore now!

Today I’ve added another swim style to the ever increasing range of swimwear options available by Measure Twice Cut Once.

The new style is Agnes, she joins Henrietta and Anne. All available now in the swimwear section of the Pattern shop.

All patterns are available in sizes 6 to 18, come as downloadable PDF’s with instructions, A0 copy shop file, A4/Letter print at home file. Sewing swimwear is so much fun, with a few tricks and tips you will be making professional looking pieces in no time. Plus it’s fast so that’s a huge plus for time impatient sewers!

Grab a pattern and get sewing today you will not regret it.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Rebuilding a wardrobe, new patterns to try

In considering what I will make to rebuild my wardrobe I’ve been looking at some patterns that on first encountering I dismissed as not for me.

The Closet Case Kalle shirt, Deer and Doe Melilot or the Style Arc Blair.

I’d spotted a girl across the road, similar build and shape but taller than I am. She was wearing a small floral print shirt with a front packet, dropped shoulder and collar. It was effortless, a little bit dressed up and good for those days when you aren’t entirely sure what the weather is doing. I tried to snap a photo but missed her in the crowds. Once I was on the train I started searching and these patterns are the closest to what it was she was wearing. Yet when each of them came out I was all “meh, not my style”. I’ll probably try the Deer and Doe as I’ve liked their patterns in the past and I can’t be bothered with the endless sticking together of sheets that Style Arc are.

A wrap knit dress. I don’t often wear knit dresses as I’ve always felt too lumpy and bumpy to wear them, plus when I have tried them on I’ve found them too cleavagey for me (when you are short you realize everyone is looking down your top and it’s a bit well, weird sometimes). Pattern choice for this might be the Cashmerette Appleton.

Pants as in trousers not as in knickers. I love my jeans, I have little to no desire to make my own (well not until I can get back to Japan and get my hands on the best denim in the world). But a nice pair of not too shiney stretch cotton sateen pants might be nice? I’ll keep looking in case I find something in the fit I am after?

The new Grainline Coat looks interesting. Ages ago I had planned to make this jacket.

Sadly much of the work didn’t survive the fire. I did rescue the wool fabric as it had survived. I think I’ll work out a simplified version of the design and use The Yates Coat as the base pattern.

For the moment that’s all that I had come up with but I feel like it’s a decent start? If you’ve got any suggestions let me know.