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 13/02/201811/03/2018 by Susan Goodwin — 3 Comments

Rebuilding a wardrobe, thoughts on starting

While we are in temporary accommodation I’m without any kind of sewing machines and post fire I own about 5 paper patterns (my digital patterns survived) and my stash has been severely reduced. Additionally I have only about a small suitcase worth of clothes left. A few dresses, my jeans, 3 tops some underwear and some sportswear and that’s about it.

All of which adds up to the fact I get to remake an entire wardrobe with virtually no restrictions. Normally I just make whatever I want to or to fill a gap but now it’s a whole new thing.

So far in my planning I’ve set myself 2 kind of goals
use as much of my stash as I want to, there will be no more saving fabrics “for good”.
Try and make more of my own patterns and as an extension of this be more daring with styles and trends

While we’ve been moving around Sydney in various suburbs and locations I’ve indulged in lots of people watching. I’m noticing what styles I like on other people and then analyzing why I like them? Fabric, fit, style, fashionability etc etc. It’s been fun and I’ve snapped pics of more than a few commuters trying to capture a detail or a fabric I really like.

I think my next step will be going and trying on lots of stuff. I’ve been avoiding that so far as I’m still swollen and lopsided from surgery (its reducing though very slowly). Once that’s down a bit more I’m going to set aside a day and just go and see what I can find. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised and will certainly be taking many a change room selfie to record what does and doesn’t work.

It’s going to be an interesting challenge building an entirely new wardrobe, I’m hoping I will end up with some pieces I’ll really treasure. If anyone can suggest any good blogs, books or articles I’d be keen to read them and see what else I can learn from the whole experience.

Posted on 30/01/201830/01/2018 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

New Sewing Classes announced, Sydney and Melbourne

Want to learn to sew? brush up on some skills, learn some new techniques? Then I’ll be teaching classes to suit you!

First up Swimwear at Bobbin and Ink here in Sydney. It starts this Friday so get in quick to book your place

You can bring any swimsuit pattern you like but may I suggest Henrietta

or Anne

If you are in Melbourne and looking to skill up on your lingerie I am coming down to teach in February.

Book via Shop Sew Squirrel (and check out their divine lingerie supplies while you are there). You can choose to do either knickers or bralet workshops on a single day or combine them both and come for 2 days. It’s going to be lots of fun.

And lastly if you are wanting to start sewing or returning to sewing after a long hiatus I’m teaching a beginners class at Bobbin and Ink. It will be a fantastic way to fall in love with making your own clothes and having a lifelong skill and passion.

Posted on 15/12/201716/12/2017 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures: another lingerie set

Not content with giving my friend one matching set of lingerie I thought I’d add another not quite a set to her parcel.

After the success of sewing the Delphine thong I decided to try another one, this time in a soft stretch lace and without the additional back coverage.

The lace from Pitt Trading is so lovely to work with but was so soft that the very end of the plate on my sewing machine was catching ever so slightly as it went though.

A quick fix was to use some wide washi tape to cover the plate and hey presto! Snag free sewing.

I really I thought the thong would pair perfectly with a plain black satin bra but as I was running out of time to get it finished in I cheated a little. In my teaching bag I often have samples of pieces that are not quite finished so I can show students diffferent steps along the way. A bit of a rummage through the bag and I found this black lace triangle that only needed a little bit of finishing off.

Together they make a nice not quite matching set.

Pattern: Delphine thong by Ohhh Lulu, my own pattern for the triangle bra

Fabric: Laces from Pitt Trading, elastics and trims from my stash

Alterations: None

Posted on 15/12/2017 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures: Euler bra and Delphine thong

Recently a friend was lamenting the lack of cool lingerie that covered the tummy and yet still looked youthful. Naturally I knew I could sew a solution and because it was for a friend I knew I’d make her a matching set.

The Euler bra by Sophie Hines was an obvious choice as I’ve made it before and the shape is so modern it automatically makes any set look very contemporary.

It also gave me a good excuse to buy the Delphine high waist thong by Ohhh Lulu I’d seen it on instagram and liked the shape, plus I thought it would fulfill the covered tummy option my friend wanted.

The Euler went together with no problems at all, I did add a touch of lace trim to the cup seam just to make it match the knickers a little more. The fabric is a sensitive jersey from Pitt Trading. Elastics and trims from my stash.

Delphine was easy to sew once I checked the instructions! I went with the added lace covered back and initially had the thong pinned in the wrong section. That looked odd so I checked the instructions, realised my mistake and once I had it attached in the right place it all went together well. It really is a lovely pattern and I was so pleased with how they look.

I really like the lace across the back and think its super flattering as well as a great way to use up smaller lace leftovers or splash out on a small amount of a very fancy lace.

Pattern: Euler bra by Sophie Hines and Delphine Thong by Ohhh Lulu

Fabric: burgundy sensitive Lycra from Pitt Trading, lace from Pitt Trading, elastics and trims from my stash

Alterations: added lace to cup seam of Euler Bra

Posted on 23/11/201721/11/2017 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

Black Friday 2017 30% off Sewcial Sketch Calendars

With Black Friday sales almost here, I’ve decided to let the sale start early with 30% off Sewcial Sketch Calendars starting from today using the code FRIYAY

The sale will continue from now until next Monday but get in quick as there aren’t too many calendars left and you won’t want to miss out.

Posted on 22/11/201721/11/2017 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures: Kitty Pillowcase of glitter

During August I set myself the task of reducing my To Do pile. Did I succeed? well a little. The pile is still enormous but I managed to get some things done.

One of the things I did get done was to turn this impulse buy of glitter cat fabric from Spotlight into a pillow case. Super simple. Just measured the width of a current pillow case. Did a snip and tore the fabric, fold in half right sides together, folded back the selvedge edges to create the envelope style end fold and went up the sides using my overlocker.

Simple, easy effective. Would be perfect for presents and using up fabric leftovers.

So basically a speedy make full of WIN. Except it isn’t.

It’s like the pillow equivalent of a magnet for cat hair. It seems to pull all the cat hair from all over the apartment and is routinely covered with really big tumble weed style balls of fur. It’s terrible. It’s so gritty and awful. Definitely in the wrong fabric for it’s purpose category. Learn from my mistakes and don’t use this one for pillows, it may look cute but soon it will be as fuzzy as the cat!

Posted on 25/10/201723/10/2017 by Susan Goodwin — 2 Comments

Sewing Adventures: Sashiko Panels

Having started doing Sashiko stitching earlier in the year, I find that I want to keep doing more. I picked up some pre printed panels from etsy and BeBe Bold.

Having them pre printed feels like cheating and then you realise just how wonderful it is to have them pre printed. It’s so easy and means you can just follow along. So simple and so enjoyable.

Perfect for when you feel like doing something but don’t actually have time or brain power to do anything complicated. I did plenty of these while I was just out of hospital.

So far I’ve just completed the stitching on the panels, I want to turn them into something useful but as yet haven’t decided what? Am slightly concerned that I should’ve stitched through both layers but couldn’t find out if that was I was meant to do or not? Suggestions welcome.

Posted on 24/10/201723/10/2017 by Susan Goodwin — 2 Comments

Sewing Adventures: Running Sloths

This top has been in the to do pile for at least 2 years? Possibly longer. I ordered the sloths when I got some pandas (you can see the pandas made up here).
Originally I had planned them as running tops and the pandas work ok but the fabric just isn’t good enough for summer running. So I’ve found that it makes it into the rotation for walks, weights and being on the bike trainer (like spin class but you get to use your own bike).

The sloths have been just waiting for the hemming to be done since the day after the pandas were made. Earlier in the year when I had planned to get a coverstitch machine this was going to be first thing I did. Then the getting of a coverstitch turned into a debacle and once again the sloths got set aside.

During my month of getting stuff done, I got my new Prym jersey twin needle, threaded it up and spent about 15 minutes finishing it off. Am so glad I did. Not only is it finished it also makes a nice addition to my current work out wear (current work outs consisting of walking or bike trainer, not allowed to do anything else yet). I still feel (and look!) quite swollen so I know these photos are in no way flattering but they are an accurate reflection of where I’m currently at.

The twin needle works like a dream. Perfect stitching and just glides over the fabric with not a care in the world. I’ll certainly be putting it through it’s paces on all kinds of knit projects from now on. Speaking of dreams, how lovely is my running view?

Overall I’m enjoying the sloths, much like the pandas I feel like the scale is too big and creates a kiddy type look as opposed to a cool print look. The fabric is fine for activities that don’t create huge amounts of sweat but the face of the fabric is quite easily affected. I already have more than one pull in the fabric from it snagging on a pin, my nails or general no rough useage.

Pattern: Women’s Racer Back Singlet from the Measure Twice Cut Once Basics range
Fabric: Activewear jersey from Spoonflower
Alterations: lengthened, graded out 2 sizes from Bust to Hem.

Posted on 24/10/201723/10/2017 by Susan Goodwin — Leave a comment

2018 Sewcial Sketch Calendar is now available to buy!

Introducing the Sewcial Sketch Calendar! 13 illustrated postcards to keep you on track and inspired for a year of sewing.

The Sewcial Sketch Calendar is a collection of my fashion illustrations of the sewing community. The #sewcialsketch hashtag on Instagram has been getting so much love and encouragement that a printed calendar seemed like a great way to celebrate our wonderful community.

Each month is an illustration capturing the style and personality of a different sewer. 13 cards in total with some illustrations you may have seen before and some brand new ones too. The back of each card has a blank section so it can be used as an actual postcard when the month is done.

Postcards measure 105mm x 148mm you can choose from the postcards or the postcards and a miniature wooden easel to display them in your sewing area.

Available to purchase now in the shop.

With thanks to

@selfassemblyrequired

and

@george_does @lifewithmycubs

Posted on 01/08/2017 by Susan Goodwin — 3 Comments

Sewing Adventures: Peak To Do

I’ve reached peak “to do”. As a lover of lists and eternally trying to be organized, when I’m working on a project I pack up all the relevant details and pop them into a zip lock bag. Then they go into the “to do” box.

In theory this works fine. In a year of stress, lack of time and an apartment tiny in space it actually leads to not one, not two but three to do boxes.

This is quite a lot of projects that are partially started and never finished. Not only is this terribly wasteful it takes up way too much space.

So I’m declaring August as my personal project month. My aim is to get as many of my partially projects finished as I can. Just grab a zip lock bag of goodies and go!

Additionally I’m going to try and not start anything new. Hopefully by the end of the month I have lots of finished projects and my sewing area looks less like the aftermath of a horrendous wind storm than it currently does.