Category: Pattern Collection

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Satisfyingly Boring Sewing – Not Paper Towels

One of the things I genuinely love about sewing is making boring things. Need a new tote bag, sew it, need a new placemat, sew it or as it happens in this case, need new non paper towels, sew it!

I first made not paper towels a few years back and I’ve found them so very useful. I was cleaning  up my fabrics, came across some flannel scraps and decided to sew them up straight away and get them into use. I followed the same principles as I did in this video I made showing how to make Not Paper Towels and the pattern is available here

Generally I use these for all kinds of cleaning and they’ve been handy in the winter time to wipe down the insides of our windows which are prone to collecting condensation to the point of dripping water….thanks poor Australian housing standards which never specify the use of double glazing.

If you’ve got some flannel scraps lying around I highly recommend making some up, you’ll be surprised at just how useful they are. Plus you just throw them in the wash with the towels and they come out ready to be used over and over.

Pattern – Not Paper Towels by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric – left over flannel scraps

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Scrap busting knits with the Active Beanie

The Active beanie pattern (buy the pattern here) and check out the video of how to sew it here is such a favourite of mine, not only is it a super fast make, it takes next to no fabric, is perfect for scrap busting and makes awesome gifts!

I normally make a bunch of them whenever I’ve cutting out anything merino and then they either go into the cupboard ready to grab before a run or walk or get added to the present box where I keep everything I make all year intended for gifts.

Here are some I made recently, I mixed and matched colours making sure all fabric scraps were utilised to their fullest extent.

 

Pattern: The Active Beanie by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: merino wool jersey scraps and leftovers

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Beginner Sewing – How to sew a drawstring glasses case

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to make a drawstring glasses case. Having recently joined the ranks of people who need glasses occasionally I love wearing mine but hate the enormous case that won’t fit into my pockets. Enter this simple yet effective cotton drawstring version.

You’ll be learning how to cut a straight line, sew a straight line, turn corners and zig zag for longevity. Plus clipping to reduce bulk and inserting a drawstring.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing

Nail Polish: Octopus’s Garden by Hanami

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Beginner Sewing – How to sew a reuseable snack pouch

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to make a reuseable snack pouch, these are a great eco friendly sewing product that helps you reduce the amount of plastic you use in the kitchen.

Once sewn they can be used in the place of zip lock bags then throw them in the wash to use again and again. Your best fabric choice is a cotton or cotton blend to allow the food to breathe and not get sweaty. You’ll be learning how to cut a straight line, sew a straight line, turn corners and and a curve. Plus clipping to reduce bulk and turning a lined piece the right way out.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing

Dress Pattern: Self drafted in Lawn fabric

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Everlong by Hanami

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Beginner Sewing – How to sew Not Paper Towels

 

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to make Not Paper Towels, these are a great eco friendly sewing product that helps you reduce the amount of single use paper you use in the kitchen.

Once sewn they can be used in the place of paper towels then throw them in the wash to use again and again. Your best fabric choice is some cotton flannelette (try using old flannel sheets or pillowcases if you can’t find the fabric). You’ll be learning how to cut a straight line, sew a straight line, turn corners and finish the edges with a zig zag to help with longevity and reduce fraying in the wash.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing Dress Pattern: Self drafted in Liberty Lawn fabric

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Junie by Hanami

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Beginner Sewing – How to sew a Mini Round Drawstring Pouch

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to sew a Mini Round Drawstring Pouch.
We will be learning how to sew straight lines, sew a curve, add lining and a drawstring. Lots of new skills but I talk you through them all so you know not only how to do them on this project but on other sewing as well.
The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…
2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.
See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​
Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​
Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…
What I’m wearing
Dress Pattern: self drafted dress in silk from Pitt Trading
Earrings: Harry and Herne
Nail Polish: Ophelia (the dark one) and the teal one is Junie by Hanami
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Beginner Sewing – How to sew a Door Snake or Draft Excluder

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to sew a Door Snake.

Door snakes are a wonderfull way to cut down on your bills, they keep warm air in a heated house and keep cool air from escaping in an air conditioned house. Plus they are a great way to use up the fabric scraps you end up accumulating during sewing.

We will be learning how to sew straight lines turn a corner, sew and end closed and a useful way to use up fabric scraps. It’s a nice way to start building up your skills and potentially cut down your bills all at once.

For experienced sewers they are a great way to use up leftover scraps of fabrics and they make great presents for young and old.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing

Dress Pattern: self drafted dress in silk from Pitt Trading

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Octopus’s Garden by Hanami bag.

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Beginner Sewing – Learn to sew Scrunchies

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to make a scrunchies for your hair.

Not only are these a good starter project they make excellent gifts and for experienced sewers they are a great way to use up small scraps and pieces.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more.

To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing

Dress Pattern: Self drafted in Liberty Lawn fabric

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Xanadu by Hanami

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The Milicent Dress – Tie shoulder and ruffle hem version

I’m breaking this down to be super simple changes you can make to the Milicent Dress to create tie shoulders and a ruffle hem. First up tie shoulders

Part 1.

  1. Don’t cut out the straps provided in the pattern we are going to create wider longer ones.
  2. on a piece of paper draw a rectangle 10cm wide x 70cm
  3. cut x 4 out of your main fabric
  4. cut x 4 out of iron in interfacing
  5. iron interfacing onto wrong side of fabric

Part 2.

  1. Fold in half lengthwise
  2. Press
  3. stitch around outside edge leaving one narrow edge open
  4. clip corners
  5. turn right side out

Insert straps into garment as per regular instructions.

For the Ruffle Skirt

Part 1.

  1. take you skirt pattern piece, draw a line on where you want to shorten it to. I’m only 5 foot tall so my skirt was reduced to 38cm including seam allowance.
  2. fold or cut your main pattern piece to that length
  3. decide on the height of your ruffle. Again I’m short but my ruffle is a finished height of 25cm. With seam allowance and hem it is 28cm high.
  4. Fold your fabric right sides together, place your skirt pattern pieces
  5. using chalk and a ruler mark in the ruffle height, go across the full width of your fabric for extra fullness

Part 2.

  1. Cut out your pieces
  2. Assemble the top portion of your skirt (including pockets) as per the instructions in your pattern.
  3. Run 2 lines of gathering stitch along the top edge of each ruffle
  4. pull stitches to create gathers until it is the same width as the lower edge of your upper skirt
  5. sew side seams of ruffles, finish edges

Part 3.

  1. right sides together pin and then stitch ruffle to upper skirt. Remove gathering stitches
  2. Hem lower ruffle then proceed with remainder of pattern instructions

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Sewing Adventures – Milicent Dress in Pink cotton linen

Am so happy at how you are all loving the newly released Milicent Dress!  Today I’m sharing a version of it I made for myself and  I’ll be back with all the info on how to hack the original pattern to this version.

All summer I kept seeing tie shoulder dresses with lower tier ruffles and thinking they looked so cute and perfect for the hot weather. Then one day it struck me that I could totally make the Milicent look like that. Here are a selection from Gorman and Obus that caught my eye.

I took my own copy, played around with the pattern a bit and hey presto cute summer dress version 2!

The fabric is a digital printed cotton linen from Nerida Hansen / Hansen Print Textiles. It’s been in the stash for about 18 months or more. Originally I was so excited as I loved the print but them when it arrived I was thoroughly underwhelmed with the print quality and how heavy and stiff the fabric felt. I honestly thought I was going to have to use it for endless amounts of bag making!

Washed it a few times, tried to make it feel softer it did by a very tiny amount. Disappointed I put it in the stash. I got it out when I was thinking of this variation and thought it’s going to hang stiffer and the ruffle is going to be way more noticeable making me look like a giant obnoxious cupcake but hey sometimes looking like an enormous cupcake is preferable to a fabric wallowing in the stash.

Sewing wise it sewed ok, quite stiff and stable but frayed unbelievably badly. I even overlocked some seams that were going to be enclosed by plackets it frayed so much and I was worried that with wear it would come apart.

Despite the less than stellar fabric I do really like how it has come together and I think I will get a lot of wear out of it. A friend suggested wearing it with a t-shirt under it for the winter and I think that could totally work.

Don’t forget to come back when I explain all the details on how to hack your pattern to make this version

Pattern: modified version of the Milicent dress by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Digital printed linen cotton by Hansen Print Textiles

Alterations: ruffles, tie shoulder straps