Pattern Review – Page 2 – Theunpickstitchpapers

My Birthday Dress: Lessons from Millie

For my 50th birthday I wanted to make a simple dress in my favourite fabric, African wax print. I had been gifted the book “Sewing with African Wax Print Fabrics” by Adaku Parker and she asked if I was happy to blog a review of one of the patterns. I chose the Millie dress asContinue reading “My Birthday Dress: Lessons from Millie”

The Calia Skirt by The Patterns Room

I’m pretty much a knee length dress or skirt with thick tights and boots kind of person. And that’s fine for most of the year here in the UK. But last year, I began the search for the ultimate skirt I could wear on those warmish to warm days when I could ditch the tights.Continue reading “The Calia Skirt by The Patterns Room”

Batik and Mindy

Well, I have had the absolute joy and privilege to work with some gorgeous African batik fabric. I was very interested when Comfort from Letasi design studio asked if I would like some of their fabric and as I scrolled through their website I got very excited and just could not choose! Letasi design studioContinue reading “Batik and Mindy”

Cozi by name, cosy by nature

I pattern tested for one of my favourite indie pattern companies again. The Pattern Scout’s patterns are really cool, totally wearable, every day garments. What I love about these patterns is that there are always options so you get more for your money and they are so hackable. The latest from Pattern Scout is theContinue reading “Cozi by name, cosy by nature”

Stretch African Waxprint! What’s this?

Back in December Jacqueline who owns Wax and Wraps selling African print subscription boxes and lovely African fabric got in touch with me with an irresistible offer. She had some stretch fabric in some popular wax print designs. Yes, stretch African waxprint is a thing! Amazing right? I was really excited to be able toContinue reading “Stretch African Waxprint! What’s this?”

Claudette Trousers- The Power Pants for 2021

I am so in love with these trousers. I feel ready to take on anything wearing these! Bring it on 2021, I’m ready for you. These trousers are seriously ‘the boss’! When Adaku of Dovetailed London asked if I’d like to have some of her gorgeous fabric and her Claudette palazzo pants pattern in exchangeContinue reading “Claudette Trousers- The Power Pants for 2021”

What’s your style?

I made another dress because I’m all about dresses at the moment. Simple, no fuss dresses that work well with tights and boots are my go to Autumn through winter. That’s my style. But this dress was quite a different silhouette from my usual. I’m all about fit, darts, shaped, in at the waist, belts.Continue reading “What’s your style?”

Autumn Plans

I am not an overly organised person. I like to think of myself as a free spirit, especially when it comes to creativity. Back when I was a primary school teacher, I felt stifled by the classroom and endless planning. I felt so much more free when I began homeschooling, plans were extremely loose andContinue reading “Autumn Plans”

Coco Dress Hack

How do you approach your makes? Where do you get your inspiration? I love being on Instagram and seeing wonderful garments by some amazing makers. I love following the various pattern releases and ogling fabric online. More recently I’ve gone back to pinterest in my search for garments I want to make. I’ve enjoyed pinningContinue reading “Coco Dress Hack”

Sew all the things? Part 2

Learning to say no I really had no idea what I was doing when I started up my Instagram account back in March 2018. I thought it was a place where cool people went to show off their cool pictures. Or where teenagers fled to escape their parents and aunties who kept embarrassing them onContinue reading “Sew all the things? Part 2”