Sunday, December 29, 2019

Guest Post by Melanie, The Sewmelier. #SewHonestFeedback

What's a blog if it isn't being used, right! So when Melanie from The Sewmelier mentioned that she had written this piece about honest feedback, but also about boundaries, kindness and lots of other thoughts and opinions, but that she worried it was a bit too long for Instagram, I offered up my blog. I don't have any ads on my blog, so I don't make any money on it (just in case you were wondering), but it's a subject that is also close to my heart, and I would love to help share her, in my opinion, great thoughts on this matter. Mie


Thanks for having me on the blog today, Mie, to share my thoughts on topics very dear to me: useful feedback without hurt feelings, how honesty can easily become painful, why I think making mistakes is actually wonderful and how I interact with designers and sewing businesses to give feedback - or simply #sewhonestfeedback ! So let’s jump right in with 

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Sapporo Coat by Papercut Patterns, Review.

THIRD EDIT, Oct 31st 2020: Alice from the blog Queen of Darts have used this post to go through the 2.0 version of the pattern. See her conclusions HERE. Thank you Alice!

SECOND EDIT, Dec 17th 2019: Papercut Patterns has released a new and updated version. I don't know exactly what has been changed. But my blog post should be able to help you check your new version without my help. THIS post from Papercut Patterns explains how to get hold of the new version, if you already purchased the old version.

EDIT, Nov 21st 2019: Since posting this review yesterday, Papercut Patterns has pulled the Sapporo Coat for review. Hopefully they will come to the same conclusions as me and fix the pattern. They have left a comment on my Instagram post HERE and said, if they end up updating the pattern, they will replace the patterns to those who already purchased it. 
So far, so good! 
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There's a first time for everything, and today is one of those occasions. I'm posting a review about a pattern I haven't sewn. I did intend to though! But I have limits to how many mistakes I'm going to fix and this pattern way overtakes that number. But the number one reason for deciding not to sew it and still write a review about it, is two sides of the same thing. The thing is, the design of the Sapporo Coat is fabulous. People look fantastic in it, there is no denying that. I most likely would too if I made it. But I don't want to help 'promote'* a pattern that not only has quite a few technical mistakes but also includes a ton of bad sewing practice. 
*here in the sense of putting another good looking Sapporo Coat out in the already brimming pool of mostly good looking Sapporos. I paid for this pattern myself!



Saturday, November 9, 2019

How to Measure and True Seams, Tutorial.

Normally I post about a make and then I add whatever relevant tutorial or technical info to go with it in the post. This will be more of a technical post. Normally I would do those on my Instagram account (under the hashtag #miessewingtips ) but I think it will be too condensed in that format. So let's try this, and see how that goes.




I'm going to try to cover both very basic knowledge, but also a few more steps from that. And I've noticed that just because you are an experienced sewist, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have pattern knowledge, besides how to sew from them. So hopefully this will be helpful for a big group of people.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Besharl Jacket by Style Arc Patterns

Alert: Monster post ahead.
I don't even know what happened, ha! Actually, I do! Allow me to explain.

This post is both an inspiration post with three different Besharl Jackets (a pattern from StyleArc), a warning to not be as dumb as me, small tips about how to improve fit if needed, and lastly a couple of tutorials on which techniques to use to get a very nice finish on the inside. They will be useful for lots of styles. Not just this one.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Clare Pants by StyleArc

I wanted to make a blog post about these Clare Pants from StyleArc because I figured out some sewing tips along the way that I wanted to share with you. Plus you'll want to read this post before deciding which size to make.


I made a pair in Blackbird Fabrics' 7 oz glorious linen. Black is sold out but there are a ton of other colors.


Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Daisy Designer Pant and Parker Tunic in Telio Fabric

This post has sponsored fabric from Telio. They are a Canadian fabric manufacturer. 
I was only suppose to make an Instagram post, but decided last minute to throw the photos on the blog too.
That way I had some more space to talk about what I actually sewed too.

Friday, August 9, 2019

Bob Woven Pants by Style Arc + Pocket Tutorial

I have felt a certain pressure to post about the Bob Woven Pants from Style Arc. Positive pressure that is. Lots of people are excited and interested in these pants but also a bit sceptical because of the curved legs. 

 

Friday, April 26, 2019

Salida Skirt by True Bias

This is going to be one of those posts. The post where I have critiques about the pattern. I don't like making those but I also don't like not doing it. It might be a personality thing but it eats me up when I see what I consider mistakes. And not because we are not allowed to make accidental mistakes, we all do, my goodness. But when I see something that is not helpful or can cause confusion and which should be there, that eats me up and I just have to talk about it. Because patterns are a big part of many people's learning process. 

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Loren Woven Jacket by Style ARC and Pivot Tutorial.

Two blog posts in a week....do not get used to that from me, ha!

But this one contains a pivot tutorial that is useful when sewing my previous make the Olya Shirt from Paper Theory, so they had to be published close to each other.

Today I'm showing you another favorite make, the Loren Woven Jacket from Style ARC.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Olya Shirt by Paper Theory

In recent times I usually only make a blog post if I have a lot to say or if I have a relevant tutorial I want to post together with the pattern. That might not be the case with the Olya Shirt from Paper Theory. I simply just think that pattern deserves a blog post, ha. It's on my top 10 of favorite things I've ever sewn, maybe even top 5. 
Actually I do have a tutorial I want to post with this pattern but I forgot to take the photos while sewing this shirt (doh!), but luckily I needed the same technique for the next thing I sewed, so I'm going to put it in that post instead and link from this post. You can find the tutorial HERE.