Wendy – Sew Biased

Adventures in Weaving

18/01/201903/01/2018 by Wendy

About a month before school finished for the year, I was giving some serious thought to what to make for gifts for the boys’ teachers. Both boys have been incredibly lucky to have teachers that they adored, and who thought my boys were pretty good too, so I wanted to make something a bit special! … Read more Adventures in Weaving

Hot Patterns Superfantastic Shirt

18/01/201905/10/2017 by Wendy

So I sewed this shirt up about two years ago ….. and didn’t like it. The fit seemed off, and the fabric not quite right. I’m not sure to be honest. So it hung on the back of the door unloved until I could be bothered figuring it out. Recently, someone in the Hot Patterns … Read more Hot Patterns Superfantastic Shirt

Classes at Made Marion Craft

18/01/201925/06/2017 by Wendy

Exciting news to share! After some discussion, I will be running sewing classes for children, hosted at Made Marion Craft from term 3. This is a really exciting option for those that are unable to come along to the Tuesday classes, or found coming across to the main studio a little difficult.

Teaching Space

18/01/201909/02/2017 by Wendy

After a lot of hard work and furniture moving, the teaching space is ready for classes! My bright sunny room has been transformed into a sewing haven for my fabulous students. We have a sewing machine, and sewing kit box at each station, and a cutting table that can be stored away when not needed. … Read more Teaching Space

Drumming to the beat

25/10/2016 by Wendy

My younger son has been doing drum lessons for a few months now, and really enjoying it. We recently got him some proper drum sticks to practice with, so I made him a case for them to keep them together in his school bag. He chose the fabric, and I made a long skinny pouch … Read more Drumming to the beat

Seasonal Sew Wardrobe Sewalong

18/01/201931/05/2016 by Wendy

One of the Facebook groups I belong to is a Sewalong group. They have previously done a monthly sewalong of a specific pattern, but earlier this year put forward a wardrobe sewalong.

The start date and format were similar to a Pattern review contest, but rather than the 2 month time frame over there, this sewalong had a more sensible (to me) four month time frame.

The general premise was that in the time period you sew up 8 pieces that can be worn with each other. No orphan garments here please!

I started with a big list of patterns that wanted to make, and then loosely decided that I would follow a 2 dresses, 2 tops, 2 bottoms, 2 toppers plan to make up my wardrobe.
I also decided I would like to try and make it all from stashed patterns and fabric.

Style Arc Toni Designer Dress / Maven French Dart Shift Dress

Itch to Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck / Hot Patterns Breton Tee

Sewing Rabbit Cowl Sweatshirt / Swoon Scarf Neck Cardigan

Trousers from my trouser block / Style Arc Allison Skirt

With a few patterns swapped in and out over the course of the sewalong, I finished up my 8 piece wardrobe and kept to the plan!

All of the fabric is from my stash, and only one of the patterns, the French Dart Shift, was purchased after the sewalong began, so I’m calling that a win!!

This has been a fun experience, and these pieces are already getting a good workout in my wardrobe.

Style Arc Allison Skirt

29/05/2016 by Wendy

I recently made up the Allison skirt by Style Arc, a pattern I’ve had in my stash for a while. I was intrigued by how the pleats were made so they weren’t bulky. When I finally got to printing out the pattern, I have to say the pattern pieces are odd looking!While it wasn’t at … Read more Style Arc Allison Skirt

Style Arc Mindi Skirt

21/05/2016 by Wendy

Waayyy back, last winter, on our Sewing Retreat I tested out a bunch of patterns, including the Style Arc Mindi Skirt. I went with the longer length, and decided not to insert the pocket zips, but otherwise as drafted. As has been my experience with all the Style Arc patterns I have made, this went … Read more Style Arc Mindi Skirt

Hot Patterns 2003 Weekender Breton Tee

18/01/201914/05/2016 by Wendy

This is a pattern I first tried a really long time ago, and then never got around to making again with the slight adjustments I decided would benefit it. I pulled it again recently, after having found a nice striped fabric that I thought suited it. The adjustments I made were to go down a … Read more Hot Patterns 2003 Weekender Breton Tee

Women’s Cowl Neck Sweatshirt

18/01/201907/05/2016 by Wendy

Is it just me, or does everyone have a sewing unicorn? – you know, that elusive sewing pattern where you kind of know what you want, but can’t quite find the exact right thing you imagined. For me it was a sweatshirt / jersey that had the potential to be slouchy and comfy, or more … Read more Women’s Cowl Neck Sweatshirt