Late Summer Sewing Plans, Mini Fabric Haul and What Should I Upcycle??

[@TheFrenchSeams_vlog]

What a week of doing nothing! Fabulous!! Really fun haul and patterns!!!

[@callitags]

I'm so happy for you that you did 'nothing', and that you knew you needed that. Your brand of nothing sounds fabulous to me, and yay for ice cream with no regrets! Not only did you get to spend lots of fun time with your daughter, it sets a wonderful example for her, too. I'm so glad you shared that bit of your life with us. Love all your fabrics 🙂

[@annebrown886]

My daughter aged 36 has just started sewing, it was lovely to teach her and pass on the skills I’ve learnt 💕🧵✂️

[@RipperSeams]

So awesome! I’m sure she will get a lot of pleasure out of it ☺️

[@anitraanderson931]

Oh my goodness! Thank you for your advice on doing nothing!! You have no idea how much I needed that. I've been thinking to myself for some time now that I need to just do nothing. I'm like you said, a person who always feels like she needs to be doing something, be productive. And right now I can't even get myself to sew. So, thank you so much for sharing how you felt! I'm sure you helped a lot of people.

[@aribella6913]

I love the fabric of the blouse you are wearing. With the stag.

[@btd3375]

I’ve noticed that for myself, if I slow down when sewing a project that I enjoy the process more and get better results. So now I allow myself enough time to do it right.

[@mk5076]

Absolutely, I noticed that too. However, I always have to remind myself about it as I am quite impatient when it comes to sewing… There are actually quite a few steps in the sewing process that I do not enjoy…. I dont know why I call something my hobby I do not 100% enjoy… 🤪 best part is buying fabric 😇

[@btd3375]

@@mk5076 I'm trying to use up my stash now. For years I bought good fabric and put most of it in my sewing room, waiting for the years down the road when I'd have time to sew a lot. So now I buy less fabric - very little now - and enjoy "shopping" my personal fabric stash for projects. Its fun because I chose fabrics carefully and love them all. And I can usually remember what each one was for. I can be a very impatient sewer. I am the type who decides 2 days before a trip that I suddenly should stop everything and make a new pair of shorts or a new top. I try to avoid that now, and I find sewing more enjoyable when I have time to do my best. Cheers|

[@SewMyTime]

How sensible to listen to your body and rest - everything you said resonated with me. Your rejuvenation is evident for all to see. Wonderful to sew with your daughter- precious time indeed. Gorgeous, joyful fabrics!!! Enjoy 😊. Lynne

[@RipperSeams]

Thank you, Lynne. Glad you enjoyed the video ☺️

[@maz9917]

Just a little tip. I used to teach needlework and I ironed the tissue patterns onto heavy iron on interfacing. It is lovely to hear you are sewing together. All too often people underestimate the capabilities of children.

[@RipperSeams]

Someone else commented the same and it’s an excellent idea. We are going to do this today!

[@annettecowburn-sz8cq]

Lovely idea to sew with your daughter.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I think I'd like to see the 5 charity shop items in one colour into something. That could be quite fun and cute. I'm also looking forward to seeing the dragons. They are so cute.

[@jenniferewart]

Have fun in Liberty.....I have spent many happy hours in there usually dreaming about what I would buy if I won the Lottery 🥰 . As for the challenge, I would definitely go for the checked shirt option, something to have fun with. Great video ,It’s so good to sometimes do nothing !!!!

[@RipperSeams]

I liked the checked shirt option too and went looking for them in my local charity / thrift store but they were surprisingly short on them so ended up going for the t-shirts given I already had some. Liberty… drool 🤤🤣🤣

[@create_something_pretty]

Hi Kate. Love your PE dress. I love that pattern. I had totally forgotten about how confusing those lines can be on their patterns. I also only print a few sizes. I love your teal fabric. Stunning. And the red. Omg. You are doing such a good job. I want to change all my plans and make all the things you are😂😂. Those fabrics 😍😍Have a great school holidays.❤❤

[@RipperSeams]

Hehe… well you have summer just around the corner so go for it!! ☺️

[@nicky-Sewandsnip]

I definitely slow a lot slower now so I can enjoy the process, also I would have run out of wardrobe space many years ago If I hadn’t! Love the fabrics you have bought😍 I’ve slowed down on that too after seeing how much I had when we moved house 😮

[@OhAlice1951]

This is so unrelated, but you have such similar features to my grandma when she was young and I think you’re so pretty.

[@helenwebb812]

Such great advice about doing nothing- sometimes there is such pressure to just do something! The dress plans all look lovely, and good luck with your plan of visiting Liberty and only buying buttons 😂 The checked shirts for the challenge sounds fab

[@AvrilBrown-ld6gm]

Your plans sound brilliant and I love the dragons! As for the upcycling I think the Tee shirt one could be really interesting. Good luck xx

[@robynlaszlo6128]

I absolutely agree when we slow down things run better love the fit and flare good shape good video have a great week 😊😊😊

[@Kate-wf6hh]

It is so lovely that you are going to sew with your daughter. I learnt to sew as a kid and it has stayed with me although thinking back I did go out in some weird (possibly hideous) creations as a teenager!

[@RipperSeams]

I had some shocking attempts at making clothes as a teen too. Totally cringeworthy!! I’m hoping to start my daughter on the right track a bit earlier than when I did!!

[@juliej6638]

A suggestion for the dragon pattern pieces - you could iron them onto interfacing to make them more robust and they will last ages. I've done this before with tissue paper patterns that I plan to use multiple times. The dragons are so cute. For the second red fabric I recommend that you cut the fabric WS tog so you can see the motif and remove a saucer sized circle of paper from the bodice front pattern pieces at the strategic location - then you can see which part of the print will be at the bust point of the pattern. Don't forgeet to also check the second layer of fabric underneath too - or cut the bodice fornt pieces in a single layer. I hope that helps.

[@RipperSeams]

Thanks for this. Great tips!! Will definitely trying out the interfacing for the dragon pieces 😁

[@Bernietheoc]

👏🏻👗

[@petrasouth1133]

How old is your daughter. Lovely to sew together. I would not size down the first dress. The fit is perfect. A little extra room makes the dress much cooler for warm days.

[@RipperSeams]

Daughter is 10 and loves making things so the drags are perfect for her. Will keep the size of the dress as is for now. Will be great for layering in winter that way too 😊

[@allisonjenkins5079]

Enjoy your videos.. keep up the good work!

[@er66an]

Kate,you buy beautiful fabrics but where will you wear those dresses to?Can you wear them to work?

[@RipperSeams]

Work, home, shopping, pub… all the places!! 😁

[@ozicats]

A bit unfair comment on the lines I think. On any pdf patterns but particularly PE Patterns you can just select the layers (sizes) you want and print those. I print out 12, 14 and 16 for instance. so very easy to differentiate between them. Also if you read the tutorial, there is clear information on what pages to print for each style in the pattern. So if you choose a neckline, asleeve option and any other choice for the item the instructions clearly tell you which pages you need to print.

[@RipperSeams]

I get your point but not everyone has the experience or software to remove the unnecessary layers (which was me until relatively recently)… and this is why I suggested that people should remove the unnecessary layers if possible for this one. Some places where I used to get my A0 files printed would not take layers off even after requesting in the notes. Everyone has different experiences when it comes to printing out their patterns so just sharing mine.

[@sarahmay3307]

Liberty have a sale on………

[@RipperSeams]

….🏃‍♀️‍➡️