FIVE Tips for Sewing a More Intentional Handmade Wardrobe

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Thanks so much for watching and for your support! Sally xx

[@VG-cz7yg]

Definitely agree with sewing for what suits you and not the trend that’s going around. I’ve never been one to follow the trend. I also try to make clothes with good quality fabric even if I only make one or two items rather than making with cheaper priced fabric.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I agree with all of that. It's funny, but I know all of that, and yet, still forget it all when I see the pretty, new fabrics and patterns. I've been on a mission over the past year to sew up small, seasonal capsule wardrobes that coordinate in colour and style. I haven't gotten as much made as I would like, but the fabrics and patterns are ready and waiting for whenever I get to making them up. I still allow myself the pretty new fabrics and patterns, but they have to be in the colours that blend nicely with the rest of the capsule, and in a style that can be used with at least one other item in the capsule, and preferably more. The point that struck home the most with me was to see what you already own and love, and make things to wear with them. That's something so obvious, but I really haven't done that. So I'm going to spend a very happy week thinking that over, because I am definitely one of those people with closets full of clothing and nothing to wear.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I think we still need to allow ourselves those don't we or the hobby isn't as much fun! Thank you for watching, I'm glad it was helpful xx

[@karolmolpus9536]

Very good points!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching I’m glad you enjoyed it x

[@gaynahobbs9502]

Brilliant thanks Sally , great advice x

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much for watching xx

[@leoniefryer4238]

Enjoyed your video. Thanks for your tips and suggestions. They’re all relevant and helpful. I’ve been sewing for 40+ years and still fall into the trap of sewing up something that I then not wearing it. 🫣😂. Enjoying your sewing is key and not being harsh on yourself.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Yes that’s absolutely true! Thank you for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊 x

[@coolkitten4287]

Really love this blouse, maybe you could do a sew along? The pin tucks look a bit daunting. Really good tips as well.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! I’ll have a think about a sew along 😊 xx

[@fionnualaryan7584]

Super thanks ❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching! x

[@pamelaliebelt9967]

Great reminders!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching 😊 x

[@evasaker2476]

I agree on all five of your tips! I usually still buy the fabric first because I fall for it, but before I buy I stop and think what I can make of it and how it will fit my existing wardrobe. I’m always drawn to the same colours (i e autumn an jewel tones) so they usually match well. But I admit that my fabric stash is far too big 😬 On top of that I buy ready to wear as well, can’t help myself when I see something lovely. But I don’t beat myself up about it, I love expressing myself with what I wear and always have. I think you already have found what colours suit you, you always look lovely in your videos!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Don’t beat yourself up about it at the end of the day it’s a hobby and if clothes bring you joy then don’t worry about it 😊 I love ready to wear too but I’m trying to buy quality over quantity- it’s hard though 🙈 xx

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Certainly helps to sew cohesive.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

It does xxx

[@mairead5891]

Excellent points Sally - you are right that experience is always the best teacher, but it's always good to be reminded that we're sewing for ourselves not for Instagram!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad you found it a helpful reminder xx

[@susankidd9963]

We learn by mistakes and that’s worked for you as everything you make is beautiful, mind you at 71 I still make mistakes on a daily basis😂😂😘

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Oh thank you! I think we all do it’s a learning game sewing 😂

[@marygreen7225]

Thank you Sally. I am definitely more intentional with my sewing now and also fabric buying. I am still struggling to get rid of things that really don't suit me, mainly because I made them!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Yes I feel your pain! I’ve just done a wardrobe sort and have a pile of handmade things I know aren’t right for me anymore. They are still in the pile as I can’t bear to part with them 🙈 xx

[@houseinnorthcarolina9439]

Sally, great video. You are so right! There should be a poster that we can hang in our sewing room to remind of these basic rules. We would save ourselves time and unnecessary frustration. Suzanne

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Haha yes a poster would be great! Thanks so much for watching xx

[@susanjackson1616]

Great advice 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching xx

[@christinem281]

A really interesting and useful video, some visual examples might be helpful. I’ve been sewing for about 2.5 years. I thought I knew how to sew until I started an adult education class, which has been invaluable. One of my learnings has been about choosing and working with fabrics, and what styles suit me. Also trying new things and getting ideas from fellow sewers. Learning about my own style and the pattern makers that suit for me. I’m also learning about how slight adjustments to patterns e.g. terms of length and ease, can really make a difference to how the finished garment looks on me. I went to the ‘knitting and stitching show’ at Alexandra Palace for the first time this year, which was great fun. Lots of enthusiastic sewers there. I saw your lovely blouse worn by someone on the ‘Tilly and the Buttons’ stall..it looks great on you! I wish there were more fabric shops (I don’t like buying fabric on line , I like to see the colour and feel it), but I’m learning where to shop. I think your tip about discovering the colours that really suit you is useful, I had my colours done many years ago, and it really saves time when I shop for clothes and fabric as I veer away from colours that don’t suit! Sometimes you just know which colours are right as your eyes and face light up when you wear them! Can also depend a bit of the season. Some ‘flat’ and dark fabrics just drain the life blood out of you! Anyway thanks again. It would be helpful to make the videos a bit more succinct, less repetition! 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching, those things can all be such a help can’t they. Thanks for sharing more about your journey too. I also wish there were more fabric shops around it can be hard to shop on line can’t it x

[@joancowley6501]

Excellent thought provoking vlog, very much where I’m at - the idea of looking at what I reach for and feel comfortable in really making me think what it is that is missing, quite where I will start is another thing altogether! I make clothes because at 67 my body covers 3 different sizes and shop bought just don’t work. Thank you Sally 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad it was helpful! Ah yes, where to start is always the question isn't it x

[@carolreece9950]

Great advice Sally 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching xx

[@suebray3633]

Great video Sally. Your blouse looks beautiful on you!

[@sherryv7341]

I agree! Gorgeous blouse😊!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it xx

[@ritaadler-everett5392]

Good morning from the US! I have seen, what seems like, hundreds of Marnie Blouse versions. But it's not a pattern I've been interested in at all. However, yours is the loveliest one I've seen, it suits you so well. It's making me rethink buying the pattern. The fullness of the fabric around the body doesn't work on my frame. Do you think it could be hacked to be a more fitted blouse?

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah thank you so much!! Hmm, I think it would be difficult because you need some volume from the yoke which is quite narrow. I guess you could reduce the width of the ‘skirt’ panels though so there is less gather and that would make it slimmer? X

[@annsheldrake3554]

You have given me a lot of very sensible tips. Thank you

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you I’m glad it was helpful x

[@vickibogart7334]

Excellent advice. So true

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks so much I’m glad you enjoyed it xx

[@lisag.6599]

Very sensible and wise advice. :) Your blouse is beautiful!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching too. X

[@eileenroth9868]

Thank you! Great rules to think about!❤

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching xx

[@ElsieinStitches]

I agree with you completely! It’s so easy to follow trends, but it’s important to think about what suits your body shape when new patterns come out. I’m trying hard to sew intentionally and create a wardrobe that coordinates and makes me feel good! You do have to make mistakes to learn though - I certainly do that too.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah don’t we all haha! It’s hard not to get distracted isn’t it xx

[@MichelleTheMenopausalSewer]

Hey hun the Marnie top looks fab on you. You have done a really good make there. Well done. The colour is lovely too Xxx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah thank you so much, definitely one of my favourite makes! x

[@sarahinglis1791]

Great video. I’m definitely being more intentional about my sewing now. I don’t have much time to sew and want the things I make to be worn as much as possible 😀

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Yes I actually feel the same about time these days. Thank you for watching xx

[@julschristey3406]

Great Sally I’ve made things I never wear xx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I think we all have 😂 Thank you for watching xx

[@sarahblack8913]

Hey :) thank you for such an interesting vlog :) I'm at that part of a sewing journey where I realise what I've made in the past can be improved upon, but I probably need to learn about adapting patterns (scary) and that a lot of what I've made I just made because that was the trend (sagebrush top absolutely did not suit me, Freya dress I like but can't stand the high neck etc) . I am definitely going to consider a lot of what you have spoken about :) By the way, I've seen loads of Marnie tops, but none have inspired me to make one until i saw your version :)

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks so much for watching I’m glad you found it helpful. Sounds like we were similar with the Freya. It’s all learning isn’t it. Adapting patterns is to too scary once you get the hang of it xx

[@loribarton7480]

Great tips! I’m just getting back into sewing apparel. I’ve made 3 blouses so far, but I’m struggling with sizing. Thank- you for this video.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you very much for watching! I hope you enjoy getting back into sewing xx

[@thebrumstitcher495]

I made a moneta too, which didn’t suit me either but carried on wearing it because I’d made it 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😂 luckily there are a lot more indie patterns to choose from now 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Haha it’s funny isn’t it. I love those earlier times, such memories 😊😂

[@angelalysandrou4830]

Great video. I had my colours done many years ago, it helps when you are buying fabrics and RTW clothes. X

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

What do they do out of interest? Thank you for watching I’m glad you enjoyed it x

[@angelalysandrou4830]

@@SecretLifeOfASeamstress when I went you wore no make-up and they covered your hair, as most women colour their hair in some way, then they introduce coloured scarfs across your chest and slowly you see your skin colour light up when they place your colours on you. At first I cleared out some bits in my wardrobe but hung on to others, but over the next year or so got rid of all the colours that weren’t in my colour pallet. Hope this helps

[@brenholmes4894]

I also find it very tempting to make dresses that I know I will rarely wear, but am choosing to make the smart casual style that I know iI will wear, so I guess that's intentional. I'd have no idea what the current trend actually is, lol. I haven't had my colours done, either, it's expensive and I'd rather spend that money on patterns and fabric. So, I make and wear clothes in colours that I like, whether they suit me, or not. I know I can't wear the pale shades that you favour, they drain me; jewel tones are what I am drawn to and feel happy wearing, I think that's referred to as 'dopamine dressing'.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Jewel tones are lovely, it sounds like you have things well sorted :) Thank you for watching xx

[@skejsisk-jz6kh]

❤👍👍

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks for watching x

[@india1422]

Hi I saw someone with a cat/ rabbit/ dog doll that they made but I cannot remember who. Was it you? If so what was the pattern? Many thanks!

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

It might be the Studio Seren ones I made. Have a look? X