Category: Sewing knowledge

My favourite Fabric shops – online!

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca3 Comments

Back in 2017 I wrote this post up by I thought it was high time I rewrote it as it’s now over half way through 2021!

All views are my own and I’ll also mention if they have a Brick & Mortar store too that you can visit. As I write this, please note some stores may have “appointment only” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

First off is a very new favourite of mine and that’s The Rag Shop. Stephanie, the owner of The Rag Shop has a lovely curated collection of fabrics and haberdashery items.

I’ve also collaborated with The Rag Shop and have written a couple of blog posts which you can find here and here.

Monstera magic soon to be a Kew Dress as part of the Instagram challenge #SewRecreateTheLook

The Rag Shop has only very recently opened a Brick & Mortar store and judging by the photos it looks lush inside, I’m planning a trip (in my head) and hopefully soon I can visit!

Next up is Sewisfaction and Shona is the lovely lady behind the Business. From a teeny cupboard to a two storey business, including a few members of staff and classes, Shona has grew this flourishing fabric collection from a few bolts.

This is my first stop if I’m looking for Art Gallery Cotton Jerseys, occasionally I like to treat myself to one!

Art Gallery Moneta Dress

As you guessed, It is a brick and mortar store as well as online, which you can find here:

Hey Sew Sister are a small yet beautifully curated online store but based in my Hometown Edinburgh!

It’s always nice to see small businesses like this pop up in your local area. I love the fabrics that they’ve got too, it’s just ever so different from the other stores but still has top notch quality.

I bought this a wee while ago and I think I’m going to make an Ashton Top with it.

When you order something from Felicity Fabrics, Caroline and Fliss have the packing to an absolute dream. No matter what fabric you’ve choosen, be safe in the knowledge that you will be receiving a well wrapped parcel. It’s bespoke and it’s taken fabric wrapping to the next level in my opinion. I absolutely adore the way the fabric comes – I don’t want to give too much away but you are in for a treat.

Felicity Fabrics have also just very recently relaunched a very shiney new website which handles searches more effectively and most importantly showcases what they’ve got. I didn’t have any quibbles with the old site and it’s nice to see that Felicity Fabrics are growing so can branch out on these big investments.

Davenport Dress in a beautiful viscose gifted in return for a blog post. I have bought a few fabrics from them that need to get made up!

One of the most successful Sewing Bees from the TV show, Great British Sewing Bee is Lauren and yes if you don’t know it already she has a store based in Birmingham which looks so heavenly!

I haven’t yet made the pilgrimage to Guthrie & Ghani’s store but I do pay a visit to the online variation quite a few times a month and then stroke my screen, wishing I could play supermarket sweep in that store.

The Marsha Style Grace Dress made out of Bubblegum Pink 4oz Linen from Guthrie & Ghani

One of my favourite places in that store … yes I know I said I haven’t been there but hypothetically talking … I’d go straight to the pattern room! There’s just something mysterious and very exciting about a paper pattern room full of indie pattern companies! And yes, then there’s the massive shop floor full of fabric to limit myself from going into further debt 😂

Talking of pattern rooms and I’ve actually visited this brick and mortar store in Person, yes – hallelujah! It’s RayStitch, London and oh my golly gosh it legit my favourite places to be in that corner of eeeh, London!

I love the actual shop as it’s set up almost like an old style general store but beware you will be bedazzled with sweet joyful fabrics on two floors! Ok the online shop is quite spectacular too, don’t get me wrong! I’ve got patterns and a yellow bamboo silk which I’ve still to use as well as this lilac and white cotton shirting that I used for my Gilbert Top and this beautiful soft linen and cotton Kokka for my Sudley Dress.

My sweet Gilbert Top
So soft Sudley Dress

Next up, is an online shop that regularly makes me break any Fabric holiday/ bans/ rests no thanks to their Instagram stories … any guesses? It’s Fabric Godmother, of course! How can I mute their stories, I’d be forever wondering and then checking anyway 😂

I am absolutely loving the collections that Fabric Godmother are bringing from using old archives of prints! There’s been a fair few that I’ve missed out on but hopeful that they are on order so I can get maybe a metre or three off!

Park Lane in a Viscose Jacquard from Fabric Godmother

Not stopping there, I’m really intrigued by the monthly boxes that Josie and her team bring to the table … one day I shall suffice!

If there’s one online fabric business that grabs me with their deadstock range, it’s got to be Harriet’s Sew Me Sunshine and oh boy, I’ve been captivated by one or two and even in the nock of time to manage to be able to buy them.

I love Navigating around Sew Me Sunshine’s Website, it’s easy to find certain fabrics and the first thing I do is sort it into newest to oldest, even in the New Arrivals just to see if there’s anything that tickles my fancy!

My latest Wildergown – a sneek peak! This is a Viscose Jarquard from Sew Me Sunshine.

Both Sew Me Sunshine and Fabric Godmother do have Open Days where you can pop along and shop but as you know we’re in the midst of a Pandemic albeit restrictions being completely lifted and madly masks & physical distancing are now scrapped in England – which isn’t a wise decision in my opinion, as you can tell.

Lamazi Fabrics are another online store and at the time of writing this have only just moved into a new premises.

Lamazi’s website is one of my favourite websites to navigate through. It’s easy to find fabrics, too easy in fact but I’ve bought some fabulous pieces of fabric, to which many I’ve still got to use – no surprises there!

Mineral Stones Viscose used for the Opal pants.

Almost forgot Sister Mintaka – how dare I! I love watching her fabric drops, she’s got some special fabrics so it’s worth checking out.

I’ve a good handful of fabrics, most I’ve been scared to cut into but 2021 has been that year where that’s changed.

Viscose Twill in a Cielo Top

Other online Fabric Shops that I can recommend are The Good Fabric Shop, The Sewist Fabric Shop, Sew Sew Sew, Dragonfly Fabrics, The Avid Seamstress, Oh Sew!, ThreadQuaters and so many many more!

Overall, I have to say the stores I’ve mentioned all have excellent customer service. I’ve often emailed to ask about a fabric or other item they’ve sold and have received a reply within hours. They all dispatch paid items quickly and I’ve never had that sinking feeling it’s not lived up to the description and that’s what you want in my humble opinion. I’ve bought from these stores, some more frequently than others but all have been positive, I wouldn’t recommend any business that I haven’t bought from.

Last but not least … which online shop would you recommend (it can be anywhere in the world) and why?

Thanks for reading and Happy sewing!

*Please note that some of these stores may or may not deliver outside of the Uk. It is solely up to you to check this out before you purchase if you are outside the UK. ☺️

Dreamy Davenports and another fabulous Emma Project!

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca4 Comments

When Friday Pattern Company contacted me, asking if I like to test there most recent pattern there was no hesitation in saying “yes”.

I’m sure you’ve seen the features of this dress but if you haven’t, here’s a illustration below.

The ruffles and the sleeves were the small details that sold it to me in the first instance. But as I made the tester up, the elasticated neckline and the cinched in waist literally blew my mind (in a good way) !

When the Davenport Dress was released, last Friday (16.4.21) – it was a double celebration as Scotland lifted the travel restriction which of course couldn’t pass by without a photo opportunity at a different location without a beige wall! Now don’t get me wrong, I love my beige walls as they allow the details on my garments to speak for themselves but sometimes you just need a different location!

I’ve had this Dashwood Rayon “the Secret Garden” in my stash for a good while and when Emma said she had bought some of the same fabric another wee collab was in motion. I think I bought it from Lamazi Fabrics way back in the day!

Emma @CoffeeAndGlassSlippers made the By Hand London Anna Dress – and boy, she’s knocking it out the park! Absolutely adore this and I think it’s one of my faves thats she’s made so far, Emma never fails to surprise me with her amazing style and sewing talent. I seemingly remember Emma telling me she got her piece of Rayon from John Lewis in Glasgow and it was half price, I think it was just after the 1st Lockdown and shops were just opened. Half price – Utter bargain!!!

Emma looks absolutely in her Anna Dress in the same fabric.
Swoon!
That jacket is such a great make that Emma made a while ago (another one of my favs!)

I found that the Rayon was a fray magnet. Way worse than the Ravishing Rayon that I used on my Kew Dress.

The Kew Dress by Nina Lee London in Ravishing Rayon by Dashwood Studio

For some unknown reason, I didn’t finish the edges with the overlocker after I cut which is what I usually do. I did, however finish most of the open edges once I put it together.

Ok the pattern is absolutely fabulous, I can’t fault it, so much so I had a second Davenport Dress ready as part of a collaboration with Felicity Fabrics, before the pattern was released, which you can read all about it here.

Davenport Dress in collaboration with Felicity Fabrics!

Both the Rayon and the viscose serve the pattern well with regards to the the ruffles and gathering. It drapes beautifully.

Location location location!

However, both times I had to slow down at the outer waist piece and how to attach that. Also adding the bodice yoke had me for a moment. I somewhat remember that the first time I did the pattern I had to walk away twice because my head wasn’t picking up the instructions right. You know, that cotton wool fuzzy head … uh huh?!

Found a Boulder to sit on!

Im looking to do a third Davenport Dress soon but it will be in a cotton. This pattern in the fabric will be quite different for me but it has such summer like pastel colours I couldn’t say no to it! I also see a hack coming very soon – keep your eyes peeled for that too.

It’s such a comfortable dress to wear.
Catching the rays down at the Cove!

As always, thanks for reading. I’ll probably talk about both Davenport Dresses on my YouTube channel very soon.

Happy Sewing!

My #FrugalFrocks2021 Dress

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Wow. I can’t believe I completed the dress 👗 as it it was touch and go, but I did.

For the challenge, which was created by the fabulous Ruan @TheYorkshireSewGirl and the lovely Sam @Frugalisama over on Instagram, I picked the Bardot Dress which was designed in collaboration with Lauren from @Elbe_Textiles and @PeppermintMagazine.

The Bardot Dress has a decent size range and a good amount of ease. The body measurements start from high bust 28, full bust 31, waist 24.4 and hips 34.6 inches to high bust 51, full bust 53, waist 46, hips 56.3 inches.

Because of the ease and the amount of fabric I had I choose size H for the bodice and I.

The fabric that I choose was “Bird Parade” viscose twill from @FabricGodmother … which I think suits this dress so well, especially for a spring summer print and dress!

I used 3 metres of this viscose twill and that’s all I had. I didn’t use the fabric layout … recently I’ve been playing pattern Tetris and loving the challenge!

Sewing this up I noticed the fabric was fraying ever so slightly but it was as bad as other viscoses but I did try out French seams and they are on the majority of seams including the pockets and the bodice! This was my first time trying out such skills and I’m gobsmacked that it worked out so well.

French Seams!

I made my own bias to add to the edges just by cutting out strips of 2cm wide on the bias on a s small piece of left over fabric. It wasn’t straight or neat but it does the job and you can’t see the wobbly edges as they are on the inside.

This dress took a lot of gathering and I mean a lot! Lots of patience, even more pins and delicate precision were required to get even gathers.

I’d definitely recommend this dress for summer holidays or lounging about at home on a hot day. The instructions are really good but I really didn’t use them that much. I kinda just went for it!

When I do this dress again and I will do it again, I’ll size down further on the bodice and shorten the shoulder straps and I’ll probably shorten the bodice. I’ll still swan about in this dress though as it’s got swoosh appeal!

I just want to thank both Ruan and Sam for this amazing challenge. It’s been so nice to see so many lovely makes from the community and find some more free patterns that are size inclusive. On that note, I think I’ll be trying the Peppermint Maxi Dress and the Lucia from Mood fabrics, very soon.

Happy Sewing!

Myosotis Dress by Deer & Doe

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Although I’ve published my photos on Instagram, I thought it would be good just to have my thoughts on the pattern and fit here for my first myosotis dress.

So before I started I check my back measurements according to the pattern piece and shortened the bodice. I think it’s a tad too short in this version but hey ho I’ll still wear it. For my next version I’ll definitely used the for bodice piece and original length. I cut the largest size and instead of 1.5cm/5/8” seam allowance I went for 1cm. The bodice fits really well.

The skirt has no real issues and was fairly straight forward although I only cut one of the lower ruffle and had to do a last minute panic of “ok where’s the remaining pieces of fabric” – which was fine. I pattern match this piece because there’s an extra seam at the back of the dress now because of this rookie mistake!

I think my favourite part of the dress is the sleeves. I’m just loving the ruffles and to me that’s something that’s surprising to me!

The fabric is a Lady McElroy Cotton “Marlie” lawn. The print is digitally printed onto the fabric. The print itself is called “Shades of Autumn – Midnight”. I bought this from The Cloth Shop by Remnant Kings, Edinburgh a good year ago for a myosotis dress and who knew it would turn out so well! I’m pleased it didn’t have too much time in the stash.

I found the collar to be a bit of a nightmare though. The instructions aren’t clear to be frank and if you follow them it leads you into a fiddle. So conferring with my sewing buddies, I’m advised to go and have a look at Professor pincushion on youtube and hey presto, the dress lives!

So there you go – my first and not last Myosotis Dress by Deer & Doe patterns. Thanks for reading and see you back here soon!

Simplicity 8262 Coat AKA “ONE OF A KIND”

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It’s taken a little over a year and half for this make. It’s made up of a heck of raw emotion plus skill since my Mum started making it for me but never got the chance to finish it because cancer decided to take hold on her (f£&* cancer in every form).

The coat itself is made of Harris Tweed bought from Fabric Focus alongside the silver paisley lining.

Kevin, the owner of fabric focus has been eager for me to finish the coat but understood how emotional the make was. He always asked when I was going to finish it, very gently pushing me to do it!

Sometimes I felt like working on the coat and sometimes not. When it got close to her Birthdays, Anniversary of her passing or Mother’s Day, I just had to put the coat down and only started working on it when I felt I could. It’s a bit like counselling (not that I’ve managed to go, nor feel quite ready for) but I know I’m working with mum on this on each step.

It’s quite nice finishing it now just before this year’s “Mother’s Day”.

Mum did most of the tacking (thank *%&@!) I hate tacking, I know it does wonders but I still actually hate doing it.

Bagging the outer and the lining literally to played tricks on my mind but wanted a neat finish. Making sure that the outer and the lining were all level was time consuming but boy does it pay off!

I don’t think finishing this coat would’ve been possible with the helpful tips and excellent guidance that I received from Abi, sewing teacher to both my mum and I, so thank you Abi for helping me on this journey.

By adding little details such as the Kylie and the Machine “one of a kind” and Harris Tweed labels it really finishes it off.  Also “One of a Kind” kinda puts a nice touch on the memory of my mum.

Not to forget to mention the beautiful frogs that make that statement piece, also sourced from Fabric Focus.

So here it is, in all its glory!

img_9827

 

 

But it’s not Moneta, it’s …

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Myrtle Dress by Colette Patterns!

Yes I finally cracked my Moneta obsession, don’t worry there’s plenty more of them coming with hacks but for the moment I’m trying out different patterns and I have a few exciting things that are happening but I can’t tell quite yet!

Ok, lets talk Myrtle:

Do I like and will I use the pattern again, if so will I make any changes?

I love it, especially the cowl neck feature.  I’d definitely use the pattern again but I would shorten the shoulders to avoid the embarrassment of showing of my assets too much!

Where did I get the fabric from?

I bought the lovely viscose jersey from fabric focus this winter, unfortunately for you I took the last 3.5 meters (sorry but not sorry) in fact, originally i bought 2,5 meters realised I didn’t have enough and the luckily there was 1 metre left when i went back to the shop – phew!

Myrtle needs quite a drapey jersey and lightweight I’d say and for me it was a good skill builder. This was the first time I did a cowl neck and used the main fabric for a lining on the front and encased elastic in the skirt.

For a quick make, once you’ve done it once it makes sense.

Ok here’s the fun part – PHOTOS … Hooray!

Now, where I’m I going to fit in time to do a woven version in this pattern? I love how this pattern is versatile like this!

 

 

Sew Shop Local: The Wee Fabric Shop, Inverness

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Ever since it was a pop up shop I was intrigued by The Wee Fabric Shop but the location made it slightly difficult for me to plan a trip as it was in Inverness!

Now it’s a brick and mortar store situated outside the centre of Inverness which means I could plan a much more relaxed trip up.

The sun was shining when I reached the shop front and what a lovely shop front it is (photos don’t do it justice)!

Good thing about coming to this side of town is that you don’t have to worry about parking as it’s got a few spaces at the front of the shop and off street parking is available.

Walking into the store I received a very warm welcome from Marice, One of the owners of The Wee Fabric Shop. It was so nice to meet her finally after seeing so much of the her and the shop on Instagram. It’s not one lady but three that own the shop, Claire and Fiona are part of the power trio!

Their choices of fabric and patterns are on par and the quality is just brilliant- the only problem is that the trio can’t keep up with demand as sometimes the bolt sells out so quickly! (Trust me the quality is Devine!)!

Oh boy! If you like indie patterns you’re in for a fine treat.

Yeap – told you. It’s a Indie pattern heaven!

Before you ask … yes I did buy fabric and patterns (I mean it would be rude not too!) I bought two knit fabrics and three patterns.

Would I recommend? YES, hell yes! Ok I made a weekend out of it but it is worth the trip.

It was so nice to meet Marice and Fiona. I wish them the best with the business, so far they’re on a very good path with such strong and amazing products to offer. Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet Claire but maybe next time I’m up the road I’ll catch her for a chat!

Catch them on IG @theweefabricshop and also online at http://www.theweefabricshop.co.uk

Until next time stitchers –

Sew Scottish Edinburgh Frocktails 2018 and my Vogue 9075 frock.

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Well first off – what a night!

Everyone looked amazing, we raised over £500 quid, enough to feed 41 kids for a year in education for @MarysMeals, the raffle was on fire, much so we were running out off tickets!

I am so humbled to get lots of compliments on my dress and fabric choice after having to an emergency repair before I left Home on the zip making me late!

Again, I didn’t take any photos on the night but others did – thankfully 😅

I’m so sorry if I didn’t get round to catching up with you but I do hope you had a lovely night. You all had wonderful outfits and it just goes to show how wonderfully talented you all are. You should be all so proud of yourselves and give yourselves a pat on the back. Each outfit was lovingly handmade and each unique in its on way, just like you!

Credit to @cme202

So the dress …

Vogue 9075

So after the first attempt not being successful but it will be (it just needs a bit of tweaking!) I decided I was going to try it again.

Fortunately it came together eventually (pockets took about seven attempts)! Yes 7. But moving swiftly on … I got there in the end but had to do an emergency repair on the zip literally 30 mins before I was due to leave and the my machine was playing game so had to had stitch. Drama!! I know!!

Here’s some photos of the Jungle Crepe V9075 …

Fabric: Lady McElroy Jungle crepe from Remnant Kings

Lining also from Remnant Kings, black pongee.

Pattern – Vogue 9075

Accessories – “me made” pink coat club necklace and earrings from Accessorize.

I’m going to give version b a go, which is the culottes Style bottoms with some pretty funky fabric from Rejects in Kirkcaldy. Definitely going to finish off the first version “Chelsea” though, so watch out for that. I’m going to try my first stretch project now and that’s the Colette “moneta”. It’s high time I tried stretch fabric and my overlocker. Also I will finish of my Harris tweed coat!

I just want to thank Lesley @sew_sleep_deprived for taking the reins and going full throttle on this. Without our her organisational skills and wit, I don’t think we’d have a brilliant night to remember. You were a triumph on the microphone and you are such a star!

Credit to @cme202

Sewing: McCalls 7381

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So with little over a week I decided to start the dress that I planned to not only have finished but moved on to the the project.

As you know life doesn’t always allow you plans to go swimmingly well and time can just drown with you realising how little you have left!

I bought the Lady McElroy Cotton lawn “Brushstrokes” from StitchyBee a while back.

When I saw the McCalls 7381 pattern that I received free with Love Sewing Magazine a while back, I knew it would be a simple quick make providing I followed the instructions correctly.

Building the whole thing went brilliantly well until it came to me wearing it. It was huge, it was a tent on me. Where did I go wrong?

I had one resort, take it to class! So I did! Thankfully Abi saved the day but it meant me taking in at the waist (a lot!!). But I did it, It only took a few hours and a few swear words.

So where did I go wrong? I only went by the measurements on the back of the pattern envelope and not the ones on the tissue. I can definitely go down one size on the bodice (woop woop) next time. Also for next time I’m considering sleeves and the next version in viscose. So no I’m not put off – yeah! It’s so comfortable to wear as well, especially when it comes to eating a lovely German buffet and cheesecake because of the ease and the elastic!

A big thumbs up to M7381!

Sew Shop Local: The Sewing Studio, Dunfermline And The Fife Sewists Meet Up!

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A week on after the #SewScottish Afternoon Tea another group of lovely ladies held a smaller but equally nice meet up in Dunfermline.

We all met at the Heaven Scent Cafe, which is set in the new building beside the abbey. The cafe has a lovely selection of cakes and hot drinks on offer but as the weather was so warm I opted for a cool fizzy elderflower juice.

We sat round a couple of tables for about an hour exchanging information about patterns, materials, fabric shops, discount codes and a little bit about our wonderful selves. It was a lovely chilled out affair and “suited me down to a t” as I had been up at 3:30am that morning for a 4:45am start at work!

After some much needed refreshments we headed up to the newly opened Sewing Studio. The Sewing Studio is a fantastic extension of Sew Yarn Crafty after locals were giving feedback back to owner, that there was a massive dressmaking following and they wanted more fabric choice and classes. It all came together pretty simply as there was a property available to extend into and that’s how it all happened.

It’s been a little over a year since I’ve been up to Dunfermline and checked out Sew Yarn Crafty. The last time I’d took a trip up was with my mum and my aunt. Mum was not that great at that point but wanted to get out the house and always supported me in my hobbies. That woman was always pushing herself, where she got the strength from was unbelievable.

Anyway before I go to a dark place … (everything connects!!)

Aileen, the owner of Sew Yarn Crafty and The Sewing Studio and myself!

The sewing Studio has a great range of fabrics and independent patterns (TATB’s, papercut, cashmerette, Sew over it and a couple of others.

I actually saw quite a few fabrics that I really wanted but I had to refrain as I’m only a week in from making that (damn) pact with @Sew_Sleep_Deprived so I wouldn’t buy anymore fabric – urghhhh!

I was stroking them and crying 😭. It was tough. I did refrain from fabrics but I bought two cashmerette patterns and a book about drafting dress and skirts.

The weather was on it’s truly best behaviour as it was gorgeous. I really need to come up and check out the Abbey.

So all in all, it was a lovely afternoon out and I’m looking forward to catching up with the girls again. Hopefully I’ll have made a few me makes by then and I can show them off!