Emmy-Lou's Christening dress - Stitching Memories. As I mentioned in Part 1 of Wedding dress refashion blog post, the past couple of months have been quiet an emotional sew! ​Starting with the 'Gathering Memories' project to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society which you can read more about here.  ​ ​But this post is about the challenge set by my sister in law, Gemma Beryln - to make my niece, Emmy-lou, her christening dress.  Which at first I was totally fine with; however the challenge was to make it out of her wedding dress. Now this wedding dress is very special as this was a ..read more

Gathering Memories project in aid of Alzheimer's Society - 'SEWN TOGETHER' The past couple of months have been quiet an emotional sew!  The reason for this is that I've had two projects that have been very personal and have evoked wonderful and emotional memories, both that have included refashioning or upcycling of wedding dresses. ​The first project was for a charity project called 'Gathering Memories', which is a community project which aims to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. I purchases the kit from Elizabeth, who was exhibiting part of the project in the booth next to ..read more

Pattern review Vogue V9000 Sewing for a living means that I don't get much time to sew for myself. Not that I'm ungrateful as I get to do what I love and are passionate about everyday, but it can be a little frustrating. So I've decided to turn that frustration into a positive and bring you, On My Cutting Table.  ​With working on the Sewing Quarter, I get to make so many fabulous garments, to be shown and demonstrated on live on air. Unfortunately, I have to make them into the size that fits the dress form in the studio. And I can tell you now, that I'm considerably a lot larger tha ..read more

I have some exciting news for you!  After all your wonderful suggestions and support, you have all given me the confidence to finally pull my socks up and have set up a YouTube channel.  EEKK! so here goes!  ​I'm looking to fill it with how to's and projects, hints and tips and also link my Sewing Quarter live shows demonstrations, so you can easily access them when you want to watch them back. ​I have also made a start on my Stitch Library series. As you know, it's all about the sharing the #sewingrevolution love, so I wanted to cover some of the sewing basics as well as the ..read more

Book Launch Excitement!  I cannot believe the book is here! It still doesn't feel real - Can somebody pinch me! If you had said to me four years ago that you will attending your own book signing - I would have said your were crazy, but more fool me as I have, it's here and that's exactly what I'm organising! A BOOK SIGNING! AAHHHH! 'Girl with a sewing machine' is my no fuss guide to making and adapting your our clothes. Being a self taught seamstress, I learned to sew by cutting up and upcycling clothes and curtains to make new outfits for next to nothing!  After making my wedding ..read more

Simplicity & Korbond Birthday Giveaway! It's been a while since I last did a blog post but as its my birthday I thought i'd treat myself to a handmade garment and as we are in the midst of #memademay which I sadly have not had time to take part in this year so it just seemed the right thing to do even though it is only one garment. You will know from watching me on the Great British Sewing Bee that I love dungaree's! I always feel like a little scamp who is likely to get into trouble when wearing them.  Along with dungaree's I love a pinafore or Apron dress.  Still fee ..read more

Sewing for Pleasure 2016 - Korbond Sewing Kit Competition  Wow it's been a few crazy months! ICHF's sewing show in Manchester and Stitches, NEC in February. Knitting and Stitch in Olympia at the beginning of March and now Sewing for Pleasure! My body is in some serious need of a fast food detox I can tell you but i've loved every minute of it! Sewing for Pleasure was a very special event for me this year as this was the first time that I have ever had my own stand at such a large event! Normally at these events I have been a guest demonstrator or speaker but this time I was on my ow ..read more

#craftblogclub Secret Santa! I love Christmas. I think it's the perfect time to share what you love with others and nothing says 'I care' more than a hand made gift- wouldn't you agree? So when #craftblogclub invited me to take part in their secret santa, I just couldn't resist! I knew that I wanted my secret santa gift to be something upcycled as it is something that im very passionate about for many reasons. one that it means we are not wasting anything but mainly because I think it is a fantastic way for beginners to get into sewing. So in order to share the love, i'm sharing my #sewingrev ..read more

My Most Luxurious Upcycle Yet. I'm going to be honest, I'm not a great fan of this time of year. Dark mornings, Dark afternoons and the cold, it just makes me want to go into hibernation. The only thing that helps to keep me wake is the thought of open fires, mulled wine and spending time with the family at Christmas.  Another bonus are the lovely long walks we can do with the dog, now that we have moved to Bromsgrove. ​There is something really lovely about getting all wrapped up and taking a stroll in the cold but not when its raining! It's this thought that making me think of one of m ..read more

Events , Inspirational people and  learning new skills. As you may have seen on my social media feeds October has been quite an eventful month. Kirk and I have been settling into our new home, getting all excited about the open fires and uncovering the original Victorian tiled floors and choosing wall colours. We have also had the arrival of my second nephew Marley and also my dear friend Joanne's baby called Henry. Both babies are nothing short of miracles but that is another story. For me, you may be pleased to hear that I have taken the jump and given up my day job! Which is super ..read more