Thanks Mom!

My entire life I have been sewing, and doing embroidery or knitting and crotchet, thanks to my mom. I know she had me doing these things (before the times of cellphones and tablets) just to keep me out of her hair, in the end it made a big impact in my life. Being a third generation seamstress from a line of textile creative woman certainly helps, so it was no coincidence that I found my passion in creating clothing.

My business is my passion, and my baby and I am continually looking at ways of improving my products and ease of accessibility to them. I have recently installed the Shopify app on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/mysewingpatterns and I am currently testing it to see if it will work for you, my customers.

I have also added a few pages to my blog, so you can now purchase patterns directly from the blog, just click on the relevant page link to the right of the blog (or for mobile use the scroll down arrow alongside the home page bar) and it will take you to view the patterns you are interested in.

I really appreciate for those who purchase patterns through the store to please send me your feedback so that I know whether or not I am on the right track with this system. You can email your responses to mysewingpatternz@gmail.com Positive and negative feedback is welcome.

This week’s pattern in review

Mothers Day Handbag

Because my mother has played such a huge roll in my sewing success, last year to celebrate my her, I designed a handbag pattern for her and to share with all my sewing fans. Little did I know it was going to become such a hit.

It comes in two size variations and can be made in an assortment of fabrics. You can use a fun print for a stylish summer bag, or use a PU or leather type fabric for a more professional look.

Sunglasses pouch

And what’s a fashion handbag these days without an awesome, matching sunglasses pouch. This super easy sewing pattern is the perfect complement to any stylish bag.

 

Our February sewing challenge. It is “DRESSES”, very simple and easy, and you can make anything as part of the competition from a very simple LBD to a fancy wedding gown, the choice is yours! Remember to look up our previous post on the sewing challenge, so you know the rules and stand a chance to win that cute little Acer Chromebook!

Happy sewing!

Holding my horses

What a busy start to the new year! I am already in the process of creating a whole lot of new patterns being launched over the next month and am really excited to be sharing them with you soon.

I often find I am so impatient and just want to start sharing everything with you straight away, but alas I have to hold myself back, as hard as that may be. Creating samples and testing the patterns is time consuming, but necessary, to at the very least make sure my patterns work before I launch them.

With my bridal range though, as this process can take longer than expected, I do like to post the patterns available for pre-order sales. Keep your eyes open for these as the pre-order sale prices are much lower than the final pattern prices, so you really get a huge bargain by taking advantage of these... and I usually throw in a free gift pattern too.

This week’s patterns in review

Our Sunglasses pouch

I must admit, the popularity this pattern gained absolutely blew my mind. It become a much bigger seller than I thought, but let’s face it, who doesn’t own sunglasses (or even normal glasses at that), and these are items that we do want to keep safe and in good shape for seasons to come.

 

And for beginning sewing fans, this really is an ideal starter pattern to give a try and hone those skills in creating fashionable homemade accessories.

Available for pre-order

Our next bridal pattern is in the process of being created to be launched in February 2016.The Taryn dress is a simple yet elegant strapless dress. It is a timeless design that is ideally suited for the woman who has an effortless and confident sense of style.

 

It will go on sale for the price of $9.99, but for now is available for pre-order for only $5.99.

As a bonus gift, whoever takes advantage of the pre-order special will receive a FREE pattern and instructions for our long thin tie. This is the perfect accessory for a date who would like to wear a little something to compliment the woman wearing our Taryn dress. It can be made in matching fabric or colours to the dress itself.

 

Remember to check our previous blog posts for the competition we are currently running.

Happy sewing!

Tutorial: Sewing a cellphone pouch

I was inspired to create a bag pattern to celebrate Mother's day 2015. Every child knows that mommy's bag is a magical place that holds a surprising quantity of items, something for any need that might arise. Why not make a bag for her this year, or purchase this pattern for her to use herself?

The pattern includes two different size bags.

Click on the link to the right of the page to purchase the pattern.

As an additional gift I decided to do a free tutorial to create a matching cellphone pouch with the left over fabric.

Pattern Pieces

1. 1 x A4 sheet of paper required to construct a pattern piece for a small to medium size phone. Tape two sheets of paper or use an A3 size sheet to construct pattern for large cellphones and small tablets.

Suggested fabrics

• Soft leatherette or PVC
• Nepal Hyde
• Heavy Woven fabrics such as cotton twill or denim

Other items required to complete garment:

• 2cm / 0.80” square of Velcro

Fabric yardage (amount of fabric required)

• 115cm / 45” width  – 30cm / 10” inch length
• 150cm / 60” width – 30cm / 10” inch length

Skills required

• Basic knowledge on how to you use a sewing machine  

Pattern creation instructions

Use a measuring tape to measure right around your cellphone. This is to ensure that you include the thickness of your phone in the width measurement.

On your piece of paper, mark the centre point of the page. Then mark the measured width of your phone on the piece of paper, making sure you place the halfway mark of the measurement in the same place as the centre dot on your piece of paper. On either end of this line, extend the line by 2cm or 8/10”

Measure length of your phone, then draw a line vertical to the first in the same manner, and extend it by the same length on either side.

Use these lines and measurements to draw a closed square / rectangle on your page.

On the centre of one of your longest sides draw a line up approximately 5 cm / 2” and use this as the point to draw in the triangle for your envelope style flap. At the opposite end of this, measure a 10cm / 4” gap and make circle markings.

Cut out your newly made pattern, and use this to cut out two pieces of fabric, transfer the marking you made.

Sewing Instructions

At all of the corners of your fabric, mark the points where your 1.5cm / 5/8” seams will meet.

Place the fabric pieces right sides, then from the first marking at the bottom of the pattern, sew around your fabric pieces, ending at the second circle. This will leave a gap at the bottom of your fabric where you can turn your pouch the right way around.

Clip / trim all your corners and points.

Turn your phone pouch the right way around and push out all of your corners. Pin into place.

Sew the bottom edge closed.

Fold pouch in half and pin into position.

Starting at the bottom of one corner, sew up and around your cellphone pouch to finish it off.

Then, using fabric glue, glue your Velcro squares into place, wait ti dry before use.

Your cellphone pouch is now ready to use! Enjoy and happy sewing.

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