The life of a sewist

Today is a grey and overcast day, perfect I think for working in my PJ’s while a draw up a few new sketches for patterns I’m going to be releasing.

I have been running my sewing business now for five years, it’s amazing how time flies. Selling my digital sewing patterns has allowed me the opportunity to work from home, sometimes I feel so spoiled to be so lucky.

I want to say a big thank you to all my amazing sewing fans who have allowed me to achieve this in my life. Anyone who knows me knows that my cats and dogs are my children (I currently have 8), and for the last 6 months my oldest baby has been terribly sick, my Jack Russell named Onyx. She has chronic renal failure and some days she requires 24 hour care. Being able to work from home has allowed me to look after her and help her to live a full and happy old age. I am truly grateful to everyone who buys my sewing patterns and online products, you have done more for me than I can possibly express. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I hope you all have an amazing week ahead, and very successful sewing projects. Now enough of the serious stuff and back to the sewing fun.

Here’s a tip when putting together your newly printed A4 pages to create your sewing pattern: Use 2 sided tape to join the sheets of paper together. I do this firstly because the pages are less likely to come apart in the long term and secondly it allows me to fold up my patterns when I put them away, and when I am ready to use them again, I unfold them and use a warm iron to go over the pages to smooth them out (no steam, this will damage the paper).

This week’s patterns in review

Isabella Maternity dress

Our first maternity dress sewing pattern was launched last week. (I tried to make my dressmaker's form look pregnant by pinning a pillow to it o_O )

This fashionable dress is perfect for the mum-to-be who has a special occasion to attend, or who simply wants to look stylish in the upcoming spring and summer season.

I also launched a set of two maternity sewing patterns, the Isabella dress and the Jacqui dress together make the perfect combination.

Sewing Patterns for a year

To celebrate 5 wonderful years of sewing we have decided to launch this amazing offer. You can opt to have our range of brand new sewing patterns sent to you, every second week for a year.

 

The total value of this is over $80, but instead we decided to practically give it away at $29. Which means you’re making a huge savings of over $50! We are only running this amazing special until 10^th March, so take advantage of it now!

When you purchase this amazing offer, you will be receiving your first pattern immediately available to download, the ladies short waistcoat.

 

Until next time...

Happy sewing!

Batty about bat wings

Happy New Year! May you have a wonderful year filled with blessings and exciting sewing projects.

This year will see us increasing our patterns in two areas. Firstly our bridal collection will be growing and secondly we will be adding in a good few basic patterns, such as a simple woman’s dress shirt, and pairs of smart and casual pants that are simple and easy to follow.

Our aim is to create easy and user friendly patterns for everyone!

 

This week’s patterns in review

We love our bat wing tops and dresses, not only are they easy to make but they are very fashionable.

The Bat wing Top with pleats

Our tops and dresses can be made in a variety of fabrics, from comfortable t-shirting and warm knits (even cut and sew wool) to chiffon and the softer range of fabrics, adding a variety of styles for all different occasions, formal or casual.

Summer bat wingdress in chiffon

They can be made as sweaters or winter tops for the cold seasons and they even make gorgeous costume covers for the upcoming summer months.

Jacqui Batwing top

Knee length summer batwing dress as costume cover

These are some of our favourite and most versatile sewing patterns, and you can have so much fun with them.

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

Have a wonderful New Year. Happy 2016 and happy sewing!

The festive fun continues

What an amazing and busy week I have had! I would like to thank all my customers, friends, family and fans out there for their wonderful support. Without you guys the dreams of having my own business just would not be the reality it has become.

With black Friday and cyber Monday now far behind us, I was in two minds about raising all my sewing patterns back to their regular prices. I found though that I really just couldn’t, I was having such amazing responses from everyone that I decided to continue my sale right through December 2015. Though from 1^st January the prices will be returning to their normal values, so take advantage of these ridiculously cheap sewing patterns while you still can. (Click on the button to the right of the page).

This week’s patterns in review

The envelope style fabric gift bag.

 

This bag was such an instant hit, not just among my sewing patterns fans, but among many who could not sew at all. I had friends and family asking me to make packs of these bags for them to use during the festive season. For days I sat happily sewing away at these packs.

These bags aren’t just great for your own personal use, but to create for friends and family too. It’s a gift that keeps on giving... you too are welcome to use my sewing pattern and take orders from your friends and family for that little bit of extra spending money over the upcoming festive season. And remember the sewing pattern comes with a free gift pattern too.

The under dress, that’s also a great over dress.

I originally created this pattern to go along with my batwing collection of dress patterns. I just loved making these in chiffon for those hot summer days, but needed to wear a little something underneath to protect my... ummm... modesty.

 

Me wearing a knee length batwing dress with the mini under dress

However, as it turns out, the under dress makes a great summer dress all on its own. I have now made myself a few in a variety of colours. It also comes in two lengths, mini and knee length.

 

Selfie time: Me wearing a knee length under dress

A cause close to our hearts

Boo Lè Heart clothing and My Sewing Patterns has had such a wonderful and prosperous year that we have decided that from this point onwards a percentage of our profits will be donated to a worthy cause.

 

For 2015 and 2016 we have decided to support the African Birds of Prey Sanctuary in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This sanctuary not only creates a sanctuary for birds of prey who are injured beyond being able to be returned to the wild, but it also works as an educational centre to help teach us about these amazing creatures, so that we have a better understanding of them and the troubles they face.

Every month we will keep you updated as to how much we have been able to raise for this very worthwhile cause.

Have a wonderful festive season, and happy sewing!

Festive wardrobe

The festive season is absolutely on us...  I’m not all too sure what happened with the past year, especially the past 6 months. In all honesty I felt that it was still July but then I looked up and it was November.

A year filled with plenty of lumps and bumps, but most importantly a good few lessons learned, especially in business (some I am still recovering from). My spirit might be a little bruised but it is far from broken. I have however (in a mild panic) come to realise that not only is the festive season upon us, but that also means that the party season has arrived.

No doubt you might find yourself, just like I have, being invited to more events than I have time for... but what to wear?

Of course being a woman of fashion I can’t possibly be seen wearing the same outfits too often, this means that I have a lot of new outfits to make, which means you will be receiving a lot of new patterns to play with in my online store.

Me in one of my batwing dresses ***

... and don’t forget the accessories! I am determined to make myself the perfect festive season clutch! Just big enough to hold the necessaries when doing my social rounds.

Belt I made for myself recently ***

I can’t wait to get started (I literally have a starting list of 75+ patterns that I wish to make), so follow me as I get to make all of these new and exciting creations this festive season and into the upcoming year.

Happy holidays and happy sewing!

***Click on the button to the right of the page to purchase the patterns for these items