A blog by Yukari who likes making things, mending/repairing things, etc.
I am taking orders for sewing/mending and sewing lessons.
Please read detail on the following pages:
Please email me at yukarimeldrum★gmail.com (Please replace ★ with @). If you prefer a phone call, please email me your phone number and we will set up a time for me to call you (or for you to call me). I’m sorry, but there’re too many scam calls these days.
I've compiled a list of my favourite links for sewing patterns.
Many sites provide tutorials and resources. If you're learning to sew, they can be very helpful. When you have a moment to explore, I encourage you to do so with a cup of tea or coffee of your choice. Enjoy!
Simplicity, MacCall's, Butterick, Vogue, Know Me, NewLook, Burda - This is the website with the most famous commercial sewing patterns. (printed and/or digital patterns)
Core Fabrics - It's an online fabric store, but they have lots of good patterns, too. The link is for their pattern site. They would help you pick the perfect fabrics for the pattern you choose because sometimes if you choose a wrong fabric, the garment wouldn't turn out right. (digital and printing options)
Schultz Apparel - Pretty dresses, skirts, and tops, etc. (digital patterns)
Wild Flower Design - Another feminine of pieces by this brand. The Coquelicot Skirt (split side skirt) is my favourite. There are instructions on how to print out and assemble the patterns or how to use the layer option to single out a size. (digital patterns)
Sew Liberated - Comfy, everyday pieces of clothing (digital patterns)
Love Notions - So much to choose from for women, girls, men, and boys (digital patterns)
Love & Lace - Many lingerie, loungewear & swimwear patterns (digital patterns)
Forget-me-not patterns - Feminine dresses, skirts, tops, etc. (digital patterns)
Sarah Kirsten - Simple and essentials for women, bags, etc. (digital patterns)
Gina Renee Designs - Feminine but more active women's tops, bottoms, outers, hats, etc. If you sew, her fitting book is a huge help in making the ready-made pattern fit you. I've learned a lot from her book. (digital patterns)
Jalie - Sports wear, everyday wear, underwear, outerwear, etc. For those who sew, they have a tutorial link to how to assemble a PDF pattern, and how to print out one size at a time, too. (digital patterns)
style ARC - Patterns for women, teens, and children, etc. There's a beginners pattern section. What I like about this page is that they specify what kind of fabric the pattern is meant for on the pattern icon. (printed and/or digital patterns)
Lekala - LOTS of patterns for women, men, girls, boys, babies, etc. There are free patterns, too. They assume a certain level of sewing knowledge in their instructions, so if you are a total beginner, it may be better to look for other beginner-friendly patterns elsewhere. There's an option to add seam allowance. (digital patterns)
Sew Into That - A nice site to find fun to wear sophisticated feminine pieces of garments. The Valencia Flouncy Skirt is very pretty. The instructions that come with the pattern were very clear. (digital patterns)
The Fold Line - Various sewing pattern brands are represented in this one place. They have a service to print out your digital pattern, and they ship worldwide from the UK. (printed or digital patterns)
Usako's sewing studio (うさこの洋裁工房) - This site is in Japanese and is for anyone who wants to sew, especially for cosplay. There is an "English" option in the top menu bar, which shows basic English versions of this site.
The Wolf and the Tree - Patterns for children to adult. I found their socks and underwear selection amazing. I have to try making my own socks... (digital patterns)
Glory Allan - His patterns include T-shirt, hoodies, pants, shorts, bags, and my favourite is his bucket hat (the PDF pattern is free). This site is beginner friendly, and you can buy DIY kits so you can get all you need to start sewing. (printed or digital patterns)
Thread Theory Designs - Many patterns are "rugged, menswear-inspired" garments that anyone can appreciate. Tops, bottoms, bags, accessories, etc. Representing indie pattern makers. (printed and/or digital patterns)
I figured I could probably make a pair of slippers using leather since I have made a pair using fabrics before. A friend of mine gave me a used backpack that she was thinking of donating to a local charity. I first took it apart.
I still have more steps to come next...
Continuing on the topic of mending from last week. Here are some repair of holes made at the bottom of the pockets in shirt pockets.
The pocket seam had to be picked open, and I had to mend it using the thread colours similar to the background colours.
One can still see the repairs; however, the pockets now do not have holes.
If this was my shirt pocket, I would have used embroidery threads to add a flower or something to make it fun.
Here are some mending done by a sewing machine. When there are tears, cuts, or wear, I cannot make it back to its original shape. However, I can close the hole so that you can still use the garment.
This is recommended on pyjamas, underwear, or otherwise considered private wear. It is especially good for a favourite pyjamas or nightshirt that are so comfortable because you've worn it for a long time...
Or, if you don't mind a little stitches here and there, you can definitely wear the repaired garments in pride in public!
I see in many articles about clothing industry waste that people just throw away reparable or mendable clothing pieces in garbage. What a pity. (There's also an issue of too much being produced, too, but that's another issue that I am afraid to write about because I would not be able to stop talking about it. If you're curious, just google the topic... There're a ton of articles in the cyber space.)
In any case, if you are interested in having your clothes repaired like above, please feel free to contact me. Or if you would like to learn how to, please let me know, too.