• 4 Spring Sewing Projects to Build a Handmade Wardrobe (+ Outfit Ideas)

    8 June, 2026 - By 

    There’s something about spring that makes me want to sew everything. Lighter fabrics, brighter mornings, the urge to actually leave the house in something I made myself it’s my favourite time of year to build out a handmade wardrobe. Plus, there’s not so much effort involved in getting dressed – you don’t (or at least shouldn’t) need so many layers…

    In my latest YouTube video, I share four brand new me-made pieces that I’ve been styling into real outfits. These are the kind of makes that earn their place in your wardrobe rotation and the best part? Most of them use patterns I already own.

    The 4 Spring Sewing Makes

    1. The ‘Sezane Style’ Stripe Sweater

    This one started as a bit of an experiment. I’d seen a beautiful Breton style top on the Sezane website and it inspired me to sew up something similar. To do this, I used the Jarrah Sweater by Megan Nielsen, a pattern I’ve made many times before and absolutely love (it’s also perfect for beginners by the way). To get the look, I made a few changes to the original pattern design and used a stripe French terry. The stripe adds that seasonally on-trend feel and the fabric is just the right weight for those in-between spring days when you can’t quite commit to losing a layer.

    I challenged myself to sew this top in just two hours and if you want a peek at the sewing process, I shared a YouTube Short while I was making it which you can watch here if you fancy.

    Pattern: Jarrah Sweater Megan Nielsen
    Fabric: Stripe French Terry Selfmade

    2. The Denim Shirt

    A denim shirt is an absolute essential in my opinion and this one replaces an older make which has been worn to death. I find shirts the perfect layering piece for a handmade wardrobe, worn open over a dress, tucked into a skirt (more on that in a second), or thrown over an Agnes Top or cami. My shirts are probably amongst the most worn garments in my wardrobe and are probably my favourite thing to sew too!

    I used the Archer Shirt by Grainline Studio in a chambray fabric that gives it that soft, worn-in feel without needing years of washing. I also filmed a full sew-along of the Archer on Patreon if you want the in-depth version.

    Pattern: Archer Shirt Grainline Studio
    Fabric: Similar Chambray linked here

    3. Protea Pants

    Oh how I love a good pair of wide legged trousers. The Protea Pants by Paradise Patterns are a chic, modern trouser pattern and I made mine in a light denim that feels relaxed enough for everyday wear but looks polished enough to style up too. I wear wide legged trousers all the time but usually in elasticated waist form so this tailored version feels like a bit of a wardrobe upgrade! I also filmed a full Protea Pants sew-along over on Patreon if you fancy sewing along with me.

    Pattern: Protea Pants Paradise Patterns
    Fabric: Similar light denim linked here
    Sew-along: Watch on Patreon

    4. Agnes Top

    Every wardrobe needs a go-to jersey top, and the Agnes Top by Tilly and the Buttons is exactly that. My go-to pattern for a fitted jersey top! I added this pretty scalloped edging around the neckline and sleeves which I feel finishes it off so nicely, especially in this beautiful chocolate pointelle jersey fabric. This scalloped edge is surprisingly easy to create and if you fancy having a go at it yourself, I have a YouTube short sharing ‘how to’ here. I’m addicted and am going to be adding this to all of my jersey makes from now on I think.

    Pattern: Agnes Top Tilly and the Buttons

    Why I Love Re-Using Patterns

    One thing I talk about in the video is the power of going back to patterns you already own and making them feel fresh. A stripe fabric, a slight tweak or change, a new season’s styling, it’s amazing what you can do without spending a penny on a new pattern.

    If you’re building a handmade spring wardrobe, I’d really encourage you to dig through what you’ve already got before hitting “buy.” Chances are you’ve got a pattern that could work perfectly with a seasonal fabric swap or a subtle design change.

    Outfit Ideas From These 4 Makes

    Here’s how I’ve been wearing these new makes together:

    • Stripe Jarrah sweater & handmade Dawn jeans – effortless casual, great for weekends
    • Denim shirt + handmade crochet lace Lana skirt – I’d wear this out for a drink!
    • Ready to wear rib knit top & Protea pants – super comfy but a little ‘French chic’ at the same time
    • Agnes top & handmade gathered skirt – floaty and cool for a warm spring day! I have a tutorial over on YouTube for how to sew this skirt and you can find it here.

    Watch the Full Video

    Want to see all four makes styled and hear more about the sewing process? Head over to YouTube to watch the full video, links to all the patterns and fabrics are in the video description.

    Watch: My Dream Spring Handmade Wardrobe Is Coming Together

    What’s on your spring sewing list? Let me know in the comments I’d love to hear what you’re making.

    Happy sewing!

    Sally xx

  • Introducing my New Sewing Studio…

    16 March, 2026 - By 

    Hi everyone,

    Well, I still can’t really believe I’m able to say this but ‘I have a new sewing room/studio’!! Eek, I’m so excited about this, it really is something I’ve dreamed about for so long.

    I wanted to make this room both pretty and practical. My aim was to create a calming and inspiring place which made it easy for me to sew and create.

    In my latest YouTube video I’m sharing the complete tour of my new room, sharing furniture and storage ideas and also giving you a peek into my drawers, cupboards and current fabric stash.

    If you’re looking for sewing room or sewing space organisation ideas and inspiration (or even if you just fancy a nose around), I really hope this video will be enjoyable!

    Let me know what you think of my new space and if you would do anything differently, I’d love to know!

    Happy sewing!

    Sally xx

    Ps. You can also save this to your sewing room inspiration board on Pinterest to return to at a later date 😊

  • Sew With Me – Easy, Lined Roman Blind

    2 March, 2026 - By 

    Have you ever wanted to make blinds for your home but thought they looked a bit too intimidating? I used to feel the same until I gave them a try and realised that actually, it’s just a bit of calculating and a lot of straight sewing!!

    In this YouTube video, I’m sharing the process of sewing up a new Roman blind for my daughter’s bedroom using an easy, beginner friendly method. I talk through the different types of Roman blinds you can make, tips for making the process easier and more budget friendly and how I like to choose fabrics to co-ordinate with the room I’m making the blind for.

    I really hope today’s video will give you the confidence to try making your own blinds for your home, it really is so satisfying 🙂

    Happy sewing!

    Sally xx

  • How to Plan a Handmade Wardrobe (So that Everything Gets Worn) – The simple system I use…

    23 February, 2026 - By 

    If you’ve sewn plenty of clothes but still feel like you have nothing to wear, this post is for you. Welcome to episode three of my Intentional Sewing series!

    In the first two posts, we explored why handmade clothes often go unworn and how to choose sewing projects you’ll actually wear. Today, we’re diving into how to plan a handmade wardrobe—so your creations actually work together and get worn. This is about what to do before you buy fabric, choose a pattern, or start sewing.

    As always, I’m right here on this journey with you. I’ve moved from sewing anything and everything to slowly building a more curated handmade wardrobe that suits my life—and I’m sharing what’s worked for me in case it helps you too.

    You can watch the third YouTube video in this mini series here 👇🏻

    1. Think of Your Wardrobe as a System

    One of the biggest mindset shifts for me has been thinking of my wardrobe as a system, not just a collection of individual garments. Wardrobes work best when pieces support each other, rather than standing alone.

    Think about how your items mix and match, layer, and coordinate. When everything plays well together, getting dressed becomes easier and more joyful.

    2. Define Your Core Garments

    Your core garments are the pieces you reach for most often—the ones you wear multiple times a week without thinking.

    For me, my core looks like:

    • Wide-legged trousers and jeans
    • Lots of layering tops (I’m always cold!)
    • Knitwear pieces
    • Joggers for home and dog walks (yes, it’s slightly embarrassing!)

    I used to feel guilty making the same thing over and over. But I’ve come to realise that repetition is what makes a wardrobe work. You can then complement these core garments with supporting pieces like jackets, shirts and knitwear.

    Some of my favourite repeating pieces:

    • Agnes Top – clingy, flattering neckline, perfect for layering
    • Logan Shacket – oversized, cozy, and layers beautifully

    Action point: If you only made 10 garments this year, what would they actually be?

    Pointelle Agnes Top
    Plaid Logan Shacket

    3. Choose a Limited Colour Palette

    A limited palette has transformed my wardrobe over the past few years. I wear a lot of neutrals, accented with earthy tones that work together well. Having my colour analysis done has also helped me make confident choices in what suits me best and I would highly recommend it (and that’s coming from someone who was initially highly sceptical!).

    Benefits of a limited palette:

    • Easier outfit building
    • Fewer orphan garments

    A simple way to start:

    • 1–2 neutrals
    • 2–3 main colours
    • 1 optional accent

    This isn’t permanent—you can add more colours as you discover what works for you. The surprise? It doesn’t feel boring; it feels calm. And it makes saying “no” to fabrics that won’t coordinate so much easier.

    4. Plan Before You Buy Fabric

    This step alone prevents countless unworn garments. More and more these days, I ‘try’ to have a plan for each fabric purchase: I try to make sure that know the pattern and purpose before I shop.

    Ask yourself a few simple questions:

    • What will this replace (if anything)?
    • What will this support?

    This isn’t about guilt—my fabric stash is still growing—but I try more so to think of fabric as a future garment, not just a project.

    5. Leave Space for Evolution

    Planning your wardrobe doesn’t mean stripping the joy out of sewing. It’s a mindset that keeps you intentional, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

    Remember: wardrobes evolve with your:

    • Lifestyle
    • Body
    • Confidence

    Seasonal check-ins are a great way to see what’s working, and remove pieces that no longer serve you—without guilt.

    Need a Little Extra Help?

    If you want help planning your own handmade wardrobe, I have a wardrobe planner and extra resources on this topic over on Patreon. These tools make it simple to take what you’ve learned here and start building a wardrobe that works for your life, your style, and your sewing goals.

    Wrapping Up the Series

    If you’ve been following along with all three parts of the Intentional Sewing series, I hope you now have the tools to help you to sew a wardrobe you love.

    Here’s a recap of all the episodes in case you missed any. You can catch them all in this YouTube playlist too:

    1. Why You Never Wear Your Handmade Clothes
    2. How to Choose Sewing Projects You’ll Actually Wear
    3. How to Plan a Handmade Wardrobe

    Here’s a question for you: What’s one garment your wardrobe really needs right now? Let me know in the comments…

    I’d love to know what you thought of this ‘Intentional Sewing’ mini-series. Let me know if you’d like to see more of this style.

    Thanks so much for reading! Happy sewing…

    Sally xxx

    Want to save this for later?
    Pin this guide to your sewing or handmade wardrobe board on Pinterest so you can come back to it when planning your next project.

  • How to Choose Sewing Projects You’ll Actually Wear!

    9 February, 2026 - By 

    –Practical tips for intentionally sewing a handmade wardrobe you’ll love to wear–

    This week, I’m talking about something every sewist struggles with at some point: how to choose sewing projects that you’ll actually wear — not just finish. Too many of us end up with a wardrobe full of beautiful handmade clothes we never put on. I’ve been there too, and this guide is a gentle, practical way to rethink how you choose projects so your handmade wardrobe actually gets worn.

    If you prefer watching to reading, you can watch the full video below — and don’t forget that as a member of my Patreon, you’ll always get a little bit extra and so I’ve created a printable ‘Intentional Sewing Project Picker’ worksheet to help you work through this step-by-step.

    This is episode two in my ‘Intentional Sewing’ mini series. You can watch the rest of the series here and read the previous blog post here.

    Why Most Unworn Makes Happen

    A lot of unworn handmade garments, I believe, come from project-led sewing instead of wardrobe-led sewing. Project-led sewing means picking something just because the pattern or fabric is pretty, rather than because it fits your life. Wardrobe-led sewing is different — it starts with your real daily needs and builds a wardrobe that works for you.

    Remember: A successful garment isn’t just only one you’ve finished, it’s one you’ll actually wear!

    Here are a few action points that I find helpful to think through before planning my own sewing makes.

    1. Start with your real life

    Before you start planning your next make, ask yourself: what does a typical week look like for me?

    • What do I actually wear on a normal weekday?
    • What’s my climate and lifestyle like?
    • What comfort needs do I have?

    Not the “dream outfit” version — the “what I actually reach for on a random Monday” version.

    Getting honest about this helps you spot where a sewing idea will fit into your wardrobe — and where it won’t.

    2. Audit what you already wear

    One of the most helpful things you can do is take a quick inventory of your most-worn garments, whether you made them or bought them. Pick your FIVE most worn garemnts and ask yourself:

    • What silhouettes show up again and again in my favourite and most worn garments/outfits?
    • What fabrics feel best against my skin and get worn the most?
    • Which colours do I gravitate toward?
    • Do I prefer or feel more confident in relaxed or fitted shapes and silhouettes?

    This repetition in your clothing isn’t boring — it’s valuable information. Those recurring patterns and fabrics are your blueprint for future successful makes.

    Organised handmade wardrobe as a result of intentional sewing

    3. Choose patterns that repeat what’s already working

    When you find a sewing pattern you love and know works for you, there’s nothing wrong with making it again — and again. Sometimes just changing the fabric or a sleeve style, for example, will give you a whole new feel while still working in your wardrobe.

    If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of this approach! One of my favourite patterns is the Tyra Trousers by Ploen Patterns, I have multiple different versions which look and feel different but they all work because the basic fit, shape and style of the trousers work for me and my own personal style.

    Repeat patterns =
    ✔ less decision fatigue
    ✔ more clothes you actually wear
    ✔ a wardrobe that feels cohesive

    You don’t have to sew something brand new every time. Familiar, dependable patterns with a few tweaks and changes, can be your best friends.

    4. Match fabric to your lifestyle (not just your pattern)

    Fabric choice has a huge impact on whether a garment gets worn: comfort, durability, care needs, and how it behaves (wrinkles? stretch?) all matter.

    Before you buy or cut ask yourself:

    • Can you wash and care for this fabric easily?
    • Will it feel comfortable to wear all day long?
    • Will it crease in a way that frustrates you (especially poignant if you hate to iron)?
    • Does it suit how you move throughout your day?

    Even a beautiful fabric won’t get worn if it means too much ironing or if it feels stiff and uncomfortable to wear.

    5. Do the “Three-Outfit Test”

    Before you cut your fabric, imagine three outfits you could put together with your planned new garment using clothes you already own. If you can’t style it in at least three ways, it might not integrate into your wardrobe yet.

    This simple test prevents “orphan garments” — pieces that just never get worn because you’ve nothing to wear or style them with.

    Amelia Bomber with Wool Tyra Trousers
    Amelia Bomber with Knit Tess Dress
    Amelia Bomber with Black Tyra Trousers

    6. Some thoughts to close…

    Intentional sewing isn’t about removing all the fun — it’s about making choices that reduce overwhelm and clutter. You can still enjoy trends, seasonal plans, and creativity (I certainly still do) — but taking time to think through these questions before I start to sew helps me to plan my new projects with intention – and not just start sewing on a whim!

    Get the Printable Worksheet (Patreon!) 🎉

    To help you put this into practice, I’ve created a printable “Intentional Sewing Project Picker” worksheet that walks you through all the steps above — from mindset check to decision time.

    Next Up: Wardrobe Planning

    In the next video (and blog post), I’ll show you how to plan a handmade wardrobe so that everything you sew works together, without sewing more than you actually need. Stay tuned!

    Did you enjoy this post? Let me know what topics you’d like next — capsule wardrobes, fabric choice deep dives, or pattern recommendations!✂️🧵

    Happy sewing!

    Sally xx

    Want to save this for later?
    Pin this guide to your sewing or handmade wardrobe board on Pinterest so you can come back to it when planning your next project.