Patterns

Monday, October 30, 2017

Come Sew with Me Jozi

Price per ticket is R350, and space is limited so 
EMAIL TO BOOK NOW!
The class starts at 10am, and ends around 3pm, a light lunch will be included!


Monday, October 16, 2017

My Design Process - How I design my patterns

This week I wanted to share with you the process on how I my designs come into being – this is just the shortened summarized version (I don’t want to bore you too much), and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into my processes.
I usually design my sewing patterns in one of two ways. I either A, am inspired by a photo or garment that I see online or in stores – I then design my own version, and recreate the pattern from there. Or B, I just come up with a design in my own head (according to a theme of sorts, usually from a mood board I’ve created), and then create the pattern from there.
This week I am working on a blouse design I found on Pinterest, that inspired me to create my own sewing pattern version – or in this case – two different versions.
 
Blouse picture from Pinterest
 
My own designs

As you can see, I’ve added a few different features, like the buttons on the shoulder line and the neck pleats moving to one side on the second design.
After I have decided on my design, I usually sit and stare at it for a few hours – it may appear that I am just day dreaming, but what I’m actually doing is looking at each and every part of the design, and each and every seam and section. In my mind I’m visualizing what the pattern pieces will look like, how I may have to alter or change each part to create various design effects – and how I should change each pattern piece to get the design effects that I’m looking for.
I usually make a good few notes during this process, and when I’m done, I sit down at my computer and start to digitally draw out and design those pattern pieces.
 
One of my digital designs

Once I have created the first pattern pieces, I print them out in one size and I cut and sew the garment, writing down and recording each step I take as I go along. Once I have done this I know the best processes to use to complete the garment, and I can see what changes I need to make to the pattern for it to work (if there are any). This process can usually go over a couple of days (sometimes a week or two) depending on how complicated the garment is, and I may even make a few samples to make sure I get the design right.
Once I have done all of this, I then grade the pattern. What this means is that I add in a few good sizes in the spectrum from extra small to triple extra large. Because I do this in CoralDraw, I quite literally carefully measure out each size and move each line and point accordingly (it’s at least another day’s worth of work).
After this is all done, I then type out the sewing instructions, and then re-create each step digitally. Digitally drawing each step (you will see some of my older patterns had photographs for each stage, but I found it was difficult to always photograph each step clearly, and the picture made the instructions file HUGE! Which is why I switched to creating digital renderings).
After a couple more days, when all of this is done, I then try to film the sewalong, as well as I photograph and edit the final version of the garment for packaging and marketing purposes.
After editing and final touches, I launch them all – preferably at the same time, but unfortunately sometimes I am short on time and they are launched separately.

 SIGN UP to my newsletter – the blouse featured in this post is the next sew-along and FREE sewing pattern you will be receiving.

All of this takes days worth of work and effort, and I think that after a few years my skills have become vastly improved as I’m always trying to better myself and offer you better quality sewing patterns as I go along.
I hope you enjoyed this insightful peek into how I work

Happy Sewing



Monday, October 9, 2017

Sew your own capsule wardrobe


Nothing says “serious sewing project” quite like planning to sew your own capsule wardrobe. With the seasons changing once again, now is the perfect time to start planning such a wardrobe for the next few months to come.
So, what is a capsule wardrobe? Ideally it’s about 10 to 15 different clothing items that you can “mix and match” to create different looks and outfits for the season to come. This can go up to as many as 20 items, if you’re looking to include accessories, shoes, etc in the range.
If you’re not too sure where to start, here’s a sample wardrobe that I have put together for you to help you to be able to choose your own. And if you happen to love this wardrobe, you can purchase the entire collection as a set by CLICKING HERE.
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To get started, you need a theme. I have chosen the theme “Athleisure” – this is a fun and sporty look that can cover casual as well as formal, and even professional wardrobes. It’s also very much “On Trend” for what’s happening in fashion right now.
Athleisure – well the word pretty much speaks for itself, it’s about taking a blend of athletic, leisure and formal wear and bringing it all together to create a “sporty yet professional” look.
After Ashley Olsen was snapped wearing a pencil skirt with a hoodie, it has become one of the most preferred Athleisure looks of the season, and one of the looks I definitely had to add into this capsule wardrobe.
I have decided to go with 10 different patterns that you use to get this look.
So here are the 10 patterns I’ve decided to use in my example, and below is an example of at least eleven different style combinations – though I’m pretty sure you can get a lot more...
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 athleisure, capsule, wardrobe, fashion, Sew, sewing, sewalong, sewalongs, sew-alongs, sew along, sewing pattern, designer, fashion, sew your own, learn to sew, free
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 athleisure, capsule, wardrobe, fashion, Sew, sewing, sewalong, sewalongs, sew-alongs, sew along, sewing pattern, designer, fashion, sew your own, learn to sew, free
 athleisure, capsule, wardrobe, fashion, Sew, sewing, sewalong, sewalongs, sew-alongs, sew along, sewing pattern, designer, fashion, sew your own, learn to sew, free
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 I've put together a few combinations for you to inspire you on a brand new look. For your capsule wardrobe, choose similar fabrics with similar colors (this range is particularly suited to a variety of knit / jersey fabrics). We suggest going with a mix of one or two neutral colors, as well as colorful colors, but no more than one print (your single colors can be tied in to match colors within your print of choice), as this will allow you to bring the various pieces together.
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CLICK HERE to view the entire collection now at a HUGELY DISCOUNTED price 

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Boo Le Heart Sewing Patterns

Boo Le Heart Patterns was created by Indie Sewing Pattern Designer Nathalie Marran in 2011.
As a third generation seamstress, she has a lifetime of experience behind her. She also has a diploma in fashion, and has been creating designs of her own since 2003.
She works from home, getting up every morning to express her joy, passion and love for sewing through new designs (and looking after her nine rescue animals). Being able to share her work with the world, and bring the joy of sewing and creation to others is her greatest dream come true.

How Boo Le Heart Works


You can Support Boo Le Heart Patterns in one of three ways:

  1. By purchasing sewing patterns and sewing supplies on the website and watching the FREE YouTube Sew-Along Videos for the sewing patterns.

    Sew, sewing,s ewalong, sewalongs, sew-alongs, sew along, sewing pattern, designer, fashion, sew your own, learn to sew, free
  1. Subscribe to our Patreon Page – A monthly subscription to watch all of our sew-along videos, and you get the sewing patterns for FREE

  1. SIGN UP to our newsletter to receive FREE sewing patterns, and all the latest sewing news from Boo Le Heart, and CLICK HERE, or scan the below QR code to buy the designer a cup of coffee to say thank you for all her hard work.



Books available on amazon.com


Here are the books written by Nathalie Marran, available for kindle or as a paperback through amazon.com

Make It Sew

 
The complete guide for dressmaker’s looking to start their own sew-from-home business. Click Here to view it now.

Sew Basic

Coming Soon – Watch this space!
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This book is designed to share with the novice sewist all the information they need to get started, and not feel so intimated by approaching the sewing machine for the first time! Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know as soon as it's released.

Happy Sewing!