patterns Archives - Purl and Seam

DIY Oversized Shirt – Vogue

August 21, 2021

Hello there! I can’t believe that we’re heading towards the end of August and it’s been nearly 3 months since my last post.

Between the dance lessons (all in Liverpool, which is a 2 hour round trip), the ongoing pandemic, fires, earthquakes and Afghanistan falling to the Taliban again, it’s felt so frivolous to be posting in this space. I’ve been almost as sporadic over on Insta too.

Add into the mix the long school summer vacation and almost interminable rain. It’s meant that not a lot has been happening other than keeping small folk occupied and from fisticuffs!

All this means that creative ennui is a real thing at the moment, but I have finished this blouse and a pair of socks. I’ll share the socks next time. Hopefully not in another 3 months, because they’re lovely!

Anyhoo….this shirt!

Honey Bee Sweater

January 9, 2020

According to my Ravelry account this Honey Bee Sweater was finished in July last year. Yesterday was the first time that Summer has worn it. Cue eye roll! I think we’re at the tipping point of not wearing handmade for a while. Eeeep!

Longfellow V2.0 – review

October 3, 2019

I’ve made Longfellow before and it was a huge hit. I think I can safely say that this is the most worn knit I’ve made for Dave. So much so that a second was requested, again in navy, everything the same as before except the length.

Stash Stories – new season update

September 4, 2019

My Stash Stories for 2019 began in January when I set out some goals for myself to clear the seemingly bottomless pile of fabric in my sewing room.

The three key goals for my stash this year were:

Made by Rae Geranium Dress – maxi sundress hack

August 29, 2019

I think the Made by Rae Geranium dress is one of my most used patterns. I’ve made it for Summer several times over the years, and used it to make gifts for friend’s little girls.

DIY Dancewear – Jalie 2803 stretch pants and Jalie 2802 stretch bodyshirt

March 25, 2019

So…if you follow me on Insta you’ll have seen me sewing up dancewear for my wee fella!

He’s recently partnered up with the lovely Lola (whom you may recognise from Baby Ballroom) and they meet up twice a week for practice sessions, and will be hitting the competition floor very soon.

Arne & Carlos Moon Night Socks

March 23, 2019

Hello lovelies. Thanks for your patience whilst we (and when I say ‘we’ I obviously mean ‘Dave’) transferred the hosting of this site this week.

I was listening to the Love to Sew podcast this week (I’m seriously behind so am box-setting it) with the interview of Kate from The Foldline. One of the questions was along the lines of ‘what would you do differently’ and the answer was ‘marry a developer’ (I paraphrase, of course). After this weeks shenanigans I can heartily recommend a husband with mad tech skills. Without him I’m not sure this blog would exist, and I know for sure that my other site would be dead in the water.

Helen’s Closet Blackwood Cardigan

March 3, 2019

So my first finished garment of 2019 hits it right out of the park!

My perfect daytime ‘uniform’. Cute top, jeans, boots and a cardigan. I live in looks like this for everyday life!

Not only am I thrilled with the garment itself, but its made from stash fabric and a stash pattern, albeit the updated version.

Christmas socks for Grandad

February 19, 2019

I had a spare half hour recently so I took the opportunity to update my Ravelry page and noticed that I’ve several knits that are unblogged at the moment.

This is mainly because I’ve not taken pictures! It’s a common theme on this blog. I really must get better at it!

One of these projects was a pair of Christmas socks for Grandad, and when I asked if I could borrow the socks for photographing, I was met with a resounding no! I think he suspects Dave will hold them hostage, never to be seen again.

So he kindly took some photos and here they are!

DIY Dressform Cover – The Reveal

February 12, 2019

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for….Maud’s new custom cover is fitted and stuffed.

This has been such an adventure. Both because this was the sewing of something completely alien to me, which stretched (pun intended) my sewing skill set, but also in terms of body confidence and acceptance. I think I need to ponder on that a bit more and revisit it in a separate post.

But for today I’m going to talk about the final stage – stuffing Maud’s cover to look like me.