amanda | cheerful sewist, nerd + adventurer

What a year! After all the adventures of 2022, the last 12 months have been about staying close to home. I learned some tough lessons about overcommitting (whoops to full time education job, a part-time social media job and a dice market stall all at once!) and burning out. And I got to embrace the joys of amazing people in my life and the awesome place I live. Canberra—you’re a stunner! As we head into the holiday season, I’m going to take some time offline to have a break and be present in the moment. I’ve been spending more and more time glued to my phone and enjoying folks lives online rather than getting out there and getting up to some mischief of my own. Here is to a month of offline adventures! And thank you to everyone this year who has shared bits of their lives, adventures and sewing 🥳 It’s been a blast and sewing folks are truly the best folk. Wishing you a sassy and fun December and I’ll see you in 2024! - Amanda 🧡

And here we are ready to picnic! This is the @sewliberated Hinterland Dress in a seriously gorgeous rayon/line autumn stripe from @wearethefabricstore . And let me tell you—this is summer frock perfection! I love the Hinterland for a semi fitted bodice that I can adjust using the ties. I sometimes like having a bow at the front so I made them extra long this time so they can be wrapped around the back and again to the front :D Given I removed the placket on this frock, it was a super quick sew. Well, it was until I realised the morning after a rare post-sewing-curfew session where I attached and overlocked the skirt, that I was too tired and hadn’t pinned things properly and the front bodice was all over the shop crossing over multiple stripes. It was trippy to look at so then I spent an hour unpicking and trimming fabric and reattaching. So the bodice is shorter than I had planned, but it is no longer wobbly so that is a win in my book! Long story short: if you are after a a cute frock for picnic/park walks/croquet, I cannot recommend this pattern and fabric combo enough. 5 picnic baskets out of 5! - Image description: Amanda wears a striped dress and stands in front of a book case filled with books, fabric and notions. The dress has a scoop neckline and capped sleeves with waist ties and a gathered above-the-knee length skirt. The fabric is cream with stripes of red, orange, mustard and green. - #bp2023makes #HinterlandDress #SewLiberated #SewLiberatedPatterns #TheFabricStore #Sewing #Sewcialist #SewSewSew #SewingLove #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing #AustraliaSews #CanberraSews #CBRsewingcrew

🧺 P I C N I C C H I C 🧺 Bringing those summer vibes with my new @sewliberated Hinterland Dress! To make sure the stripes weren’t interrupted too much I removed the placket and made the ties super long for extra fun! 🥳🥳🥳 The fabric is a gorgeous multi stripe linen/rayon blend from @wearethefabricstore . The rayon adds a lovely feel and drape and it is lovely to sew with 🥳 And for an extra pop I added a a pep talk label from @m_o_l_l_y_m_o_l_l_y 🥳 Not much more to add except I am going to be making a couple more of these! - Please note: I was provided this fabric by The Fabric Store to make a pattern of my choosing and this was totally screaming to be a picnic chic dress! - Image descriptions: A striped linen cap sleeve dress with a gathered skirt hangs on a wooden hanger against a white wall. The dress is cream with red, orange, yellow and green stripes. There is a cream tag with red writing on the tag “you are doing great”. - #bp2023makes #SewLiberated #SewLiberatedPatterns #HinterlandDress #TheFabricStore #CanberraSews #CurvySewing #PlusSizeSewing #AudtraliaSews

Summer dress one is done! This is the Hope Dress (B:172cm W:155cm H:178cm) from @stylearc . I wore my last version of this oodles and am so glad to have a fresh version in my wardrobe. I made this with no real changes to the patterns except to make the elastic in the cuffs looser and to raise the hem because my knees like to feel the air on them. Heehee. Now, the fabric is a black and white gingham linen from @wearethefabricstore . You will definitely have seen this on the grid before a few times in a few different colours. It’s one of my fave and is super easy to work with and is so cool in summer. And given the El Niño is back with a vengeance this year that’s pretty high on my list of priorities. And please enjoy a ninja appearance by the Sorrento Bucket Hat from @elbe_textiles 👒 I actually made this a year or so ago out of scraps from another project using the same fabric and have never taken photos of it because I wear it all the time. This is a perfect large scrap project and would make a seriously rad gift heading into the holiday season! I’m stoked to have this bad boy in my closet and know it is going to get worn oodles. And hopefully the gingham fabric will hide some pug fur because Esme is losing her winter coat at the moment and it is EVERYWHERE! - Please note: this fabric was provided to me by The Fabric Store to make a pattern of my choice. - Image descriptions: Amanda stands in front of a bookcase filled with books, fabric and storage. She is wear a raglan dress with a loose fitting bodice and 3/4 sleeves with an elasticated sleeve cuff. The skirt is gathered and ends above the knee. The fabric is black and white gingham. - #bp2023makes #AustraliaSews #CanberraSews #CBRsewingcrew #Sewcialists #Sewing #SewingLove #SewSewSew #StyleArc #StyleArcPatterns #StyleArcHope #HopeDress #SAHopeDress #TheFabricStore #StyledSeated #CurvySewing #PlusSizeSewing #GinghamDress #GinghamLove

Two weekends ago I set a timer and did a wardrobe full of everything that no longer fits. The hardest part was popping away some handmade pieces I live in throughout summer 😭 But the best bit about sewing? Getting to rebuild your wardrobe just the way you want to! So here is my first summer dress of the season—a @stylearc Hope Dress (B:172cm W:155 H:178) in @wearethefabricstore gingham linen. And because I like details I added a @kylieandthemachine label and used a vintage button I purchased when I started sewing 🤩 Now if you will excuse me, I’m off to start plotting my next make! I see another picnic chic dress on the horizon… - Please note: this fabric was provided to me by The Fabric Store to make a pattern of my choice. This gingham linen is one of my faves and it is 🥳 - Image descriptions: A black and white gingham dress hangs on a wooden hanger against a white wall. The dress has full 3/4 length sleeves gathered in an elastic cuff, a raglan bodice and gathered skirt. There is a pink old school button at the back and a black and white label inside. - #bp2023makes #StyleArc #StyleArcPatterns #TheFabricStore #GinghamDress #Gingham #CanberraSews #CBRsewingcrew #AustraliaSews #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing

It’s floral apron time!! @createandthrive and I had a great time on our sewing vacation making @simplicitymccallsaustralia aprons: @dottieangel S8230 (B:46 W:39 H:48) for Jess and S9564 (B:46 W:39 H:48) for me. We both used a gorgeous @kirstenkatzart cotton drill from @spotlightstores and we swapped out the tie’s on Jess’ apron and used hot pink grosgrain ribbon. Now we can match while crafting states apart! - Image description: Photos of two aprons hanging on a wooden hanger against a white wall. The aprons are both sewn on a vibrant floral pattern with yellow, pink, orange and green on a blue background. One apron has a bib with a pocket and a flared skirt. The other apron has a high neckline and a wrap around front with pink ribbon ties. - #AmandasProjectBasket #SimplicityPatgerns #Simplicity8239 #S8230 #Simplicity9564 #S9564 #ApronPattern #Apron #CanberraSews #CBRsews #AustraliaSews

⏱️ HOLIDAY PROJECT ⏱️ @createandthrive has been visiting this week and we are catching up hard after 18 months apart—lots of chats, laughs, adventures and crafts 🥳 During a quick visit to ye olde @spotlightstores , we both spotted this gorgeous @kirstenkatzart fabric and I Operation Holiday Project began. As Jess is new to sewing (silversmithing is her craft of choice!) I proposed matching aprons and we went digging into the @simplicitymccallsaustralia pattern book (viva la two Simplicity patterns for $12 sale!) We grabbed a @dottieangel S8230 (B:46 W:39 H:48) for Jess and S9564 (B:46 W:39 H:48) for me. Viva la sewing adventures! - Image description: A white hand holds a black wire basket against a white wall. In the basket are two pattern envelopes, folded Australian floral print fabric in vibrant colours, a spool of navy thread, a roll of pink bobbles and a card of jade bias binding. - #AmandasProjectBasket #SimplicityPatgerns #Simplicity8239 #S8230 #Simplicity9564 #S9564 #ApronPattern #Apron #CanberraSews #CBRsews #AustraliaSews

Here it is! My Canberra Frocktails dress! This is @simplicitymccallsaustralia Vogue 9343. It’s an Easy rated pattern with a seriously fun plunging neckline that required an 8cm FBA and raising the CF by 18cm to work for me 😆 I also removed 2cm from the neckline (tapering to nothing after 20cm) and added horsehair braid. The fabric is a seriously shimmery taffeta jacquard from @wearethefabricstore called Poppy Illusion. The detail on the flowers is amazing and it has a gorgeous iridescence to the flowers 🤩 As it is a jacquard and frays like a jerk, I overlooked the edges of my bodice pieces before working with them which helped! I hastily took these photos right before heading off to bump in for the night with the organising committee. We had such a great time with 80 folks joining us from not only Canberra and surrounds but also QLD, VIC and NSW! What a night 🥳 Now to start plotting for 2024 😎 - Please note: this fabric was gifted to me by The Fabric Store to sew a garment of my choosing. And I chose the swishiest dress around! Wheeee! - Image descriptions: Amanda stands in her sewing room with a bookcase, artwork and plants behind her. She is wearing a tea-length circle skirted dress in indigo with lice flowers on it. The bodice is sleeveless with pleats at the shoulders and under the bust and a deep V neckline. She is shown from the front, side, back and seated. - #bp2023makes #Vogue9343 #V9343 #TheFabricStore #CanberraFrocktails #CBRfrocktails #Frocktails #CanberraSews #CanberraSewing #AustraliaSews #CBRsewingcrew #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing #ShownStyledSeated #SewingLove #SewSewSew

And here she is! 🤩 This was my dress for Canberra Frocktails that I sewed up over two weekend. Viva la quick sews! The pattern is @simplicitymccallsaustralia Vogue 9343 (B:112cm W:94cm H:117cm) with a bunch of adjustments that is tempting me to dust off the ole blog to share them. The fabric is a gorgeous iridescent taffeta jacquard from @wearethefabricstore called Poppy Illusion. This frayed like a jerk but the colour and pattern made it so worth overlocking all the pieces! The glamour rating is 12/10! This was also the first time i used horsehair braid/crinoline for the hem which added some extra pizazz! More photos to come shortly but in the mean time a huge shout out to my fellow committee organisers—it was such a wonderful night and we crushed it! You rock @sewingwithdogs @ladyxbec @rachaelbethmade @retro_novella @teone_n 🥂🧡🥳 - Please note: this fabric was provided to me by The Fabric Store to sew into whatever I wanted. And I wanted a jazzy party dress! - Image descriptions: A deep indigo dress with large poppy flowers in puce hangs on a wooden hanger against a white wall. The dress has a deep V neckline with pleats, no sleeves and a long circle skirt with a structured hem. There is a close up of the neckline pleats and a black and white label reading “Feeling myself”. There is a close up showing horsehair braid/crinoline in the hem of the skirt. - #bp2023makes #CanberraSews #CanberraSewing #AustraliaSews #cbrSewingCrew #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing #CSCmakes #PartyDress #VoguePatterns #Vogue9343 #V9343 #TheFabricStore #SewSewSew #LoveToSew #SewingLove

I’m so excited for the return of #CanberraFrocktails after a few years 🥳 We have a long weekend in Canberra and I’m looking forward to spending some time at my sewing table! At the start of September, I began a new job after almost 6 years and it has been amazing—and also exhausting 😆 Last weekend I spent a bunch of time googling this @simplicitymccallsaustralia Vogue 9343 bodice and it now fits my G cups much better. The fabric I’m using is a gorgeous taffeta jacquard from @wearethefabricstore called Poppy Illusion. I grabbed a swatch of this back in March when I visited @liblib for @sew_melbourne Garden Party and was delighted to see there is still some available! But before I begin I need to clear out the sewing room—it’s a jungle in there! Wish me luck 😆 Please note: this fabric was gifted to me by The Fabric Store. I was so stoked to see they still had it 6 months after I got a swatch 🥳 - Image description: A white hand holds a black wire basket in front of a white wall. The basket contains folded black fabric, folded deep indigo with large puce flowers, a pattern envelope for V9343, a spool of thread, a zip and a label. - #CBRfrovktails #CanberraSews #CBRsewingcrew #CanberraSewing #Frocktails #TheFabricStore #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing #V9343 #VoguePatterns #AmandasProjecrBasket

Beanie approves of my completed @greenletterday Over the Rainbow blanket 🌈 🐶 I followed Bonnie’s pattern from her Blankets highlight and added one extra row making it 7 x 5 squares so this would cover most of me when watching TV on the couch 😆 This used up nearly all of the colours and all of the sashing set (and had to use a bit of a skein from my GLD Romance Junkie jumper kit to finish the final side of the crab stitch—oops) Now to get this blocked and take some proper photos. Until then it is a tiny gremlin napping space 🥹 - Image description: Beanie—a tiny scruffy red coated Brussels Griffon— is laying asleep with her back legs tucked under her straight front legs. She is asleep on a rainbow granny square blanket against a white cupboard. She is is dreaming scruffy gremlin dreams and is the goodest of girls. - #JellybeanTheGriff #GreenLetterDay #OverTheRainbowBlanket #Crochet #CrocheterOfInstagram

Heck yes—PASTA DRESS! 🍝 This is my third @theassemblylineshop Cuff Dress and I love making these for work. I went up a size in this one (aka my recommended size) but I think it may be a bit too roomy. Time will tell 🧐🧐🧐 Mods wise: I removed the back neckline closure, neckline facings and adjusted the centre back to be cut on the fold. Now let’s chat fabric! This is the “Pantry essentials”cotton poplin from @m_o_l_l_y_m_o_l_l_y This has a lovely tight weave and the black is such a deep true black. I’ll grab some photos of this on over the weekend and will see how I feel on the fit after a day at work this week at my new job! 😎 - ——— Image description: A black dress with large painted white pasta shapes with short sleeves with a wide elastic cuff hangs on a wooden hanger against a white wall. The dress is midi-length and has a wide elastic cuff at the waist. ——— #TheAssemblyLine #TALcuffdress #MollyMolly #MollyMollyFabric #CBRsews #CanberraSews #AustraliaSews #PlusSizeSewing #CurvySewing #CBRsewingcrew #Sewcialist