I’ve been wanting to try subtraction cutting for ages ✂️
Subtraction cutting is a pattern cutting technique invented by Julian Roberts in 2002, and it completely changes how you think about fabric, shape and waste.
I’ve never had the chance to attend one of his classes, but I’ve learned so much from watching cool creators like @stitchless_tv and @sewmuchtosay who use this method beautifully.
What I love most about subtraction cutting is how sustainable it is. There’s almost no fabric waste, and if you incorporate the cut-out pieces back into the design, you could genuinely achieve zero-waste pattern cutting.
It’s such a fun way to experiment with fabric without being restricted by traditional dressmaking rules. And you score added sustainability points if you use thrifted or reclaimed fabrics
Have you tried subtraction cutting? Or any other alternative pattern cutting or dressmaking techniques I should explore?
#subtractioncutting #creativepatterncutting #sewingtechniques #sustainablesewing #zerowastefashion
… but you actually sew your own!
This little dream pirate blouse was indeed sewn by my own fair hands using the most gorgeous silk organza from @beglarianfabrics I have to admit I was a bit terrified to cut into it but after rehearsing a test garment using cheap polyester organza in actual fact the good stuff was such a relief to sew. It pressed so beautifully and made the best bias binding to neaten the neckline and encase the flounces.
I self drafted the pattern which is based on the recent tartan dress I made. The plan is to make another version of the dress without sleeves so that I might wear this blouse underneath to showcase the fabulous flounces and the statement sleeves.
#sewingwithsilk #silkblouse #sheerblouse #statementsleeves #silkorganza
Handmade tartan tweed dress ✂️✨
When I first laid eyes on this gorgeous cotton tartan tweed from @beglarianfabrics , my idea quickly evolved from a simple skirt into a fitted dress with cute puff sleeves.
The quality of this tweed fabric inspired me to slow down and focus on the details, from hand-finished hemming to top stitching on the faux pocket flaps. I chose vintage silver shell buttons to highlight the metallic thread running through the fabric.
Fully lined with lightweight cotton to maintain breathability, this handmade dress feels just wonderful to wear.
For 20% off Beglarian Fabrics use code: Janene20
#handmadedress #tweeddress
#tartanstyle #sewinginspiration #fabriclove
✨ When the universe listens… ✨
Lately I’ve been craving more natural fibres in my wardrobe. I love reclaiming fabrics to create new clothes and textile art, but so much reclaimed material is synthetic and not always ideal to wear or work in all day.
So when @beglarianfabrics reached out unexpectedly with an offer of fabric samples, it felt perfectly timed. Choosing was the hardest part though. Their range is full of beautiful, high-quality textiles, many of them deadstock fabrics, which is way more sustainable makes me feel far less guilty. 🌿
I can’t wait to start stitching this gorgeous lot into something special. If you love sustainable fabrics, natural fibres, and deadstock textiles, I highly recommend checking them out.
Thank you @beglarianfabrics ! 🙏✂️🧵
#naturalfibres #deadstockfabric #sustainablefashion #slowfashion #sewingcommunity
Bunny Ears H: 333mm × W: 282mm × D: 60mm Custom-framed original artwork POA
A timeless baby portrait – the kind almost everyone of a certain generation remembers. Soft lighting, solemn expression, perhaps an apple in hand (as in mine), maybe even a knitted bonnet. These vintage photographs hold a quiet nostalgia that instantly transports us back to childhood.
In this original mixed-media embroidery artwork, the familiar pose becomes both playful and poetic with the addition of ‘bunny ears’. The woven picot stitches add texture and dimensionality, transforming a classic baby photograph into a contemporary embroidered heirloom. The bunny ears themselves offered the perfect opportunity to explore intricate hand embroidery while honouring the innocence of the original image.
This is not a print or reproduction. It is the authentic vintage photograph, thoughtfully hand-stitched and professionally custom framed with museum glass. The framing preserves the integrity of the original piece while allowing a new narrative to emerge gently through thread and texture.
Posted here in celebration of National Embroidery Month and marking the close of February, this piece forms part of a small trio of embroidered vintage portraits before regular dressmaking content resumes.
A little celebration of nostalgia, textile art, and storytelling through stitch where past and present are carefully interwoven.
#textileartists #embroi̇deryart #contemporaryembroidery #nationalembroiderymonth #fiberartists
Coloured Rinse
H: 282mm × W: 316mm × D: 60mm Custom framed original POA
This piece was inspired by my Nan 💛
Years ago, when I was a little bookworm, I saw her perched on the wall outside the library. I asked why her hair was so yellow and she said, “It’s the sun, ducks.” She called everyone ducks, ducky, or cocker and it always made me giggle.
But her hair was seriously so yellow. The soft, bright yellow of a baby duckling. Moreover the kind of yellow a child might choose when painting one.
February is National Embroidery Month, so I’m sharing a different kind of stitching I love. I create contemporary textile art by hand embroidering directly into original vintage photographs, transforming them into one-of-a-kind (OOAK) mixed media artworks.
This isn’t a print or reproduction – it’s the actual vintage photograph, carefully stitched and custom framed with museum glass to protect the original history, while layering a new narrative gently over the top.
A celebration of memory, storytelling, and slow, mindful craftsmanship.
#contemporaryembroidery #textilearts #nationalembroiderymonth #mixedmediaartists #oneofakindart
‘Congratulations Auntie Vera’
H: 347mm × W: 297mm × D: 60mm Custom framed original SOLD
February is National Embroidery Month, so I’m sharing a different kind of stitching I love to do. I work directly into original vintage photographs, hand embroidering each one to create truly one-of-a-kind (OOAK) art pieces.
This isn’t a print or reproduction – it’s the actual vintage photo, carefully stitched and custom framed with museum glass, to preserve both the history and with a new narrative layered on top.
This piece has already sold, but it totally deserved a place on the grid. I’m always a little bit sad to see these originals leave the studio, especially after spending so much time with them. But I couldn’t be happier that this one has gone to such a lovely home where it will be cherished.
#ContemporaryEmbroidery #VintagePhotoArt #MixedMediaTextile #OneOfAKindArt #NationalEmbroideryMonth
Throwback Thursday from 2023
Guest editor @ooobop Janene gives her photo tips you might want to try to showcase your latest make🧵👗📸
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It doesn’t matter whether you shoot using a posh camera or a mobile phone but good natural light is most definitely key to an appealing photo and of course showcasing your garments. I’ve listed some other considerations below that relate to some of the shots on my grid.
1: Try not to crop too tight into the subject. Breathing space is much easier on the eye. Add minimal props for interest but not to distract.
2&3: Put your garment centre stage. Whether shot on a phone or a camera, use a depth of field, if available, to fuzz out the background and put the focus where it’s needed most.
4: Good use of white space doesn’t mean we should always have to put ourselves in the middle of the frame. ‘Rule of thirds’ is a long established recipe for composition.
5&6: If your garment has interesting details, be sure to pose in a way that shows them off well. In these cases, the drape of the fluted lace sleeves were highlighted as were the covered buttons. An interaction with hands helps to represent scale and adds ownership too.
7: If an outfit speaks for itself it will grab as much attention on a mannequin. A clear corner of a room enables the eye to be drawn in by the lines of perspective.
8: Make the simplest of silhouettes pop by making shapes with your pose and stand in front of a contrasting coloured background.
9: What's the story? Create a bit of intrigue with a back view and some work in progress.
10: Always keep an eye open for interesting locations. Doesn’t have to be fancy. This spot was the side wall of a burger shop!
Thanks for your great photo tips Janene.
VS🎙️
#SewOver50 #So50GuestEditor #FebruarySewOver50 #ThrowBackThursday
It’s no secret…
Reclaimed, remnant, thrifted and deadstock fabrics are my favourite materials to work with.
But my absolute favourite reason?
They give me creative superpowers!
Far more than new fabric ever does.
When I use new material, the fear is always that I will screw up and ruin the fabric!
When I use reclaimed fabric, I play. I experiment. I let the fabric lead.
And that’s where the magic happens.
Of course, if a brief calls for a specific colour, yardage or fibre, I’ll buy new and feel zero guilt about it.
But when there are no rules, no pressure, and nothing to “waste”… the outcome is always more original, more instinctive, and far more interesting.
If you let the fabric decide what it wants to become, you’ll either make something beautiful or learn something invaluable without wasting money.
And honestly? That freedom changes everything.
#reclaimedtextiles #sustainablefashion #textileart #slowfashionmovement
Thank you so much for all the love on my previous reel! ❤️
Subtraction cutting is so fun, but it’s not the easiest thing to explain in 52 seconds… so here’s a step-by-step guide to go with the slides.
This is a very simple way to try Julian Roberts’ subtraction cutting method and see how the fabric naturally sculpts the form.
Slide 2 – Cut 2 rectangles of fabric. Mine were 120cm long x 100cm wide, but longer lengths work beautifully. You can also try contrasting fabrics.
Slide 3 – With right sides together, stitch both long sides and one short top edge. Leave the bottom open for the hem. Finish seams and hem.
Slide 4 – Position front and back bodice pieces as shown. Using chalk or an erasable pen, draw curved lines from back to front, starting around 7–8cm below the underarm.
Slide 5 – Cut out the shaded area from the top layer only. Leave the underlayer intact.
Slide 6 – Lift the shoulder seams, pin, stitch, and finish.
Slide 7 – Sew the curved edges up towards the armhole.
Slide 8 – I added facings to finish the neckline and armholes but you can finish the edges however you like.
Slide 9 – I inserted a zip, but honestly didn’t need it. The bias cut + fabric stretch meant it slipped on easily. Just make sure the neckline is wide enough.
Slide 10 – Put it on a mannequin (or yourself!) and let the fabric do its thing. You can sculpt further with a few hand stitches.
Slide 11 – I added elastic ruching at the side for extra detail.
Slide 12 – Ta-dah ✨
I promise this method is much simpler than it looks. This is the most basic way I’ve found to experiment with subtraction cutting so far. For more complex explorations, go and fall down the glorious rabbit hole at @subtractioncutting !
#SubtractionCutting #JulianRoberts #ExperimentalFashion #SewingInspiration #PatternCutting
This is your 24-hour heads up‼️
Tickets for LONDON FROCKTAILS are available to buy from 9am GMT TOMORROW! (Saturday 31st January)
So make sure to SET YOUR ALARMS because as you know, these tickets are hot property! 🔥🔥🔥
REMEMBER: The link to buy your tickets is in our profile now 👆but won’t be active until tomorrow.
Please check previous post for more details or drop us a comment below if you have any further questions.
Best of luck, everyone! 🤞🍀💃🪩🕺
📸 @danieljames.photographic@everythingfrocktails@sewover50 #frocktails #sewingcommunity #sewcialites
Hello London Frocktailers! 🥳
Here is all you need to know about buying a ticket next Saturday 🎟
The Q&As on the slides should explain it all. Please have a look at all the Q&As and if there's anything about the tickets that we haven't answered then let us know in the comments.
Those who have been before will be familiar with the eventbrite link. It won't work before 9am GMT on 31st January.
If you're on the eventbrite page before 9am don't forget to refresh the screen at 9am!
That just leaves us to say don't forget to set your alarms for 9am GMT 31st January.
We hope that everyone who wants a ticket will get one 🙏 and we look forward to getting truly excited about going to Frocktails 🥳
#londonfrocktails
@everythingfrocktails
