Zoe Edwards

Here we go!!!! It’s time to launch #memademay2026! As you likely know by now, #memademay is the wardrobe challenge to help you improve your relationship with your handmade items. Are you in?! . You set the specifics of your own challenge, and ANYONE can take part. You DO NOT need a large amount of handmade items. . I’ve made a quick explainer / refresher @checkyourthread podcast episode (literally under 5 minutes) on what the challenge is and how to participate. Find the link in bio, which will open up in your preferred podcast app (including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, no need to go and search your app for it). . I’ve also created a pledge template if you wish to share the specifics of your own challenge. Swipe to find a blank post you can screenshot and use if you wish. . I always find that capturing the lessons from my challenge in real time helps me get the most from it. To make that super easy, I made the downloadable PDF #memademayworkbook. You find that in the shop tab on the website checkyourthread.com for £3.99. If that’s not in your budget right now but you think it’d be helpful, just drop me an email and I’d be happy to send it to you for free. . Can’t wait to see your pledges popping up! . . . . . #wardrobechallenge #handmadewardrobe

Babes! This beautiful fabric is now a garment so I can breathe again 😮‍💨. You know when something is so precious that you’re terrified of messing it up and/or making the wrong thing from it? But equally you feel it would be a tragic waste to leave it unsewn and left on a shelf? Yeah. Well that’s not me anymore. With this particular piece of fabric anyway. . I bought 1.5m of this embroidered cotton lawn from @fabricgodmother towards the end of last year. My amazing friend @whatnaomimade used her length to make the most amazing Carnation blouse, but I was paralysed by indecision. I felt I needed the perfect canvas to let the fabric really shine. . Then a month ago I found a simple blouse pattern that I thought fit the bill. I bought it, traced it off and made a toile. The result was so underwhelming that I abandoned it rather than even try to alter the pattern. . Then I saw @jenleggsews incredible #antheablouse (@annaallenclothing ) made from another beautiful embroidered @fabricgodmother fabric, called Matilda, of which I also own a 1.5m length. It got me thinking about a possible #antheablousehack. . I wanted to eliminate the front buttons, as who wants to make buttonholes through embroidery, but wasn’t sure about the back. Next fate (AKA the algorithm) presented me with inspo in the form of another Anthea hack, by the talented @alexandria_arnold , who kindly shared her method for creating a little back slit facing. . The final dose of input came from my lovely colleague and friend @c.wheller , who suggested removing some of the volume in the sleeve when I voiced my concern to her about there being too much poof. . Thanks so much to all these legends for setting me on the right path! . I’m really happy with this finished garment. I love the neck binding that turns into back neck ties (inspired by the Sagebrush top pattern by Friday Pattern Co.). And I feel the sleeves have just the right amount of poof. . If I were being critical, I’d say that, despite checking the measurements and sizing down from my previous versions, it’s come out one size too big. But how cute does it look with the matching bag I shared in my last post?! . #memade #imakemyownclothes

I knocked it back a week due to the start of Me-Made-May, but happy #freepatternfriday! (I usually road test and blog about a #freesewingpattern on the 1st Friday of every month). . This month I present to you: the #rufflebag pattern and tutorial by @wearethefabricstore . Big thanks to them for sharing this resource for free. I haven’t reviewed a bag pattern for a while and I really should do so more because they’re such a great #scrapbuster. . Anyways, for mine I used the offcuts of beautiful embroidered cotton from @fabricgodmother leftover from a blouse I have cut out but not had time to sew up yet. The finished bag is super cute but I feel the ruffle is a touch too wide. Plus it’s way too white for me to not be constantly worried about getting it filthy! . The bag pattern is great but I did notice a few little omissions in the tutorial that would have made this a teensy bit easier to make. Check out the blog post (link in bio) on the ol’ blog if you’re considering making it yourself. . Happy #sewingonabudget!

Le Stash! As much as I’ve bemoaned how IKEA products seem to have become the default look for aspirational sewing areas (Shams @sepia_textiles and I have ranted about this on a previous episode), I must admit I’ve wanted to store my fabric in a Kallax for ages! . Well thanks to a lucky charity shop score last week, my dream has come true. I recently had a huge sort out of my fabric and scraps when I reorganised my sewing space, and I was left with bags of fabric on my bedroom floor, unsure what to do with them. Now my fabric lengths are all neatly stored by type in this (not a Kallax but same width and height) set of shelves. . I was very interested to find out how much stash I have in International Kallax Units (IKUs) - coined by the lovely also-former-guest Shelly @encodedstudio . The result is 3.6 IKUs. My swimwear fabric, toiling fabric, ribbing and scraps are stored elsewhere but that’s still less than I thought. And what’s great is that I have plans for, or can see myself using, every piece here (more on this in next week’s episode). . Given my current rate of sewing output, I estimate I have about 2.5 years worth of fabric here. Is that a good amount? Too much? Not enough?! I’m very open to your comments! . What about you? Where does your stash stand on the IKU scale? Does it feel like a good amount? Are you inspired by it all? How many years-worth of fabric do you estimate you own? . . . . . #checkyourthreadpodcast #checkyourthread #sewingpodcast #fabricstash

I’ve landed on my pledge for this year’s #memademay! I’ve been challenging myself for 16 years now, so my relationship with my handmade wardrobe is pretty robust at this point. So the challenge is often to come up with a useful challenge! . But improvements can always be made, and I’ve found a way to make #memademay2026 useful and fun. I’m going to use Me-Made-May as an opportunity to focus on and explore my evolving style. . As mentioned in episode 207 Style Shifts and Sustainability with @lindsayashworthfraser , I’ve felt my sense of style shift over the last year towards a #frenchgirlchic 🇫🇷 kind of look. . Because of the shift in style and body shape, I’m no longer wearing a lot of my older clothes. Plus I don’t have a ton of ‘go to’ outfits that I can reliably reach for when I’m in a rush. So exploring outfits and looks will be really useful from that perspective. And above all, I want to have some FUN! . I will be using my #memademayworkbook to record what works and what doesn’t, and where any potential gaps lie. The workbook is entirely optional but very useful for recording such lessons (find it via the link tree in bio). . I love seeing people’s pledges rolling in at this time of year. If you’re participating and challenging yourself, I hope you have a wonderful and illuminating month! . . . . . #wardrobechallenge

This project killed two birds with one stone. 1) it provided me with a new two piece swimming cossie because I’m pretty sure the ones I made a few years ago no longer fit, and 2) it allowed me to test the #mncottesloe swimsuit pattern by @megannielsenpatterns that I’ll be teaching as a class at @fabricgodmother next weekend. . I chose the top from View D that I made in a size 6. And I chose the bottoms from View C with the optional waistband that I made in a size 8. I used recycled nylon swimwear fabric that I bought from @mademywardrobe eons ago. Both pieces are lined in swimwear/dancewear lining bought on eBay around the same time. Rubber swimwear elastic from @fabricgodmother . . I’m pretty happy with the outcome. The only things I don’t love is the narrowness of the shoulder straps and the back, so I’d probably redraft those areas slightly if I were to make this pattern again. . Main takeaway: baste together the outer and lining layers before applying the elastic. I was lazy and tried to do all the processes in one by pinning and clipping the shit out of it. But it was a false economy of time as I ended up unpicking sections where I’d failed to catch in all the layers. . I’m pleased to have this mix and match-able set, and am on the hunt for small amounts of swimwear fabric to make some other coordinating pieces. . . . . . #handmadeswimwear #imakemyownclothes #memade #handmadewardrobe

New #burnsidebibs in motion. As I shared in my post yesterday, this excellent body-fluctuation-friendly pattern is by @sewhouse7 . Hard recommend 👍🏻. . . . . . #sewhouseseven #memade #imakemyownclothes #handmadewardobe

When I was talking to @sasha__starlight about body fluctuation friendly and adaptive sewing patterns for episode 219 of @checkyourthread , I was reminded of the excellent #burnsidebibs sewing pattern by @sewhouse7 . They’re dungarees that give waist definition that can also easily be let out or tightened throughout the day. WIN 🏆 . I made a pair about five years ago out of army green coloured cotton/linen which I wore to death. And having recently concluded that they would probably fit ok with my #frenchgirlchic style vibe, I’d been planning to make another pair but not actually got round to it. . Talking to Sasha gave me the kick up the bum I needed to actually find the pattern. Due to body changes (ironically), I needed to retrace it and size down two sizes (my first version felt a little loose anyhow). . I used this denim blue coloured I-have-no-idea-what-type-of-fabric-this-is-and-can’t-be-arsed-to-do-a-burn-test that I got in a sample lengths sale at @fabricgodmother probably about 18 months ago. The fabric is definitely on the thicker end of suitability for this pattern but I think it’s just about ok. . I made Version 1 which includes back waist darts and a side zip for a slightly sleeker silhouette. I made them full length but I may choose to crop them a bit at a later date, if the laundry process doesn’t do it for me. . This pattern was super popular amongst the sewing community when it came out, and everyone I’ve spoken to who’s made the pattern previously has said that they used to love their pair. I think this pattern is well due a revival, least of all because the adjustability allows the wearer to feel comfortable THE WHOLE DAY. I want that for you. . I’ll share a video of them shortly so you can see them in action. . . . . . #fluxfriendlypattern #adjustablesewingpattern #sewingforbodychanges

High time I properly shared my recent Sézane Lace top dupe project. Swipe to see my inspiration screenshot from the Sézane website. . I fell in love with this top, then remembered I already owned a remnant of stretch lace bought last year from @clothcontroluk in Brighton. I had bought it with the intention of making lingerie hadn’t got very far with that plan. Thankfully, the piece was just big enough for a top. . I’ve made a couple of stretchy mesh type tops lately but wasn’t thrilled with the fit of the pattern I used. Plus I wanted that plunging back neck. Now obviously I could have revisited the various skinny fit top patterns I own and worked out something similar. . But then I saw the #racheltop pattern by @joli_lab and I was like just take my money. It even has two different plunge back options included. I opted for the less deep for fear of an exposed bra back situation (which, laughably, feels wrong where as this kind of showing everyone my bra feels fine 😆). But I could have safely gone for the deeper one if I’d wanted to afterall. . I used some picot edge lingerie elastic to finish the neckline, and was able to cut the sleeves with the scallop edge of the lace at the cuffs. . I’m sooooo happy with this top. I wore it out that night for sushi and drinks and had an amazing night 🤩 . Have you created a successful dupe sewing project? . . . . . #handmadewardrobe #imakemyownclothes #sezanedupe #stretchlace

Happy first Friday of the month (AKA #freepatternfriday). I’ve combined road testing and reviewing a #freesewingpattern with my decision to panic-sew something for a new baby. . Now, I’ve been out of the baby sewing game for a bit so I need to thank @phoeberosita for reminding me of the #petitepegs pattern by @patternsforpirates . Huge thanks to them for sharing this excellent pattern (among many others) for free. . This pattern is graded into six sizes, from premie to 12months. I made the 3 month size from a scrap of jersey I found at work. You definitely need a jersey with decent four-way stretch and elastane/spandex/Lycra content. Particularly because the waistband isn’t elasticated. . Full review with more details is up on my blog, which turned 18 years old last month! The link is in the bio. . . . . . #sewingonabudget #frugalsewing

So the last couple of posts didn’t really show the fit of my new #versoshorts (pattern by @namedclothing ) very well. Seeing as I made a toile and everything, I think the fit should be witnessed 😆. . Again, I made these using Cole denim from @fabricgodmother . Full disclosure: I didn’t buy this fabric, it was left over from a sample garment I was paid to make. I love it though, it’s really soft and a great weight for bottoms (not too thick, not too thin, Goldilocks style). . After the toile that I clearly can’t stop mentioning I bothered to make, I made a couple of tweaks to the pattern. I let the waist out a teensy bit, brought the side seams in at the hips a touch, and scooped the crotch a smidge. . I’m looking forward to nicer weather to see what else in my wardrobe I can pair these shorts with. And now I have a well-fitting pattern that’s quick to sew up, I plan to make a couple more pairs. . What’s your favourite shorts pattern? I’m also a bit fan of the Lander shorts by True Bias, and the Saturday shorts by Enderall Sews. I also have my eye on the Box Boxer shorts by Matchy Matchy Sewing Club and the Willa shorts by Spaghetti Western Sewing. . . . . . #handmadewardrobe #namedclothing #imakemyownclothes

Red shorts! I made these from a remnant of Cole denim from @fabricgodmother to wear with my new Lisi blouse at the recent Stitch Festival. . I wanted a really simple pattern with few features to allow the blouse to do most of the talking. However, the more simple the garment, the more you have to work on getting a good fit because there are no flashy details to hide behind! . I used the #versoshorts (and trousers) pattern by @namedclothing . I made a toile from calico first and made a couple of small but necessary adjustments to the pattern before cutting into the denim. . Literally the only thing I’d change about these would be to not bother with the hook and eye, and instead have the zip go up to the top of the waistband. I think this is a pretty underrated pattern that hasn’t had the attention from the sewing community that I think it deserves. . I’ll share some pics on my body shortly. . . . . . #handmadewardobe #imakemyownclothes #handmadeshorts