Time to Sew
  • Shop – A0 pattern printing
  • Work with me
    • About + press page
  • Sustainability info
    • Fabric info
    • Recycling and waste
  • Interviews and opinions
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
  • Sewing
    • Dressmaking
    • Quilting
    • #makeyourstash
  • Shop – A0 pattern printing
  • Work with me
    • About + press page
  • Sustainability info
    • Fabric info
    • Recycling and waste
  • Interviews and opinions
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
  • Sewing
    • Dressmaking
    • Quilting
    • #makeyourstash

Time to Sew

sewing, sustainability, textiles

  • DressmakingOpinion piecesSewingSustainability thoughts

    SEWN: favourite makes 2022

    by Kate December 29, 2022

    Rounding up favourite makes 2022 – another year of a lot of garments sewn up! As well as my own things there was also made a bunch of things for…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Rhonda (and Nunoya Barcelona store)

    by Kate November 23, 2022

    Last month I was in Barcelona and Nunoya kindly gifted me a piece of fabric … and I made Fibre Mood Rhonda! A match made in heaven methinks. Although clearly…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Giselle in pre-quilted fabric

    by Kate September 26, 2022

    Fibre Mood Giselle (affiliate link)… made for pre-quilted fabric which can be challenging to come by, and sometimes also challenging to sew. I thought I’d share a bit about this…

  • #makeyourstashBuying behaviourSewingSustainability thoughts

    5 ways to think about your fabric stash 

    by Kate May 12, 2022

    How do you like to think about your fabric stash? Do you love having a stash or does it stress you out? If you’re a keen sewist, chances are you…

  • KnittingSustainability thoughts

    KNITTED: Petite Knit Festival Sweater x2

    by Kate April 26, 2022

    The Petite Knit Festival Sweater has such a fun design, why not make 2?! That’s what I thought anyway when I finished the first one. But really, after making 2…

  • Sewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Rya in boiled wool 

    by Kate February 23, 2022

    The Fibre Mood Rya pattern (affiliate link) was one of the top Fibre Mood patterns of 2021 and it is a total winner in this boiled wool! I always wanted…

  • Knitting

    Petite Knit Sunday Cardigan – All You Knit Is Love K2Tog yarn 

    by Kate February 5, 2022

    This Sunday Cardigan by Petite Knit was my third knitting project, and I made it in yarn from Barcelona yarn shop All You Knit Is Love. For every garment, I’m…

  • #makeyourstashBuying behaviourDressmakingOpinion piecesSewingSustainability thoughts

    A sustainable wardrobe in 2022 vs sewing all the things

    by Kate January 25, 2022

    In 2021 I did a lot of sewing for work, and you can hardly call that contributing to a sustainable wardrobe (depending on your definitions). So what is going to…

  • DressmakingOpinion piecesSewing

    What I made in 2021 + reflections

    by Kate January 11, 2022

    Ah, the sustainability of all the sewing .. a challenge when I reflect on what I made in 2021! A bit late to the party on this maybe but January seems…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Clemence top

    by Kate September 15, 2021

    Fibre Mood Clemence top from the new issue 16 is a nod to the 80s revival. Are you into the 80s? I wasn’t sure but one thing is certain: Fibre…

  • Opinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    Book Review: How to sew sustainably by Wendy Ward

    by Kate September 9, 2021

    How to Sew Sustainably is the latest offering in Wendy Ward’s sewing books – there are four other ones focussed on dressmaking. There are many ways one can try to…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Peppermint Milton pinafore by Just Patterns

    by Kate August 27, 2021

    The Peppermint Milton pinafore is a new sewing pattern made in collaboration with Just Patterns (and it’s free! You can download it from the Peppermint website here). For once I’m…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Just Patterns Helena Wrap Dress x2

    by Kate July 16, 2021

    New favourite dresses alert! The Just Patterns Helena Wrap Dress is newly released but it has been months in the making. I worked on the pattern instructions for this and…

  • DressmakingRefashionSewing

    SEWN: Peppermint Paddington Top upcycle

    by Kate June 16, 2021

    The Peppermint Paddington Top is the latest freebie from Australian lifestyle Peppermint Magazine. Every time they release a new issue they also have a new (free) sewing pattern and they…

  • DressmakingOpinion piecesSewing

    Blogger / Instagrammer marketing and income in sewing

    by Kate May 19, 2021

    Marketing via social media and blogs – with the use of “real” people (vs. paid models for example) – is prolific in the sewing world (and fashion, beauty, and a…

  • Uncategorized

    SEWN: Review of McCalls 7969 in cotton hemp blend

    by Kate May 11, 2021

    McCalls 7969 (M7969) -sewist cult favourite – is about big sleeves, so I thought the Merchant and Mills cotton hemp blend would work well. More than likely you have heard…

  • DressmakingFabric infoSewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Aila in sustainable (ish) fabric

    by Kate April 21, 2021

    Seeing as it’s Fashion Revolution week again (my post about it is here), it seemed fitting to be writing about sustainable-ish textiles from which I made my Fibre Mood Aila.…

  • Buying behaviourOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    Fashion Revolution Week 2021 & sustainable sewing

    by Kate April 19, 2021

    Fashion Revolution Week 2021 is here again. It is something I’ve been following for some years now and I like everything that it stands for. In particular, it is the…

  • DressmakingSewing

    Indie sweater patterns ideas + Just Patterns Tyra tee hack

    by Kate March 25, 2021

    Indie sweater (and tee) patterns are everywhere. But actually, how many patterns do you own? You can do a lot with just ONE pattern, if you hack away at it.…

  • InterviewsRecycling and waste

    Fibersort & textile recycling with Hilde van Duijn

    by Kate March 8, 2021

    Fibersort is one of many innovation projects happening in the textile recycling sphere. As you might have guessed from the name, it’s about fibre sorting! The project, which ran from…

  • RefashionSewing

    REFASHIONED: a no pattern gathered skirt

    by Kate February 14, 2021

    A simple no pattern gathered skirt refashion this week – a spur of the moment project. It’s rare to go from “I like this” to “ta dad” within 48 hours,…

  • Fabric infoOpinion piecesRecycling and wasteSustainability thoughts

    Challenges with fibre blends and recycling

    by Kate January 27, 2021

    Late last year I heard Dutch sustainable fashion consultant Roosmarie Ruigrok speak about fibre blends and textile recycling. The context: the talk was at Impact Hub Amsterdam and mostly about…

  • DressmakingSewing

    2021 plans and Just Patterns Tatjana trousers in wool

    by Kate January 19, 2021

    Do you make sewing plans? Mine are always super loose, ideas on a postcard if you will. For 2021 I have decided that this is the year of fashion, starting…

  • Buying behaviourOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    A conscious consumer still consumes

    by Kate January 6, 2021

    The conscious consumer – a sustainability buzzword that many of us have probably heard by now. In the aftermath of the end of year Black Friday / Cyber Monday shopping…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: all the things in the second half of 2020

    by Kate January 1, 2021

    In the second half of 2020 I still sewed all the things. I think this year, in particular, many hobbyists turned to sewing as a creative outlet. For me, sewing…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Just Patterns Tatjana Trousers in Meet Milk Tencel™

    by Kate December 18, 2020

    Be still my beating heart, because I have Just Patterns Tatjana Trousers! The story begins some months ago. I was lamenting to Delphine that I could not buy the high…

  • DressmakingSewing

    REVIEW: Lotte Martens Cypres box

    by Kate December 15, 2020

    The Lotte Martens Cypres Box is a sewing kit containing all the necessary items to make a sweater. Don’t know Lotte Martens? I have been a long time admirer of…

  • #makeyourstashDressmakingRefashionSewing

    REFASHIONED: Fibre Mood Holly

    by Kate December 8, 2020

    I refashioned an unloved dress into a Fibre Mood Holly! (affiliate link) Sometimes things just don’t work out and earlier this summer I made a dress as part of a…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: All the turtlenecks (Papercut Rise and Fibre Mood Daniella)

    by Kate December 3, 2020

    This year I want to wear all the turtleneck, so I made four. 3x Papercut Rise and 1x Fibre Mood Daniella (affiliate link). Excessive? Maybe yes but winter does not…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Just Patterns Tyra Tee

    by Kate November 24, 2020

    The Just Pattern Tyra Tee was released in August, and I’d already made 2 versions. Then I saw that the Sewcialists are having a mini #SewcialistsTNTee challenge (TNT = Tried…

  • Opinion piecesSewingSustainability thoughts

    Sewing and fashion marketing – transparency in ads, gifts and sponsored posts

    by Kate October 14, 2020

    Do you have a blog or Instagram account that includes ads, gift and sponsored posts? For example, did the owner of a sewing or fashion business give you something for…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: Fibre Mood Giulia dress (top)

    by Kate September 17, 2020

    A new make – a hacked version of the Fibre Mood Giulia dress from the latest edition of Fibre Mood (affiliate link). If you’re active on Instagram you’ll probably have…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: a trio of Fibre Mood Norma blouses

    by Kate August 6, 2020

    When I first saw the Fibre Mood Norma pattern amongst the issue 9 spring/summer offerings, this was my favourite. Turns out it was also everyone else’s favourite! And it was…

  • DressmakingSewing

    SEWN: all the things: first half of 2020

    by Kate July 22, 2020

    For someone who is supposedly into sustainability, I’ve been sewing all the things in the first half of 2020. A few things happened: I started working in sewing, which gives…

  • Fabric infoInterviewsSustainability thoughts

    Organic cotton: mythbusting

    by Kate July 6, 2020

    Of all the sustainability topics out there, the issue of greenwashing is pretty problematic. Organic textiles – especially organic cotton – if certified GOTS, is one of those textiles widely…

  • DressmakingSewing

    Indie patterns: elastic waist pants comparisons and how to choose

    by Kate May 31, 2020

    If 2019 was all about dungarees and jumpsuits patterns, then 2020 is the year of elastic waist tapered leg pants. Or trousers for my UK friends. I’ve seen 5+ indie…

  • Buying behaviourOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    Fashion Revolution and a sustainable-ish life

    by Kate April 21, 2020

    Fashion Revolution has rolled around again, can you believe it’s been 7 years? Last year I wrote about the big issues in fashion, and the year before that it was…

  • #makeyourstashDressmakingSewing

    A little life and wardrobe update

    by Kate April 14, 2020

    It’s been quiet around here in these parts, no? Besides us moving house fairly recently, like many parents we find ourselves suddenly more busy and more tired than before. Having…

  • #makeyourstashSewing

    #makeyourstash take 3

    by Kate March 1, 2020

    As I write this, the Instagram hashtag #makeyourstash started by myself and Pilar 2 years ago has reached >8000 posts. Whilst it’s not all sewing challenge related – wow! What…

  • Fabric info

    Review: introduction to natural dye workshop

    by Kate February 12, 2020

    Did you see my last post thinking about the sustainability of natural dyes? I’d pretty much decided that if I was ever going to try it, then it would be…

  • Fabric infoSewingSustainability thoughts

    Are natural dyes sustainable?

    by Kate January 17, 2020

    Natural dyes – another buzz term in the sustainable world and I’m starting to see it become more popular in the sewing world. Being sucked in by pretty pictures of…

  • CoutureInterviewsSewing

    Sewing inspiration: in conversation with Kathryn Brenne

    by Kate December 29, 2019

    What’s the difference between a home sewist and sewing professional? How do you take your sewing to the next level to turn your homemades into couture pieces? Want to know…

  • Fabric infoSustainability thoughts

    Should my choice of fibre to make clothes be top priority?

    by Kate December 6, 2019

    One of the most common questions I get from friends, family, random emails in my inbox is about the choice of fibre for clothing. I had it again the other…

  • Recycling and wasteSewing

    Me made upcycled leather labels for sale (and notes on upcycling)

    by Kate November 13, 2019

    Ever made jeans, accessories or casual trousers? (I’m thinking Lander pants). A leather label on the outside for me is the ideal finish for stuff like denim but I never…

  • Recycling and wasteSewingSustainability thoughts

    The sustainable tote bag kit: now available for sale

    by Kate November 6, 2019

    Did you see my recent blog post on a recycled fabric collaboration? It’s available for sale: a DIY sustainable tote bag kit with all the sustainable sewing vibes. *UPDATE 5…

  • Fabric infoOpinion piecesRecycling and wasteSustainability thoughts

    Fabric production: choosing local or offshore?

    by Kate October 30, 2019

    Local or offshore production? Transparency in the fashion business is a funny beast. I love everything about apparel fabric and for the past few years I’ve always wanted to do…

  • Fabric infoSewingSustainability thoughts

    Recycled fabric coming soon: a collaboration with Enschede Textielstad

    by Kate October 16, 2019

    If you’ve been following me on Instagram you might have seen I’ve been hinting at a new project. And you heard me right, it involves sustainably produced fabric woven with…

  • Fabric infoOpinion piecesRecycling and wasteSustainability thoughts

    How dead is deadstock?

    by Kate September 25, 2019

    Deadstock. Over the last couple of years, I have heard a lot of people talking about buying deadstock (or overstock) as their method of incorporating sustainability into their sewing. The…

  • Buying behaviourFabric infoOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    What are you paying for when you buy fabric?

    by Kate September 11, 2019

    Ever thought much about what’s behind the amount of money you pay for your fabric? The questioning around how a could t-shirt could possibly cost £3 at a low priced…

  • InterviewsOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    An interview with Clare Press – the way forward for sustainable fashion

    by Kate September 1, 2019

    If you’re into sustainable fashion you’ll have come across Clare Press, sustainability editor at large for Vogue Australia as well as the author of the books Wardrobe Crisis and Rise…

  • Fabric infoInterviewsOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    What’s the most sustainable textile to buy?

    by Kate August 17, 2019

    The title is a rhetorical question – it is I believe a truth universally acknowledged, that there is no such thing as “most sustainable” when it comes to textiles. (Sorry,…

  • DressmakingSustainability thoughts

    SEWN: solving a sustainable maternity wardrobe crisis

    by Kate August 5, 2019

    Guess what? Come November, my toddler is going to be a big brother. Of all the joys that come with pregnancy, there are also a lot of pain points, whether…

  • CoutureSustainability thoughts

    SEWN: Crazy about couture: the 60-hour jacket (part 2)

    by Kate June 23, 2019

    Construction of a double faced wool crepe jacket with couture techniques – part 2 on pockets, collar and topstitching

  • CoutureDressmaking

    SEWN: Crazy about couture: 60 hours of slow sewing

    by Kate June 12, 2019

    Construction of a double faced wool crepe jacket with couture techniques

  • #makeyourstashQuilting

    SEWN: a boy’s story quilt heirloom

    by Kate May 30, 2019

    Do you make quilts? Today I’m sharing the first quilt I ever started, and the first one that was made solely by me. As it was for my son I…

  • Opinion piecesRecycling and wasteSustainability thoughts

    A solution for wastewater treatment from small scale textile dyeing (research project)

    by Kate May 10, 2019

    A potential solution for small scale artisan textile dyers in developing countries to treat dye effluent

  • Buying behaviourOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    The big issues in fashion: #FashionQuestionTime

    by Kate April 29, 2019

    As Fashion Revolution gets bigger each year, so do the high profile events. This year’s Fashion Question Time event on 24 April had a panel discussion about the future of…

  • InterviewsOpinion piecesSustainability thoughts

    How making can make a difference: from a sustainable fashion insider

    by Kate April 17, 2019

    April to me means Fashion Revolution. Today I’m thinking of one of the most dedicated changemakers I know. Clare Farrell – academic, fashion professional and environmental activist – taught me…

Newer Posts
Older Posts

About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Kate and I love textiles, sewing, and sustainable fashion. My writing covers fabric production, consumer behaviour and interviews with those making positive changes in fashion. Hopefully, you will be inspired to do your own research and form your own opinions about sustainable sewing and your wardrobe! Want to work with me? Contact form below.

MORE ON THE BLOG

  • Work with me
    • About + press page
  • Get in touch

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Privacy policy

  • Instagram
  • Email

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top