The Eternal Magpie

Over the years I’ve collected and been given quite a few vintage clothing patterns – most of them from the 1950s. Unfortunately most of them were too small for me to actually sew and wear, and although I have an abiding love of 1950s clothing, I’m really not a 1950s shape. It’s taken me a [...]

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I can’t even begin to count how many patterns I’ve bought in search of the Perfect Dress. Some of them I’ve made and then hardly worn; others are in the process of being cleared out on Ebay, completely unused. Having recently discovered that an empire line dress is apparently the most flattering style for me [...]

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  I finished the Colourscape jumper yesterday, deciding that a big polo neck was just the thing to use up every last inch of this lovely wool. I’ve written up the pattern, which is now available for free in the shop! I’ve only written the pattern out in the one size for now – it [...]

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I’ve also been thinking about trousers for a good long while. I’m in desperate need of some new jeans, as my current ones are both slightly threadbare and much too small. I did try on a few pairs in the sales, but the fit was so terrible that I didn’t feel terribly inclined to buy [...]

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This weekend I finally got around to sewing the zip into my green cardigan, and I spent several hours yesterday putting the finishing touches to the knitting pattern for it. It’s available in sizes from 30″ to 54″ chest, and you can make it from any chunky yarn that you fancy. I’ve added the pattern [...]

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One of the perks of working in a fabric shop is that you find out in advance when the pattern companies are just about to have a special offer, or discontinue lots of styles. Now is the time of year when all of the autumn/winter pattern books appear, which means special offers galore! I have [...]

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