Welcome to So What If I Sew! I'm Jess and this channel is all about sewing, dressmaking and all things stitch related. I've been sewing and dressmaking since I was 17 and I'm now working towards a me-made wardrobe. I first started my blog and instagram because I wanted a space to share my creations, to engage with other makers and to learn and advance as a dressmaker. I'm all about perfecting fit, making beautiful garments and giving up fast fashion. This channel is mainly for Sew-Alongs and Vlogs to chart my new makes and new techniques I've learnt. If you want to find out more about what I do then check out my blog, linked below, or give me a follow on instagram!
Thanks for your honesty! So many online presences are so focused on positivity (I get that) but there's never a criticism and that's hard to believe. I like hearing the straight dope! Haha thanks!
I agree about the ties needing to both be long! I’ve not made this yet but am tempted - if TATB have a good sale … Also can you tell us about your project envelopes? Looking forward to seeing your sister modelling the Pearl btw. 😊
I have made a couple Pearl cardigans now. Only adjustment I made after the 1st one was to lengthen it by an inch. Without the adjustment the very bottom hit at my waist exactly. I prefer outer layers to hit slightly below. Otherwise it is a very wearable Cardigan.
Appreciate the review! I recently got this pattern because I think it'll be a really great piece for fall and winter /but also will be very functional for post partum and nursing! Would doing both long ties require leaving an open seam on the other side in order to wear it both ways?
Glad it was helpful! I think thats a great idea as well! I was just going to lengthen the ties to make it easier to tie at either side but you definitely could open both side seams so you could wrap either way!
He’s I’ve got to say that I disagree with you saying that people don’t need information regarding how to layout the fabric , there’s a lot of people who are new to sewing and need that guidance . Sorry to be negative but I help run a sewing social and we have lots of new sewist who definitely need guidance. X
Thanks for watching! I totally get that and I'm definitely not saying layouts shouldn't be provided. They have significant value for new sewists and offer a useful resource for some people! My point is that they can often take up a huge amount of space in instruction booklets, for example the pattern I used recently with 5 pages of fabric layouts!! They were all pretty much the same and frankly a massive waste of space. In my opinion, either they should be reduced to the most useful layouts or they should be an appendix at the back of the booklet.
Great dress, Jess! I haven’t sewn a Viki Sews pattern yet, but I want this one! Another pattern to add to my collection containing hundreds. 😂 Yay, your wedding is in 7 weeks! I’m really eager to see all the dresses and gowns you’ve sewn. 😘
Thank you! I would definitely recommend this one as an intro to their patterns plus its super speedy and versatile! And thank you, i cant wait to show you guys what ive been up to ☺️
I’ve got this and I recommend it highly for the students and people who need a machine to just do the job or basically the sewing basics. It’s also made by(Janome) too. I had one + a singer overlocker while at CSM.
I am very disappointed with this machine. 18 months in and something with the motherboard has gone. Took it to my local repair person and said the machine would cost more to have it repaired. 😢😢😢
Hi! Thank you so much for mentioning us & shopping with us + showing our shop to your followers! It is so appreciated! I look forward to seeing what you sew up! Regards, Kathy
Maven patterns also sell dommet ….they call it tie interfacing tho🤨 I can personally vouch for it ….There are also some excellent free tie patterns online with differing lengths
Made a tie for a kid’s prom (formal high school dance). Used gold sequin fabric to match his girlfriend’s dress and massacred one of my husband’s tie to use as a pattern (and stole that interfacing/fabric inside). Turned out ok, but not sure I’ll ever sew with sequins again!
Thanks for this video! I started my sewing channel a couple months ago and was excited to have my first 50 subs! I have a long way to go to be monetized, but I’ll get there!
a few questions fir you. 1) when using the foot puddle do you need to push the material through, or does it feed it self to a degree like the auto feature? 2) Can you sew leather (like the Singer 5523 advertise)? 3)I have been told to stay clear of the Singer Outlet......whats your experience been with them? I'm looking for my first Machine, after making my first skirt with my friends 9985. But I am a Steampunker, so will be working with leather and thick materials. What would you recommend?
Lovely fabric Jess. I totally understand how busy you are so it was really great to have a chatty vlog. You know I always vote dress for everything so I’d love to see an autumnal dress because it would be so versatile and that fabric could be styled for so many seasons.
Thanks so much for sharing this sew-a-long! I had trouble understanding the instructions on constructing the pockets but everything was resolved instantly after seeing your vid.
I’m not local to the UK, so I’m not able to help you on your tie silk hunt, but I’m cheering you on from the mountains of North Carolina! I’ve been working on my Chalk & Notch Fringe dress while I’ve been watching this, and I’m wondering if their Evelyn skirt in the view without the buttons would work for a maxi skirt? I know it’s not maxi length originally but I’m sure you could lengthen it. I think the slit would look really cool in that fabric!
I have been eyeing the Willow Skirt by Juliana Martejevs on The Foldline. I thought it was quite unusual though you might be looking for something more floaty xxx
Great vlog as always. Looking forward to seeing your jersey dresses didn’t even know tie silk was a thing! enjoy making your wedding dress version no 4 ❤❤
I have made a number of ties, I made 8 for my sons wedding for a modern look I used an organic cotton sateen from spoonflower over 2 years later my ties are being worn regularly still looking amazing hope this helps x
Hats off to you Jess for designing and making your wedding dress . I'm sure it will be absolutely fabulous and really looking forward to seeing it after your special day . X x x
I love the daisy fabric so much! If it were me, I would make a flounced lower calf-length skirt and then a milkmaid or corset style top with either straps or short sleeves. I would probably wear the pieces separately because I think you are right in that it could easily look like a nightgown. But even if wearing them together, with a fitted top, they are less likely to look like sleepwear.
Maybe the new BF patterns Selena set would work for your daisy fabric? They are separates but can be connected to look like a dress! I think it would be super cute! Or maybe a Mabel? The fabric hunt for a tie sounds so frustrating! Maybe you can opt for a rayon or viscose instead? After all, they were made to mimic silk so that might work well and be more affordable? Good luck!
Ooooh I hadn't heard of that pattern! I'll 100% check it out as I think separates would work well 😊 I think for the ties I'm going to go with a silk/poly blend so it has the texture and structure but its so difficult!
The white fabric with yellow embroidery would be great as either the shirt and skirt, or a sundress with ruching. Neither would look like pajamas then.
Watching you whilst tidying my sewing space, and trying not to suffer from overwhelm! I keep seeing fabric that I like, and sometimes buying it, but I really need to try to re-organise everything so that it will fit into my space. I keep putting it off so that I can sew, but it’s not sensible! Would love to see what skirt you end up making as I don’t have that many patterns for them in my stash, and I want to make a couple because I’ve realised that I spend most of my time making tops and dresses rather than trousers and skirts, and this needs rectifying! Lovely Vlog as usual and hope to catch up soon. Xxx
Thank you so much for watching! I will definitely share the skirt I end up making because I'm awful for not having any skirt or top patterns, too many dresses in my life 😅 Good luck with the sewing space tidy, it will help so much! Hope to catch up soon xxx
Can you tell where you bought the red swiss dot cotton? Or who the manufacturer is? I really love swiss dot cotton but have struggled to find a quality fabric. Thanks!
So I bought it from A&M Textiles but quite a few different fabric shops stock it. Fabrics Galore have lots of different colours (although not red) and Minerva have this red colour ☺️
Hi, the Friday Pattern Co have nice Sport Shorts or GreenStyle have several different patterns too - some of them with the optional undershorts but you can just skip them... :) Also, I would probably go for a maxi skirt from that beautiful fabric! Take care.
Im looking much more forward to seeing your wedding sewing than seeing your sewing space! Your sewing space will be so much more realistic once this lovely event in your life takes place! All the best! Take a look at Dizzy Quilts and Sews, (one of your fellow Utubers!) who has just done shorts patterns.
I know what you mean on stuff once you see it. Honestly I’d leave the dress. I couldn’t spot the issue at all and I doubt anyone else would. It looks beautiful
Try the Friday pattern company sports shoes as a starting point. They have a 3-4 inch inseam but you could probably adapt the pattern and teach us all. I have made some and as a runner with some longer shorts and aspirations to make my own would be interested to see how you get on.
