✉ josie@itisjosie.com 📍 Yorkshire, UK
A bright and airy sewing workspace with a flowing floral sundress on a dress form, soft natural light, warm cream and blush tones, calm creative atmosphere.

Sewing & Crafts, Made with Love

Indie pattern reviews, DIY garment projects, and sewing tips from Josephine's creative corner in Yorkshire.

Insights

  1. Sewing A Double-Layered Collar On A Button-DownA double-layered collar gives a button-down shirt a neat, structured finish while keeping the inside comfortable against the neck. It is made from two matching…
  2. How to Make a Fabric Keychain LanyardA fabric keychain lanyard is a quick, useful sewing project that turns leftover cotton into something you can use every day. It can hold house keys, an access…
  3. Pattern Review: The Salme Patterns Karate JacketThe Salme Patterns Karate Jacket is a striking example of how a simple silhouette can create a very distinctive handmade garment. Its wrap-style shape,…
  4. Tips for sewing a faux fly zipper on pantsA faux fly zipper gives trousers and shorts the appearance of a traditional jeans-style front without requiring a fully functional fly shield and fly…
  5. Love Notions Ore Shirt: Shortening It to a CropThe Love Notions Ore Shirt is a useful starting point for a relaxed cropped button-up. Shortening the body changes the proportions without losing the details…
  6. Organic Cotton Fabric For Eco-Friendly Sewing ProjectsChoosing fabric is one of the most satisfying parts of planning a sewing project, but it also shapes how a finished garment feels, wears, and affects the…
  7. Clear Pattern Markings on Dark FabricDark fabric can make accurate sewing feel surprisingly difficult. The printed symbols on a paper pattern may be clear, yet darts, notches, pocket placements…
  8. Helen’s Closet West End Top Pattern ReviewThe West End Top from Helen’s Closet is the kind of sewing pattern that earns its place in a handmade wardrobe through repeat wear. It has a relaxed, modern…
  9. Get the Right Ribbing Ratio for Every ProjectRibbing can turn a handmade garment from almost right into beautifully comfortable. It gives cuffs, neckbands, waistbands, and hems enough grip to sit neatly…
  10. Love Notions Swell Dress: A Mock Wrap VariationA wrap-style dress has an easy elegance: overlapping front panels, a softly defined waist, and a neckline that feels relaxed without looking unfinished. The…

Popular Pattern Reviews

Pattern Designer Type Highlight
Compose Robe (Kids) Love Notions Robe / Loungewear Sizes 2T–16, cosy & practical
Tempo Sundress Love Notions Sundress No closures, shirred back panel
Arlington Sweater Love Notions Sweater Cold-weather staple
Sybil Illusion Skirt Love Notions Skirt (knit) 7 variations, optional pockets
Camden Pinafore Nina Lee Patterns Pinafore dress Year-round layering piece
Ogden Cami (dress hack) True Bias Cami / Dress Versatile wardrobe builder
Burda 6829 Burda Dress Multi-sized, special-occasion

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