✉ 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. Three Ways to Finish Seams on Lightweight CottonLightweight cotton is a pleasure to sew: it presses neatly, feels comfortable against the skin, and comes in an enormous range of colours and prints. Lawn,…
  2. Love Notions Laundry Day Tee Pattern Review And HacksThe Laundry Day Tee has the sort of practical appeal that makes an indie sewing pattern earn a permanent place in a handmade wardrobe. It is a straightforward…
  3. Sewing a Bodice Lining Without WorryA lined bodice can give a handmade garment a beautifully polished finish, but the process often seems more complicated than it is. There are several layers to…
  4. My Favourite UK Fabric Shops For Indie Sewing ProjectsFinding fabric for an indie sewing pattern can be almost as enjoyable as making the garment. The right cloth brings a pattern’s shape to life, while the wrong…
  5. Adjusting Patterns for a Tall Frame Without GuessworkBuying a sewing pattern in the right size does not always mean the finished garment will fit well. If you have a taller frame, the bust, waist, hip and sleeve…
  6. A DIY Linen Summer Dress Using The True Bias Emerson PatternLinen is one of those fabrics that makes a handmade garment feel instantly connected to summer. It is breathable, comfortable in warm weather and wonderfully…
  7. Love Notions Willow Wrap Cardigan Sew-AlongThe Willow Wrap Cardigan is the kind of project that earns a regular place in your wardrobe. It has the easy comfort of a soft knit layer, while the wrap front…
  8. Sewing With Jersey: Reliable Neckbands Every TimeA neat neckband can make a jersey garment look polished, comfortable, and professionally finished. It should sit smoothly against the body, stretch over the…
  9. Choose an indie sewing pattern that suits your shapeChoosing an indie sewing pattern can feel wonderfully creative, but the line drawing is only the beginning. A garment that looks effortless on a model may need…
  10. Five Essential Sewing Tools Every Beginner NeedsStarting to sew can feel like stepping into a shop filled with unfamiliar equipment. Rotary cutters, overlockers, pattern weights, tailor’s hams and specialist…

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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