✉ 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. Choosing the Right Needle for Every Sewing ProjectA sewing machine needle is a small tool, but it has a substantial effect on stitch quality, fabric handling, and the final appearance of a garment. The correct…
  2. Sew Over It Penny Dress Pattern ReviewThe Sew Over It Penny Dress is a charming vintage-inspired sewing pattern with the kind of everyday shape that can work for both casual outfits and slightly…
  3. Love Notions nightshirt pattern: a perfect loungewear hackA comfortable nightshirt is one of those handmade garments that earns its place in regular rotation. It is quick to put on, easy to wash, and relaxed enough…
  4. How To Draft And Insert A Puff SleeveA puff sleeve can change the character of a simple bodice in a surprisingly short time. The fullness may be gathered into the cuff, concentrated at the…
  5. How to Sew a Hem with a Twin Needle on a Regular MachineA twin-needle hem gives handmade jersey garments a neat, ready-to-wear finish without needing an overlocker or coverstitch machine. Two parallel lines of…
  6. Five Indie Pattern Designers You Should Know AboutIndependent sewing pattern designers bring a distinctive mix of creativity, practical instruction, and community spirit to dressmaking. Their collections often…
  7. Fabric Comparison: Double Gauze vs. Rayon for Summer TopsChoosing fabric for a summer top can change the entire sewing experience, from cutting and handling to the way the finished garment hangs on the body. Double…
  8. Love Notions Marigold Tunic For A Confident First SewThe Love Notions Marigold Tunic is a friendly project for sewists who want to make something useful without taking on an overwhelming construction challenge.…
  9. A Practical Guide To Adjusting Patterns For Narrow ShouldersA well-fitting shoulder creates the foundation for the whole garment. When a pattern is too broad across this area, the neckline may gape, the shoulder seam…
  10. Indie sewing patterns for your first pair of jeansSewing jeans for the first time can feel ambitious, but a well-drafted indie pattern makes the process much more manageable. The right design gives you clear…

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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