Tag: sewing guide

Sewing in the Netherlands round up

It’s that time again where the Modista tour takes us to a new country to explore the instagram sewing community there. This month I had to highlight my new home of the Netherlands where I moved about 6 weeks ago.

Having done some research in advance I knew there were some great sewists and stores around but had NO idea how huge sewing is here!! It feels like on every corner there is a fabric store or market and I am constantly in fabric heaven. I’m working on a round up of where to shop for fabric in Amsterdam, but for now wanted to give an introduction to the world of Dutch sewing.

Since arriving in Amsterdam, our new home, I’ve of course been scoping out the local style. It’s certainly different to Liverpool -for example I think I wear the most make up out of anyone in a 5 mile radius – but is super chic. Some Dutch insta-sewing friends have told me they think Dutch fashion is super utilitarian and boring but to me it’s the opposite. With clean lines, strong silhouettes and quality fabrics it reminds me of Japanese minimalism or Parisian winters. I’m really into it!

As usual I’ve picked 5 sewists who I love to follow, 5 pattern designers to sew with, 5 stores to shop and 5 phrases to know when learning about Dutch sewing. It was really hard to narrow down to just 5 of each when there is so much to choose from here – part 2 in a few months, anyone?

I hope you find this post useful and don’t forget to let me know your feedback here or on instagram what you think!

5 sewists to follow

The Jolly Seamstress

One of my favourite Ducth sewists to follow, Anne has such a lovely style and colour palette and a really dreamy insta-aesthetic to boot!

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I did it again. I just can’t help it with this pattern, it’s so good! Not to mention that the fit is spot on for me. I hope you’re not tired yet of seeing this pattern because one more is coming very soon 🙃 Bodice is the basic darted bodice from the book #sewmanydressessewlittletime paired with my favourite ever skirt by @ninaleelondon borrowed from the #kewdress This time I made the dress in a woven stretch viscose from @ladymcelroyfabrics that I bought from @minervadotcom This fabric is the best, it didn’t pull or snag and it was amazingly easy to work with. Definitely worth the money. Especially happy with the finishing touches because all the seam lines match up perfectly. You can’t see it with this print but I’m so happy I went the extra mile. It’s quite a summery dress but I’m definitely going to pair this with a long cardigan that I’m sewing up at the moment. Once that’s finished I’ll start on the Scout tee that I managed to cut from the scraps. Oh how I love the endless possibilities. I can’t wait for it all to be finished! #ladymcelroy #ladymcelroyfabric #fabricaddict #summerdress #diydressmaker #seamstress #sew #sewyourown #isewmyownclothes #imakemyownclothes #sewingtall #millenialsewing #sewingpattern #sewingblog #sewists #sewistsofinstagram #memade #memadewardrobe #maker #slowfashion #diyfashion #naaien #naaienisleuk #jecouds #jeportecequejecouds #jecoudsmagarderobe #nähen #nähenmachtglücklich

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Poplin Peony

An “instagram friend”that has become a real friend, Joyce is a superbly talented seamstress who shares her gorgeous outfits on her feed. I love her style!

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Can you hear the angels singing? I can when I look at this dress. It is just perfect (to me) when I saw this pattern I knew I had to have it. I wasn’t sure how it would look on me or in what fabric to make it. But I knew I needed it in my life. I went to the fabric store and got this fabric for this dress. I love the autumnal floral print and I love the how flowy and drapy the dress turned out. This is the @paulinealice_patterns #sedavidress in a viscose from @javrostoffen I tried to capture the details in some close ups but they were hard to catch. I definitely have some more fabrics around to make more of these, if I have enough of them 🤞#sewing #sewcialist #sewcialists #isewmyownclothes #isew #sewingmywardrobe #designyourwardrobe #sewersofinstagram #sewersgonnasew #memade #iwearwhatisew #sewmystash #imademyclothes #memadewardobe

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Time to Sew

You might recognise Kate for her awesome work with FibreMood or her great blog where she gets real about everything to do with the sewing community, from how to stitch a neckband to sustainability.

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[Ad] Sometimes I REALLY like what I sew, even if I have to change plans and hack as I go! Here’s my new make (the top) to celebrate the launch of @fibremood issue 11 which is officially out today 🎉🎊🎈. It was meant to be the #fibremoodgiulia dress, which features a mid-calf A-line skirt with side splits and brought in at the waist with an elastic casing. (swipe to see the original line drawing and styled mag photo). But now I have a Giulia top instead of a dress! I made the bodice, pinned on the skirt … and it looked all too copper. Didn’t have time to do any cool embroidery on the shoulder or neckline to break it up, so I decided to keep it as a top. First leveled off the bodice hem (the bodice pieces were slightly shaped in the original dress) but it was too short. Then I measured a top I already had from back neck to hem to determine approx length I like. Added a hem band to make it the appropriate length. Ta-da! There’s a side split in my hem band which I’ll show in another post. The pattern lends itself to a fabric with drape, and I'm very pleased with my choice of copper coloured #tencel . Keen on some? I have just 2m left for sale: €17/m + postage (DM me), Europe buyers only given postage.

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Stitch and Press

Maritza is a wonderful sewist and a pattern insider for Sew Over It and I love what she does with their patterns!

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New pattern alert! Meet #soilucydress and shirt @sewoveritlondon Love this pattern, perfect for #secretpajamas Super quick and easy! This is the maxi length. – – I made the size 10 and there is plenty of ease! Next time I’ll grade the waist to an 8. I ended up moving all the gathers to the back I was swimming at the waist! I’m 5’4 and cut the skirt length by 3” Last was the ties. The pattern calls for cord but I settled for making my own ties. Super easy, double the length of the neck band piece and use 1cm seam allowance. – Fabric: Made in the most beautiful Viscose Jersey in Abstract! @ecofashionfabrics Really beautiful quality and her service is top!! #ecofashionfabrics – – #soipattern #sewoveritlondon #soipatterninsiders #stayhome #sewisolated #handmade #handmadewardrobe #handmadecapsulewardrobe #memade #memadeeveryday #memadewardrobe #sewistsofinstagram #ootd #diyfashion #slowfashion #indiesewing #sewingproject #sewing #sewinginspiration #sewinginamsterdam #sewist #sewistofistagram #sewinginamsterdam

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I Sew Therefore I Am

An Aussie in the Netherlands, Beck makes wonderful outfits and goes into deep detail in her blog which is so helpful!

5 patterns designers to know

Misusu Patterns

Primarily a kidswear brand, I really like Misusu’s unusual designs and they have some free patterns on their site, too@

De Steek Patterns

A sewing school in Amsterdam, De Steek have a really interesting concept where as well as purchasing their own patterns you can also get basic blocks from which to work, such as this trouser pattern.

Waffle Patterns

Yuki’s designs are sublime and so sleek. With a lot of coat varieties and one whopping pack of 23 pocket templates, they are perfect for winter!

Tregz

Looking to learn to sew? Tregz offers online sewing classes which include teaching as well as your basic blocks from which to build your patterns and makes. Follow her here on instagram!

Bobbin Hood

Gaining a cult status in the Netherlands, Bobbin Hood is about all things crafty including sewing! As well as kids and adult patterns, Bobbin Hood have a really cool book on screen printing which in these lockdown days is a hobby I could really get on board with. Check them out here.

5 fabric stores to shop

Karta Boutique

Run by Jessica of Jenovianti, this small independent brand imports the most amazing quality Indonesian batik fabrics. As if you needed another reason, 20% of profits are donated to charity.

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Lovely 'Kana' viscose in 4 candy colours 🌸🌺🍁🍃 Flower is the symbol of beauty and prosperity. According to ancient Javanese philosophy, batik with floral motif has a meaning that beautiful things in life come from strong foundation and hard work. Just like flowers that bloom beautifully and overcame destructive wind or rain, thanks to its strong roots on the ground. It also emphasizes that humans have to act ecologically responsible. A good reminder to us all that also fits into the idea of slow fashion/ sewing itself 😁 Length: 200 cm Width: 120 cm Price per indicated size: €19 (€9.50 per meter) Origin: Central Java, Indonesia . . . . . . . . . #kartabatikfabrics #imademyclothes #handmadewardrobe #sewcialists #sewistsofinstagram #memadeeveryday #memadewardrobe #naaien #naaienisleuk #naaieniship #amsterdamsews #millenialsewist #imakemyclothes #sewmuchfun #memade #sewsewsew #nähen #nähenisttoll #nähenmachtglücklich #netherlandssews #knipmode #zelfmaakmode #zelfkledingmaken #naaienvoormezelf #nähenistliebe #stoffen #sewover50 #stoffliebe #fabricaddict #naaienvoordames

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Ansje Handmade

Organic and Sustainable fabrics with beautfiful prints

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

A small brand with commitment to sustainability and gorgeous ditsy prints like these…

A. Boeken Stoffen

If you’ve watched my instagram stories recently you’ll know I have a strong love affair with this store…with wall to wall fabrics it’s not quite online at the moment but worth a trip to Amsterdam for (when we can!)

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🌸 Cute cotton 🌸

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Monday’s Milk

These guys are classy AF. With beautiful fabrics from linen to Nani Iro prints, Monday’s Milk are seriously on my Christmas list.

5 hashtags to follow

If you’re wanting to discover some Dutch sewists you can follow these hashtags…

# dutchsewing

#amsterdamsews

#netherlandssews

#stoffenspektakel (aka fabric spectacle, I think…)

#naaien (sewing)