Just Sew Helen's Blog

Hello & welcome to my blog where I will share an insight into my life, values and behind the scenes of Just Sew Helen.  

This blog will show you the topics that inspire my small business including my love of sewing & dressmaking, hand embroidery and my exclusive baby loss & remembrance gifts. Underlying the creation of Just Sew Helen are women's health & pregnancy loss issues.

You can also find me over on Minerva Crafts where I am part of their Blogger Network (MCBN) & you can see more here.  I have also recently joined the Simple Sew Blogger Team.

I look forward to sharing my posts - feel free to make any comments.

 

 

 

 

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Category: Textiles & Sewing

  1. Kielo Wrap Dress

    Posted on

    I've read many reviews, & admired some lovely photos, of the Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Clothing.  When I received some lovely dandelion jersey fabric from Minerva to review I thought it was the ideal time to try out this pattern.

    Grey dandelion 8 fabric Kielo wrap dress

    I ordered a paper copy of the PDF pattern as I didn't fancy printing at home and piecing together.  There are a number of companies with experience of printing PDF sewing patterns for a small fee.

    Having completed the dress I can see why there are so many positive comments, and this dress is made all the more special with the great fabric I was sent to review.  I've even got a secret pocket.

    The full details can be found on the Minerva Blog - Kielo Wrap Dress - Dandelion Cotton Jersey.

    Kielo wrap dress dandelion jersey

    Hidden pocket

  2. British Keepsake Bear

    Posted on

    Hi & welcome to an overview of my latest post on the Minerva Blogger Network.  This month I chose to use a kit from Minerva along with one of my new Keepsake Bear patterns from Funky Friends Factory.

    The kit I ordered from Minerva included a random bundle of 4 cream quilting cotton, stuffing, strong thread, buttons and safety eyes.  All of the items are listed over on the blog (link below).

    Calico Signature Bear Minervadotcom Minerva Funky Friends Factory Funky Friends Factory Pattern Handcrafted business Just Sew Helen Just Sew Helen Bereavement gifts & keepsakes JustSewHelen.com Keepsake Teddy Bear Made From Clothing Memory Bear Memory gifts & keepsakes Minerva Makes Remembrance gifts Stillborn Stillbirth Minerva Blogger Network

    I've used a few Funky Friends patterns before and they all have great, easy to follow instructions.  

    This little fella is Calico Signature Bear and the random fabrics I received included London images and mopeds - hence I called him British Bear.

    You can read more about how I made him over on the Minerva Blogger Network.

    If you have some special clothes that you would like to preserve as a Keepsake Bear further details can be found HERE.  All of my bears are either lined with white cotton poplin or interfacing depending on the type of fabric being used.  Both add additional support and strength to the fabric and help retain the desired shape once they bears have been stitched.  Seams are all double stitched.

    British Keepsake Bear

    British Bear

  3. Lounge Wear - New Look 6142

    Posted on

    Welcome to this month's post on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network - an outfit made using pattern New Look 6142.

    New look pattern

    I chose the fabric to match the lovely hearts and shoes jersey fabric and decided on a plain black ribbed jersey for the jacket and trousers.

    Some fitting alterations were needed to the outfit and the full post Lounge Wear - New Look 6142 can be found over on the MCBN.  All of the fabrics and notions for the project are available from within the post.

    Outfit

    Thanks to Minerva Crafts for the kit.