Want to learn to sew your own handmade wardrobe? Join me here!
From pattern reviews of popular sewing patterns, to wardrobe planning the EASY way, I’m here to share with you EASY to sew garments, building a sustainable wardrobe and trying new sewing pattern designers.
I especially love creating content for how to modify patterns, add design details, including video content and tutorials. If you want to take a pattern make it 3 times or more and have each one be unique, yet fit wonderfully into your wardrobe, you’re at the right spot! You’ve invested time and energy into that pattern, don’t just sew it one time!
More than just sewing hacks, Sew Paradise is a blog about the process of developing a handmade wardrobe that reflects your lifestyle. Come sew with me!
Here, you’ll find bi-weekly sewing projects, up to 4-5 projects per month. Learn how to use mending (yes, mending!) to bridge the gap between a finished project and not quite motivated to start another. Plan to sew stash where you can, and favor local in person and independent online fabric stores for things you need to purchase.
There’s a bit of upcycling in this blog, so you’ll see how to refashion garments to create a less throw-away lifestyle.
And through it all, you’ll see mainly EASY to sew, beginner-level sewing patterns and projects. This is not the blog for a couture tailored suit or a wedding gown. Nope, nada, run fast away from those projects. This blog is about crafting an easy to sew and easy to wear wardrobe for a casual, active life. You’ll find tips for sewing casual pants, tops, turtlenecks, dresses, cropped pants, shorts, tee shirts, swimwear, jackets, blazers and more. All the stuff you need to live in everyday!
Ann has worked with sewing pattern designers on marketing, design, social media strategy and execution, search engine optimization plus creating unique live video, photographic and written content.
Ann has helped sewing pattern companies with product planning, pattern design (including pattern covers, technical writing, file preparation and digital fulfillment) website design, management and product fulfillment for online, retail and wholesale. Ann understands the biz – but also, is a passionate and talented sewist.
Have I reviewed a pattern? Search here to see if the one you want to sew is one that I have sewn! (at PatternReview.com)
This blog is completely BIASED and it should be. I’m giving you my tried-and-tested advice, from decades of sewing, working with sewing pattern brands. No ChatGPT AI content here, this is all real stuff!
JoAnn Fabrics is closing! Where to buy fabric now
JoAnn announced their second (and final) bankruptcy in 8 months. It’s probably the end for them. What do we as garment sewists do now? Well, I’m sure most of you will agree, the clothing / garment fabric selection at JoAnn was dwindling to poor before – they focused on fleece, on quilting cotton and some…
Make Nine 2025
Make Nine 2025 is a popular challenge among sewists each year – we all decide we’re going to make nine garments or items (I think the 9 comes from the Instagram grid style but I don’t recall) in a particular year. Our local sewing store, Seams Sewing and Mercantile (East Lansing, MI and Kalamazoo, MI)…
Sew A Winter Coat
Sewing a winter coat can be a relatively easy project. Am I kidding? No! It can be! I’d love to show you how to sew a winter coat (that’s easy). I’m not talking lots of seaming, collar work and welt pockets kind of winter coat, but easy-to-sew winter coat. Here are my three top choices…
Sewing Winter Cozy Outfits for 2025
My news alert from my local weather forecasters says “seasonably cold weather coming for 2 weeks” – and for most of you that is UN-seasonably cold weather, but we’re finally having winter (and maybe on the cold side of it too.) So I want to do all the sewing winter cozy outfits to start 2025.…
Sewing with natural fibers – get off the plastic treadmill
I sew with mostly natural fibers now (although I have a large fabric stash with a lot of fabrics of all types that I’m using up.) In my pics below, I’ve shared some natural fiber examples from my Local Fabric Store (LFS) Seams Fabric. Some natural fiber fabrics in my stash to be sewn, and…
Sewing pattern review ME2046 dress and tunic over wide leg pants
A ME 2046, from Simplicity’s KnowMe pattern line is a fun fall/winter dress or tunic. The pattern comes with a dress (longer) length and a knee length zippered side seam tunic. I split the difference, making the dress length but using a slightly shorter zipper. I’ll share why in a bit. The pattern is designed…
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Make 9 Grid Planner
Sketch out your Make 9 Grid for sewing projects using this free downloadable
Easy Sewing Planner
Pick one, sew two (or pick two, sew one) helps you build your handmade wardrobe easily and sustainably. Free download.
Greenbush Top & Poncho
Super simple rectangular top with wide sleeves, bateau neck OR a bateau neck poncho. Easy to sew, great in floaty rayon/silk/cotton lawn fabrics for warm weather, and boiled wool, fleece, sweater knit for cold weather.