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)
Sewing over 50: Why sewing matters for people over age 50
Sew over 50 #sewover50 is a popular hashtag on Instagram. And a lot of sewists post on Instagram. More designers are including over 50 models in their sewing pattern design features. And more of us sew! Why does sewing matter for people over 50? Most clothing – and sewing pattern clothing – is modeled by…
Hot Patterns Dragonfly Kimono Pattern Review & Sewing Tips
I love this kimono! I’ll wax poetic about it on a video (below) but here’s my review of the HotPatterns Dragonfy Kimono sewing pattern and some sewing tips for it. First, this is not your boxy kimono. There are plenty of those out there. This is shaped, dramatic and looks fabulous in a woven or…
Athleisure Capsule Wardrobe To Sew
My favorite sewing patterns for athleisure capsule wardrobe to sew yourself. These are all easy, approachable garments with chic athleisure style. They’re much more than just simple leggings, tees and joggers. I have selected items that are upscale stylish so you can really wear them studio-to-street or track-to-town. Top/tee. I like a couple of top/tees…
Upcycle a plaid wool skirt into a stylish capelet or poncho
Upcycle a plaid wool skirt into a stylish capelet or poncho with me – super easy, satisfying sew! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYDqam_N_Jg I sewed two wool plaid skirts in high school (yes, I’m in my 50s…) and kept them – they were, of course, much too small in the waist, but I was able to transform them into…
Spring Break Beach 2023 Sewing Pattern Recommendations
Spring Break Beach 2023 Sewing Pattern Recommendations are on my mind right now, as we just booked a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. I usually plan to sew a lot, but I have a lot I’ve sewn, so this year I plan to add just a couple of new things, and I’ll share…
HotPatterns Nexxus Tee Shirt Dress – faux wrap midi knit dress sewing pattern review
I saw a similar midi sweater knit wrap dress at Ron Jon Surf Shop a year ago November and loved it. It was, however, a full wrap dress and it was in a clingy acrylic knit. I decided to sew my own in a lovely 4-way stretch rayon/poly ponte knit. This is my review of…
Free Sewing Wardrobe Planners & Free Downloads
Download the FREE sewing wardrobe planner that Ann developed (and shared with her sewing pattern designer clients). It’s a super easy way to build a wardrobe that works with what you have and doesn’t require you to sew a lot of garments at one time.
Make Nine Sewing Planner!
Plan out your new year of sewing with this easy and FREE Make Nine sewing planner. Sketch pattern drawings, attach swatches (or both!) #makenine #makenine2022
