Sew Relative

Sew Relative Ex–Great British Sewing Bee 🐝 | On The Sewing Patterns ✂️
Two sisters in two cities, united by a love of design.
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From official training to handmade style, follow our creative journey through fabric, fashion and fun.”

Me Made May Day 20 is less about a finished garment and more fabric, references and planning.I’ve had these gorgeous sil...
20/05/2026

Me Made May Day 20 is less about a finished garment and more fabric, references and planning.

I’ve had these gorgeous silks sitting in my stash for years alongside some black silk I bought impulsively on Goldhawk Road, and with a wedding coming up I suddenly decided it might be time to attempt an idea I’ve been toying with for a few months.

Using the Ailyn dress as a base, plus a bit of pattern hacking/drafting, I’ve got two possible directions inspired by some late 90s catwalk dresses I love. I’m leaning towards the red and blue version.

Anyway, these are the references, sketch ideas and fabrics. Final slide is me in my linen Ailyn for context.

Also curious whether people enjoy seeing more of the planning, references and thought process behind projects before they get made? We’re still experimenting a bit with the account and I’m such a mega nerd that I have mood boards and sketches of loads of possible projects!

Me Made May day 19 and I have finally decided to properly learn pattern drafting.I can sew. I can hack patterns. I can s...
19/05/2026

Me Made May day 19 and I have finally decided to properly learn pattern drafting.

I can sew. I can hack patterns. I can stare at vintage garments for 45 minutes like an anthropologist. But drafting has always felt like this slightly mysterious skill that I’ve mostly approached through instinct, trial and error, and occasionally pure delusion.

Over the years collars have been reshaped, sleeves have disappeared, silhouettes have been adjusted and details from completely different garments have somehow ended up merged together. At this point I’m basically in negotiations with every pattern I buy and a reluctantly tubular roll of brown paper.

So this June and July I’ve decided to do the pattern drafting course with because I’d really like to understand how clothes are actually engineered from the ground up, rather than continuing to freestyle my way through increasingly ambitious ideas.

These are some of the things I’ve made either completely self drafted or by extreme pattern hacking already, which does make me wonder what might happen once I actually know what I’m doing.

Anyway, if anyone else has been wanting to learn too, apparently there are still a few spaces left on the course, so you can come spiral with me!

I moment I saw this natural bell pepper cotton canvas fabric from at I had to have it. I had no plans for it whatsoeve...
17/05/2026

I moment I saw this natural bell pepper cotton canvas fabric from at I had to have it. I had no plans for it whatsoever but knew I would work it out.

When a fabric is that fun and kitschy, I worry about making something that’s looks a bit… crafty? If you know what I mean?

Cue my ongoing love affair with and their dress pattern. The pattern comes with two collar options, large back box pleat and flat or gathered front view. The fabric is so busy that I wanted a really clean design which this pattern offers; but you can absolutely add trims to the collar/sleeves/plackets if you wanted.

Tbh I haven’t decided on buttons, I’m not sure I even need them, what do think?

14/05/2026

Me Made May Day 14 and the couture jacket is finally done.

I don’t actually think this was the hardest thing I’ve ever made, but it is definitely the most technical. So much hand sewing, pressing, stitching and fiddly little details that I now completely understand why these jackets became so iconic in the first place.

As someone who has always loved fashion history, it feels slightly surreal to have made something even remotely close to the classic tweed jackets I’ve admired for years.

Obviously I had to make mine a bit different, so I used this incredible denim/tweed fabric from , with matching trims from and insanely cute buttons procured from the shop below the studio.

My fingers are covered in holes from sewing it, but I’m ridiculously pleased with how it turned out.

Huge thank you to for inviting me onto her wonderful course, and to who went through every one of my personal highs and lows in bringing this jacket to fruition.

Day 9 Me Made May and I’ve temporarily relocated to Llandudno for a couture jacket course with Bee alumna and genuine fa...
09/05/2026

Day 9 Me Made May and I’ve temporarily relocated to Llandudno for a couture jacket course with Bee alumna and genuine fashion icon .

I’m also here with Caz, who just casually went and won the whole thing.

Two days in and I’ve completely loved the hours of tailoring, pressing, hand sewing and thinking about absolutely nothing else for once.

My version is ending up slightly less traditional than expected, which will surprise nobody, but I’m very excited for where it lands…

08/05/2026

Day 8

Get you a supporter of your 3am finds.

Not made by me, but handmade by someone; this supremely heavy, absolutely ridiculous, “authentic flamenco dress” was one outstandingly egregious offer away from blessing our doorstep today.

Do I have anywhere to wear it? No.

But…will I let anybody who wants to borrow it, wear it?
Also no.
It’s my dress now.
And I’d be too jealous.

Catch me in Aldi doing the weekly in it. 👀👀

Day 5 Me Made May and I already nearly forgot. Hence the nearly midnight post. I am *finally* posting my pattern test fo...
05/05/2026

Day 5 Me Made May and I already nearly forgot. Hence the nearly midnight post.

I am *finally* posting my pattern test for the Mei top by .designs. And genuinely? It’s one of my favourite recent makes.

For the test process, I wanted to challenge myself to only use stash and remnants, so this final version is made from leftover black silk, printed bamboo silk and some monochrome striped bias tape that had been sitting in my cupboard for about two years.

And to be honest, even I’m surprised at how well it turned out…

03/05/2026

Day 3 Me Made May. A self-drafted gingham skirt with three different scales and lace trim.

Made a few years ago after a skirt on Pinterest got stuck in my head.

I still love the idea of it, but I can see exactly what I’d change now. More volume through the gathers, and I am pretty precious about fibres these days, no poly cotton gingham for me.

That said, it still gets compliments, so it stays.

Useful reminder that “I’d do it differently now” doesn’t mean it’s not worth wearing.

02/05/2026

Day 2 Me Made May. No sister photographer, so you’re getting what you’re given.

This dress is about five or six years old and still comes out every summer without fail. The Ailyn by in a minty green linen.

Pulled it out this morning and immediately remembered why I loved it. Slight issue, because I’m now thinking I need another one this year.A proper home made wardrobe workhorse.

If it’s still in rotation after five years, it’s probably worth repeating

First wear, one year later.Eleanor made this last summer, but now it’s my turn to wear it.The ever fan favourite Lexi dr...
01/05/2026

First wear, one year later.

Eleanor made this last summer, but now it’s my turn to wear it.

The ever fan favourite Lexi dress by in brown linen, acquired via a strictly equal exchange of garments between two obliging siblings.

There’s something quite efficient about having two me-made wardrobes to pull from… highly recommend.

Last photo: the dress and the maker.

Also it’s day one of Me Made May, so that’s now on record…

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