Vote for July’s MIY Maker

Argh, it’s that time of year when time starts to morph into one big blob and the end of the month slipped past me unnoticed. So, a little later than planned, here are your choices for July’s MIY Maker.

Clockwise from top left:

• a Fulwood dress by Ros
• Sharon’s Granville wrap skirt from my second book “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”
• comfy cuffed trousers by MissNicJ from my 1st book “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”
• Christine’s hacked Rusholme skirt from “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”.

Who gets your vote to be July’s MIY Maker and win their next MIY Collection pattern for free?

Leave a comment with your choice.  I’ll announce the winner on Saturday. Voting is also open on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Full details on how you can enter your make for August’s MIY Maker are here.

Vote For June’s MIY Maker

It crept up on me this month – where on earth did June go??!! Here are your four wonderfully summery choices for June’s MIY Maker. Whose make gets your vote?

Clockwise from top left:

• Sarahrose’s mini shift dress from my first book “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”
• Yaarit’s gathered waist MIY Collection Fulwood dress
• a MIY Collection Walkley vest by @ethelsimages on Instagram
• Tracy’s Brighton button-through skirt from my second book “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”.

So, another crop of fabulous makes all worthy of being this month’s MIY Maker and wining their next MIY Collection pattern for free. Who do you think should win?

Leave a comment with your choice.  I’ll announce the winner on Monday. Voting is also open on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Full details on how you can enter your make for July’s MIY Maker are here.

Vote for May’s MIY Maker

Me Made May meant stiff competition for this month’s MIY Maker as sooo many great makes were shared over on Instagram, but I whittled it down to these 4. Who will get your vote?

Clockwise from top left:

• Crystal’s t-shirt from my first book “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”
• Lyndsey’s MIY Collection Longley cardi
• Another t-shirt by Claire from “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”
• Nicola’s Rusholme A-line skirt from my second book “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”.

So, have your say, which of these gorgeous garments do you think deserves to be this month’s MIY Maker and win their next MIY Collection pattern for free?

Leave a comment with your favourite and I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday morning (6th June). Voting is also open on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

A Review of the Roehampton Culottes from Beginner’s Guide to Skirts

Aimee (aka Wrong Doll on her blog and Instagram) is a prolific stitcher, I don’t know how she manages it alongside a full-time job!

She recently made the Roehampton Culottes from my book “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts” and I instantly wanted to steal them!  They’re so my style; Aimee’s chosen the kind of fabric I’d have gone for and wears them pretty much how I would choose to.

Her review of the culottes project and the whole book makes heart warming reading for me but here are some choice words:

“Wendy’s book is split in two – the individual projects, followed by a techniques section at the end. This format empowers you to get into the driving seat and customise each pattern according to your whim.”

“Thanks to the mode of presentation and clarity of instruction, these Roehampton culottes are by far my most well made make to date.”

It’s so satisfying to know that I’ve played a small part in improving someone’s sewing skills like this. That’s what it’s all about folks.

Read Aimee’s full review here and get a signed copy of my book here.

New Class!!! Make a Wrap Skirt

All images taken from “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts and © Cico books / Julian Ward Photography.

Join me for a day of dressmaking this summer. You will make the easy Granville wrap skirt from my latest book “A Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”.

This class is ideal for beginners and there are lots of different ways to make the wrap skirt; with ties or buttons, with pockets and even a reversible version so you can really make it to suit your own style. It’s quick, easy and a gorgeous flattering skirt that’s perfect for summer.

You’ll learn how to sew accurate seams, my favourite method for neat hems, how to sew darts, how to attach a facing or lining and how to make and attach a pocket (if you choose that option!).

By the end of the day you’ll feel confident using a sewing machine and leave with a unique-to-you handmade skirt, ready for wearing all summer.

Some materials will be provided, a full list of materials needed will be sent when you book your place.

• Suitable for absolute beginners.                                                                                            
• Class size limited to just 5 people.
• £95

To book your place email Wendy on miyworkshop@gmail.com or ring 01273 693451

Signed Books Available Again!

Good news, you can pre-order signed copies of both of my books again right now!

I have only ordered limited numbers, so when they’re gone they’re gone. Make sure you don’t miss out and pre-order yours now.

Payment will be processed at time of order and books will be dispatched week commencing 15th May.

Get your copies of Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking here and Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts here.

Vote For April’s MIY Maker

Yes, I can’t believe it’s that time again, who will get your vote this month to be April’s MIY Maker? (By the way, you might have noticed that March’s MIY Maker is missing from the blog – as it was a special MIY March MIY Maker, you can find all the finalists and the winner over on my Instagram account.)

Here are the final four makers for this month (clockwise from top left):

• Rhiannon’s Brighton Skirt from my book “Beginner’s Guide to Making Skirts”
• Kath’s MIY Collection Fulwood Dress (with the pleats cleverly adapted into gathers – not sure why I’ve never thought to do that!)
• Andrea’s Shift Dress from my book “Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”
• Verity’s Fulwood Dress.

Over to you, which of these lovely makes do you think deserves to be this month’s MIY Maker and win their next MIY Collection pattern for free?

Leave a comment with your favourite and I’ll announce the winner at the end of the day tomorrow (Monday 1st May). Voting is also open on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.