Freestyle Sewing and Pattern Making Tutoring

Transformation of a knit dress by Aparna!

Aparna is quite new to sewing and is loving being able to make her clothing fit better.

Aparna is learning a lot about how clothing is made and altered. She has a lot of patience, this alteration involves a fair bit of unpicking, the skirt was taken apart from the top of the dress at the waist, which allowed the darts to be created and the side seams to be taken in.
The binding was removed from the neckline, an inverted pleat was made in the centre then different binding was applied, still in the same colour palette which looks fab! 🤩

The skirt was then regathered to the correct measurement and it was put back together.

Great work Aparna! 🌟

I’ll be away now for 7 weeks, returning on Saturday 13th June for Freestyle classes!

While I’m away, a lovely colleague is coming to take Freestyle classes for me on Wednesdays, from 29th April - 27th May.

I worked with Hue in the fashion industry many years ago. She has had her own label, is a pattern maker, fashion designer and she has a business in bridal and alterations. She has a lot of experience working with delicate fabrics and special occasion wear, so if this is something you’d like to learn more about, or make then join Hue in her Freestyle classes.

Book via link in bio!

I’ll be popping in here occasionally during the 7 weeks to keep you updated on what’s coming up in the studio, and what interesting fabrics and places we see on our travels!

Enjoy your sewing while I’m away!
Love Colleen 🧵🪡

This make was waiting to be produced for years!

My sister in law gave me some fabric and a top she had to make her another, but that was many years ago!

I found the fabric when I was tidying up the studio a couple of weeks ago, and decided to make the top.

It was a really fast make! I ripped the pattern of Penny’s top!
The seams were sewn on the 5 thread overlocker, it does a chain stitch and 3 thread overlock! Perfect for knit garments.

The neckline was bound using the binding attachment on the industrial machine and the hems and lace application on the cover-stitch machine!

It was quick and satisfying!

Especially because Penny loves it, and said it was “worth the wait!” 😁

Happy days!!

This skirt was a bit of a challenge, commercial patterns sometimes have tricky or ambiguous instructions and markings….and this was one of those.

It was tricky to follow the pattern, in the end we pleated it the way it looked good and fit, and it turned out looking fab!

Great work Fiora!🌟👌



Despite it all Fiora has done a great job of this skirt! 🤩

Have you made velvet clothing?

It can be quite scary!

First decide which direction you’d like it to go, rough or smooth down, there may be an obvious difference, there certainly was with this fabric!

It’s a beautiful peachy colour! 🍑

This is a custom make for an Addison Ash client.

I thought this fabric might have been a bit tricky to sew! It sewed fine, no need for a walking foot on the industrial machine.
It may have needed a walking foot on the domestic machine, but I’m all for making my job easier by sewing on the industrial machine!😂

Initially, this dress was to have a zip in the centre back! This is where it was tricky!
First I sewed it in without any stay stitches or tearaway and the fabric stretched! Then I tried sewing tearaway onto the underside of the centre back to keep the fabric the correct measurement, but this puckered the fabric! The last thing I tried was sewing the zip in by hand, this was also tricky and despite method I used it would always end up uneven, a little puckered in one area!🤦‍♀️

We decided to ditch the zip and go with a short opening at the back with loops and buttons! This actually worked much better as the velvet is stretchy and it turned out didn’t really need a zip!

Stay tuned to see more of this dress make!

Let me know what your experiences are with sewing velvet!

Yet another gorgeous dress from Zoe!

Great care was taken with the making of all the details of this dress!

First, sourcing this beautiful Japanese cotton from Japan! Choosing the details, ricrac, buttons, just the right style!

Then the toile to ensure the fit was good, then making all the details just the way she wanted them, the Ric rac trim, the buttons, sleeve pleats.

Great work Zoe! 👌

The care you take in the fit, and making all the details the way you originally intended sure shows in your dress!

Looking forward to helping you with your next dress!👗

Making of a t-shirt!
Wayne made this t-shirt from a commercial pattern
He leaned all about stretch sewing.
The ballpoint needle, he used a narrow zigzag stitch for the seams and then overlockers the edges.
The hem was made with a twin needle.
The perfect stitch as it looks great, and still stretches with the fabric.

When he finished the t-shirt. He bought in a favourite t-shirt and then made a pattern for it. He’s going to make this one at home!

Great work Wayne! 🌟🤩

I’m so happy you’re feeling more confident and positive about your sewing! 😊

Do you make clothes… and then not wear them?

This workshop will change that.

Next week in Adelaide, I’m hosting a special in-studio session with stylist Stephanie Vaughan:

✨ Designing for You: Style, Shape & Confidence
🗓 March 25 | 7:30–9pm
📍 Regent Arcade
👥 Only 10 spots

✔️ Learn what actually suits your body
✔️ Choose colours & styles with confidence
✔️ Start making clothes you’ll LOVE wearing
✔️ Light refreshments and take home notes

Right now it’s a very small group - which means more personalised guidance for you.

👉 Book via the link

workshop