POST BEGUN 0918HRS BST WEDS 29 JULY 2026

 

ATTENTION HOME SEWERS (although I'm reasonably certain you already know this): if you aren't yet plumping your paper sewing patterns library - START NOW!

 

Yes. I sew. I sew most of my clothing and a smattering of Paul's (during our most recent COF he found two shirts I made him several years ago and is pleased both still fit enough to wear comfortably, he now would like more, please). I have been sewing since 1961 (Gran-taught on a Super Nova Necchi I never got the hang of fitting the bobbin case properly - since Singer introduced the top-drop-in bobbin system I've been a sewing fool) but somehow, despite Gran's extensive Hollywood costume making success (1929-1965) and superb teaching method, I never learned how to draft sewing patterns so I rely on paper sewing patterns from The Big Four (Simplicity, Mccalls, Butterick, Vogue).

 

That is, I did rely on The Big Four until IG Design Group (the owner company) went out of business (2025) and new PAPER designs were no longer being released. Oh. Dear.

 

Thankfully I'd developed an extensive pattern collection including age and size ranges from infant-toddler through adult male and female. However, 'if you know, you know' - yes, I freely and unashamedly admit I would not only pore over the latest release catalogues but would buy at least three paper patterns from the new collection.

 

I can pattern hack with the best of 'em and the garments I've made using (for example) a Vogue bodice with Simplicity sleeves and a Mccalls collar have garnered many a 'Oh I love your dress, where did you buy it?'. I can copy off a garment using a tracing wheel and dressmaker carbon. But draft off the top of my head, nope, never got the hang of it. 

 

Suddenly my sources for new paper sewing patterns was gone! Big Four sewing patterns became 'digital' only once remaining hard copy stocks were sold out. OMFG! I hate 'digital' sewing patterns! One, printing those damn things costs a small fortune and two, 'matching' A4 print-out to assemble a printed pattern is beyond frustrating to the point of near-impossibility.

 

Right. eBay to the rescue - paper stock sold at somewhat reasonable prices of vintage and new-uncut paper patterns can be found but buyers need to be crystal clear on sizes and condition. Also a good source (until stocks run out) is Amazon. Some sewing centres (online or local) are selling their stocks. 

Car boot (flea market) and charity shops can be a source but again, buyers want to be crystal clear on what they're buying.

 

And then I discovered 'alternative' paper patterns. Who knew? OK, look, I was leary of these new paper pattern companies after two VERY disappointing experiences with Burda patterns. Too much faff including having to match sheets to form a pattern piece. 

Tilly and The Buttons - eye-wateringly expensive and oh hey, I was expected not only to match sheets but also to measure off and cut without a piece of pattern paper to form the skirt! I'm sorry, £25 plus post and packing and I'm supposed to do all that??!!

 

I can go on naming Big Fail paper pattern companies but I won't. I will, however, tip all for a paper pattern company I've discovered that suits my needs nicely as long as I add the warning the following company assumes good working knowledge of garment construction without a need for hand-holding (yeah, ok, the Big Four did hand-hold, and I loved that!).

 

Style Arc. This is an Australian company making primarily 'casual' clothing sewing patterns for all ages. Reasonably-ish priced and printed on quality bond paper - I'm using a smooth tracing wheel and dressmaker carbon so my pattern stock is preserved without cutting the paper to a size. Basic construction instructions including seam allowance information (some use a traditional 5/8th SA, others a 3/5th and some a 1/4in SA) and as long as the sewer has a good hard copy sewing reference book library, garments go together easily enough. Garment styling is 'casual' (use your Vogue paper patterns to make more 'dressy' styles) but all-season wear is available including jackets and coats.

 

Last word? WHEN YOU SEE IT - BUY IT IF IT IS THE RIGHT SIZE AND STYLE TO MEET YOUR NEED! Do not think you can go off and think about it for a day or week or month because chances are it will be gone when you finally decide to buy. Yes, this is the voice of experience speaking. I was talking to another home sewer who said she dedicates one day a week to searching sources of paper patterns and like me she is finding those sources are either price-rising by the second or simply drying up all together. 

 

Meanwhile I sit here waiting for the plumber - bathroom has sprung a leak. Last month it was the boiler gasket. sigh

 

POSTED 1020HRS BST WEDS 29 JULY (and WOOT, the plumber has just turned up!!) 

 

 

 

 

 

POST BEGUN SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 1007HRS BST

 

COF (clearing out frenzy) continues and I think my beloved husband is in a mild-ish state of shock at what he's deemed my newfound ruthlessness. Hey, here's the thing - much of what I am happy to part with out of those sheds have been replaced. 

 

Why? Because my beloved husband had 'organised' (read as repacked carefully labelled cartons as he 'needed that size box' only to scatter things everywhere but where I'd packed them), and/or had secretly COF'd things when I was conveniently out of the house. Yesterday I found the popcorn air popper - it has been in an unlabelled carton with several other things I'd looked for then finally replaced. FTR, that popper went missing in 2018. 

 

Did my beloved husband apologise when his COF 'reorganise' mania was discovered? No he did not, even when a shocking amount of Christmas decor scattered through literally dozens of 'reorganised' cartons were found and he exclaimed 'MORE lights, wtf?!'. He didn't even bother looking more than momentarily ashamed when I reminded him I'd had to replace things he'd 'reorganised' (read 'lost') - many many many times hence the (ahem) more than 100 Christmas light sets our favourite charity shop is gratefully accepting.

 

Is he still truly my beloved husband? Yes he is. He has his 'foibles and eccentricities' and I have mine - we put up with both. It's called marriage and after 16 years it only gets better even when he's in the grip of his latest COF.

 

He's hired a Ford Transit van for this last COF push - blimey that van has a superb payload capacity, WOW, and oh hey, if we wanted to we could clean it out and use it to camp in, it's that big a payload bay. I'm going to miss it when we turn it in two weeks from now. 

 

And in all honesty, the COF is life-changing in a good way. His study and my living room are both easier to manage now. The kitchen and I have come to an agreement - NO MORE GADGETS I HAVEN'T STORAGE ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE. 

 

Bonus, I have cheerfully said 'Ciao, bay-bee' to the bulky and 'where the hell do I keep this' 3-in-1 steam mop and 20 spare pads, and the Webby. Will I miss the steamers, yes I likely will because hygienically clean floors is a thing with me. However, I am now the proud and completely satisfied owner of a Flash floor mop (washable pads) and a case of Dettol scented cleaning solution. Easier to store (less bulk and bonus, no electricity to faff with) and does a good job plus leaves kitchen and bathroom smelling of floral scent.

 

I loved that Webby tool but the Flash Dust Magnet on the 90cm/36in extendable fold-down handle does a much better job of dusting ceiling fan paddles, cobwebs and bookcase tops. I've also happily given away the 2-in-1 mini vacuum I needed a specialty extension cable to use so I didn't blow a fuse vacuuming the front vestibule (lack of near-by power outlet and using the wrong extension cable can blow the power) - the main vacuum cleaner does a better job and the specialty extension cable stays to keep the fuse unblown. Winning!

 

The short handle lobby broom set (3ft pole and clip-on broom with a flip-down dustpan) has been replaced with a much more sensible (and SO much more comfortable to use) 5ft lobby broom set. Where has that wonderful tool been all my life, I ask, remembering the reason I bought the 2-in-one mini vac was because the 3ft lobby broom gave me a backache every time I swept the bathroom and kitchen and at least the mini-vac handle was long enough to mean no backache in use. Uh, OK, I admit - I am eyeing up a new main vacuum cleaner with on-board tools including extension wands for crannies and corners (no more bending, it's a rule for those of us hitting age 70 in a month, God willing). One vacuum to serve all needs, hell yeah, and as easy to store as the soon-to-be replaced one.

 

Right, so a regular reader I communicate with via email asked recently about past lives and why do I not talk about that topic since marrying Paul. ANSWER - because Paul's Asperger's means there are topics best acknowledged then rarely if ever brought up again. And try to remember my Paulie is a product of a Scottish Presbyterian upbringing. 

 

However, I will say this: yeah, I can recall several, have proved the validity of my recollection to the sceptical, and I am here to say - there are things not right about the 20th and 21st centuries but in all honesty ageing in these 'modern times' is one whole hell of a lot easier than in any of my past lives when I managed to survive to 'old age'. SOOO much easier! Love-love-love electricity and power tools and kitchen gadgets, love-love-love 'em!  

 

POSTED SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 1110HRS BST