This afternoon we went for a 3-mile walk through the Rousdon Estate only a few miles from our house and close to Lyme Regis. The wind is still cold, despite the time of year so my #ruskasweater kept me nice and warm, over my sleeveless Hinterland dress in blue check linen from @merchantandmills about six years ago. Mr T is wearing all memades too. We brought very few RTW clothes with us and gave the rest to Save the Children charity shops and we get regular updates on how much they’ve raised, which is so good to know. They were almost all White Stuff and Seasalt clothes from our working days. Our new heating system is complete and working perfectly and so quiet after the old one we’d inherited with the bungalow. It sounded like a rattling old train every time it fired up and took no notice of the thermostat so we were roasting or frozen and not much in between. We can now have a shower installed and get on with other jobs. Anyway, it was interesting to see Rousdon because we’d considered buying one of the houses in the fourth photo but we weren’t sure we’d like to live on a secluded estate. Having seen it today, we loved it, but we love even more the community here in Colyton. It made for a fabulous walk though with so much birdsong. The village dates back to the 12th Century but was bought by Sir Henry Peek in 1872 who commissioned the huge mansion in the 6th photo to built on the sight of an old Manor House. He also formed a business with George Frean - anyone remember the biscuit company Peek Frean? The estate is now divided into individual homes and run as a business with the homeowners, which is pretty cool. Rain is due tomorrow morning, so I might even try and organise my sewing room at last. Have a great weekend folks! #englishcountryestate #englishcountryhouse #englishcountryside #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #memadeeveryday #memadeeverything #sewover50 #sewover50april #sew50dresses #memadeeveryday #reworn #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #fulfordjeans #finlaysonsweater #mmthetee #iknitthis #handknit #handknitsweater #bcgarnlochlomond #knittingaddict #iknitmyownclothes

At last it’s cool enough to wear my @merchantandmills Cawley Dress in navy cotton twill. I finished it in the spring just as the weather became too warm and have been looking forward to wearing it again. It’s so comfortable and I could hide a merino layer under it in very cold weather. 17 buttons and buttonholes on this one! Leggings are memade - Helen’s Closet Avery Leggings in striped hearses from @stonefabrics. Mr at is wearing his well-worn corduroy (from @exeterfabriccentre )!@threadtheorydesigns Fulford jeans, and Finlayson Sweater in superb quality organic fleece back sweatshirt from @raystitch. The sea temperature has only dropped to 16oC but it did feel cooler. Invigorating though, and we like invigorating! 😁. I am wearing my hand knit socks to warm my toes afterwards. Still no move date yet but we are inching closer to it. The person at the bottom of the chain is complicating things. So frustrating. But, I shall keep sewing and knitting. It’s so good for one’s mental health. I’m working on something rather exciting but can’t reveal it till next month. Happy Tuesday! #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #mmcawley #averyleggings #finlaysonsweater #fulfordjeans #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #memadeveryday #reworn #seaswimming #seaswimminguk #coldwatertherapy #beachlife #swimmingforlife #wildswimming #wildswimminguk #wildswim #ourlocalbeach

Yesterday it rained so hard all day so I made Mr T another @threadtheorydesigns Finlayson Sweater in the beautiful organic fleece back Terry that he bought when we visited @raystitch in London last month. Their organic sweatshirt fabric is superb quality and so lovely to sew and I made it mostly using my Babylock. As you can see, he’s very pleased with it very pleased with it. His jeans are Thread Theory’s Fulford jeans in M&Mills 12oz twill which I made a couple of years ago now. I really love making his clothes! No rain till this evening when it returned with a vengeance, and right after taking these photos at the Leechwell in Totnes town. These wells date back to the 13th Century. The springs were used by the townspeople for healing purposes, most probably for skin and eye conditions, and the troughs into which the outlets poured were given the names Toad, Long Crippler and Snake (long crippler being a local word for the slowworm). Their use became so popular that the Leechwell was included in a list of sites to be minded by two town wardens in 1444. They’re used by the new age community in Totnes now for ceremonial purposes, hence the ribbons and trinkets. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #memadeveryday #reworn #fulfordjeans #finlaysonsweater #threadtheorydesigns

Matching is my love language 👯 No prompt today bc I saw Kevin put this shirt on and then decided to wear mine too 😂 Kevin: #M6044 size large, no mods in View A. He’s got a 38” chest and is 6’4”. #FulfordJeans size 32 with the rise lengthened 1/2” Me: #JennaShirt size XXS, sleeves shortened 0.75” and #Persephonepants hacked to death so size wouldn’t mean anything (base is a 2??) my measurements are in bio Fabric is a sandwashed cotton made from a duvet cover I thrifted at Savers Thrift! #memademay #memademenswear @closetcorepatterns @mccallpatterncompany @threadtheorydesigns

Mr T was nice and cosy on our breakwater just now, as Storm Herminia rages on. He’s completely dressed in memades - M&Mills linen The Tee, Thread Theory #finlayson sweater, @fridaypatterncompany #beachcomberjacket in @merchantandmills dry oilskin and #fulfordjeans in M&Mills sanded twill and the first thing he ever knitted - his red beanie. We had a lull in the storm for a couple of hours and went down to the breakwater hoping to see big waves but it was fairly calm despite the fact we could only walk halfway along the breakwater before the wind was too strong for safety. All of our fishing fleet is tucked away safely (at least we hope all of them are). It’s rare that you see all the trawlers and other fishing boats in the harbour at the same time. The little beach is Brixham’s only beach! We were woken at 6:15am by an almighty crack of thunder so loud overhead and huge hailstones hitting our attic bedroom velux windows so hard. Our dogs leapt off their beds and came run into our room, and jumped on top of us trembling. It’s so very humbling to know that they totally see us as their source of comfort and safety. Anyway we’re back in our cosy cottage and the wind is howling around us and the rain lashing the patio doors. The green upside down bell in the penultimate slide is just that. It rings when the waves hit it a certain way. I couldn’t capture it ringing this afternoon for you even though I heard it several times. The last time we played in our band Cloud 9 in Brixham Theatre was to raise money for the installation of this bell. They have one in Appledore in N Devon. Swipe to see pics of Cloud 9. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #imadetheseclothes #sew50jan #sew50january #sew50men #sew50jackets #stormherminia #brixhamharbour

Yet another bright sunny morning for our first walk of the day from our new home. It’s so cold at 8:30am though, still, to remind us it’s not summer yet. We walked along the River Coly and it was glorious as ever. People all stop to chat here. It’s so lovely. We get to build up a good appetite for our homemade granola, yoghurt and fresh fruit. It definitely sets us up for the day, which is good as we are still settling in, changing and fixing things. I’m wearing a @rowan yarns DK tweed cardigan from around 2004 and the @stylearc #hopewovendress I made last year and embroidered with folk embroidery. The grey stripe linen was from a Portuguese market in 2022. Mr T is wearing @threadtheorydesigns #carmanaghsweater in sweatshirt fabric from @backstitchshop near Cambridge, a lovely shop I’d like to go back to. His jeans #fulfordjeans by the same pattern company in just the best denim ever from @stonefabrics in Totnes, which we hope to visit soon. Back home now and I’m about to plant my sweet peas. Hope you all had a great day yesterday. The last slide shows a bit of our little town square with its heraldry flags flying, I assume for VE Day. #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #memadeeveryday #memadeeverything #sewover50 #sewover50may #memademay #memademay2025 #englishcountryestate #englishcountryhouse #englishcountryside #embroidereddress #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #iknitthis #handknit #handknitcardigan #rowanyarns #knittingaddict #iknitmyownclothes #iembroideredthis #handembroidery #handembroidered #folkembroidery

Someone gets a pair of new jeans to start his new work year! @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans size 38, shorten length errr… I think 5” haha. Added ‘Good Luck’ label, Huat ah! #makemenswear #threadtheorydesigns #hippomamasews #pdfpatterns #sewingpatterns #handmadesg #handmadewardrobe #sewingpattern #sewingismytherapy #sewingismysuperpower #sewingfun #diyfashion #slowfashion #lovetosew #madeinsg #ilovesewing #sewcialist #instasews #sewistsofinstagram #sewistofinstagram

Checked off one sewing goal this year with my first lined jacket. Thrifted corduroy, and a wool blanket interior. #menwhosew #wbmbearjacket #johnspants #slouchyhat #fulfordjeans #strollthroughthewoods #thriftedfabrics #corduroyisqueen

Zadok the Priest was being rehearsed inside Buckfast Abbey on Saturday. It sounded amazing. We had to go out whilst our buyers had a full structural survey on our old cottage. Always a tad nerve wracking when you are selling an 18th century cottage. This Abbey is only 13 miles from us on the edge of Dartmoor and was built over a period of 32 years by four monks (plus occasionally a couple more). Swipe to the end to see the four monks. Amazing! It’s absolutely huge. We couldn’t go inside because we had the dogs with us. I’m wearing my hand embroidered @stylearc #hopedress in grey pinstripe lightweight linen and Mr T is wearing a M&Mills linen The Tee and @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans both in M&Mills fabrics. #mmthetee #mmtheteeshirt #imadethis #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #sewover50 #sewover60

Yesterday we took our daughter Rebekah to see our new home to be (still 🤞🏻🤞🏻) and we stood at these impressive HUGE gates in the walled medieval part of the tiny town for yet another photo. Swipe to see earlier ones with our youngest, Naomi, a couple of weeks ago and me back in March. Would love to tell you these are the gates to our new house, but I don’t think you’d believe me somehow! They look like the gates to a French chateau. Whilst Mr T was poised taking the photo a lady came out of her house and offered to take one of us all. Colyton is the friendliest place I’ve been to in a very long time. People say hello and chat. I will show you the new home once the surveys on both our cottage and the new one are completed this Friday and Saturday. We also took Rebekah to see our new daily dog walk by the river and our new swimming beach. She was suitably impressed and it’s closer to London so quicker to get back. I’m wearing my M&Mills Traoeze too in their gorgeous pink gingham linen and my super comfortable Free Range Slacks by @sewhouse7 in M&Mills 185 Alta Mare linen. Mr T wore memades too - M&Mills The Tee in M&M green cotton mini check cotton from @makerstableonline a few years ago now, and his @threadtheorydesigns Fulford Jeans in M&Mills 8oz sanded twill Nordic Green. #fulfordjeans #mmthetee #freerangeslacks #mmtrapezetop #imadethese #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #daughterlove #daughter

How lovely it was the other day at the Bovey Craft Festival whilst browsing the absolute goodies on show at the @makerstableonline stand to hear Mr T telling Anita’s husband Rupert how he much prefers to wear the clothes I make for him because they fit him so much better and feel great! I was so happy to hear that that I turned to him and said come and choose some fabric. He said he loves his three M&Mills All State Shirts because they feel amazing on and so chose some of this gorgeous green hemp/organic cotton. Mr T has been so very good to me this past six difficult months and has patiently driven backwards and forwards to SE Devon checking out the right properties for us and my physical needs and so I sewed him the shirt yesterday afternoon and this afternoon & here he is in our top garden this evening. I think he looks rather splendid in it. M&Mills hemp/cotton is perfect for getting the mitred corners etc nice and neat. It sews like a dream, is great ecologically and is only £16.50 a metre. I can’t see this green on their website today though. Anita had some fab colours in it at her shop in Magdalene Rd, Exeter. Rupert & Anita pointed out that we’d be nearer to them now when we move! Hurrah! I also made Mr T’s #fulfordjeans in the best ever denim from @stonefabrics where we can still go to from our new house. PS I will have news for you tomorrow on that front. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbyclothes #sewingformen #thebesthusband

Whilst buying fabrics for Mr T’s new shirts last Friday from @makerstableonline at the Bovey Craft fair, I spotted this gorgeous pale pink & yellow check linen and tried to resist buying it (honestly!). It’s super comfortable and cheery imadethis up as a @shopwiksten Shift Top. I’d forgotten how comfortable this pattern is and is on par with the LB Pullover. Wearing it with my M&Mills #heroinejeans. Mr T is wearing memades - I’d say 85% of his wardrobe is memade now. He’s wearing the @threadtheorydesigns Carmanagh Sweater and Fulford Jeans & M&Mills The Tee. These photos are taken near our cottage and the tall building is called The Daymark and is basically a lighthouse without a light for ships to see their way into Dartmouth harbour. The coastal view photo is looking west along the south coast towards Plymouth way. A little bit of news on our proposed move - the bungalow we’ve decided on is empty and gone through probate and the main beneficiary has agreed a price, but, and unbeknown to us, the elderly lady who lived there left a proportion of the value of the house to animal charities, which we love. But, did you know that the law says that each of the charities has to also agree the sale price with us as they’re also beneficiaries?!! 🥺. We’ve waited since 9am Monday but still no response from them, hence why I’ve delayed posting. The agent is sure they will all agree our offer but we can’t instruct our solicitors until the agent has their agreement in writing! When that has happened I will post more information. We’re so close, but can’t totally relax. In the meantime I’m sewing like crazy to calm my nerves whilst nursing a frozen shoulder 😩. #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashion #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #sewover50 #sew50tops #daymark #wikstenshifttop #mmheroine #mmtheteeshirt #thetee #fulfordjeans #carmanaghsweater

We’ve found our ideal next home! 🤣🤣. Only joking. This is the National Trust’s Shute Barton a few miles from where we would like to live. It’s medieval. Before we went to view the thatched cottage yesterday, Mr T planned a 2 1/2 mile walk though parkland by this National Trust property to get a glimpse of another property which is also for sale. You can see it in the bottom right of the last photo. The grounds are so quintessentially English with huge oak trees in the parkland. We will go and view the house for sale soon. The countryside in the background is looking south down the River Axe valley to the sea at Seaton. There was SO much birdsong. Anyway, I digress! Back to #memademay2024 and I’m wearing my @sewhouse Remy Raglan dress hack made up of large leftover bits of M&Mills chambray which I made a couple of winters ago. I had so many bouts I managed to do a deep hem and three deep pintucks. It has Holly Hobby vibes and is comfortable to wear. Chambray feels incredibly soft. Me T is wearing @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans in M&Mills 8oz sanded twill and a M&Mills #allstateshirt made up in some grey linen bedding fabric from a Portuguese market. We really enjoyed our day out in SE Devon yesterday and rushed home to teach a harp workshop. We worked on Bridge over Troubled Water which sounds amazing on Celtic harp. #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashionmovement #memademay2024 #memademay2024day8 #memademay24 #memadeeveryday #sewover50 #sewover50may #sewover50may2024 #sew50 dresses #memadewardrobe

Today was a proper summer day! Perfectly warm with no chill wind. We went out for a picnic lunch from Ben’s farm shop and a beautiful walk in the Devon Wildlife Trust’s Lady’s Wood near South Brent on the edge Dartmoor. We decided we’ve found a perfect place for a spot of forest bathing. We’re going to go back with a super healthy and delicious picnic, knitting, embroidery, paints and a book and spend a few hours there enjoying the birdsong and wind in the leaves. Not sure when, but soon. For #memademay2024 I’m wearing a quite old #hinterlanddress by @sewliberated in some yellow tiny check M&Mills linen from @makermakershop in Exeter. It’s really big on me now, like most of my older Hinterlands. I’m going to have bite the bullet and spend an afternoon altering quite a lot of my clothes. My sumptuously soft cardigan is a @kaffefassettstudio design from the @rowanyarns website knitted in Rowan’s Felted Teeed DK. Mr T is wearing memades too - a M&Mills #thetee made from a M&Mills Trapeze dress from linen bought at @stonefabrics that I decided during last year’s Memade May wasn’t being worn enough. His jeans are #fulfordjeans from @threadtheorydesigns in M&Mills black sanded twill also from @makermakershop My new @vivobarefoot hiking shoes are so comfortable and totally non-slip. I never want to take them off. They have greatly reduced my arthritic knee & hip pain just like @drchatterjee says. Memademay2024 #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashionmovement #memademay2024 #memademay2024day8 #memademay24 #memadeeveryday #sewover50 #sewover50may #sewover50may2024 #sew50dresses #isewmyhusbandsclothes #memadewardrobe

#memademay2024 day 20! I made something for my boyfriend instead of myself for a change. These are the @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans where I modified the front pockets a little bit. The rest is exactly as per the instructions. Fabric is a heavier type of linen from the fabric market. Review according to my boyfriend: "It's like wearing a cloud. I can't feel them at all" which I guess is a good thing. Made in May 2024

Some more memade may. These Fulford jeans by Thread Theory Designs are probably my favourite and proudest make. They are about a year old now and have worn in beautifully. Paired here with another favourite a Cornell shirt from Elbe patterns in a lovely linen. #memademay2024 #fulfordjeans #threadtheorydesigns #cornellshirt ##elbepatterns #menwhosew #sewover50

Inspiration photograph vs. illustration. The #CarmanahSweater #WoodleyTee and #FulfordJeans as interpreted as illustrations. I love the stitching details especially!

So today Naomi took us to walk along the ancient walls of the Roman town of Celleva Atrebatum at #silchester near her village for a different historical tour. Mr T and I wore our memade Landgate jackets by @merchantandmills and I’m wearing my #mmheroine jeans. Mr T’s jeans are in M&Mills 8oz denim and are @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans The ancient walls are still standing as they’re made up of rock hard flint, but the remains of the town are buried under the huge expanse of grass inside the walls. It’s mind boggling to think they had an amphitheatre and public baths etc in this very quiet bit of countryside. If you stand still and look across the inngrass bit, you can almost hear the sounds of the town - horses hooves, market sellers’ cries etc. The beautiful little church sits just within the ancient walls and dates back to the 12th century. It was a very difficult and painful walk around the walls which were covered in thick mud, but I’m proud to say I did it! A week ago I wouldn’t have believed I could do it. #silchester #callevaatrebatum #ancientromehistory #romantown #sewover50 #sew50jeans #sew50jackets #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes

Spring has sprung at last! It was 16oC up on Dartmoor today at Blackadon Nature Reserve. I wore my new shawl pin from @sandysewsnow which goes beautifully with my self drafted cardigan from 2004 (in Niro Kureyon yarn) worn over my Elizabeth Suzanne Georgia Tee which looks ok in this third photo but hangs like a sack so I need to repurpose it. The views from up there were stunning today and we had a picnic in the warm sun of homemade chunky veg soup with black beans (using up the remainder of last week’s organic veg box delivery), Mr T’s sourdough bread and yoghurt with blueberries and roasted nuts added. Mr T is wearing made #fulfordjeans in gorgeous denim from@stonefabrics. The penultimate photo shows the view from the doorway of Leusdon church - how’s that for a view? Unfortunately the church was locked, I guess because it’s remote. Swipe to the end to hear the sounds of the Moor where we ate lunch and our two fur babies hoping for scraps. I’m so much happier now the birds are returning from Africa and singing their hearts out. The cuckoos will be back soon. I hope your day was warm and sunny too. #esgeorgia #handknitted #iknitmyownclothes #iknitmyclothes #selfdraftedpattern #blackadonnaturereserve #dartmoor #sewover50 #sew50april #imakemyhusbandsclothes

Japanese denim 💙 11.5oz with traditional japanese flame 🔥 Fulford jeans pattern from @threadtheorydesigns gives the perfect finish on perfect fabric and zip from @selvage.denim 🧵Owners design and my freehand embroidery on back pocket 🧵Selvedge show off on outer seams 🧵The coolest zip ever 🧵Adjustable waistband for final adjustments if required Incredibly satisfying sewing 🤓 🌟perfect pattern - cut and sewing descriptions 🌟perfect fabric and supplies 🌟perfect sewing machines - Janome HD9 with Guterman Denim thread for the top stitching Flat fellled seams sewn & cut from the outside gives no room for errors 🤯 #slowfashion #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #threadtheorydesigns #selvedgedenim #jegsyrselv #jeansmaking #sewingformen

Last photos of a very happy weekend with our two youngest @naomitrezise and @rebekah_trezise Me T and I were wearing our memade M&Mills Landgate jackets in their lightweight dry oilskin fabric, me my M&Mills Heroine jeans, and Mr T his @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans in superb denim from @stonefabrics I’m so glad that I can make not just pretty garments for best, but totally practical and outdoor clothing. In the past I just used to sew dresses, blouses and shirts and a few wedding & evening dresses but thanks to all the amazing new Indie designers, we have access to proper practical garments. It’s very satisfying and empowering. #mmlandgate #mmheroine #oilskinjacket #sewover50 #sew50march #sew50jeans #sew50jackets #imademyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes

Crotch shot. The zipper is still a mystery to me. #2024goals #menwhosew #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #nappeddenim #zippers #onestepatatime #pincushionbracelet

Finished #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns for my dad’s 77th birthday coming up in a couple weeks. Decided to skip making muslins since I live 7,000 miles away from my family.. hopefully these would fit him🤞

Lots of jeans getting finished up this week! #pbandjcreationsparksville #gingerjeans #closetcorepatterns #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #customjeans

Mr T was rocking his memade clothes and sporting mad professor hair in the winds at Start Point this afternoon. On our bucket list for retirement is to walk the SW coast path so we came to recce one of the more difficult parts. There were many shear drops down to the rocks below 😱. We planned to swim at Mattiscombe beach but the sea was too rough, as you will see if you swipe left. We just stood and got battered by the waves to st least get the cold water shock which is so beneficial. I want to go back on a calm day. It was a lovely spot with a “fun” climb down the cliff. Mr T is wearing his @threadtheorydesigns #finlayson sweater in French Terry from @exeterfabriccentre , #fulfordjeans in M&Mills denim and his #mmtheteeshirt in linen from @stonefabrics Seeing the signpost showing how long the SW coastpath is made me realise it’s a long project! At least we did a few miles today, of the 630 miles in total. Swip left to see some fluffy dog cuteness under the eerie skies we had today. He’s becoming a real beach boy with our daily swimming. It’s pouring down outside now, but summer is returning finally tomorrow afternoon. #swcoastpath #startpointlighthouse #dailyhike #dailyswim #wildswimming #hikinginengland #walkonthewildside #walkingdevon #imakemyhusbandsclothes #memadeclothes #memadeclothing

I think it’s fair to say & see that our NE wind is still blowing. It has been a tad choppy for sea swimming here. Today the sea again felt almost warmer than the air. This is a #wikstenshift made s few years ago now, but I remembered today how useful it is for taking to swim because it’s so easy to get back on, esp in the wind. I made it in M&Mills #185 linen in a beautiful shade they no longer sell, sadly. I bought some from @makermakershop last year and Anita said she thought she had one of the last bolts of this colour. Mr T is wearing a memade #mmallstate #mmallstateshirt #allstateshirt in M&Mills hemp cotton in a colour they no longer sell, sadly. It’s beautiful to work with and dies come in other colours. His jeans are #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns in M&Mills cotton twill. 🩵 #sewover50august #sewover50dresses #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #sustainablesewing #seaswimming #seaswimmingdevon #devonswimming #swimmingindevon

My talented better half @harping_mad made me these superb #fulfordjeans from a pattern by @threadtheorydesigns. The linen tee shirt is the @merchantandmills #mmtheteeshirt in their 185 linen range, also beautifully made for me by Susie. I’m so lucky! #mywifemadethis #luckyhusband #homemadeclothes #sewover50 #sew50july

I’m playing catch-up. We have been so busy digging a new flowerbed in the front garden whilst we had a chance to, after a day of rain, that I’ve not had time to post. In fact I’m feeling guilty I’ve not been looking my fellow sewist’s posts much either. During the stressful last few weeks before we finally got to move here, knitting this sweater was what helped me stay sane. I was walking up at 3am most nights and so I knitted the colourwork part of this all in the dark of the night. It was such a great fun knit. The kind that you don’t want to put down. It’s the #hideandpeaksweater by @maxtheknitter. What a clever designer he is. The pattern actually calls for Sport weight yarn, but scrolling through the hashtag I found someone had knitted it up in worsted weight successfully, so I gave it a go with our all-time favourite worsted weight yarn @bcgarns #lochlomondyarn from our favourite yarn shop @woolontheexe I used a size smaller gauge needles than the yarn suggests and the swatch came out accurate, so just went for it. The only thing I will do differently next time is I will make the neck ribbing a bit narrower and deeper, but it’s fine as it is really. I absolutely love it, as does Mr T. We were glad to have a couple of cool enough mornings for him to wear it. Both of his trousers are in @merchantandmills f8iz twill fabrics and are @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans and #jedediahpants I’ve already started a new project. Once all of our planting is done I will be scrolling and checking out everyone’s makes. The gardens were so sad when we moved here that our first priority has been to dig out the many many evergreen bushes and fill the flowerbeds with flowers! Have a great day! #memademay #memademay2025 #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #iknitthis #handknit #handknitsweater #knittingaddict #iknitmyhusbandsclothes #iknitmyhusbandssweater

This afternoon we went for a 3-mile walk through the Rousdon Estate only a few miles from our house and close to Lyme Regis. The wind is still cold, despite the time of year so my #ruskasweater kept me nice and warm, over my sleeveless Hinterland dress in blue check linen from @merchantandmills about six years ago. Mr T is wearing all memades too. We brought very few RTW clothes with us and gave the rest to Save the Children charity shops and we get regular updates on how much they’ve raised, which is so good to know. They were almost all White Stuff and Seasalt clothes from our working days. Our new heating system is complete and working perfectly and so quiet after the old one we’d inherited with the bungalow. It sounded like a rattling old train every time it fired up and took no notice of the thermostat so we were roasting or frozen and not much in between. We can now have a shower installed and get on with other jobs. Anyway, it was interesting to see Rousdon because we’d considered buying one of the houses in the fourth photo but we weren’t sure we’d like to live on a secluded estate. Having seen it today, we loved it, but we love even more the community here in Colyton. It made for a fabulous walk though with so much birdsong. The village dates back to the 12th Century but was bought by Sir Henry Peek in 1872 who commissioned the huge mansion in the 6th photo to built on the sight of an old Manor House. He also formed a business with George Frean - anyone remember the biscuit company Peek Frean? The estate is now divided into individual homes and run as a business with the homeowners, which is pretty cool. Rain is due tomorrow morning, so I might even try and organise my sewing room at last. Have a great weekend folks! #englishcountryestate #englishcountryhouse #englishcountryside #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #memadeeveryday #memadeeverything #sewover50 #sewover50april #sew50dresses #memadeeveryday #reworn #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #fulfordjeans #finlaysonsweater #mmthetee #iknitthis #handknit #handknitsweater #bcgarnlochlomond #knittingaddict #iknitmyownclothes

Someone gets a pair of new jeans to start his new work year! @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans size 38, shorten length errr… I think 5” haha. Added ‘Good Luck’ label, Huat ah! #makemenswear #threadtheorydesigns #hippomamasews #pdfpatterns #sewingpatterns #handmadesg #handmadewardrobe #sewingpattern #sewingismytherapy #sewingismysuperpower #sewingfun #diyfashion #slowfashion #lovetosew #madeinsg #ilovesewing #sewcialist #instasews #sewistsofinstagram #sewistofinstagram

Mr T was nice and cosy on our breakwater just now, as Storm Herminia rages on. He’s completely dressed in memades - M&Mills linen The Tee, Thread Theory #finlayson sweater, @fridaypatterncompany #beachcomberjacket in @merchantandmills dry oilskin and #fulfordjeans in M&Mills sanded twill and the first thing he ever knitted - his red beanie. We had a lull in the storm for a couple of hours and went down to the breakwater hoping to see big waves but it was fairly calm despite the fact we could only walk halfway along the breakwater before the wind was too strong for safety. All of our fishing fleet is tucked away safely (at least we hope all of them are). It’s rare that you see all the trawlers and other fishing boats in the harbour at the same time. The little beach is Brixham’s only beach! We were woken at 6:15am by an almighty crack of thunder so loud overhead and huge hailstones hitting our attic bedroom velux windows so hard. Our dogs leapt off their beds and came run into our room, and jumped on top of us trembling. It’s so very humbling to know that they totally see us as their source of comfort and safety. Anyway we’re back in our cosy cottage and the wind is howling around us and the rain lashing the patio doors. The green upside down bell in the penultimate slide is just that. It rings when the waves hit it a certain way. I couldn’t capture it ringing this afternoon for you even though I heard it several times. The last time we played in our band Cloud 9 in Brixham Theatre was to raise money for the installation of this bell. They have one in Appledore in N Devon. Swipe to see pics of Cloud 9. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #imadetheseclothes #sew50jan #sew50january #sew50men #sew50jackets #stormherminia #brixhamharbour

Checked off one sewing goal this year with my first lined jacket. Thrifted corduroy, and a wool blanket interior. #menwhosew #wbmbearjacket #johnspants #slouchyhat #fulfordjeans #strollthroughthewoods #thriftedfabrics #corduroyisqueen

Something I got up to this month: Secret Star Wars Jeans for hubby. These were part of his holiday gift along with two henleys I made for him. Pattern: Fulford Jeans by Thread Theory Fabrics: Lady McElroy Deegan Cotton/Spandex Stretch Denim in Charcoal ( @stonemountainfabric ), lining Star Wars Light & Dark Sketch Dark Side Black ( @birtlesfabrics ) Hardware: @kylieandthemachine jeans kit / @wawaksewing Tags: @intenselydistracted #sewinginmywheelchair #sewistsofig #sewcialist #inclusionmatters #queermakers #theknittedbean #theknittedbeanpodcast #thretheorypatterns #sewingformen #giftsewing #memade #handmadewardrobe #intenselydistractedlabels #fulfordjeans #starwars #jeansmaking

At last it’s cool enough to wear my @merchantandmills Cawley Dress in navy cotton twill. I finished it in the spring just as the weather became too warm and have been looking forward to wearing it again. It’s so comfortable and I could hide a merino layer under it in very cold weather. 17 buttons and buttonholes on this one! Leggings are memade - Helen’s Closet Avery Leggings in striped hearses from @stonefabrics. Mr at is wearing his well-worn corduroy (from @exeterfabriccentre )!@threadtheorydesigns Fulford jeans, and Finlayson Sweater in superb quality organic fleece back sweatshirt from @raystitch. The sea temperature has only dropped to 16oC but it did feel cooler. Invigorating though, and we like invigorating! 😁. I am wearing my hand knit socks to warm my toes afterwards. Still no move date yet but we are inching closer to it. The person at the bottom of the chain is complicating things. So frustrating. But, I shall keep sewing and knitting. It’s so good for one’s mental health. I’m working on something rather exciting but can’t reveal it till next month. Happy Tuesday! #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #mmcawley #averyleggings #finlaysonsweater #fulfordjeans #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #memadeveryday #reworn #seaswimming #seaswimminguk #coldwatertherapy #beachlife #swimmingforlife #wildswimming #wildswimminguk #wildswim #ourlocalbeach

Yesterday it rained so hard all day so I made Mr T another @threadtheorydesigns Finlayson Sweater in the beautiful organic fleece back Terry that he bought when we visited @raystitch in London last month. Their organic sweatshirt fabric is superb quality and so lovely to sew and I made it mostly using my Babylock. As you can see, he’s very pleased with it very pleased with it. His jeans are Thread Theory’s Fulford jeans in M&Mills 12oz twill which I made a couple of years ago now. I really love making his clothes! No rain till this evening when it returned with a vengeance, and right after taking these photos at the Leechwell in Totnes town. These wells date back to the 13th Century. The springs were used by the townspeople for healing purposes, most probably for skin and eye conditions, and the troughs into which the outlets poured were given the names Toad, Long Crippler and Snake (long crippler being a local word for the slowworm). Their use became so popular that the Leechwell was included in a list of sites to be minded by two town wardens in 1444. They’re used by the new age community in Totnes now for ceremonial purposes, hence the ribbons and trinkets. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #memadeveryday #reworn #fulfordjeans #finlaysonsweater #threadtheorydesigns

Zadok the Priest was being rehearsed inside Buckfast Abbey on Saturday. It sounded amazing. We had to go out whilst our buyers had a full structural survey on our old cottage. Always a tad nerve wracking when you are selling an 18th century cottage. This Abbey is only 13 miles from us on the edge of Dartmoor and was built over a period of 32 years by four monks (plus occasionally a couple more). Swipe to the end to see the four monks. Amazing! It’s absolutely huge. We couldn’t go inside because we had the dogs with us. I’m wearing my hand embroidered @stylearc #hopedress in grey pinstripe lightweight linen and Mr T is wearing a M&Mills linen The Tee and @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans both in M&Mills fabrics. #mmthetee #mmtheteeshirt #imadethis #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #sewover50 #sewover60

Summer has finally arrived here on the South Coast, at least when the sun is out but there’s still that chill wind that we can’t shake off. One minute you’re hot, the next a tad chilly. It was cloudy when we set off on this local walk yesterday and then the sun came back out and I was hot. This path is known locally as the American Road because were told it was built for driving the heavy armoured vehicles to Oxen Cove to load up to take them over to Normandy for D-Day. Swipe to see Oxen Cove. It’s not very big and must have been quite an operation getting the ship in there to load them. Swipe to the end to see a very naughty bull! I’m wearing my M&Mills Ellis Dress which is huge on me now and needs taking in yet again after I managed to make it too big two years ago. The linen fabric is quite floppy and is the one M&Mills used on their bog about hacking it to have a pleated skirt and longer sleeves. It looks much nicer on there but it had just been ironed probably. Mine had been worn all day whilst sewing etc. it’s comfortable though. My waistcoat is their Miller waistcoat pattern. I made it out of scraps of denim cutoffs from other projects. Mr T us wearing a M&Mills The Tee in their Indian cotton from @makerstableonline and his @threadtheorydesigns Fulford jeans in the best denim ever (imho) from @stonefabrics #mmellis #mmellisandhattie #mmellisdress #mmellishack #mmmiller #mmthetee #mmtheteeshirt #fulfordjeans #americanroad #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #imakemyownclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #imadethis #slowfashion

How lovely it was the other day at the Bovey Craft Festival whilst browsing the absolute goodies on show at the @makerstableonline stand to hear Mr T telling Anita’s husband Rupert how he much prefers to wear the clothes I make for him because they fit him so much better and feel great! I was so happy to hear that that I turned to him and said come and choose some fabric. He said he loves his three M&Mills All State Shirts because they feel amazing on and so chose some of this gorgeous green hemp/organic cotton. Mr T has been so very good to me this past six difficult months and has patiently driven backwards and forwards to SE Devon checking out the right properties for us and my physical needs and so I sewed him the shirt yesterday afternoon and this afternoon & here he is in our top garden this evening. I think he looks rather splendid in it. M&Mills hemp/cotton is perfect for getting the mitred corners etc nice and neat. It sews like a dream, is great ecologically and is only £16.50 a metre. I can’t see this green on their website today though. Anita had some fab colours in it at her shop in Magdalene Rd, Exeter. Rupert & Anita pointed out that we’d be nearer to them now when we move! Hurrah! I also made Mr T’s #fulfordjeans in the best ever denim from @stonefabrics where we can still go to from our new house. PS I will have news for you tomorrow on that front. #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #isewmyhubbyclothes #sewingformen #thebesthusband

Interested in making your own jeans? These are a few of our favorite patterns.⁠ ⁠ Women's Stretch Denim:⁠ - Ash jeans from Megan Nielsen, choose from a number of great styles including: a modern slim leg jean, a skinny jean, a flare jean, and a wide leg jean #ashjeans @megannielsenpatterns ⁠ - Ames jeans from Cashmerette, has a great curvy fit #amesjeans @cashmerette #cashmerettepatterns⁠ - Ginger Jeans from Closet Core, comes in 2 size ranges plus it has a mid-rise option #gingerjeans @closetcorepatterns #closetcorepatterns⁠ ⁠ Women's Non-Stretch Denim:⁠ - Helene Jeans from Anna Allen, traditional high waist non-stretch jeans pattern available in two separate size ranges #helenejeans @annaallenclothing #annaallenclothing⁠ - Dawn Jeans from Megan Nielsen, similar to the Ash Jeans, you can pick from a number of styles and they come in 2 size ranges #dawnjeans #megannielsenpatterns⁠ - Heroine pattern from Merchant & Mills - fitted to the waist with a straight, generous leg and a healthy turn-up, only one size range #heroinejeans @merchantandmills⁠ ⁠ Men's Jeans:⁠ - Quadra Jeans pattern from Thread Theory, classic straight leg jean #quadrajeans @threadtheorydesigns #threadtheory⁠ - Fulford Jeans from Thread Theory, feature a conservatively high rise reminiscent of vintage work jeans that sits just below the waist #fulfordjeans⁠ - Men's Five-pocket Jeans sewing pattern from Wardrobe by Me, boot-cut jeans with a relaxed fit @wardrobebymepatterns ⁠ ⁠ Want some help learning all the tips and tricks to make any jeans pattern? ⁠ ⁠ IN PERSOM: Jeans Techniques with Beth Galvin⁠ @beth_sunnygal⁠ Sunday, June 16 and 23, 10AM - 3PM⁠ Class held at Bay Quilts⁠ ⁠ Learn more in our bio or at https://www.hellostitchstudio.com/events/in-person-make-jeans-with-beth-galvin⁠ ⁠ @sfbayquilts⁠ #handmadejeans #cooljeans #skinnyjeans #makingjeans #sewing #handmadewardrobe #memadeeveryday #mensewing #instasew #makersgonnamake #sewingaddict #mensew #menwhosew #sewist #isew #memade #dudeswhosew

OMG! OMG! OMG!⁠ In Person Jeans Class!!⁠ This is the first time we're offering this since before the pandemic.⁠ - 2 days of sewing⁠ - all the tips and tricks to make jeans ⁠ - choose the jeans pattern you like best⁠ - prep session and videos so you can make the most of your sewing time and refer back to what you learned in the future⁠ ⁠ IN PERSON: Make Jeans with Beth Galvin⁠ Prep Session: Online, Thursday, June 6, 6:30PM - 7:30PM (will be recorded)⁠ In Person Workshop: Sundays, June 16 and 23, 10AM - 3PM (2 days)⁠ Held at Bay Quilts⁠ @beth_sunnygal @sfbayquilts⁠ ⁠ Info in our bio or at https://www.hellostitchstudio.com/events/in-person-make-jeans-with-beth-galvin⁠ ⁠ #ashjeans @megannielsenpatterns ⁠ #amesjeans @cashmerette #cashmerettepatterns⁠ #gingerjeans @closetcorepatterns #closetcorepatterns⁠ ⁠#helenejeans @annaallenclothing #annaallenclothing⁠ #dawnjeans #megannielsenpatterns⁠ #heroinejeans @merchantandmills⁠ ⁠#quadrajeans @threadtheorydesigns #threadtheory⁠ #fulfordjeans⁠ @wardrobebymepatterns ⁠ #handmadejeans #cooljeans #skinnyjeans #makingjeans #sewing #handmadewardrobe #memadeeveryday #mensewing #instasew #makersgonnamake #sewingaddict #mensew #menwhosew #sewist #isew #memade #dudeswhosew⁠

Today was a proper summer day! Perfectly warm with no chill wind. We went out for a picnic lunch from Ben’s farm shop and a beautiful walk in the Devon Wildlife Trust’s Lady’s Wood near South Brent on the edge Dartmoor. We decided we’ve found a perfect place for a spot of forest bathing. We’re going to go back with a super healthy and delicious picnic, knitting, embroidery, paints and a book and spend a few hours there enjoying the birdsong and wind in the leaves. Not sure when, but soon. For #memademay2024 I’m wearing a quite old #hinterlanddress by @sewliberated in some yellow tiny check M&Mills linen from @makermakershop in Exeter. It’s really big on me now, like most of my older Hinterlands. I’m going to have bite the bullet and spend an afternoon altering quite a lot of my clothes. My sumptuously soft cardigan is a @kaffefassettstudio design from the @rowanyarns website knitted in Rowan’s Felted Teeed DK. Mr T is wearing memades too - a M&Mills #thetee made from a M&Mills Trapeze dress from linen bought at @stonefabrics that I decided during last year’s Memade May wasn’t being worn enough. His jeans are #fulfordjeans from @threadtheorydesigns in M&Mills black sanded twill also from @makermakershop My new @vivobarefoot hiking shoes are so comfortable and totally non-slip. I never want to take them off. They have greatly reduced my arthritic knee & hip pain just like @drchatterjee says. Memademay2024 #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashionmovement #memademay2024 #memademay2024day8 #memademay24 #memadeeveryday #sewover50 #sewover50may #sewover50may2024 #sew50dresses #isewmyhusbandsclothes #memadewardrobe

#memademay2024 day 20! I made something for my boyfriend instead of myself for a change. These are the @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans where I modified the front pockets a little bit. The rest is exactly as per the instructions. Fabric is a heavier type of linen from the fabric market. Review according to my boyfriend: "It's like wearing a cloud. I can't feel them at all" which I guess is a good thing. Made in May 2024

Some more memade may. These Fulford jeans by Thread Theory Designs are probably my favourite and proudest make. They are about a year old now and have worn in beautifully. Paired here with another favourite a Cornell shirt from Elbe patterns in a lovely linen. #memademay2024 #fulfordjeans #threadtheorydesigns #cornellshirt ##elbepatterns #menwhosew #sewover50

Inspiration photograph vs. illustration. The #CarmanahSweater #WoodleyTee and #FulfordJeans as interpreted as illustrations. I love the stitching details especially!

After a morning scrubbing the roof terrace and jet washing (my favourite toy) the top patio, Mr T asked if I would like to go for coffee and cake at @therivershackdevon which is on the edge of the millpond behind me in the first photo. Well, I can never say no to that! Their coffee and walnut cake is delicious and they serve fantastic coffee by @roastworks_coffee_co, hence the happy grin on my face! I promised @mo.sews a photo of the toile of the Henrietta skirt by @spaghetti_western_sewing that I made a few weeks ago. I had some old cotton navy & white gingham cotton in my stash for years from making school summer dresses that I didn’t know what to make with, so I over-dyed it with some teal Rit dye and wasn’t worried if I didn’t like the skirt, but I love it. This pattern only has two small pattern pieces to print off, which are the curved top of the gathered side panels and the park above which you join it to, so not much sticking together involved. You then just measure the length you want the final skirt to be and work out the dimensions of the fabric pieces required. Simple! And it should have been, given maths was my strong point at school and I worked in it for 30 years, but alas, I cut the side panels 10cm shorter (oops!). So, to save the day I cut 2 x 10cm pieces and sewed them on the bottom with some of the lovely fluffy selvedge in between. I love this skirt! Goes well with my Ottoline jacket by M&Mills. Mr T is wearing memade jeans & sweatshirt too. #henriettaskirt #fulfordjeans #carmanaghsweater #sewover50 #sew50skirts #sew50april #mmottoline #stokegabrielmillpond #stokegabriel #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #memadeeveryday

So today Naomi took us to walk along the ancient walls of the Roman town of Celleva Atrebatum at #silchester near her village for a different historical tour. Mr T and I wore our memade Landgate jackets by @merchantandmills and I’m wearing my #mmheroine jeans. Mr T’s jeans are in M&Mills 8oz denim and are @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans The ancient walls are still standing as they’re made up of rock hard flint, but the remains of the town are buried under the huge expanse of grass inside the walls. It’s mind boggling to think they had an amphitheatre and public baths etc in this very quiet bit of countryside. If you stand still and look across the inngrass bit, you can almost hear the sounds of the town - horses hooves, market sellers’ cries etc. The beautiful little church sits just within the ancient walls and dates back to the 12th century. It was a very difficult and painful walk around the walls which were covered in thick mud, but I’m proud to say I did it! A week ago I wouldn’t have believed I could do it. #silchester #callevaatrebatum #ancientromehistory #romantown #sewover50 #sew50jeans #sew50jackets #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes

Crotch shot. The zipper is still a mystery to me. #2024goals #menwhosew #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #nappeddenim #zippers #onestepatatime #pincushionbracelet

Lots of jeans getting finished up this week! #pbandjcreationsparksville #gingerjeans #closetcorepatterns #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #customjeans

Today is a very big day for Mr T - after exactly 45 years of working in an IT career, he retired! Hurrah! I think his smile says it all! To celebrate, he’s wearing a new pair of #fulfordjeans made by yours truly for his birthday last week. He bought the denim from Bess at @stonefabrics in Totnes. & I have to say it’s the nicest denim I’ve seen. I hope she has some left because I bought the new @fridaypatterncompany skirt pattern today. I sewed a simplistic Dartmoor scene on the back pockets. I prewashed the denim and they were too big despite using the same pattern as his others. I put them on a long 60oC wash and then tumble dried them on a high heat and they are exactly how he likes to wear them now. His t-shirt is the first M&Mills #thetee I made, using their 185 linen from @makermakershop So now, the fun starts! #imakemyhusbandsclothes #sew50july #sew50jeans #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #retirement #retiringtoday

Japanese denim 💙 11.5oz with traditional japanese flame 🔥 Fulford jeans pattern from @threadtheorydesigns gives the perfect finish on perfect fabric and zip from @selvage.denim 🧵Owners design and my freehand embroidery on back pocket 🧵Selvedge show off on outer seams 🧵The coolest zip ever 🧵Adjustable waistband for final adjustments if required Incredibly satisfying sewing 🤓 🌟perfect pattern - cut and sewing descriptions 🌟perfect fabric and supplies 🌟perfect sewing machines - Janome HD9 with Guterman Denim thread for the top stitching Flat fellled seams sewn & cut from the outside gives no room for errors 🤯 #slowfashion #fulfordjeans #threadtheory #threadtheorydesigns #selvedgedenim #jegsyrselv #jeansmaking #sewingformen

I think it’s fair to say & see that our NE wind is still blowing. It has been a tad choppy for sea swimming here. Today the sea again felt almost warmer than the air. This is a #wikstenshift made s few years ago now, but I remembered today how useful it is for taking to swim because it’s so easy to get back on, esp in the wind. I made it in M&Mills #185 linen in a beautiful shade they no longer sell, sadly. I bought some from @makermakershop last year and Anita said she thought she had one of the last bolts of this colour. Mr T is wearing a memade #mmallstate #mmallstateshirt #allstateshirt in M&Mills hemp cotton in a colour they no longer sell, sadly. It’s beautiful to work with and dies come in other colours. His jeans are #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns in M&Mills cotton twill. 🩵 #sewover50august #sewover50dresses #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #sustainablesewing #seaswimming #seaswimmingdevon #devonswimming #swimmingindevon

Mr T was rocking his memade clothes and sporting mad professor hair in the winds at Start Point this afternoon. On our bucket list for retirement is to walk the SW coast path so we came to recce one of the more difficult parts. There were many shear drops down to the rocks below 😱. We planned to swim at Mattiscombe beach but the sea was too rough, as you will see if you swipe left. We just stood and got battered by the waves to st least get the cold water shock which is so beneficial. I want to go back on a calm day. It was a lovely spot with a “fun” climb down the cliff. Mr T is wearing his @threadtheorydesigns #finlayson sweater in French Terry from @exeterfabriccentre , #fulfordjeans in M&Mills denim and his #mmtheteeshirt in linen from @stonefabrics Seeing the signpost showing how long the SW coastpath is made me realise it’s a long project! At least we did a few miles today, of the 630 miles in total. Swip left to see some fluffy dog cuteness under the eerie skies we had today. He’s becoming a real beach boy with our daily swimming. It’s pouring down outside now, but summer is returning finally tomorrow afternoon. #swcoastpath #startpointlighthouse #dailyhike #dailyswim #wildswimming #hikinginengland #walkonthewildside #walkingdevon #imakemyhusbandsclothes #memadeclothes #memadeclothing

We have restocked all your favourite @threadtheorydesigns sewing patterns and added a few new styles to our range aswell. Thread Theory Designs create patterns for both men and women (we have a few of the women’s styles online too!) and focus on timeless, practical and functional styles. Keep an eye out for lots of menswear inspiration in the next few days. #LamaziFabrics #ThreadTheoryDesigns #WoodleyTee #CarmanahSweater #QuadraJeans #JedediahPants #FulfordJeans #SewingForMen #MenWhoSew #MenSewToo #Sewing #Dressmaking #SewistsOfInstagram

Today is a very big day for Mr T - after exactly 45 years of working in an IT career, he retired! Hurrah! I think his smile says it all! To celebrate, he’s wearing a new pair of #fulfordjeans made by yours truly for his birthday last week. He bought the denim from Bess at @stonefabrics in Totnes. & I have to say it’s the nicest denim I’ve seen. I hope she has some left because I bought the new @fridaypatterncompany skirt pattern today. I sewed a simplistic Dartmoor scene on the back pockets. I prewashed the denim and they were too big despite using the same pattern as his others. I put them on a long 60oC wash and then tumble dried them on a high heat and they are exactly how he likes to wear them now. His t-shirt is the first M&Mills #thetee I made, using their 185 linen from @makermakershop So now, the fun starts! #imakemyhusbandsclothes #sew50july #sew50jeans #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #retirement #retiringtoday

Spring has sprung at last! It was 16oC up on Dartmoor today at Blackadon Nature Reserve. I wore my new shawl pin from @sandysewsnow which goes beautifully with my self drafted cardigan from 2004 (in Niro Kureyon yarn) worn over my Elizabeth Suzanne Georgia Tee which looks ok in this third photo but hangs like a sack so I need to repurpose it. The views from up there were stunning today and we had a picnic in the warm sun of homemade chunky veg soup with black beans (using up the remainder of last week’s organic veg box delivery), Mr T’s sourdough bread and yoghurt with blueberries and roasted nuts added. Mr T is wearing made #fulfordjeans in gorgeous denim from@stonefabrics. The penultimate photo shows the view from the doorway of Leusdon church - how’s that for a view? Unfortunately the church was locked, I guess because it’s remote. Swipe to the end to hear the sounds of the Moor where we ate lunch and our two fur babies hoping for scraps. I’m so much happier now the birds are returning from Africa and singing their hearts out. The cuckoos will be back soon. I hope your day was warm and sunny too. #esgeorgia #handknitted #iknitmyownclothes #iknitmyclothes #selfdraftedpattern #blackadonnaturereserve #dartmoor #sewover50 #sew50april #imakemyhusbandsclothes

Finished #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns for my dad’s 77th birthday coming up in a couple weeks. Decided to skip making muslins since I live 7,000 miles away from my family.. hopefully these would fit him🤞

The highest point on the South Coast of England! Isn’t it a fabulous view? I’m looking down at the high cliffs we climbed up and down on a couple of days ago and they look so small! I’m wearing my toile of the #mmellsworth by @merchantandmills in some gorgeous lightweight linen from @exeterfabriccentre last year. It was only the other day that I realised all the elephants on it are upside down! They’re not when I look down on them though, so no problem. Poor elephants must have headaches. Also wearing my first #mmheroine jeans in denim from @makermakershop. Mr T is wearing #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns and #mmtheteeshirt by @merchantandmills both in beautiful M&Mills fabrics also from the lovely @makermakershop In the last photo, if you look closely, we can see right across Lyme Bay to our home at the other end. We often look across to the Golden Cap and fancy a trip over there. It’s called this because of the colour of the stone on the top and stands out about 50 miles across to our cottage. It’s 64 miles by road. It’s a long old climb up to the top from the beach, as you can see! Only a couple of miles but SO steep! A great way to end our little Dorset break, a highlight of which was meeting @mumquarr finally at her beautiful cottage. What a lovely lady she is. We all chatted for over two hours so easily as though we’d known each other for ever. Thank you Colette for the tea and delicious ginger biscuits! #dorsetcoast #dorset #southwestcoastpath #southwestcoastalpath #imadethese #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #sewover50 #sew50september #sew50tops #sew50jeans #goldencap

The highest point on the South Coast of England! Isn’t it a fabulous view? I’m looking down at the high cliffs we climbed up and down on a couple of days ago and they look so small! I’m wearing my toile of the #mmellsworth by @merchantandmills in some gorgeous lightweight linen from @exeterfabriccentre last year. It was only the other day that I realised all the elephants on it are upside down! They’re not when I look down on them though, so no problem. Poor elephants must have headaches. Also wearing my first #mmheroine jeans in denim from @makermakershop. Mr T is wearing #fulfordjeans by @threadtheorydesigns and #mmtheteeshirt by @merchantandmills both in beautiful M&Mills fabrics also from the lovely @makermakershop In the last photo, if you look closely, we can see right across Lyme Bay to our home at the other end. We often look across to the Golden Cap and fancy a trip over there. It’s called this because of the colour of the stone on the top and stands out about 50 miles across to our cottage. It’s 64 miles by road. It’s a long old climb up to the top from the beach, as you can see! Only a couple of miles but SO steep! A great way to end our little Dorset break, a highlight of which was meeting @mumquarr finally at her beautiful cottage. What a lovely lady she is. We all chatted for over two hours so easily as though we’d known each other for ever. Thank you Colette for the tea and delicious ginger biscuits! #dorsetcoast #dorset #southwestcoastpath #southwestcoastalpath #imadethese #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #sewover50 #sew50september #sew50tops #sew50jeans #goldencap

We’ve found our ideal next home! 🤣🤣. Only joking. This is the National Trust’s Shute Barton a few miles from where we would like to live. It’s medieval. Before we went to view the thatched cottage yesterday, Mr T planned a 2 1/2 mile walk though parkland by this National Trust property to get a glimpse of another property which is also for sale. You can see it in the bottom right of the last photo. The grounds are so quintessentially English with huge oak trees in the parkland. We will go and view the house for sale soon. The countryside in the background is looking south down the River Axe valley to the sea at Seaton. There was SO much birdsong. Anyway, I digress! Back to #memademay2024 and I’m wearing my @sewhouse Remy Raglan dress hack made up of large leftover bits of M&Mills chambray which I made a couple of winters ago. I had so many bouts I managed to do a deep hem and three deep pintucks. It has Holly Hobby vibes and is comfortable to wear. Chambray feels incredibly soft. Me T is wearing @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans in M&Mills 8oz sanded twill and a M&Mills #allstateshirt made up in some grey linen bedding fabric from a Portuguese market. We really enjoyed our day out in SE Devon yesterday and rushed home to teach a harp workshop. We worked on Bridge over Troubled Water which sounds amazing on Celtic harp. #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashionmovement #memademay2024 #memademay2024day8 #memademay24 #memadeeveryday #sewover50 #sewover50may #sewover50may2024 #sew50 dresses #memadewardrobe

We have restocked all your favourite @threadtheorydesigns sewing patterns and added a few new styles to our range aswell. Thread Theory Designs create patterns for both men and women (we have a few of the women’s styles online too!) and focus on timeless, practical and functional styles. Keep an eye out for lots of menswear inspiration in the next few days. #LamaziFabrics #ThreadTheoryDesigns #WoodleyTee #CarmanahSweater #QuadraJeans #JedediahPants #FulfordJeans #SewingForMen #MenWhoSew #MenSewToo #Sewing #Dressmaking #SewistsOfInstagram

My talented better half @harping_mad made me these superb #fulfordjeans from a pattern by @threadtheorydesigns. The linen tee shirt is the @merchantandmills #mmtheteeshirt in their 185 linen range, also beautifully made for me by Susie. I’m so lucky! #mywifemadethis #luckyhusband #homemadeclothes #sewover50 #sew50july

After a morning scrubbing the roof terrace and jet washing (my favourite toy) the top patio, Mr T asked if I would like to go for coffee and cake at @therivershackdevon which is on the edge of the millpond behind me in the first photo. Well, I can never say no to that! Their coffee and walnut cake is delicious and they serve fantastic coffee by @roastworks_coffee_co, hence the happy grin on my face! I promised @mo.sews a photo of the toile of the Henrietta skirt by @spaghetti_western_sewing that I made a few weeks ago. I had some old cotton navy & white gingham cotton in my stash for years from making school summer dresses that I didn’t know what to make with, so I over-dyed it with some teal Rit dye and wasn’t worried if I didn’t like the skirt, but I love it. This pattern only has two small pattern pieces to print off, which are the curved top of the gathered side panels and the park above which you join it to, so not much sticking together involved. You then just measure the length you want the final skirt to be and work out the dimensions of the fabric pieces required. Simple! And it should have been, given maths was my strong point at school and I worked in it for 30 years, but alas, I cut the side panels 10cm shorter (oops!). So, to save the day I cut 2 x 10cm pieces and sewed them on the bottom with some of the lovely fluffy selvedge in between. I love this skirt! Goes well with my Ottoline jacket by M&Mills. Mr T is wearing memade jeans & sweatshirt too. #henriettaskirt #fulfordjeans #carmanaghsweater #sewover50 #sew50skirts #sew50april #mmottoline #stokegabrielmillpond #stokegabriel #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #memadeeveryday

Something I got up to this month: Secret Star Wars Jeans for hubby. These were part of his holiday gift along with two henleys I made for him. Pattern: Fulford Jeans by Thread Theory Fabrics: Lady McElroy Deegan Cotton/Spandex Stretch Denim in Charcoal ( @stonemountainfabric ), lining Star Wars Light & Dark Sketch Dark Side Black ( @birtlesfabrics ) Hardware: @kylieandthemachine jeans kit / @wawaksewing Tags: @intenselydistracted #sewinginmywheelchair #sewistsofig #sewcialist #inclusionmatters #queermakers #theknittedbean #theknittedbeanpodcast #thretheorypatterns #sewingformen #giftsewing #memade #handmadewardrobe #intenselydistractedlabels #fulfordjeans #starwars #jeansmaking

Whilst buying fabrics for Mr T’s new shirts last Friday from @makerstableonline at the Bovey Craft fair, I spotted this gorgeous pale pink & yellow check linen and tried to resist buying it (honestly!). It’s super comfortable and cheery imadethis up as a @shopwiksten Shift Top. I’d forgotten how comfortable this pattern is and is on par with the LB Pullover. Wearing it with my M&Mills #heroinejeans. Mr T is wearing memades - I’d say 85% of his wardrobe is memade now. He’s wearing the @threadtheorydesigns Carmanagh Sweater and Fulford Jeans & M&Mills The Tee. These photos are taken near our cottage and the tall building is called The Daymark and is basically a lighthouse without a light for ships to see their way into Dartmouth harbour. The coastal view photo is looking west along the south coast towards Plymouth way. A little bit of news on our proposed move - the bungalow we’ve decided on is empty and gone through probate and the main beneficiary has agreed a price, but, and unbeknown to us, the elderly lady who lived there left a proportion of the value of the house to animal charities, which we love. But, did you know that the law says that each of the charities has to also agree the sale price with us as they’re also beneficiaries?!! 🥺. We’ve waited since 9am Monday but still no response from them, hence why I’ve delayed posting. The agent is sure they will all agree our offer but we can’t instruct our solicitors until the agent has their agreement in writing! When that has happened I will post more information. We’re so close, but can’t totally relax. In the meantime I’m sewing like crazy to calm my nerves whilst nursing a frozen shoulder 😩. #isewmyownclothes #isewmyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #slowfashion #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #sewover50 #sew50tops #daymark #wikstenshifttop #mmheroine #mmtheteeshirt #thetee #fulfordjeans #carmanaghsweater

Yesterday we took our daughter Rebekah to see our new home to be (still 🤞🏻🤞🏻) and we stood at these impressive HUGE gates in the walled medieval part of the tiny town for yet another photo. Swipe to see earlier ones with our youngest, Naomi, a couple of weeks ago and me back in March. Would love to tell you these are the gates to our new house, but I don’t think you’d believe me somehow! They look like the gates to a French chateau. Whilst Mr T was poised taking the photo a lady came out of her house and offered to take one of us all. Colyton is the friendliest place I’ve been to in a very long time. People say hello and chat. I will show you the new home once the surveys on both our cottage and the new one are completed this Friday and Saturday. We also took Rebekah to see our new daily dog walk by the river and our new swimming beach. She was suitably impressed and it’s closer to London so quicker to get back. I’m wearing my M&Mills Traoeze too in their gorgeous pink gingham linen and my super comfortable Free Range Slacks by @sewhouse7 in M&Mills 185 Alta Mare linen. Mr T wore memades too - M&Mills The Tee in M&M green cotton mini check cotton from @makerstableonline a few years ago now, and his @threadtheorydesigns Fulford Jeans in M&Mills 8oz sanded twill Nordic Green. #fulfordjeans #mmthetee #freerangeslacks #mmtrapezetop #imadethese #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #daughterlove #daughter

When we took photos of my latest stripy Hinterland dress hack 2 1/2 weeks ago, our estate agents were phoning us all in the chain to suggest a move date of 18 November and we figured by now we would be exchanging contracts with a firm date in mind, but no! The chap at the beginning is still holding everyone up. It’s so frustrating. It’s 11 weeks on Wednesday since the new chain started and it’s well over a year now since we put our cottage on the market and got an offer on the first viewing. I have to admit we’re a tad fed up of living in limbo and half packed but, we have made the best of it and made some amazing memories hiking and swimming etc in the meantime. You can always make good things out of bad or frustrating situations. Anyway here’s my first linen Hinterland which I’ve just taken in by two sizes but I forgot to take my sweater off to show! 🤭. I’m wearing it with my Hinterland sweater by @knit.love.wool in @dropsdesign 4-ply alpaca which I highly recommend. It’s so soft and light, but so warm and economical too, if you’re a serial knitter like me. It cost £27 for the 100% alpaca and £15.99 for gorgeous @malabrigoyarn variegated sock yarn that I used for the fair isle. My shawl is the Tamdou by @mairlynd and is knitted in beautiful Cumbria fingering yarn by @thefibrecompany My Hinterland dress is in @merchantandmills Alta Mare 185 linen and I made it in 2018. And I knitted my socks last year! All of these clothes are #sew50reworn Mr T is wearing some well worn #fulfordjeans in corduroy from @exeterfabriccentre and his new #finlaysonsweater in organic sweatshirting from @raystitch Fingers crossed we get a moving date this week…. #memadeeveryday #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #hinterlanddress #slhinterlanddress #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #reworn #iknitthis #handknit #handknitcardigan #rowanyarns #knittingaddict #iknitmyownclothes #hinterlandsweater #tamdoushawl

When we took photos of my latest stripy Hinterland dress hack 2 1/2 weeks ago, our estate agents were phoning us all in the chain to suggest a move date of 18 November and we figured by now we would be exchanging contracts with a firm date in mind, but no! The chap at the beginning is still holding everyone up. It’s so frustrating. It’s 11 weeks on Wednesday since the new chain started and it’s well over a year now since we put our cottage on the market and got an offer on the first viewing. I have to admit we’re a tad fed up of living in limbo and half packed but, we have made the best of it and made some amazing memories hiking and swimming etc in the meantime. You can always make good things out of bad or frustrating situations. Anyway here’s my first linen Hinterland which I’ve just taken in by two sizes but I forgot to take my sweater off to show! 🤭. I’m wearing it with my Hinterland sweater by @knit.love.wool in @dropsdesign 4-ply alpaca which I highly recommend. It’s so soft and light, but so warm and economical too, if you’re a serial knitter like me. It cost £27 for the 100% alpaca and £15.99 for gorgeous @malabrigoyarn variegated sock yarn that I used for the fair isle. My shawl is the Tamdou by @mairlynd and is knitted in beautiful Cumbria fingering yarn by @thefibrecompany My Hinterland dress is in @merchantandmills Alta Mare 185 linen and I made it in 2018. And I knitted my socks last year! All of these clothes are #sew50reworn Mr T is wearing some well worn #fulfordjeans in corduroy from @exeterfabriccentre and his new #finlaysonsweater in organic sweatshirting from @raystitch Fingers crossed we get a moving date this week…. #memadeeveryday #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyownclothes #imakemyclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #hinterlanddress #slhinterlanddress #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhusbandclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes #imakemyhusbandclothes #reworn #iknitthis #handknit #handknitcardigan #rowanyarns #knittingaddict #iknitmyownclothes #hinterlandsweater #tamdoushawl

Last photos of a very happy weekend with our two youngest @naomitrezise and @rebekah_trezise Me T and I were wearing our memade M&Mills Landgate jackets in their lightweight dry oilskin fabric, me my M&Mills Heroine jeans, and Mr T his @threadtheorydesigns #fulfordjeans in superb denim from @stonefabrics I’m so glad that I can make not just pretty garments for best, but totally practical and outdoor clothing. In the past I just used to sew dresses, blouses and shirts and a few wedding & evening dresses but thanks to all the amazing new Indie designers, we have access to proper practical garments. It’s very satisfying and empowering. #mmlandgate #mmheroine #oilskinjacket #sewover50 #sew50march #sew50jeans #sew50jackets #imademyclothes #imakemyclothes #imakemyhusbandsclothes

Summer has finally arrived here on the South Coast, at least when the sun is out but there’s still that chill wind that we can’t shake off. One minute you’re hot, the next a tad chilly. It was cloudy when we set off on this local walk yesterday and then the sun came back out and I was hot. This path is known locally as the American Road because were told it was built for driving the heavy armoured vehicles to Oxen Cove to load up to take them over to Normandy for D-Day. Swipe to see Oxen Cove. It’s not very big and must have been quite an operation getting the ship in there to load them. Swipe to the end to see a very naughty bull! I’m wearing my M&Mills Ellis Dress which is huge on me now and needs taking in yet again after I managed to make it too big two years ago. The linen fabric is quite floppy and is the one M&Mills used on their bog about hacking it to have a pleated skirt and longer sleeves. It looks much nicer on there but it had just been ironed probably. Mine had been worn all day whilst sewing etc. it’s comfortable though. My waistcoat is their Miller waistcoat pattern. I made it out of scraps of denim cutoffs from other projects. Mr T us wearing a M&Mills The Tee in their Indian cotton from @makerstableonline and his @threadtheorydesigns Fulford jeans in the best denim ever (imho) from @stonefabrics #mmellis #mmellisandhattie #mmellisdress #mmellishack #mmmiller #mmthetee #mmtheteeshirt #fulfordjeans #americanroad #isewmyclothes #isewmyownclothes #imakemyclothes #isewmyhusbandsclothes #isewmyhubbysclothes #imakemyownclothes #sewover50 #sew50dresses #imadethis #slowfashion

Matching is my love language 👯 No prompt today bc I saw Kevin put this shirt on and then decided to wear mine too 😂 Kevin: #M6044 size large, no mods in View A. He’s got a 38” chest and is 6’4”. #FulfordJeans size 32 with the rise lengthened 1/2” Me: #JennaShirt size XXS, sleeves shortened 0.75” and #Persephonepants hacked to death so size wouldn’t mean anything (base is a 2??) my measurements are in bio Fabric is a sandwashed cotton made from a duvet cover I thrifted at Savers Thrift! #memademay #memademenswear @closetcorepatterns @mccallpatterncompany @threadtheorydesigns