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Annika

@_notaseamstress

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Londoner living abroad documenting my makes. Mostly sewing, including pattern testing, some cricut, some paper crafts as well as a few more.

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- 2026 -

There's just not enough whimsy in the world.

When Shar-Lee started teasing these wings, it caught my eye. They're fun and adaptable, turning from wings to apron, and so when the opportunity presented itself, I was happy to test!

After much consideration, I used a leftover piece of indigenous art print fabric and I love how the colours give the impression of the colourful wings you might see in the wild.

As I was putting it together, I realised I hadn't cut the facing pieces as mirrored pieces so ended up piecing it together from the scraps I had left (pic 8). It came together thankfully, and Miss 11 helped me pick the buttons.

We love them. I made the size 8-12, but... There's also an adult size, so if you need some whimsy, this might be it!

Pattern: Mudcake Wings from @sharlee_sews
Fabric: leftover cotton in my stash originally from @spotlightstores by @_notaseamstress

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24 days ago

- 2026 -

The Winnie Wrap Skirt has just been released.

As with all of Madeleine's patterns I've had the pleasure to test, the construction and design (and adjustments made through testing) are considered, and there are several options included.

I made the mini version in a leopard print linen blend, which needed lining, but fortunately I had the right colour on hand. Constructing the waistband is very much a case of "trust the process" but as you can see it works!

Winnie has inseam pockets and two types of fastenings on the same skirt. Use the bow ties or the buckles depending on your mood, and tuck what you're not using away using the clever concealed button holes. Either way it's adjustable in size (in my view, it allows for extra toasties with that Sunday lunch). It's starting to warm up here and this is a perfect skirt for summer.

Pattern: Winnie Wrap Skirt by @madswick_studio
Fabric: linen blend from @spotlightstores that's been in my stash a while by @_notaseamstress

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a month ago

- 2026 -

I made this Nina Top for my mini me, in what is potentially the quickest top you'll ever make. It's lined, adjustable in that you can play with the straps, and the perfect holiday sew when you decide you need a new top an hour before you're meant to leave.

It's also my final entry for #ohscrap26 challenge from @cinnamondaisystudio as it's a remnant piece of denim from a jacket I've yet to post.

Pattern: Nina top by @sewityourselfpattern
Fabric: scraps from my stash, originally from @spotlightstores

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

I am aware that despite the downpour I can hear, we're hurtling towards another scorching summer. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for quick sew summer tops that have interesting features, in this case princess seams, elasticated straps and no fastenings.

I tested this top from @ikindamadeit using scraps from dresses I had made as a gift. The liking is made from various pieces of white fabric, but who can tell on the inside?!

Another entry for the #ohscrap26 challenge from @cinnamondaisystudio

Pattern: Sunday Morning top by @ikindamadeit
Fabric: linen blend scraps from my stash, but originally from @spotlightstores

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

Last in the current trilogy of test bags for @benmakesbags, the Crossbody Pouch.

I was again able to use scraps for this bag, so here's another entry for #ohscrap26 by @cinnamondaisystudio. I was slightly more careful about pattern placement to make the most of this fun coffee themed print. Regular readers may remember I bought this as a remnant and I used it to make the Cornwall Crossbody so it's kind of fitting it's for a bag of a similar name!

Pattern: Crossbody Pouch by @benmakesbags
Fabric: scraps from my stash but originally from @spotlightstores

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

Another bag I tested for @benmakesbags is the Landscape Pouch.

I enjoy making bags and there's something magical about seeing how the construction comes together and having to trust the process.

This was another opportunity to use scraps for the #ohscrap challenge from @cinnamondaisystudio. I'd bought this fabric about four years ago and used it for a zip pouch and a bag, both of which were gifts.

Pattern: Landscape Pouch by @benmakesbags
Fabric: scraps from my stash, but originally from @spotlightstores

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

A tote bag is often a great first project when starting to sew. It's also a great for a quick win, especially when it's well constructed.

I've tested a few bags for @benmakesbags including this one and it's the simple details that make it a fun sew. I really like that it's fully lined, has a decently sized cargo pocket and that the top hem is completely enclosed.

Self inflicted tiny stripe matching made this harder than it needed to be, but I wanted to use this remnant piece I'd been hanging on to, which also made it perfect for the #ohscrap26 challenge from @cinnamondaisystudio. The leftover webbing I had in my stash was perfect for the straps and though the lining is arguably not the best match, it's also from my stash.

Turns out it's also the perfect size for my daughter's flute, so I no longer have use of this tote!

Pattern: Tote and Cargo Pocket from @benmakesbags
Fabric: a remnant in my stash, originally from @spotlightstores

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

I should start a series called "me mades my child has appropriated" . This is (another) one of those.

I tested the Hana bag and it's such a thoughtful, beautiful design. It's a cute crossbody bag which gets its shape from the vertical folds, allowing an interesting look on the outside and a bit of expansion when you try to put too much in.

The French seams mean it's tidy inside though unlined and it has a small interior pocket.

I'm told on good authority that it's the perfect size for a paperback and that I should make more.

Pattern: Hana Phone Bag by @soft.fold.studio
Fabric: scraps and remnants from my stash: a cotton twill and faux suede

#hanaphonebag #softfoldstudio

#ohscrap! @cinnamondaisystudio

Australia by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2016 -

A throwback to ten(!) years ago because I came across these photos when I fell down memory lane looking at old photos of my kids.

Back then, a local London mum was starting music lessons teaching the Kodaly method and wanted some props. Cue some fun experimenting, lots of stuffing and a new friendship. I even made a bone to use in a song involving, you guessed it, a dog.

Unfortunately I don't have any photos of the completed crotchet rest, but I do remember it's called shh in the Kodaly method. by @_notaseamstress

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2 months ago

- 2026 -

I was so pleased to be part of the Back to School Showcase hosted by @shlebysews and @sewmakeityours. I was paired with Petite Stitchery.

Miss11 and I trawled through the many lovely patterns available to us and settled on an outfit she was very excited about.

She loved the interesting back on the Baker top, the fun pleats and built in shorts of the Ashby skirt and the classic simplicity of the Mikal jacket. She chose a pale yellow (her favourite colour) jersey for the top and skirt and crisp white teddy fleece to recreate almost exactly the jacket in the listing photos.

We're both delighted with the outcome and they will get a lot of use when it warms up here. The jacket has already had a few outings.

Patterns: Baker, Ashby and Mikael from @petitestitchery
Fabric: my stash and @spotlightstores by @_notaseamstress

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3 months ago

- 2026 -

So... people wear pjs out, right? Only I tested the Lyla top and Ryder bottoms but I'm pretty sure these shorts fit me perfectly, so need to be worn out and about.

I was pleased to be able to use up some scraps to make the Lyla top, and will definitely do that again with some other scraps. It was possibly the quickest thing I've ever made.

The Ryder shorts came together quickly, have decent sized pockets and a nicely shaped hem with facing to make them definitely in need of wearing out instead of as pjs. Just as soon as it warms up...

Patterns: Lyla top and Ryder shorts by @_tailored_trends
Fabric: scraps from my stash for the top, lovely cotton for the shorts from @potter_and_co_australia by @_notaseamstress

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3 months ago

- 2026 -

I LOVE a pun, so of course I just had to test the Cheers Collection bags when I saw the names.

The bags are a set of three different sized bottle/can carriers. Wine About It for wine bottles, Beer With Me for beer bottles and Can We Talk About It for cans. I made the latter and it was just so cleverly constructed. Australia seems to have slightly bigger cans than, say, the UK, but they fit in just fine.

I was at a friend's place just yesterday and watched her carry a box of wine bottles... I think we all know she needs a bag for next time.

Pattern: Can We Talk About It / Cheers Collection from @craftingarchive
Fabric: scraps from older projects, cotton canvas originally from @spotlightstores by @_notaseamstress

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3 months ago