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Melanie

@sewmelwyk

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🇨🇦🇺🇦Sewist & Librarian:loves reading, sewing & embroidery, sometimes all 3 together
Cofounder @stratfordgarmentguild
Book talk over @readermelanie

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It's Book Talk time in the #literarysewingcircle
If you are reading along, share your thoughts on the book here - or check out the blogpost (link in bio) for a series of questions to get you thinking.

#readandsew #readalong #sewalong #bookclub by @sewmelwyk

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a day ago

Part of the fun of the #literarysewingcircle is coming up with ideas for a project! Here are some of the inspirations from our first inspo post -- just a few here, there are over 30 in the blog post!

Our first batch are based on the main characters. We have:

Penny Dress by @sewoveritlondon
Josie Dress by @simplicity_creative_group
Jo Dress by @seamwork
Penny Jacket by @FibreMood
Archie shirt by @stylearc
Josephine dress by @pmpatterns

#readersofinstagram #readandsew #readalong #sewalong

Moving on to some secondary characters we might be inspired by any of these names:

Davina set by @made_by_oranges
Eugenie top by @atelierscammit
Arlene top by @tianasclosetsewingpatterns
Connie shacket by @ellieandmac_patterns

Don't forget to look for many more suggestions on the blog now

And finally some minor characters whose names might give you ideas:

Edgar harem pants by @tianasclosetsewingpatterns
Frank jeans by @closetcorepatterns
Madeleine dress at @taukomagazine
Godfrey Tee by @officialhambly

Don't forget to look for many more suggestions on the blog now by @sewmelwyk

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7 days ago

Our #literarysewingcircle titlefor Fall 2026 is...
The Excitements by CJ Wray!

What is it about? Summary: A brilliant and witty drama about two elderly female World War II veterans with a secret past who embark on one last adventure to right some historic wrongs. (Full description on the blog now!) Check out @authorcjwray for more 😍

Literary Sewing Circle Schedule

Sept 25 - Announcement & Introduction
Oct 2 - Inspiration post 1
Oct 9 -Book thoughts
Oct 16 - Author feature
Oct 23 - Inspiration post 2
Oct 30 - Final Post: book discussion wrap up & project linkup

We will have our project linkup live for two weeks after the final post to allow you to finish up and post your projects, which takes us to Nov 13, when the window to share your projects will close if you want to enter for one of the prizes.

#sewistsofinstagram #readandsew #readalong #sewalong

This round we also have some sponsors! Two lovely pattern makers with a vintage vibe reflecting some of this book's themes have offerings for our readers.
Victory Patterns from Toronto, Canada is offering a discount code to all participants (for this one, please 'officially' sign up in the comments here or on IG to let me know you are sewing along) and also a free pattern of choice to one winner in our final draw.
How To Do Fashion from Denmark is offering a paper pattern of choice shipped to the winner in our final draw, worldwide. She also notes that if you sign up for her newsletter, you will have access to a free pattern and a discount code.

How does the Literary Sewing Circle work? We read a book together, discuss it, and then make something inspired by our reading. As long as you can point out what inspired you from your reading, even if just a sentence, you can share your makes in our final roundup!

Anyone can join, and you can sew, knit, crochet, quilt or embroider - any textile art that you like doing - to participate. This is a reading/sewing circle, very low-key. This round we are lucky to have some sponsors too!

There is no official sign-up to worry about; just start reading along if you wish, and leave your thoughts on the book or your project on any of the Literary Sewing Circle posts. An by @sewmelwyk

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20 days ago

It's that time of year again! Time for the next round of the #literarysewingcircle 😍

Whatever could we be reading this fall? Stay tuned for the big reveal coming this Friday...

(A hint: England, sisters, intrigue, fun)

#readandsew #readalong #sewalong #bookclub by @sewmelwyk

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22 days ago

Saw a pompom maker set at the thrift store so decided to try it out - with some yarn also from the thrift! In reverse order you will see the purse charm I made with it, and the steps to the finished product.

Loved adding the beads & relevant word 📚😄 Haven't made pompoms since I was a kid!

#pompom #pursecharms #thriftstorefind #childhoodcrafts by @sewmelwyk

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23 days ago

My last project that I cut out in August is finally done in September! I thrifted a soft cotton duvet with a nice woven grid design since I don't have much white in my stash. I decided it was perfect for a boxy top and went with a pattern I have made a couple of times before, the Cielo by @closetcorepatterns
I really like the fit & details in this one.

I used the bias binding option for the neckline instead of facings this time as there was a bit of show-through with the white fabric so binding looked neater to me. I also lengthened it by 2". This is a great staple pattern & I love this project. The fabric is so soft to wear & now I have a nice white top -- hopefully I won't spill coffee on it the first time I wear it 🤪

#closetcorepatterns #cielotop #sewingwithsheets #MyMakessept26 #sewover50 by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

Had some thrifting fun over the summer! I always like to see what I can find for my sewing at any thrift store I stop in at.

1. Found a batch of Stretch & Sew patterns - I like these retro designs & was thrilled to find some I didn't already own. Plus a couple more - an 80s dress (my fave) and a 90s "Western "blouse with interesting details.

2. I am trying to be judicious about new fabric as my stash is a little over full but couldn't resist this print - it's a duvet, & it's hard to capture the colour. A little too green but not dark like the background of the pattern photo either!

3. Fun buttons! Always useful somewhere.

Do you thrift for supplies too?

#sewistsofinstagram #thriftysewing #thriftedfabric #thriftscore #sewingpatterns by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

I made some pants! I tried out the All Day Culottes by @matchymatchysewingclub - a free pattern from their website.

There are two views in this free beginner's pattern, and I liked the version with three rows of tucks at the bottom. It adds a nice touch, even if you can't see them really clearly in black unless the light is right. They are wide legged culottes with an elastic waist all the way around, and really great deep pockets. I like them! I made size Large using a mystery fabric from my stash - some kind of poly blend. It worked out well though!

I have styled them here with my bright stripy Blaire shirt by @stylearc and a New Look blouse from an 80s pattern. I like both. This was quite an easy sew & I would definitely make them again.

#alldayculottes #matchymatchysewingclub #sewover50 #mymakessept26 by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

Back to sharing good textile reads on my blog & starting off a stitchy September with this fabulous new book on Mexican embroidery by a Mexican textile artist. Equal parts instructional & cultural journey, with fantastic photos.

Highly recommended if you'd like to learn about traditional embroidery of Mexico plus some newer iterations too. Full thoughts are on the blog now but let's just say I loved it!

#embroidery #handembroideredclothing #bordado #mexicanembroidery by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

Took on a little Challenge Stacking this week as I was inspired to make a simple top from my scrap stash. The squares incorporate pieces leftover from 3 tops, 4 dresses, a skirt, vest & 2 accessories I have made previously. The black bits are the more narrow leftovers from a pair of culottes I cut out recently but haven't finished yet! This is the final #mymakesaug26 too.

Inspired by #auguseit proposed by @an_upcycled_life I decided to go through some scraps for ideas. I chose the Trio Top from the @matchymatchysewingclub recent book. It was simple enough to let the patchwork do the talking. I made a couple of modifications also, mainly dropping the neckline.

Making this as part of #OhScrap26 challenge hosted by @cinnamondaisystudio which is a great annual challenge to make a garment wholly from scraps. (I'm sewing in Canada)

And also including @whatbecsews new #sewbold2026 challenge here, as wearing bright patchwork feels bold for me!

#sewover50 by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

Working on something a little different -- and it's not purple 😄 Having a bit of fun with my scraps...

#scrapsewing #stashfabrics #wip by @sewmelwyk

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a month ago

Friday was the last Library Happy Hour of this summer -- it's an after hours musical social with a cash bar held in the library stacks. Wearing my modified Terrace Dress by @lieslandco (midi length) as it's hot work & I need to stay cool & make sure everything runs smoothly 😂 Lovely fun @splibrary

#libraryhappyhour #programminglibrarian #terracedress #lieslandco #summerdress by @sewmelwyk

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2 months ago