What I’ve been Sewing in the Studio

Christine Boyle

Creative Director - Sewing Tutor

Every day is different in the sewing studio, and this week was no exception. I had two weeks off from teaching and that gave me time to catch up on my own personal sewing.

Sewing in the Studio

LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Every day is different in the sewing studio, and this week was no exception. I had two weeks off from teaching and that gave me time to catch up on my own personal sewing.

From mending, transformations, client customizations, and test stitching sewing machines there is never a dull moment, and that is the way I love it!

Let’s see what I got up to in the studio…

In this photograph I am wearing a kaftan I made a few years back. I have made this in 3 colourways. This fabric is from a silk sari that I picked up in Oxfam for £8.

I love getting time in the studio to sew for myself. What I make usually stems from ‘ what is in my fabric stash, and what do I need?

In addition to what I sewed, the Colour and Cloth team serviced and repaired sewing machines. We had a very busy week.

I also sold my second last item of black clothing on Vinted. This was a bought kimono off to a new home. Which means that 90% of the clothing in my wardrobe is hand made.

“I much prefer wearing colour these days…after all, I named my company after it!”

💡 Christine's Tip Take time out to review your fabric stash! relax and enjoy the comfort of your creativity in your studio.

WHAT I SEWED

A colourful overlocker dust cover using colourful sewing themed fabric.
Upgraded a round yoga cushion to give it a better shape by adding piping. The bias binding was hand made and came from a charity shop turquoise* silk taffeta dress.
Transformed a dress into a skirt for a client. She loved it!
Made matching scrunchies and shoe bows for my summer jumpsuits.
Altered a dress for a client from a size 12 to a 10. It now fits perfectly!
Resized a Zandra Rhodes kaftan that I made a few years back from a M to XS. The turquoise*silk taffeta is used again. Made hair scrunchies and shoe bows with some leftover fabric.
Transformed a gifted tea-cosy into a Singer sewing machine bag to match my vintage 201K.
Resized by charity shop teeshirt find (in my perfect colour palette) from a size 18 to a 10 using the overlocker.
Added hanging loops onto my Ferguson NI Railways kitchen tea towels. So handy!
Made an apron from linen grown in N.Ireland by Flaxmill Textiles. I was gifted this linen for appearing on the BBC ‘A Stitch Through Time’. I added denim pockets, belt loops and labels from my worn out jeans. This apron is for the sewing studio to protect my clothing. I love it!
Resized 3 cushions and made 1 more from Game of Thrones costume fabrics that I had in my stash.

What I still have to complete: A pink Linton Tweed Chanel style jacket with denim sleeves and a matching bag.

What to make next: A little relaxing in the sunshine with Spanish fashion and pattern magazines is inspiring me with what to sew next.

"When I get into my studio, I ask myself 'What would l like to create today?"
- CHRISTINE BOYLE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR - SEWING TUTOR

HAVE I INSPIRED YOU TO START SEWING?

At Colour and Cloth, I teach all levels of Sewing Courses and Workshops so no matter what level you are at, there is no better time to start than now. Sewing all these fabulous things starts with learning how to thread your machine and then you are on your new creative journey.

Once you know how to sew, you can create magic! There are always new trends, colours, fabrics, machines to discover. Sewing is ever evolving that what makes it exciting!

When I get into my studio, I ask myself ‘What would l like to create today?’

What would YOU like to create? Join me on your sewing journey and take that first step today.

Our SUMMER SEWING COURSES start Tuesday 15th July. The same day that The Great British Sewing Bee comes back onto our screens. You can ‘sew-along’ with the Sewing Bees, as you sew along with me.

Click HERE to discover our SEWING COURSES. Click HERE to discover our ONE DAY SEWING WORKSHOPS