In my house I like to make a celebration out of anything, everything! Not to water down the specialness of special days, but just to celebrate the little things, to give me a reminder to appreciate what I have, to add that little bit of sparkle because it is so easy to let the everyday rule our perspective of life, isn't it?
Perhaps a bit deep! But here is some joyous inspo for if, like me, you enjoy dressing up (yourself, your house, your littlies, your furbabies...anything that moves!)
From big to small projects, dressmaking to quilty to both! There is something for everyone here so let's get down to it.
If your day is centred around self care, I highly recommend sewing a pair of chic Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Core Patterns in a beautiful Cotton Lawn like this Lady McElroy Marlie Care, Lady McElroy Cotton Lawn is renowned for its quality, soft to the touch, but also for its sustainability. Fabrics from Lady McElroy follow sustainable and ethical methods of sourcing and processing, so it's not just self love in sewing, but extra love to your skin and the Earth.
Perhaps you prefer to share your love with the world? Wear something special for your day and sew up the very romantic Fleur Blouse (obviously) from Fabric Godmother. I think it only suits to pair it with Wear Your Heart by Art Gallery Fabrics. But isn't that a quilting fabric? Yes and no! AGF cotton is premium quality, 125gsm it is light, with the lustre of cotton lawn, but the weight of a poplin. This is what makes it such a diverse fabric and one of my very favourite brands to use for all sewing projects. Did I mention all their cottons are OEKO-Tex 100 too? That means no harsh chemicals = loving to your skin.
Is there a sweeter finish than a bow on top? I think not and we need to consider finishing with a Berkley Bow from Cinnamon Daisy. If you don't have a remnant from your Fleur Blouse, let's take a look at this organic cotton from Make & Believe. You may not have heard of this brand, it is part of the Craft Cotton Co and specialises in producing organic cottons, both solids and prints. These cottons are soft to the touch, there's no crispness to them, so they really are so kind to your skin and hair.
But I haven't even considered our men sewists or the fact that Valentine's can be a day of gifting. If you haven't already then you absolutely must take a look at the Tony by Emporia Patterns. I'm not sure which came first, the pattern or the name (I should really ask!) but if Tony from Sewing Bee inspired the pattern first I'd like to say he was genuinely so lovely when I met him at the Knitting and Stitching last year. I was having a flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-moment (very standard for me) and I completely forgot that I didn't actually know him and he didn't know me, but once that had dawned on me Tony was completely chill about the whole thing. Anyway...sidetracking! The shirt is a must, but what about the fabric? This cotton serves an ode to romance without being too feminine, if that's what you're looking for: Purple Brushstrokes from Love Confessions.
Okay two more cheeky plugs for my true love, quilting:
Quilting may not be top of every sewists list, but there is room for it everywhere, who can resist a cute Everday Waistcoat from New Craft House, there are so many sweet waistcoats on Pinterest to take inspiration from, recreate your own with Sweet On You by Art Gallery Fabrics. Not sure on the love hearts? This cotton is seriously underrated and I want to sing its praises so much this year, Send Me Flowers by Art Gallery Fabrics.
How about an evening snuggled up beneath the Top Knot quilt, watching your fave romcom? I'd play with these gorgeous cottons from Wild Abandon by FIGO Fabrics, full of bright pinks, deep reds, and luxe blues.
Don't forget some Earth loving bamboo/cotton mix wadding, ideal for garments AND quilts - did you know, Bamboo can grow up to 91cm in a day!
I hope you have a lovely Valentine's, however you spend it - make sure it's another day to celebrate you!
Love,
Kayleigh & Gemma x