Hannah Kitchen

A happy image for a sunny day! A cute commission 😊

Another commission for a lovely lady some of you know. It's a summer jersey cardigan. And a chance to try Ashford based pattern company newest release: the unisex cardigan - sizes 6-30 (womenswear) or chest 30-52.

She let me chose the colour and fabric and I think this almost lilac blue makes her eyes sparkle

Beautiful Imogen: another person many of you know. Another commission. Slightly limited by trying to draft the pattern and not having her nearby but think I got close to the nineties brief. Looking forward to a final fitting with her soon.

I'm happy in these pics from yesterday as my girl is my photographer and I have a crush on her shed because it makes me think of all things Americana . . . She's just come back from Berlin with a twinkle in her eye when she talks about The Wall so maybe a thing for objects is ok!



I've got lots of versions of this Deborah blouse (hacked to make a dress) and was so proud of learning a bit of Russian when using their clever designs. I'll be buying again from this brilliant pattern company when we have peace.

Still a work in progress (playing with neck line) but I wore this blouse with hacked sleeves and a skirt to a lunch party today.

I've got 7 Wilder blouses. It's such a simple make; I think I'll make it forever. But I've never made the prairie dress version.

I've got a rotten cold. Couldn't sleep last. Couldn't bear to lie down. Decided to chop back of my hair. Couldn't find a comb or scissors smaller than dressmaking shears. Perhaps not most rational in the smallest hours. Leo hates it.

'You look scruffy!'

The sewing community honours the sudden death of our friend Rob with .

Rob was told at school 'boys don't sew'. It wasn't til adulthood he reconnected with his sewing mojo and genius with jersey. He told me this year he meant to start on trousers. I'm saddened to hear of his loss and determined to honour his message.

These are 'my boys' - my son and my nephew. Both sew at 6. Both want to be sewing men when they grow up. The real talent is my nephew who understands focus, the process, the magic of 2d becoming 3d.

Share sewing as an r+r idea with all the men and boys in your life. And as shop bought men's clothes can be some of the most disappointing, it's a useful skill to have in his toolbox

Being a parent is like being a PA. Sometimes you are given a easy ask with lots of notice and sometimes you have days to find a tasteful, wearable and authentic looking Viking outfit!
Keep my number under 'emergency dressmaker to gorgeous young saga tellers. School/party/just for fun costumes!'

This back and front tabard style tunic was pretty chic look too. Given me my own scandi style dress ideas! Much love to this young customer for allowing me to share her commission!

Have you ever fancied a red dress which is comfortable enough to wear on a fun loving night out but super feminine nod to a vintage era. This dress was commissioned as a 'wearable toile' for a dress for an even fancier occasion . . .

I'm loving working with this beautiful sparkling lady!

(Customer purchased a copy of Sew Over It Maisie dress and dress made by me as per pattern with alterations to shoulder seam and omitting zip for comfort as stretch sateen)

by again! A few people liked my pink and orange one. So thought I'd mention I've made 13.

Simple pattern with two styles though I always make scoop neck and side pockets rather than kangaroo pocket and round neck as my bust measurement bigger than my hips so the scoop flatters my bust and the side pockets pad out my hips.

The long one is a 'hack' where I've added a gathered skirt.

Most of these are reversible so double the outfits! Only the blue check I made with bias binding as per pattern.

There's a few more in my cupboard. . .

No time for blonde update photos today. I'm making a viking outfit.

pattern by (hacked to make reversible rather than bias binding) is basis of my outfit today! (The reverse is orange linen).

I made it two years ago (and I was at least a size smaller and brunette) but the fit still ok.

I wear me made every day. Would you like more outfit of day posts?

As I've got curvier, the way I style things has changed too and that's an interesting process - the rules to 'flatter your figure' (take or leave as you wish).

Message me for sewing lessons or commissions
H x

full of lovely people. Such a supportive community in the sewing world. I regretted not giving up Nutella when I put my dress on but the Lotta pattern got a lotta luv today.

Big 💋 to Judy for your fabulous company today too!

Ashford born 'Emporia Patterns' are part of a catwalk fashion show at the Stitch Festival, London, this Saturday. As a big fan of indie designer Clair Heal's beginner friendly wearable patterns, I was thrilled to be asked to model a handmade dress and chose 'Lotta' pattern for it's nostalgic vibe. My lovely pal Judy is coming with me but why don't you all come?!

Go to Stitch Festival website and enter Emporia's code XHIB23 to get your ticket for £12.50 instead of the standard ticket price of £15.50.

Clair and Charlotte will be on stand G31, so do pop by and say hello!

I'm on the runaway around 12 noon Saturday 5 March!

Photos help see room for improvement when making your own clothes.

Last week I photographed some which worked for me. One I put back into my remake pile. It was too voluminous for my height, b***s and love of Nutella.

The next day a photograph inspired me.

The remake isn't a copy. Frankly I couldn't be bothered to take the whole skirt panel off- and the tulip shaped skirt on the model is a bit too sexy for my lifestyle but I prefer the slimmer look inspired by the ad. I made the ruffle on sleeve into a longer sleeve with tie, took gathers out of front and added a placket and buttons.

Sewing your own clothes - or commissioning me - opens the door to truly influencing your own look!

Ps Proper models don't let cat food get in the shot. I'm too under the paw to move it though!

One pattern - 4 versions of Deer and Doe Myosotis' dress pattern. Check out for thousands of other makers' versions.

The original frilled sleeve is pretty in principle but I feel only makes me look bustier. So later versions I've hacked sleeve. The nineties grandad shirt homage I also cut looser.

A styling tip is always take photographs of your outfits as you can see so much in a photo.

Three of these dresses I made from duvets or pillowcases so zero or minimal cost.

Which your fave?

This dress is advanced beginner level - maybe intermediate.

Commissions welcome. And of course group or 1-1 lessons.

Sewing means more possibilities for each garment you already own and love!

Let me alter things you can't quite throw away or were never quite right for your body or even better let me teach you how to make these types changes yourself.

Stripey jacket was too small so I added navy blue panel along the side and sleeve. And coordinating waist detail.

Dressing gown was a sentimental gift. Work done for by a customer who wears out the right hand elbow on clothes which are otherwise fine! I replaced with panels from silk pjs in complementary fabric. I left original features for added quirkiness but obviously that's a matter of individual preference.

Bored of your coat? This is a pattern called the Bucket Coat by Stitchless TV.

There's a world of sewing patterns. I can introduce you.

Has slouch and pockets. I didn't quite buy enough fabric to match the quilted pattern but its a good enough for me. I'm curious if it would bother others. On ready to wear clothes this kind of detail is often missed so perhaps no one would think anything of it.

Commisions and sewing lessons: message me.

A commission to paint a friend's spare room came in this week!

So pleased.

Soft furnishings and interior decoration are sheer pleasure . . . Perhaps she'll want a few cushions and she already said she'll want my advice on colours!

This is my latest work: my own sitting room.

I want to show what you can do on a small budget.

On boxing day I crashed my car and wrote it off. On the 28th, sad and scared I did what I usually do when I need to feel better. I went to the paint shop.

Cobolt blue is the next big thing in interiors . . .you will see blue coming into the shops. And I love the seaside peace of blue. But my room was hot 'cheerful' mix of yellows and oranges and I had about £50 to play with so couldn't change much!

It isn't finished as I want to add shelves for books and pictures and vases etc in the corner. My son's dad has given me some old French oak and an electric plane and it's a steep learning curve (sssh dont tell my dad anyone!) I'll write another post about that when complete.

My favourite bits and thoughts and tips.

1) Facebook marketplace and Freecycle and charity shops are great - eg £2 white floating plant shelf, £4.75 acyrlics painting above fireplace and the brown 1970s velvet armchair free from an interesting lady in London, the rocking chair I recovered in grey linen and made new cushions.
2) The wall above the fireplace is covered in white hessian attached with a traditional mix of cooked cornflower and water. I am in true love with how it's turned out as a soft feature which catches light I'm different ways throughout day. I remembered my dad's joy at unrolling newly arrived chocolate brown hessian wallpaper for his study - realising for my 1970 house it would be just the right touch for me. I didn't want wallpaper joins or the randomness of unframed wallpaper so I just used a width of fabric and followed the method of American blogger I'll list below.
3) the big habitat lampshades were just £13 each. I customised by changing to coloured flex and spray painted ceiling rose blue. I had such strong statement lighting before and the rest of the room so striking I knew I would need a little colour. I chose them because they are big enough for room, cross cross pattern picked up other geometric patterns in room, they would create soft light. Invest in a diffuser for your light shades - the panel of Perspex or plastic covered in fabric which sits underneath bulb and stops you getting a glare of light bulb and creates a nicer look!
4) Some of the cushions I've made including the true cobolt blue velvet floor box beanbag. The colour gives me joy every day. Apart from the fluffy cat adds his fur every day!
5) We never used the fake coal gas fire so I added candles. I'm sure my love of candles ages me to my 90s prime but adds cosiness without a full fire!
6) paint sample pots and masking tape are a quick cheap and manageable way of living with colour. The most contemporary way of doing this and making room look bigger is to take the colour 3/4 way up wall like a faux picture rail. But I love stripes! I deliberately placed my blue behind the fish tank to make the colours of fish and plants pop! This is second time I've painted the wall rather than attached a plastic image behind fish tank. Strong colours can make bright colours pop. The grey was added to disguise TV. X box still prominent. I need to give some thought but it is an excellent babysitter so I'm really quite fond of it!!

Message me if any decorating support is needed in your life 😀