2026 – Em Sew Happy Blog

Three-Day Retreat to Nannup

Life has been a bit hectic, and I felt like I missed out on summer this year. I usually love it when Christmas carols start playing in shops. Where I live, it means beach days, icy cold drinks and living in shorts. Instead, this year was filled with cold hospital waiting rooms. By chance, a Facebook ad popped up with ‘secret cabins’ and I decided to press on the link. A charming little cabin called Sylvie’s Hut popped up and I couldn’t book fast enough.

Now, it might seem easy to pack for a three-day getaway, but the weather has been a bit fickle this year. Also, most people don’t realise how vast Western Australia is. The hut is situated in the quaint tidy town of Nannup. The three-hour drive south from Perth can see a change in climate. The temperature usually drops especially nighttime. Talking about nighttime, the stars were amazing. Sylvie’s Hut is plonked in the middle of a paddock without any other buildings around so there was no light pollution to dampen the bright night sky. If you visit, make sure you turn off the lights and look up.

For a small town, Nannup is packed full of character. For the drive down, I decided to wear my Monsterfabriken Vanja Dress which is a lightweight cotton dress. It was very comfortable to travel in with a long skirt and the adjustable ties which I kept loose for the trip. We stopped in town on the way to Sylvie’s Hut which you can find on Instagram under @cleveshut and we were immediately charmed by the historic buildings.

There really wasn’t much on the agenda except to relax but we were so taken by the variety and number of eateries in this little town. We were blown away by the meal we had at Pickle & O which featured a solid vegetarian menu with some non-vegetarian offerings like the chicken burger that we had. Unfortunately, we couldn’t sample some other cafes that we had hoped to because opening times were limited to certain hours. Understandably, this town has a small population which swells with weekend visitors so opening times cater for this. We loved visiting the art gallery and the local stores which had beautiful handmade items. We aim to make another trip where we can visit all the various galleries. For the day of exploring, I’m glad that I packed my Sewing Therapy Tie Dress No 2. I had made a long version in anticipation of the weather cooling down for autumn and I was glad that I packed my white cardigan which was perfect when the sun dipped behind the clouds.

On the final day when we were travelling home, I wore my True Bias Calvin top with my True Bias Dani Pants. I have travelled extensively with the Dani Pants; I made and wore three pairs when I went to South Korea last year. I packed the lightweight denim version and matched it with my Calvin Wrap Top. I purposely left my ties long for my top. Just for the look of it and the security of having the ties doubled over. The outfit was perfect for our stops on the way home. The highlights were the delicious brunch at the Blackwood Café and then we made a stop at the famous Cambray Cheese where we sampled their traditional handmade farmhouse cheese. This little family run dairy blew us away with their sheep dairy and farmhouse cheese factory. We came away with a big bagful of cheese including their Farmhouse Gold.

True Bias Calvin Wrap Top and Dani Pants

It was a very successful trip. For a trip where we planned to do nothing, we actually came away feeling very rested but fulfilled. It was a much-needed respite. We will definitely be returning to visit the charming character filled town of Nannup.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Casey Pants

Sometimes people ask me why I sew when you can buy items for very little especially with the emergence of so many fast fashion online stores. I guess they see a pair of shorts, but they don’t see that when you sew, you can adjust that pair of shorts to fit comfortably. You can choose to insert the inseam pockets that are fixed to the front. They also don’t see the careful selection of fabric that you choose for texture, drape and weight. So, it’s probably true that it would be cheaper to buy a ready-made pair of shorts, but nothing replaces the satisfaction of making the shorts that fits the way you like and with the perfect fabric for it.

I’ve made two versions of the True Bias Casey Pants. The first was the long mid-rise pants which I made as a tester for the pattern. The second version is the high-rise shorts which I’ve sewn recently. I usually document my makes as I go but I didn’t have a chance to write the first version after the test because I was leaving for my trip to South Korea. I knew I would come back to sew the pattern anyway.

My first version has been worn as pyjama pants because the pattern is based on the silhouette of boxer shorts. The midrise sits a couple of inches below the natural waist. I used ½ inch gingham which were super soft. I used the size 12 for my measurements of 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips. No adjustments were made.

For my short’s version, I chose the high-rise version which falls at the natural waist. This time I used a Lyocell Denim which was leftover from the Avril Dress that I made. I had just under a meter remnant that I could use for the Casey shorts. I made the size 12 again but this time I had to add length to hit the high-rise waistline. I’m 167cm tall and the pattern is drafted for someone 165cm tall. With the 2cm difference, I had to add 1cm using the lengthening / shortening line included on the pattern. This second pair is made for wearing during the day and not as pyjamas, so I left off the slit in the side seam.

I fitted pockets to both patterns. Usually, I don’t enjoy using in-seam pockets because they flap to the back, but these ones are fixed to the front when you fold the elastic waistband down to secure it.

The instructions are always good with True Bias Patterns. They’re straightforward, logical and easy to follow with the illustrations provided. Good instructions go such a long way to increasing the enjoyment in sewing.

Speaking of enjoyment, this pattern was a great one to pick for a nice afternoon of sewing. It’s great getting into a big, new, complicated pattern but sometimes it’s nice to be able to finish a pattern in one sitting. From assembling to sewing, everything is smooth sailing. I know some seamstresses like to trace but I like the used the layer option and print the size I need.

Now that I’ve made the adjustments that I like in the pattern, I’m planning to sew a few more which is another reason why I sew. Fast fashion items are often one off which means that even if you find something you like once, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find the same item a second time. So happy that I can sew. Probably sounds a bit smug but it’s satisfying to have the ability to make something specially to fit me.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Etty Camisole

This is my first Tammy Handmade pattern. It is always great when a pattern maker provides a free pattern to try. This is a lovely camisole with a scallop neckline. The neckline is a great point of difference. The length of the camisole with thin straps makes for an elegant looking top.

I was so happy to match the pattern to a beautiful piece of fabric that I had received from Devonstone Fashion. It’s a Liberty Tana Lawn named Mrs Gardener. The print shows brightly detailed flowers on an off-white backdrop. There was a recent showcase by Regent Street Fabrics and Two Green Zebras in Brisbane and Melbourne showing some beautiful Liberty fabrics. So many beautiful prints. It looked like such an inspiring event with all the outfits showcased on the catwalk. I was gifted 600 cm of this fabric but with the 130cm wide width, it was easily enough for this Cami top.

My measurement of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist sits between the size 12 and 14. The finished garment shows a bit of ease in the waist, so I chose my size based on my bust size and made the size 12 without any modifications. It’s a little bit snug under the arm but feels like a good fit. The pattern is true to size. Next time I would reduce the seam allowance by a little.

The construction was very beginner friendly. The steps were logical and easy to follow. The facings are attached separately to the front bodice and back bodice. It was also an easy method for attaching the straps. The instructions and illustrations are comprehensive so I feel that someone with little experience could pick up this pattern and follow it easily.

The cotton lawn is a lightweight breezy fabric. It’s a great fabric for a beginner to sew with because it’s stable. It’s also such a comfortable fabric to wear for summer. The most challenging part of the pattern was sewing the scallop neckline. The instructions were great for this, and it was a good practise for sewing curved lines. I really enjoyed the process, and I’ve seen Tammy use some decorative stitching in her versions and would love to try this next time.

Overall, a great experience sewing this pattern. I think Tammy Handmade is a great indie pattern company that I’ll be returning to. This camisole has been a great quick project. I’m tempted to try sewing a few in a batch even though my previous experience sewing in batch has ended in disasters. I think with a little bit more experience under my belt, I might try again. I’ll explore sewing with different fabrics next time maybe with viscose or rayon. It’s nice to be dreaming of things to sew.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Calvin Wrap Dress

Having made the Calvin Top a couple of weeks ago, it was a quick job to bring it together for the dress. The True Bias Calvin comes as a top and a dress version. The pattern features exposed bias binding that becomes the ties of the dress. The dress is midi length with a generous wrap front. My favourite feature and what I bought the pattern for, is the adjustable straps.

The bonus of making the top as a wearable toile was being able to test out fabric choice as well. The linen worked really well for the top but once I had worn it, I decided I wanted a drapier fabric for my dress version. I’ve always loved the Atelier Brunette brand of fabric. I was so happy to find 3 meters of the Kaola Pecan Pie in Viscose from Maaidesign online fabric store. They stock such a huge range of beautiful fabric.

I made the size 12 for my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hip. Wrap dresses have the advantage of being adjustable so it’s easy to adjust. The pattern is interesting because the back panels have a slight curve to it which makes it skim the body in a flattering way.

I used the same fabric to make the bias binding. The exposed bias which become the straps and there is a fair amount. I was just mindful that I wanted to use my fabric with the least amount of waste, so I angled the binding just slightly off bias. I was very happy with the result, and I still have a small amount left for a future project.

This dress deserved special fabric because I was making it to wear to my daughter’s graduation ceremony. It just feels like yesterday that I was dropping her off at kindergarten, and it feels surreal that we are passing this milestone. The ceremony was held outdoors, and it was a hot and windy afternoon. Luckily, the wrap in the front was generous and there was no risk of wardrobe malfunction. I had also put in the optional snap to avoid any chance of gaping in the bodice, but it felt very secure anyway.

It felt so good to make and wear this dress. True Bias patterns are one of my most sewn patterns because they are reliable and truly elegant designs. The instructions and illustrations are excellent and I was able to sew this in one weekend. I love that now this dress will be a permanent reminder of this precious milestone for our family.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Tie Dress No 2

When Sara asked for testers for the Sewing Therapy Tie Dress No 2, I immediately put my hand up because the Tie Dress has been one of my tried-and-true patterns for a while now. I just love how adjustable the ties are and it’s a dress that is always comfortable. This second version of the Tie Dress comes with a button placket or a wrap front. There is also an option for short sleeves or long sleeves. I decided to test the wrap front, short sleeve version but I will probably be going back to sew all the versions.

Testing is always breakneck speed because Sara is an incredibly hard-working creative. She has produced a vast catalogue of patterns, each one beautifully drafted and detailed and each one come with written instructions and sew along videos accompanying them. She produces everything to a superb quality. It’s the same with her testing, she responds to questions and feedback so quickly that I think, did she have time to sleep yet? I hope so! Being on the other side of the world, I was always amazed at how promptly she could reply. The thorough testing means that the pattern comes together perfectly for the person sewing and the construction is logical and easy to follow.

My version is the Size 12 without any modifications for my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hip. I really like how the wrap sits and there is no risk of it gaping. The dress is midi length or short. I was testing length and I left mine slightly longer than the midi it was drafted for.

The Tie Dress No 2 is drafted for woven fabric. I was excited to find some midweight linen-cotton which was perfect for the pattern. I did also put together another dress for the test which I will finish soon where I used up a mix of gingham fabric. I think any stable woven fabric is great for this dress.

Sara has done it again with this dress pattern. I see myself sewing this pattern again with the longer sleeves when the weather starts to cool down. I love how this version of short sleeves are ruffled which is a cute feature. I’m loving how comfortable this dress is to wear as well. Having the adjustable ties means that there will never be a day where this dress is too tight or big to wear. I think that’s why I keep returning to make the tie dress. It’s been great to be sewing and testing again especially in a supportive and creative environment.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Calvin Wrap Top

Choosing my first project for the year has been hard and I’ve been dithering. So instead of sewing, I cleaned my sewing space, and I was inspired when I came across this awkward piece of leftover fabric from my collaboration with Maaidesign last year when they were featuring designs from Johanna Ralph. This fabric design is named Silent Bloom which features a beautiful abstract design.

I had about half a meter leftover and a long strip which was about 15cm in width. I had enough for the bodice pieces because the fabric width was about 150cm. What I struggled with was fitting the bias pieces for the ties and straps. I considered using pre-made bias binding or perhaps a contrast binding. However, I’ve been trying to be more conscious about fabric waste, so I decided to cut on a bias but not a true bias. I made sure that I cut the neckline piece on a true bias but not the longer strips.

For my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips, I chose to make the size 12 without any modifications. The Calvin is a wrap top or dress. Ultimately, I want to make the dress, but the top makes a great wearable toile for the dress. The straps are adjustable and one of the reasons why I wanted to sew this pattern was to learn how to install the bra sliders that make the straps adjustable. The instructions were fantastic to learn and sew from which is why I return repeatedly to True Bias patterns to learn new skills.

A word on my bra sliders, the ring is right but the sliders are not. They would normally be used for detachable straps but these were the only ones available at my local Spotlight store so I just bought them but I’m planning to swap them over when I can get hold of the right sliders. Those with an eagle eye have probably already spotted them from my Instagram reels.

Happily, the slight change with the longer strips of bias binding worked fine. The pattern came together quite fast and I didn’t feel a need to modify anything. I was worried about the length of the top before starting but didn’t change it because it’s a toile for the dress. I’m very happy with the top length which hits below the natural waist.

I’m now looking forward to sewing the dress version. Using the linen was fine for the top but I’m thinking about drapier fabric for the dress. Making this top has me so excited about sewing again. I didn’t realise how much I was missing it until sitting back at my sewing machine. It has been a bit of respite from a tumultuous and distressing end to 2025.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em