Sew Mindful Podcast

Latest Episodes:

020: Creating harmonious colour combinations with Lisa Newport Dec 19, 2020

Show notes

I'm still a novice when it comes to creating colour combinations so I wanted to find someone that could help me learn more about colour and how to incorporate it into my designs and my overall wardrobe.
So my guest for this episode is the queen of all things colour and style, Lisa Newport of Lisa Newport Style. She is the founder of the 4 step Drab to Fab System which she developed drawing on her skills and experience in textiles, fashion design and her first love, make up.
Lisa certainly practices what she preaches and when I first met her at a networking event it was her fabulous use of colour in her outfits and presentation that made her stand out.
In this episode you will hear:
> Lisa's background and how she first started working with colour
> The common mistakes many of us make when choosing colours for our wardrobe
> The benefits of having a personal colour consultation
> How to determine if you have warm or cool undertones
> How to get started adding more colour to your wardrobe
> The difference between tone, tints and shades
> How to create a colour palette and colour combinations
Useful links and resources:
> Colour Wheel Images
> My Pinterest colour palettes board
Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.lisanewportstyle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisanewportstyle/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisanewportstyle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-newport-style/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LisaNewportStyle
Connect with me (Jacqui)
Website: https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co.uk/sewmuchmorefun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun/
If you enjoy this episode, Lisa and I would love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device or in your fav outfit, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag Lisa @lisanewportstyle and me @sewmuchmorefun

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019: Can our clothes really make us happy? Dec 12, 2020

Show notes

My guest for this episode is the fabulous Rebecca Weef Smith. For a long time I have realised that what I wear can have an impact on how I'm feeling but I've never really considered the deeper reasons why or thought about how I can use that to my advantage.
Rebecca had that sense too but she wanted to know more so decided on this as a topic for her Positive Psychology Master's at the University of East London.
Having been influenced by fashion all her life it was a subject that she was very personally connected to and so undertook to find out more about how clothes make us feel.
In this episode you will hear:

> Rebecca's journey that lead up to her Masters;
> The outcome of her research ;
> How we can consciously use our clothes to influence our mood;
> The 'secret' messages we and those around us are conveying with our outfits;
> The way Rebecca has inspired others with her dressing up challenges;
> Why fashion isn't all bad;
> Rebecca's challenge to you to stir up your emotions;

Useful links and resources
Rebecca Research Paper - Flourishing Fashion An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Wearing a Happy Outfit- https://www.fashionstudies.ca/flourishing-fashion

Lumity Life article - https://my.lumitylife.com/goldie-magazine-rebecca-weef-smith-how-i-became-a-magazine-editor-in-my-50s/

@SociallyTracy IGTV interview: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIEQJwgDBuE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Connect with Rebecca
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaweefsmith/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-weef-smith-a3502b103/
Connect with me (Jacqui)
Website: https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co.uk/sewmuchmorefun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun/
If you enjoy this episode, Rebecca and I would love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device or in your fav outfit, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag Rebecca @rebeccaweefsmith and me @sewmuchmorefun

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018: Uncovering Hidden Beliefs That Hold Us Back Nov 28, 2020

Show notes

A huge thank you for tuning in for episode 18! This week's episode is short and sweet but for me it has been super powerful - uncovering the hidden/subconscious beliefs that hold us back
Over the last few weeks I've been paying real attention to what happens in my mind when I find myself avoiding tasks or activities.
I believe that we are all master manifesters but it seems that sometimes even despite our best intentions we can't seem to move forward with particular projects.
After talking to a friend who said she was struggling in a similar way we decided to pay closer attention to see if we could understand what was going on.
In this episode I explain what we discovered and how helpful that has been for me in terms of recognising how and when I might be self-sabbotaging and what I can do to change my behaviour.
Useful links and resources:
Amber Allworth - The All Worth It Podcast and the Stitching Something New episode
Tuesday Techniques - Live session program and live session recordings
Connect with me (Jacqui)
Website: https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co.uk/sewmuchmorefun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun/
If you enjoy this episode, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @sewmuchmorefun

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017: The Art of Finding Inspiration with Sylvie Hart Nov 21, 2020

Show notes

This week's episode is for anyone that has struggled to find inspiration for new ways to wear an old favourite garment or ideas on how to add new garments to your existing wardrobe.

So I was delighted to be joined by the fabulous Sylvie Hart to get some advice on how she creates the beautiful outfits in her Instagram stories using inspiration from different sources.
--

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Sylvie has an exclusive offer for the listeners of Sew Mindful podcast! When you purchase the Find your Style Zone style package, you will receive an extra 1:1 coaching call with organizing tips specific to your closet to align with your style + lifestyle. Quote the code 'SEWMINDFUL' when ordering.

--
Sylvie is not one for just talking about such topics. She is all about taking action and was keen to set us both a challenge to try out a real life example. So we embarked on a task to find two outfits that inspired us and try to recreate them with our own style.
And what a journey it turned out to be and a much more challenging one that I could have expected. We discuss her tips and strategies together with both of our experiences in trying them out including the ups and downs along the way.
In this episode you will hear:

Sylvie's tips on places (other than just Pinterest) to find inspiration and ideas
3 ways to focus your search for inspiration to get great results
How to assess and analyse the images and inspiration you have collected
How to use your analysis to apply your style personality to the outfit
Our experiences during the challenge and my own experiment
How Sylvie used two garments to get inspiration on new ways to wear them

Useful links and resources:
My Style Inspiration Experiment (blog post): https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/my-style-inspiration-experiment
Sylvie's amazing experiment results: Sylvie's Results
Connect with Sylvie:
Website: https://www.sylviehart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylvie_style/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sylviehartstyle
Connect with me (Jacqui)
Website: https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co.uk/sewmuchmorefun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun/
If you enjoy this episode, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @sewmuchmorefun and Sylvie @sylvie_style

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016: The Story of Cashmerette with Jenny Rushmore Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Thank you so much for tuning in. This week my guest is the fabulous Jenny Rushmore of Cashmerette. I have admired Jenny for a long time, as a regular consumer of the excellent information in the Curvy Sewing Collective and following the Cashmerette Pattern brand as it has grown and flourished.
I was delighted to get the chance to ask Jenny about her journey and her mission and she was so generous in opening up in our chat. She shares how as a curvy sewist she discovered sewing aged 30 and as she began to make her own clothes she realised it transformed not only what she was wearing but also her confidence.
What you will hear in this episode:

How Jenny's sewing journey began
Her transition in just 10 years from corporate marketing non-sewist to fabulously successful plus-sized pattern brand
The birth of the Curvy Sewing Collective
The a-ha that lead to Cashmerette and their mission to help real women with real bodies
The most valuable business lesson Jenny has learned
The most surprising personal lesson from her experience along the way
Why Cashmerette patterns are different
The most common mistakes sewists make when using sewing patterns
Jenny's top tip to get a much better fit
The future plans for Cashmerette

And in case you are not familiar with some fitting terminology FBA means Full Bust Adjustment!
Useful links and resources:

Cashmerette Pattern Size Calculator: https://www.cashmerette.com/pages/sizing
Blazer development blog post: https://blog.cashmerette.com/2020/10/blazer-bound-final-muslin.html
The Concord T-shirt: https://www.cashmerette.com/products/concord-tshirt-pdf-pattern?_pos=2&_sid=0683380f4&_ss=r
Fitting for curves workshop: https://workshops.cashmerette.com/p/fitting-for-curves-pattern-adjustments-for-the-upper-body?preview=logged_out

Cashmerette also have a SALE starting on Weds 25th November so be sure to sign up for their newsletter to find out more!
Connect with Jenny
Website: https://www.cashmerette.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashmerette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashmerette
Connect with me (Jacqui)
Website: https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co.uk/sewmuchmorefun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun/
If you enjoy this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me and Jenny @sewmuchmorefun and @cashmerette

Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to the Sew Mindful podcast on itunes, click 'Listen on Apple Podcasts', open in itunes and then click 'Ratings and Reviews'. And thanks for your support of this show!

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015: So you think sewing patterns are scary? Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

Hey there lovely listeners and welcome to episode 15 where I tackle the sometimes scary world of commercial sewing patterns.
I love sewing patterns but I know that I have the kind of mind that likes reading instructions - don’t judge me, that’s just who I am. I also know that for many people the thought of using a sewing pattern conjures similar feelings to going to the dentist or filling out a tax return.
In this episode I cover

what makes sewing patterns appear scary
the alternatives to sewing patterns and their pros and cons
the benefits that I believe sewing patterns bring you
the challenges you might face
a strategy for easily tackling the challenges and making the most of these powerful tools.

I'll be covering more about patterns in my Tuesday Techniques Facebook Lives at lunchtimes (GMT) every Tuesday over the next couple of months in the Sew Much More Fun Facebook group.
For non-Facebook users I will also be posting the replays on the Sew Much More Fun website so be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get notified about updates.
Useful links and resources
Pattern and tracing paper:

William Gee for bigger orders - https://www.williamgee.co.uk/product-category/design-aids-and-equipment/pattern-paper-and-card/
Empress Mills also do 10m rolls - https://www.empressmills.co.uk/dressmakers-pattern-paper-plain-1-x-10m-prym
Also search 'pattern paper' in Google to buy from Ebay or Amazon. Ideally you want weights of around 50gsm.

Curvy Sewing Collective - https://curvysewingcollective.com/
Tracing pin wheel - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0746777N3/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0PzPFbKCGZMSX
Tilly & The Buttons for Beginners patterns - https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/
Cashmerette for plus size patterns - https://www.cashmerette.com/
Connect with me
Website | www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk
Facebook | facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun
Instagram | instagram.com/sewmuchmorefun
If you enjoy this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me and Imogen @sewmuchmorefun and @insideoutstyleblog

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014: 13 Tips to turn frightful photos into sexy selfies Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 14 of the Sew Mindful podcast. This episode will air on Halloween so if the thought of having your photo taken sends chills down your spine then this episode is just for you.

I am delighted to welcome back the inimitable Imogen Lamport of Inside Out Style who shares 13 great tips on how to turn your frightful photo experiences into sexy selfies that you’ll be proud to show off.

For those of you making your own clothes, after taking all that time and effort to bring together your gorgeous creations it is only fitting that you should show them off and seeing them on a mannequin never quite does them justice. But if you’ve struggled to feel comfortable in front of the camera then overcoming that camera shyness can be a challenge.

But with her years of experience Imogen has some simple but effective tweaks that we can all make to create photos that are fun and fabulous.

In this episode you will hear:

How taking photos can help improve your own style
The tech you need to set yourself up for success
Pro tips on posing to show off your best side
Creative ways to make your photo shoots fun
How to maximise your assets and minimise your misgivings
The power of gaps and angles

Useful links and resources:

How to take a good selfie – The Technology (including how to make a selfie stand from bulldog clips!): https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2015/01/how-to-take-a-good-selfie-photo-the-technology.html

How to take a great selfie – the art of posing: https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2015/03/how-to-take-a-good-selfie-photo-the-art-of-posing.html

7 Steps to Style Program: https://insideoutstyleblog.com/7-steps-to-style-system-2
Connect with Imogen Lamport:
Website address: https://insideoutstyleblog.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutStyleBlog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insideoutstyleblog/
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/insideoutstyleblog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imogenlamport/
Connect with me:
Website | www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk
Facebook | facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun
Instagram | instagram.com/sewmuchmorefun
If you enjoy this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me and Imogen @sewmuchmorefun and @insideoutstyleblog

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013: Fascinating Lessons from Forties Fashion Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

Thank you so much for tuning in for this episode where my friend Paola De Giovanni and I reminisce on fashion through the twentieth century.
As a fashion historian Paola's passion for the past is infectious and we explore the wonderful decade of the 1940s. We explore how society, culture and war impacted what we wore then and continues to influence what we wear and make today.
Be sure to check out the fabulous links below as there are some gorgeous resources, pictures and inspirational videos for anyone wanting to explore more about clothing from the last 2-300 years.

Covered in this episode:

The changing role of women through the 1940s
Impact of war on access to fabric
Effect of war on the styles and fashions and the amazing creativity that it generated
The lessons we can learn and inspiration we can take from fashion history
How the 1940s has impacted what we wear today

Also be sure to listen out for the unexpected reference to dog hair!

Useful links and resources:

The V&A Museum (London): https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion

The Fashion Museum (Bath): https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

The Palais Galliera (Paris): https://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/fr/collections/les-collections

Vintage Fashion Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/VintageFashions/videos

The Manchester Art Gallery: https://manchesterartgallery.org/collections/titles/?fashion

The Costume Gallery: http://www.costumegallery.com

Fashion Era (online reference library): https://www.fashion-era.com

Sonia Delaunay: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/ey-exhibition-sonia-delaunay/delaunay-introduction

Madam Madeleine Vionnet: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/madeleine-vionnet-an-introduction?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuL_8BRCXARIsAGiC51D1J1coUXqDtSlhj_00Qi4jIouil6CmL_NtcGbo5KFkTGKqGeMd-9saAk-7EALw_wcB

Connect with Paola:

Website | www.meanmagenta_photography.com
Instagram | instagram.com/meanmagenta_photography
Shopify | https://meanmagenta-marbling-art.myshopify.com

Connect with me:
Website | www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk
Facebook | facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun
Instagram | instagram.com/sewmuchmorefun

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012: My 9 top tips to buying fabric online Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

Hello lovely listeners and this week I am flying solo once again to share with you my 9 top tips to buying fabric online. So if the thought of trying to navigate the vast world of online fabrics brings you out in a cold sweat then this episode is for you.
I share with you why I love buying fabric online and how I have honed a few simple tips to ensure I get fabrics I love with minimum fuss delivered straight to my door.
In this episode you will hear:

the three reasons we find buying fabric online so difficult
the definitions of the key terms that once you understand them will help you confidently negotiate the different names and types of fabric
my 9 top tips to ensure that buying fabric online will be fun, fruitful and fabulous

Useful links and resources:
Online fabric sites that supply swatches:

Fabric Godmother: https://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/
Minerva: https://www.minervacrafts.com/
Ray Stitch: https://www.raystitch.co.uk/
Guthrie & Ghani: https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/
My Fabrics: https://www.myfabrics.co.uk/
Dalston Mills: https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/
Dragonfly Fabrics: https://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/
Contrado: https://www.contrado.co.uk/fabric-swatch-pack
Fashion Formula: https://www.fashion-formula.com/shop/sample-books

My fabric swatch template: Swatch Template
Books:

*Fabric for Fashion, The Swatch Book by Clive Hallett and Amanda Johnston
*Fabric for Fashion, the Complete Guide by Clive Hallett and Amanda Johnston

Connect with me:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sewmuchmorefun
Website: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk

*contains affiliate link

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011: Celebrate your uniqueness with MyBodyModel - Erica Schmitz Oct 10, 2020

Show notes

I am a huge fan of this week’s guest - the brilliant Erica Schmitz.

Erica is an obsessed garment sewist who founded MyBodyModel, a website that makes customized fashion drawing templates (also know as croquis) based on your measurements.

It all started because she wanted to draw her sewing ideas, and was frustrated that she couldn’t find any fashion illustration templates that looked like her. She began development of MyBodyModel in 2017 with crowdfunding support from 725 backers (nearly all women!) who believed in MyBodyModel’s mission of body-positive design.

Through MyBodyModel, Erica is committed to increasing visibility and appreciation of our wonderful diversity of body shapes. She wants to help women have more fun and confidence in dressing our bodies in a way that expresses our own uniqueness and personal style - rather than trying to conform to some outdated social construct of what our bodies “should” look like.

Starting to use MyBodyModel helped me to understand so much more about what designs worked well for me and my shape after wasting years designing and making clothes that would only really suit someone with disproportionately long legs LOL!

We talk about common misconceptions that we have about our bodies and how to start to celebrate your own style. If you ever needed any excuse to re-live the fun of playing with paper dolls then this episode is for you.

Useful links and resources:

“5 Ways Sewing Can Help Us Love Our Bodies” - This excerpt is from an article that Erica wrote for Sew News Magazine
MyBodyModel’s community blog is a rich source of inspiration around personal style, wardrobe planning, sketching, & body-positivity including guest bloggers from our wonderful sewing and knitting community, ranging in age from their 20’s to their 60’s!
“Sketch & Tell” live interview series, available on MyBodyModel's IGTV, where each guest shares about her personal style evolution & how sketching on her body model templates has been part of that journey.
My 3x3 Capsule Challenge using MyBodyModel
SPECIAL OFFER: It’s always FREE to enter your measurements and see your body model preview - and it only takes a few minutes. You can even edit and make adjustments for free. To download your body model package, enter promo code SEWMINDFUL (all capital letters, all one word) for 10% off your own printable & digital fashion sketchbook, featuring your own personal body model croquis.

Connect with Erica:

Connect with me:

Instagram & Facebook!

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