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27.
March
2015.
WhiteTree Fabrics introduce Curtis to their Blogging Network

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WhiteTree Fabrics introduce Curtis to their Blogging Network

 

Online retailer WhiteTree Fabrics not only sells a vast range of haberdashery products, but they also boast an extensive and popular blogging network. Up until now, the network did not feature any male contributors, but that has changed with the introduction of their latest guest blogger, Curtis.

Operating his own crafting blog called "Pudleston Patchwork", Curtis details his sewing projects that include dresses, suit jackets, shorts, baby clothes and more, often in a vintage fashion, and proves that while sewing might be more commonly be associated with women, it is certainly a hobby and skill that everyone can enjoy.

This was also exemplified by the fact that the winner of the recent BBC 2 series, The Great British Sewing Bee, was Matt Chapple, who Curtis says he was very proud of in the following interview carried out by WhiteTree Fabrics, where he also gives insight into his craft:
 

What fabrics do you consider on trend at the moment?

Vintage patterns and clothes for women have most definitely made a come back, so fabrics that compliment the 50s style, such as Liberty designs and other colourful florals.

For men, the current trend is definitely denim, on forthcoming sewing projects for myself I want to make some denim shorts and shirts for summer.

What make are you most proud of to date?

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Recently every sew I do I try and push myself to try new things, and keeping a blog is a great way to document this and share my views on, in my opinion, what is easy and hard. In the 25 years I have been sewing I have not done much sewing of women's clothes, so I have taken this up recently sewing and altering for female friends.

The project that I am most proud of is the walk-away dress. I had a go at making the dress which was featured on the Great British Sewing Bee, but instead of following a pattern I picked it up from images online and watching the TV programme drafting fabric on the shape of my female dressmakers dummy.

Another project I am proud of is a 30th birthday present for my good friend Tom, in which I made a jacket from a pattern to fit his body. On his birthday he opened the line drawing of the shape of the jacket, swatches of fabric he could choose from, buttons and lining, once picked I made a 'tailor-made' item of hiswardrobe.

Advice to novice sewers inspired by GBSB and want to know where to start?

I think it is important for trial and error. Good projects and sews will come with more experience. Start small, maybe with bunting, table cloths, aprons, etc to try and master the art of using a sewing machine, tension, etc.

Reading up on experts advice on simple things like what a French seam is, how to hem, how to read paper patterns, etc. I have recently been reading May Martin's Sewing Bible, which is a fantastic book with some small projects to try, as well as reading about skills.

Altering existing clothes is also another good way of exploring how clothes are sewn, shaping and how fabric drapes on bodies. For sewers wanting to try a pattern starting with simple lines and shapes, such as a shift dress, cotton fabric is a good starter, but again, don't expect miracles on the first project, the trick is to fall in love with the process, the rest will follow.

What's your favourite fabric to work with?

I have recently sewn with velvet and corduroy, which I enjoyed, as they give interesting shape to projects, for example jackets in velvet give great shaping for men. But, my favourite fabric is good old cotton fabrics, great to sew, shape and work with.

The wackiest invention you have created?

[image]I have made some fancy dress costumes for myself and friends. But I have taken a real interest in the history of fashion and clothing and have been trying the replicate a tail coat like Mr Darcy's in Pride and Prejudice. After reading up, visiting museums to see how the shaping worked I had a go at making a calico 'skin' of the tail-coat on the dress makers dummy which is shaped to my measurements, then using these calico pieces to cut out of the velvet fabric. I really enjoyed this process, next steps are to make the high waisted trousers, waistcoat and cravat to complete the 'Jane Austen' look.

How do you think men's approach differs to women in the sewing industry?

I am so proud that Matt won the Great British Sewing Bee. This kind of exposure for men that sew is great for us male home sewers! It was quite interesting watching how the men approached sewing from the outside. It seems to be more structural, almost 'fabric engineering' more than creativity at times, which is similar to how I approach projects. Reading and re-reading pattern instructions often helps to process the information.

Talking from experience only about 25% of the things that I sew are for myself, which I think might be the case for other male sewers, there is a lot more variety in women's clothes.

Oh, and bigger hands and fingers often get in the way of more delicate parts of sewing such as pinning to fabrics.

 

WhiteTree Fabrics' blogging network exhibits a great variety of sewers, and is an excellent place for any sewer, expert or beginner, to go and be inspired by the contributors. To keep an eye out for Curtis' projects or to see the full blogging network, visitwww.whitetreefabrics.com/news, and to see WhiteTree Fabrics' full range of haberdashery, visitwww.whitetreefabrics.com.