3 ways you should be using instagram

I've been spending lots of time with friends lately (one of my 2019 goals is to work less at the weekend and see friends more) one topic that keeps coming up amongst many of them is how we use social media, especially instagram in our day to day lives and it's not taking a bathroom selfie. There has been lots of negativity around the app that i'm sure you may have noticed but I don't want to go into any of that instead I want to share with you how I use the app in my day to day. 

Instagram can be a wonderful place if you use it in a valuable way for you. 

Here are the three ways I use instagram and can highly recommend it:

1. Friendship

There's an incredible community on instagram you just have to find it. 

It really can be a place to meet new people and actually make some real friends. All you need to do to start is send a simple DM (direct message) and you're off. It's actually much easier than trying to do the same in real life in a room full of strangers. There's something about having a conversation with words over an inspiring image that can make a connection. After all time is so valuable and for someone to spend a moment sending a message really is worth all the effort. I for one have made some incredible friends through the app. It's been a place to find my tribe and a network of supportive women in business too.

2. Inspiration

It is true inspiration is everywhere but especially on instagram. Use it to inspire your everyday, from up-cycling an old t-shirt or mending a broken vase to how to style an outfit.

3. Discovery

I can't even count the number of new brands, small businesses, big businesses, artists, designers, poets, writers, photographers and more that i've discovered on instagram over the past few years there are so many. Use it to discover all of the things that aren't on your doorstop or your everyday. With the save feature mine has become a miniature pinterest board.

On that point here are five instagram feeds that are really inspiring me this month.

I hope they inspire you too.

@nicoleocran

A fellow fashion lover and lovely human, her wardrobe is to die for. I love seeing her daily #ootd and styling tips.

@emmajanepalin

Home to transform a rented abode she'll inspire your interior design in no time and also has the sweetest pup.

@elisalex

A sewing inspiration and a hand made wardrobe of dreams. Elisalex makes me want to call in sick and sew all day long. One talented lady.

 @2lgstudio

I had the pleasure of meeting London based Interior Designers Jordan & Russell at an event last year and they are as lovely as their feed. They have an incredible eye for design.

@becki_clark_

Super talented illustrator and the kindest human. Her florals and pretty pastel feed bring me all the joy.

Remember instagram isn't real life and now go and unfollow all of the accounts that don't spark joy (Marie Kondo your instagram!) and make that scrolling more meaningful. After all life is too short right?!

Zeena X

DIY - How to start making your own clothes

I recently shared this snap over on my instagram feed and it received an amazing response. The reason being is that I made this pink gingham dress of dreams myself. Hand stitched with love and care and it came out exactly as I had hoped. I am still incredibly smug about it. 

This is the By Hand London Eloise Dress pattern with fabric from The Fabric Godmother.

I've dabbled in dress making since I was a teen and wanted to share my top tips and insights into starting to make your own clothes and how you might go about it if you're new to the world of sewing and textiles and really want to have a go but just don't know where to start. Hopefully this guide will give you the confidence and some of the know how you need to get started. I'm sure i'll be back with a few more posts on this but will cover the basics for now.

As much as I love to shop (and if you follow me on instagram then you'll know I do) there is nothing more rewarding than sewing your own clothes and making something unique by hand that will be treasured AND that no one else will be wearing!

1. The Sewing Machine

First things first you will need a sewing machine. It is possible to make clothing by hand stitching but who has the time for that. John Lewis have some brilliant models and this very pretty pastel pink machine is under £100 and a very good basic starter machine. If you've ever been into their haberdashery department you'll also know they are always on hand with lovely friendly trained staff for advice. That's where I bought my machine about 20 years ago (OH GAWD) and it's still going strong.

Now if you have never used a sewing machine do not fear, it is much easier than you think often all you need is someone to show you how or a bobbin tutorial. 

If you're in London there are some great introductory courses run by brilliant independent sewing brands to name a few here;

• The New Craft House
• Sew Over it
• Tea and Crafting
• London Craft Club
• Ray Stitch
• Village Haberdashery

And if you'd rather an online course this one is fab;

• Tilly and The Buttons

There are of course thousands on Youtube you just need a cup of tea and google and some patience.

You'll also need a good pair of fabric scissors, some pins and a tape measure. (I've linked some of my recommendations at the bottom of this post). 

2. Sewing Patterns

I suggest you start with a super simple sewing pattern. I would recommend some of the newer more modern pattern brands (I've linked some below) out there rather than using a vintage pattern or something found purely because of the amazing blog sew-a-longs and step by step tutorials you'll be able to access to accompany them. It really helps when you haven't read a pattern before and have no idea what serging is for example. (It's a zig zag stitch way of finishing seams) and all of these pattern brands come with a glossary so don't worry.

Most patterns come as PDF downloads, all you need to do is print them out at home and assemble them. This can be quite time consuming but I just zone out and do mine in front of netflix. It does mean you can't ruin it as you can can always print it out again.

The online #sewist community is also amazing and you'll always be able to find a friendly person to answer any questions you might have.

Seven Indie Sewing Brands I am loving right now;

1. By Hand London fashion forward and come with an online sew along to follow.

There's also a Zeena Dress which is a great sew for a beginner and super flattering dress.

2. Named Clothing Stunning patterns set up by sister duo based in Finland.

3. Closet Case Patterns Canadian brand that has great denim patterns. These are on my sewing list.

4. Stoff and Still Danish husband and wife team who have the dreamiest fabrics as well as great patterns.

5. Tilly & The Buttons super stylish and really wearable patterns, you'll want to make each one about twenty times in all of the rainbow.

6. Alice & Co Boilersuit goals.

7. Nina Lee Patterns some great ruffles.

There are also some incredible free patterns available online too;

Peppermint Magazine has a library of free patterns that are great for beginners.

By Hand London's Polly Top pattern.

The Fold Line is an amazing resource of sewing patterns and a great place to join the sewing community.

3. Fabric 

Fabric shopping has become a bit of a guilty pleasure for me lately and you'll soon get addicted. 

I've listed my current favourites here but there really are lots of brilliant sources out there Ebay and your local charity shop can be a low cost start to your first sewing project. I've even made dresses out of old duvet covers and have an old Cath Kidston one waiting for it's turn.

If you're based in London these are my favourite stores to shop for fabric in (they have online stores too);

• Fabrics Galore 
• Sew Over it
• The New Craft House
• Liberty
• John Lewis
• Macculloch and Wallis
• Ray Stitch 
• The Cloth House

Goldhawk Road (Classic Textiles, A-One fabrics & more) is another haven for low budget fabric shopping and you're guaranteed to never find the same fabric twice but if it's for a one off and you're on a budget head there. When I was studying textiles at Chelsea School of Art our studios were a short walk away and we'd go in daily trying to grab the latest bargain or ex-designer fabric. 

I would say you're even more spoilt for choice online and here's a list of some of my current favourites here;

• Fabric Godmother (My pink gingham is from here and she really does have a great selection of ex-designer fabrics).
• Sew Me Sunshine  
• Sister Mintaka 
• Like Sew Amazing
• Guthrie & Ghani

4. Reading List

Geek up with these magazines and books. I love to flip between magazine and books. I'd highly recommend Stretch by Tilly Walness and the new Named Clothing book.

• Prima Makes
• Simply Sewing - always has a great free pattern.
• Peppermint Magazine 
• Suzy Magazine
• Mollie Makes
• Tilly and The Buttons blog + all of her books
• Breaking the Pattern - Named Clothing's new book

I really hope this post has inspired you to have a go at sewing your own clothes and do comment below if you have any questions or would like me to add anything in a new post.

Above all remember sewing is not something you can rush, enjoy it and you're doing this for the first time and you're only human. The first dress I ever made was a total D I S A S T E R but I learnt from it, fixed it and gave it to my cousin.

Happy Sewing!

Zeena X

PS. This post contains affiliate links, this means I may earn a very small % of any sales that are made through the link, this doesn't add any cost to you it just helps me run my blog :) Thank you for reading!

Exciting news - My First Book is arriving soon!

I can't believe how long it's been since i've blogged... it's one of those things that when you run your own business like I do always it ends up at the bottom of a very long to-do list - sadly!

So to get back into blogging I have some very exciting news to share and this will also explain why I have been ever so busy over the last year! I am very pleased to announce the soon arrival of my debut book 'How to Print Fabric - Kitchen-table techniques for over 20 hand printed home accessories'If you're following me on Twitter or Instagram you'll already know all about this as i've been sharing lots of sneaky peeks. 

So to share a bit more about the book and my inspirations... I wanted to share my skills, ideas and the techniques I use to create my print designs for fabrics but also for those of you that wanted to do it at home. I have so many lovely people come to my printing workshops that would like to continue using the skills they have learnt at home but worry they might need lots of space or expensive equipment. The answer is no and in my book I show you how to use everyday household objects such as a lint roller to print with. I also use elastic bands for printing with, cardboard tubes and the end of a pencil! 

I've collaborated with the wonderful team at Stitch, Craft, Create to film some HOW TO video snippets of projects in my new book. Have a watch here

You can pre-order your copy of my new book on AMAZON or via my website for a signed copy that will arrive with a special gift!

To celebrate the arrival of the book we'll also be running a Blog Hop together, so i'm kicking this off here! Keep your eyes peeled for where we go next!

I hope you enjoy reading it & happy printing!

Zeena x