SMYLY 'Abi' Jumpsuit & An Honest Talk About Body Image

What an absolute honour to have a sewing pattern named after me! Before I get in to today's exciting new pattern release I wanted to start things slightly differently.

Everyone has their battles that they don't share online and I'm no different. So when the lovely ladies of new sewing magazine & pattern company 'Sewing Makes You Love Yourself' asked if they could use me as inspiration for their next pattern and name it after me, I didn't know if I was going to be a good fit for their brand.

Mental health and body image/confidence has been a big part of my entire life. Which I know may seem odd as I film YouTube videos and post pictures of myself online. But this is something I have control over, but come at me with a camera in any other situation and I'll be having an internal breakdown. I can't stand conversations about appearances or weight, as they bring up a whole lot of feelings I battle against every day and as I write this post I feel uncomfortable and find it near impossible to voice my feelings on the subject. Whilst I don't want to get into the nitty gritty of my own story, I hope you're getting the gist...

So initially this opportunity made me feel a little scared. Whilst sewing has brought a lot to my life and introduced me to a wonderful online community of creative women, its also forced to address some things about my body I would probably rather ignore. But I hope I can just spread the message that no matter what people are posting online or how confident they make look, everyone is battling something and you're never getting the whole picture. I'm not ashamed to say that I do share the best bits online. I have no intention of sharing anything else! But for me, I can look at my Instagram account for example and feel proud of myself and what I've achieved and that even though I have a world of insecurities about myself, I'm battling them, putting myself out there regardless and I couldn't have done that if it wasn't for sewing.


So with that being said, you guys know that no sewing pattern makes me happier than something easy, quick and comfy. The SMYLY 'Abi' jumpsuit is a dream! And I swear I'm not just saying that because my names on it!


Firstly the whole sewing process of this jumpsuit is so simple and straight forward which, the instructions the SMYLY girls have put together are easy to follow and well laid out. It also comes together pretty quickly too.


If you've watched my latest vlogs, you'll know I've been sewing jumpsuits all over the place, with varied success. Knowing this one is all jersey and nice & stretchy, I hoped fitting this style would be as simple and straight forward as the sewing. Luckily it was! I cut out the size 12 and made no alterations. The jersey fabrics allows for a comfortable fit across my bust and hips, but most importantly when it comes to jumpsuits, this is SO easy to get in and out of (I'm looking at you Simplicity 8608 grrrr).


Can we just take a moment to obsess over this fabric? I don't know what came over me, and even I can't tell you what my style and taste actually is, but I know I needed this fabric. I love prints with a darker background as I find them personally more wearable and I feel less self conscious in them. I love this fabric and sewing pattern together!


Sewing Summary:


Fabric: Icons Jersey Fabric

Sewing time: A couple of hours.

Modifications: None!

Fit: Spot on.

Difficulty: Easy, great for beginners! 

Watch out for: Finishing your jersey seams, I used an overlocker for mine.

Make Again?: Hell yes! I want to make a black & white polka dot one next.


Overall, the Abi jumpsuit (still so weird to type!) is everything I love in a sewing pattern, especially with my current changing style I'm certainly gravitating more towards comfortable, simple projects. I think this pattern would be great for beginners or those new to sewing jersey. I also think if you aren't confident sewing trousers, like me, something like this jersey jumpsuit is a great way to test the waters. The fit is pretty easy because of the stretch and the style, it's like wearing pjs!



Thank you so much to the lovely ladies Athina and Hattie for involving me in their venture, it's a honour to be a part of it. Whether you can say sewing makes you love yourself or whether you're on that journey like me,  we can surely agree that sewing is a wonderful creative hobby to have and no matter your age, ability or style, there's something for you.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

Minerva Crafts Blogger Network: Simplicity 8608 Ruffle Wrap Dress

Pattern: Simplicity 8608
Notions: Elastic for the waist (which I ended up skipping).

Sewing time: A day.

Modifications: No elasticated waist, plus a couple of mistakes...

Fit: Good!

Watch out for: A lot! Mentioned in my review.

Make Again?: Yes, but with some changes.
If you'd like to see everything I've made so far for the Minerva Craft Blogger Network, you can view my profile HERE.

What I've Been Loving in May

On my birthday wearing my Marigold jumpsuit!

Hi pinups! I'm a little late this time sharing my post for my monthly 'What I've Been Loving...' series. But better late than never! May was such a busy month for me, but I still found time to find some sewing inspiration.

It was my birthday in May (27 yay!), and as I get older my style is certainly changing. I'm finding myself moving away from vintage styles and instead sewing more modern, simple styles. I'm trying to be more conscious of what I'm actually wearing compared to what I've been sewing since I started my blog 2 years ago and I think I'm finally finding a balance. Perhaps I'll write a blog post soon on changing style.... but for now, here's what I've been loving in May...

I don't know what's come over me and it's something I certainly never thought I'd say but I flipping love jumpsuits! I seen to be gravitating towards them at the moment and I've got more than one to share with you! I loved wearing my new Tilly and the Buttons Marigold jumpsuit for my birthday day out to Ludlow. Hello secret pjs! See my pattern review HERE.

Back to my earlier point about sewing items for my changing style, I desperately needed some plain items in my wardrobe. I love a simple jeans and t-shirt combo for casual days, and sewing jeans is not on my agenda, after browsing ASOS for skirts, I realised the styles I was looking at were patterns in my stash. I've started with another Tilly pattern, Miette, for a cute and comfy chambray wrap skirt featuring a tulip decorative stitch.

After pondering long and hard about it I finally caved and treated myself to a MacBook Pro. Probably the most money I've ever spent on anything. But so far, totally worth it!

Since moving in together, me and my boyfriend have fallen in love with furniture restoration and mid century interiors. We started a new venture Side Piece DIY to post snaps from our home and to share the projects we're working on. Follow us !


Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

Simplicity 1459 - Sassy 1950s Shirt Dress + Sew Along

Hi pinups! I know I've said it a few times recently, but I'm really excited to share this make with you! It's the last in the series of my Stitch by Stitch with Simplicity projects and I'm finishing with an eye catching, super-sassy 1950s number!

Here's a peek at the pattern:



If you've been following my blog for a while, you may recognise this dress pattern already. I made the Simplicity 1459 pattern over a year ago. For my original, and full, sewing pattern review visit my first post HERE.



I hope you'll find my Stitch by Stitch video helpful for those looking to make the 1459 pattern or if you're curious about it's construction. Even though at first glance the pattern can look a little complicated, I think it's quite straightforward. As the collar pattern pieces are so large, it makes the sewing nice & clear and not fiddly like some shirt dresses can be.


In the video I say I'll be sewing a t-shirt sleeve, but when I tried the dress on just before the sleeve insertion, I decided to opt for the sleeveless option instead. I'm so happy I did as it makes it so much easier to get into and more comfortable to wear.



Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Simplicity 1459 

Fabric: Boufants & Broken Hearts Cotton

Notions: 3 buttons & 22" Concealed Nylon Zip

Sewing time: Half a day to a day.

Modifications: Added 3 buttons instead of 2, and I used a concealed zip instead of a lapped zipper. Made the skirt panels narrower.

Fit: Spot on!

Difficulty: I'd recommend this for adventurous beginners.

Watch out for: Don't forget to sew the collar points carefully.

Make again?: This is my second, but I see a 3rd in my life.



Overall the Simplicity 1459 dress pattern is becoming one of my favourites. I enjoy the whole sewing process of this pattern and it covers a lot of great techniques in it's construction. I can certainly see myself sewing a 3rd!

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Let me know if you'll be trying this pattern and be sure to tag me @craftypinup in your snaps so I can see them too!


Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo