Hello everyone!
It’s Lynn here. I’m a relatively new sewist, who’s been as enthralled by reading about sewing, as much as I have been with the act of sewing itself.
So, of course, when the good ladies of In the Folds asked if I would write something about how much I’ve enjoyed sewing with them, I was thrilled! (Thrilled and nervous. But here we go!)
At the end of 2022, I found myself assessing the contents of my wardrobe to see where the gaps were, as well as what needed cleaning out. It was then that it struck me that my oft-repeated and most-worn garments come from Curated by ITF.
I’ve been a part of the sewing subscription since the Acton dress sleeve expansion, and have been working my way through the issues. And it shows in obvious ways - so many In the Folds patterns made! And others that are more subtle - I’m a better maker thanks to the focus the subscription has on beautiful finishes and care.
LYNN’S SAWTELL DRESSES
Case in point: I’ve made nine Sawtell dresses. All my Sawtells have been absolute workhorses in my wardrobe - I love the generous shape, the endless possibilities for hacking (that sleeve expansion!) and enjoy wearing them all so much.
lynn’s rennie dresses
Meanwhile, this Rennie dress (one of three) finally got me over the hump of trimming tiiiiny seam allowances, and now I can see why it matters. Rennie has become my favourite belted dress pattern of any I own.
lynn’s gibson dress
And of course, there’ve also been newer additions, such as the Gibson dress, sewn out of a thrifted cotton-linen bedsheet! This design has unparalleled comfort and *drama* with those sleeves and the swoop of the hem.
Join Curated by ITF - find your new community!
If you're looking to be supported, motivated and inspired through your sewing journey our Curated by ITF subscription might be just what you're looking for.
As well as a monthly sewing project, you’ll gain access to our private member platform where you can receive feedback and advice from the ITF team and other experienced makers, participate in sew-alongs and make sewing besties all over the world!
lynn’s stow dresses
And a new favourite, the delightful Stow dress from the latest issue, with its fun cocoon shape, easy style and versatility. This dress has truly received the most compliments of anything I’ve ever made!
And thinking about why I love the subscription so much, and why it works for me, has so much to do with how it all began. I took up sewing in September 2020, and was hooked, clinging onto it for dear life throughout the pandemic. And at the beginning of my sewing journey, I couldn’t get enough: fabrics, patterns, different shapes, techniques… I wanted to try all of it.
why curated by itf works for lynn
Since I first started sewing, I’ve felt a strong desire to make. But since that first mad drive to try and make everything, with anything I could find, I’ve slowed down. And with that has come the joy of looking out for different things: clever, thoughtful details; smart, satisfying construction; new skills that expand the repertoire of what I can do… All of which align with the ethos of slow sewing - appreciating what you make, loving the process, and loving the garment that much more for it.
Which is where Curated by ITF comes in!
This sewing subscription has made me a better sewist. It’s made me choose patterns and fabrics more wisely. And frankly, I love the surprise of not knowing what’s going to be coming my way each month until the week before the new Issue arrives!
In the Folds garments are supremely comfortable, and if any adjustments need to be made to fit my own measurements the instructions and community have you covered. Being able to trust the clean lines and well-drafted designs of the patterns also allows me to experiment with some of the things I love most about sewing: playing with print and texture, and experimenting with new shapes - all to make something thoroughly and distinctively my own.
Each time I wear one of my In the Folds garments, I get a little echo sense-memory of how much I enjoyed the making process. Pair that with the all-day comfort and go-anywhereness of the clothes, and it’s a combo that’s hard to beat.
But, washing puts additional stress on our garments and is not always necessary. So, when it comes to uniform dressing in the cooler months, it’s good to think about how you can take care of your clothes without the need to wash them all the time.
For example, my original Stow dress is made from a mid-weight denim and I rarely wash it. I designed it to be worn with layers, so I almost always have something under it - a t-shirt, long sleeve top, tights when it’s chilly. This means I can just wash the base layers and the dress itself can be worn numerous times before needing a wash. I spot remove marks and only wash it when necessary. When I do wash it, I turn it inside out and wash in cold water to put as little strain on the garment as possible.
It’s also good to consider what fabrics you like to wear and why. If you prefer natural fibres, think about how you can incorporate these into your uniform pieces. You may think it’s more expensive to use the fibres you prefer, but if you consider the cost per wear of uniform pieces then you’ll see that over time it really pays off.
Thanks so much, Lynn! We absolutely loved seeing inside your wardrobe and hearing about the skills you've learn through Curated by ITF. You've inspired us with your fabric choices and we're rushing off to add some of these to our sewing wish lists!
If you'd like to find out for yourself what it is that Lynn loves about Curated by ITF, join over 700 other makers and sign up to Curated by ITF today!
Happy sewing,
Emily
