Welcome to Clothesline Patterns

-the home of Simple, Speedy Sewing.

Clothesline INSTAGRAM

Meri Blouse is a traditional dress worn in the Pacific Islands, originally introduced by missionaries I've heard. I made these four for a concert at church for some New Guinean ladies. The pattern cutting is very simple with little fabric wasted. And
To finish Me Made May, here's my favourite make of all time, worn by the lovely Emily. It's 5 metres of Ikea upholstery fabric, patternmaking uses subtraction cutting methods (google Julian Roberts, he has lots of free resources). As you can see from
What can I say? I'm in no danger of running out of handmade clothes for Me Made May (last count- more than 50 items in my wardrobe) but they are getting more...unusual. This flatpack shawl (it is a flat shape with armholes) was a college design proje
I made three of these dresses, because they look more complicated to make than they really are. This is black linen with a bit of sashiko stitching - cool to wear in summer or over a tee shirt when the temperatures go down. #memadewardrobe #sewers of

Christmas Decorating in 20 minutes

Picture from Knitivity by Fiona Goble. Text from Luke 2 verse 14.After spending a year working at the Prop House, a company that does corporate Christmas events, I've decorated enough Christmas trees to last me the rest of my life.  But I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. 

At the Prop House, Christmas trees are never dismantled.  Instead, lights and decorations are wired tightly into place with little wire twist ties.  The whole tree is then wrapped in swathes of metre wide plastic (like giant Cling wrap) and stored in garages until the next shopping centre or corporate event needs it. 

Having abandoned the idea of undecorating trees and packing them away in little boxes, I find decorating easy as pie.  Unwrap the tree and wreathes, fluff them up and  I've just decorated my house in 20 minutes.  Ho, ho, ho... hope your Christmas is a beautiful day!