Hi! My name is Pauline Bruce. You can find me on Instagram (@sewuthinkucan) and on my blog at sewuthinkucan.com
Why did you start sewing?
Fun story! When I was young, I always had strong opinions about the clothes I wanted to wear. I wanted to have a say in what my mom should sew for me, and I had a clear idea of the fabrics and styles I liked, even at a young age. I guess my requests became too much for my mom to handle, and she had an amazing idea. She decided to teach me how to sew!
Where does the name "sewuthinkucan" come from? And why did you choose it?
The name "sewuthinkucan" comes from "Sew you Think You Can Sew," but I decided to shorten it for simplicity. The inspiration behind this name choice comes from my love for dancing and being a huge fan of the show So You Think You Can Dance. I thought it would be a fun play on that title and it perfectly represents my attitude towards sewing. I love to challenge myself and continuously push my sewing skills to the next level.
What do you like most about sewing with Fibre Mood patterns?
What I love most about sewing with Fibre Mood patterns is how they are always on-trend and offer a great mix of versatility and style. As someone who often takes inspiration from the latest fashion runway trends, it's fantastic to have patterns that help me incorporate trendy elements into my wardrobe effortlessly. Additionally, Fibre Mood patterns provide a solid foundation for creating stylish basics, and I enjoy putting my own spin by hacking them into more elaborate and unique outfits.
Which one is your favorite Fibre Mood hack?
That would be the Madeline bais skirt with ties. I received a cool green striped fabric from one of the Fibre Mood collections and originally, I planned to make a regular bias skirt. But when I checked the fabric closely, I saw that the stripes were diagonal instead of vertical. Instead of giving up, I decided to embrace this unique feature. By cutting the fabric on the bias, the stripes would run vertically, which can be cool too. I was really curious to see how it would turn out. I wanted to add my own touch so I put a seam on the front of the skirt and sewed two channels to insert ties. I can pull these ties to create a dramatic effect. The skirt looks great with the matching top I made by modifying the Meryll pattern, as well as with sweaters and tees.
Do you make pattern hacks more often? What do you like about them?
Yes. I find myself doing pattern hacks most of the time, around 80% of my sewing projects. I just love the freedom it gives me to put my personal touch on an existing pattern and create something that's truly unique to my style. It's like adding a special touch to my outfits that no one else has. It's amazing how a simple tweak to a pattern can result in several different outfits to add to my wardrobe. Sometimes, with a bit of creativity, I can even create a whole capsule wardrobe with just one base pattern.
Do you have any golden tips for beginning Sewistas?
My golden tips for beginner sewists, whether you're working with this pattern or any other projects, are all about embracing experimentation and learning:
- Don't be afraid to experiment. It’s all about finding what works best for you and your unique style.
- Make toiles (muslins): Before cutting into your main fabric, consider creating toiles to perfect the fit. This way, you can make adjustments and understand how the pattern works with your body shape.
- Learn from your mistakes. Sewing is a learning process so don't be discouraged by mistakes; they are opportunities for growth. Analyze what went wrong, and you'll gain valuable insights for future projects.
- Understand patterns. Take time to study and comprehend how patterns are laid out and how they come together.
- Get to know your fabrics. Fabrics can behave differently, so experimenting with various types will help you understand how they handle and drape so you can create well-fitted garments.
- Gain confidence through practice. The more you sew, the more confident you'll become in your abilities. Don't rush it. Take the time to enjoy the process and celebrate each step of your progress.
Are there any Fibre Mood sewing projects in the pipeline?
I want to hack the Fibremood Nala pattern from the very first issue they released in celebration of their upcoming 5 year anniversary.
Totally inspired by Pauline and feel like getting started with Fibre Mood patterns yourself? Then be sure to share your creations via the website or on Instagram with the hashtag #FibreMood.
