Linen Lovers

👋Hey cuties, welcome to this cozy corner for all things in plant-based sewing! To kick us off, please share what you are sewing or dreaming up, from first experiments to long-term obsessions. A short intro plus a photo of your latest work-in-progress or pattern/fabric haul fits perfectly here. I'm so happy to be here with earthy, creative people who are kind, curious, and open to learning together! 🥰

I have everything I need. I think I need a firecracker lit under me.

What do you do when you keep procrastinating?

Working out the situation to get started. What is the hold up? You want to do it, you have the means, so why am I talking instead of taking action?

How do I get out of my own way?

Please give me some ideas, suggestions, and other motivators to get going? I use time as the excuse part of the time. I dream and dream and dream...

Help!

Hi,

I have sensitive skin. While linen is natural, some forms of it feel scratchy. Not to fear, they can be softened and they are at some point.

My mom used linens. I like great linens.

I haven't always had this sensitivity. It crept up on me like and with age.

I am in love with this whole new school and age of natural fibers. It is great.

To cite an experience:

I haven’t done much dressmaking for years and years. I did fibreart, machine embroidery sort of thing for a long time, then I moved on to painting abstracts and landscapes. I really want to start to make my own clothes, especially in linen and maybe other natural fibres.

I’m 77 years young, so excited but taking it steady haha! 😛

Really lovely to be here

Lynne

I found Leah's channel just about 4 hours ago, and I am very happy I did. I made it my mission to completely overhaul my wardrobe into only natural based fibers, especially linen, as it is a superior fabric in every possible way, from the way it drapes, to the way it holds colour, strenght, and especially the feel of it. It is a fabric predispositioned to make comfortable clothes out of. :) For my sewing I use an old treadle sewing machine, or i hand sew. I enjoy the silence and the process, even if the sewing is somewhat slower. I try to make my own patterns, I am not especially good at it, but I managed to sew some wearable garments and I hope I will be able to sew quality and fitting clothing for my friends in the future as well. Other than that I love to garden, and…

I returned to sewing just over a year ago and discovered Charlie Darwin patterns very recently. I love all the patterns (except the jumpsuit as I don't get along with them anymore, bladder is not as strong as it used to be lol) I've just had the Argent and Sable pattern printed and waiting for my linen to arrive. Can't wait to get started

Hi there, I just wanted to jump in. I started sewing when i was a little kid, back in the 80s. Just those cute plastic patterns on the backs of pillow stuffing packages to start. I continued sewing, usually clothing, and often for my kids, until I was in my mid-late 20s, when life just became too hectic. So, I I haven't sewn in like 20 years! I am wanting to get back into it, now that I am an empty nester. I am tired of cheap polyester blends, and am wanting to try linen for all it's wonderful properties...including it's healing energies. Although I am sure it's like riding a bicycle, I know I gotta start back easy at first since I know I am rusty. So I'll start with a very basic Saltwater shirt with some random old sheets I have around, and I'm sure it…

Hi from Olympia, WA. I started sewing 2 years ago when a friend asked if I knew anyone who could sew the sails for the sailboat he was building. I thought it sounded like a perfect first sewing project and went out and bought a sewing machine. I haven’t stopped sewing since (and I am happy to report the sails were a success!)

Looking forward to joining this lovely community and learning from everyone. My next project is the Canary Top. The pattern just arrived on my doorstep!

Cheers and happy sewing to all!

Patty

Hello, I am starting this journey after testing allergic to synthetic dyes. The problem with synthetic textiles is that the synthetic dyes are embedded into the fibers. This revelation has given clarity and direction as to how I must move forward with building a healthy wardrobe.

Calling all fellow Canadians in the group! I’d love to connect. Please drop a comment below—let’s share our favourite sources for linen and sewing supplies here in Canada.

I’ve been wanting a capsule wardrobe for so long and I love linen and I am done with bras. I picked up several of your patterns and super excited imagining all the ways they could be embellished.

I’m a modern quilter and art quilter who’s been frustrated that I can’t find clothes in my style or that fit well. So, I’m just starting out on my revived garment sewing journey and looking forward to learning and sharing with all of you.

The picture is my self portrait.

Hello all-

Newbie here as well as new to garment sewing. Have made one pair of elastic waist linen blend pants in a class and a simple sleeveless linen top out of a book called How to Sew Clothes. My inspiration for purchasing a sewing machine was looking at brands like Flax and Cut Loose and thinking I should be able to learn to sew similar. As a relatively accomplished knitter I am already into the me made thing.

Really resonate with the Charlie Darwin ethos. Plan to purchase a beginner friendly pattern soon. Local fabric store is going to launch PDF printing this month and will likely do it then.

One, I love the openness about the designing and sharing concept of hacking / creating is recognized by our designer, Leah. Have a good core, then the rest will follow on life, the design, the make, the ethos, the sense of things are real and alive.

Two, keep us wanting m...ore...

Three, to be continued :)

Cheers!

RKathie M..

Hi I'm new here! I just found Charlie Darwin and am still contemplating which pattern to make first. I've been sewing casually for about 20 years, although lately mostly just for pattern testing and Tauko make-and-shares. I have a trip this summer I'm starting to brainstorm for.

Do you all have a favorite place to buy linen fabric? For a long time I was buying from fabrics-store.com but their linens don't hold up great over time. I'm looking for a bargain and better quality if possible! TIA!

hello, long time sewist here, working on my casual wardrobe perfect for where i live in Florida

Oh my—definitely not linen, but too cute to resist! This is the only thing I’ve sewn so far because I’m a mega Alice in Wonderland fan and couldn’t resist that cheeky bunny. And yes, I made the hem wonky instead of straight; that was intentional. :)

That said, linen is calling my name. I’ve amassed a small linen hoard, scored a pile of patterns to experiment with, and just snagged some linen tops and airy jackets on Poshmark. So next up: pants to pair with my new linen collection. Forgive the detour from classic linen vibes—I was delighted that my first try with jersey went so smoothly, and now I’ve got a playground full of linen to explore. Can’t wait to meet everyone and swap sewing adventures!

Sempstress (a variant of seamstress) is a 17th-century term for a woman whose occupation is sewing. It derives from the Middle English semester (sewer) and Old English seamestre, combining seam (n.) with the feminine agent suffix -ster and further reinforced by the suffix -ess to denote a woman.

Old English seamestre, designating a person whose work is sewing.

Structure: It is formed by seamster (originally a gender-neutral, later male, term for one who sews) + -ess (a suffix denoting a female, added in the 1640s).

Sounds way better than sewer 🤣

Yes, I am a nerd 🤓

Little introduction, taught myself to sew in the 1990's when 99% of infant & toddler clothing was sweat suits. 🤣 So started sewing simple toddler dresses & jumpers.

I've been sewing for a looooong time-I'm pretty sure I was using my Mom's old Singer as soon as my feet could reach the pedal-and that pedal because it was an old machine-had a button that you pressed down with the big toe to make it go. My Mom was my teacher-she was a professional seamstress and I guess to save her sanity when she tried to sew at home she had to teach my brother and I both to sew. We started by tracing squares onto scraps and hand sewing little 9 patch quilts. I moved on to making clothes for my dolls and by the time I was in middle school I was making A-line skirts for myself and my friends. After I had kids I made a lot of clothing for my daughter and now I'm making clothes for her daughter! I'm retired and I make …

Hello, I’m Cynthia.

I am a textile artist in Northern California. Although I use my sewing machine regularly, I’m new to sewing clothing.

Since I participate in Art festivals to sell my art, I’m in the sun for many hours and need professional attire that I won’t melt in and linen seems to be the best option. I am hoping to make something stylish that will protect me from getting more skin cancer.

Happy to learn more from others here.

Since I was in HS taking apart a pair of jeans to add a fun leopard print detail down both sides, I have loved to sew. My first time sewing I was probably 7 or 8 and hand sewed a pillow then 12 or 13 I used my moms sewing machine and I made a little drawstring bag and curtain. Then my next time sewing was the jeans, I was 16 or 17… I loved it and wanted to make my own clothes but never did until… I had children and I didn’t have a lot of money and needed to mend things and I just wasn’t sure how so I taught myself and then I was making their school pants and skirts! It was wonderful! Also pj pants! I was hooked and so I started to make their backpacks (simple messenger bags) Now I am 42 and I have…

Hi, I'm Frannie. I'm currently visiting a friend in Vernon, France (from US) and have been shocked by the array of Linen & natural Fibre clothing & home decor I see everywhere in France...even at the grocery stores! I'm a hobby sewer & am now inspired to learn how to make some Linen clothing. Starting my linen journey here.

I have made the Finch and Ladybird linen blouses and enjoy wearing them. I like to mix and match cotton, linen tops and pants. I have also sewn with linen cotton blends and like them very much. I plan to make some dresses for this summer. Also more tops, pants, skirts.

Looking forward to being in this group and seeing what everyone's sewing.

Mary

Hi! My name is Matthias; I'm a fairly experienced sewist with a background in both cosplay and historical fashion. Historical fashion and recreation is what first introduced me to how truly functional natural fibers are, and I loved the feeling of the blinders of plastic falling away from my eyes and seeing how things were done before plastic existed! I've been saying for years I need to sew my own wardrobe and make it all out of natural fibers, and yet I haven't done anything about that. I'm hoping this little program will give me the motivation I need to start!

In addition to loving linen and having a few thrifted pieces of it in my wardrobe, I'm a massive fan of wool. I absolutely love it! (I am also a knitter and spinner, so that probably accounts for it...) I'd like to work some more silk into my wardro…

I'm so thrilled to join this group. The struggle to finish projects and the ever present need to have comfy, functional, natural fiber clothes has led me here. I attached a picture of my favorite dress I made to date. It's also the only linen garment in my wardrobe, which I believe contributes to my love of it, as it's so breathable and comfortable. My hope is to find the discipline to finish projects that I will love and actually wear. The amount of unfinished projects and unwearable garments I have is appalling. Thank you for having me!

Happy to be here with other linen lovers. I'm looking forward to sewing up the recommended garment pieces. Actually, I already have the patterns and have sewn a couple of them. My issue is always with fit, especially with the waist of pants and when they involve elastic. I always manage to cut it too small, then when I adjust it's too large. After several adjustments, I sometimes manage to get it sort of right and wear them anyway. I'm excited to jump in again and learn to improve sizing garments to fit my body, building a wardrobe that fits perfectly and one that I can to wear year-round or mostly year-round.

My name is Karen and I am really looking forward to sewing several new pieces for my capsule wardrobe. I am transitioning to all natural fibers for my wardrobe, and really like the look and feel of linen. I have several of Leah's patterns and I'm stuck trying to decide what I want to make first. I made a mock up of the Olene pants out of a thrifted bed sheet and I wear them all the time! Looking forward to connecting and being inspired by everyone on here!

Currently, I’m Frankenstein two pant patterns to incorporate different qualities of comfort. While navigating issues of garment openings.

I love tailored yet flowy silhouettes. And have been navigating this look to not look frumpy.

I take inspiration from early 1900s garment silhouette/designs, and want to blend them with modern simplicity.

My goal this year is to sew six different pant patterns. I’m hoping this will help me understand the process better in order to navigate fitting issues. In the past working with crotch curve fitting issues, I have removed the whole crouch and put in a gusset. 🙃

My other goal is to sew with knits. I have a little to no experience with knit fabric, but would love to make mock turtlenecks (wool knit) shirts for the winter.

Almost forgot to add, once I figure out the perfect pant design for me, I want to take that pattern and…

Hi everyone 😊

My name is Maiken , and I’m joining from Denmark. I started sewing a few years ago and have mainly been working with thrifted and repurposed fabrics, which I’ve really enjoyed. It’s been such a creative and sustainable way for me to learn and experiment.

Now I finally feel ready to take the next step and sew some of my favorite patterns in linen. At the moment, I’m planning to make three pairs of trousers, one top, and maybe a dress — and then I’ll take it from there.

I’ve also chosen a specific color palette that I want to stick to, so I’m excited to see how everything will come together as a small, cohesive wardrobe.

Looking forward to being part of this group and getting inspired by all of you!