I've added something new to More Shabby Than Chic – handbags! Discover why I fell in love with these gorgeous bags and the little free gift I'm including with every order.

When Christmas cracker hats take over your sewing room AND your dreams! It's October. Most normal people are thinking about autumn walks, cosy jumpers and perhaps the occasional pumpkin. Me? I'm drowning in Christmas fabric, surrounded by little fabric crowns, and I've officially reached the point where I'm dreaming about Christmas cracker hats. Yes, you read that correctly. Dreaming about them! I think I may have finally lost the plot. Or perhaps I've just spent far too much

Deciding Where to Cut Cutting into someone’s treasured clothing or belongings is always the most nerve-racking part of making a memory item. There is no popping to the shop for another metre if something goes wrong, once the scissors go in, that is it. No pressure, then!

Finally Making Something for Myself! I spend an awful lot of time sewing things for other people. Cushions, commissions, gifts, alterations… there always seems to be somebody else's project sitting next to my sewing machine. So I decided it was about time I actually made something for me. Yes. Me. I know. Shocking. It All Started With a SHEIN Top… Pink broderie anglaise mock-up top handmade from a pattern created from an existing SHEIN top. The design was lengthened for extra

It Started With a SHEIN Top… I'd bought a top from SHEIN that I really liked the shape of. From the front it looked quite simple, but the back was what I really loved, open-backed with ties. There was just one problem. I wanted it longer.

I'm giving away a £50 More Shabby Than Chic voucher! Your mission is simply to find your favourite thing I've made. Once you've found it, head back to the original Facebook or Instagram giveaway post and leave a comment telling me what you chose. That's your entry

Operation Cushion Next on our sewing-day agenda were cushions. My friend had recently decorated her lounge and wanted to make some new cushion covers, and she wanted zips.

I bought an overlocker. And apparently, once you own an overlocker, everything must be overlocked. Does it need overlocking? Irrelevant. Can I physically get it under the presser foot? Excellent. OVERLOCK IT.

I know. It's August. Some of you are probably still thinking about summer holidays, BBQs and whether we're actually going to get any sunshine… Meanwhile, over at More Shabby Than Chic, Christmas has arrived. And there's a very good reason for it.

Which sounds lovely. Until you realise that means 100 individual squares. PER CUSHION. Every square has to be planned, cut, put in exactly the right place and sewn together. One square in the wrong colour or position and suddenly my carefully designed character has had a rather unfortunate makeover.

So, armed with yet more fabric, I'm ready for attempt number three. Hopefully this time there won't be any unexpected surprises, and later that day one became two.

Years ago, someone once told me to marry for money, not love. Questionable advice? Absolutely. Advice I occasionally wish I’d taken? Also yes. Still, never mind. I’ve got my own money now, and believe me, I know exactly how to spend it.

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I very rarely start with a commercial pattern. I much prefer working things out myself! So I studied the children's trousers, took some measurements, grabbed some paper and created my own pattern from scratch.

Armed with gaffer tape (because of course), I wrapped myself like a budget DIY mannequin. I’d seen this corset-pattern method on TikTok, what could possibly go wrong? I marked out darts, curves, all the shaping I wanted… then came the small issue of removing it.

We’ve been trained to refresh our homes the same way we refresh our wardrobes. New season. New colour trend. New “must-have” throw from a warehouse the size of a small country. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: fast home decor is just fast fashion for your sofa. Eco Friendly quilting And more people are starting to search for something different, Eco-Friendly Handmade Home Decor UK that feels intentional, lasting and genuinely personal. This is where slow craft ste

What Is a Memory Quilt? A memory quilt is a handcrafted patchwork quilt made from meaningful clothing. Rather than using new fabric, garments are carefully cut, stabilised and stitched into a professionally constructed quilt. The result is a practical piece of home decor that carries real emotional history. Unlike simply framing a garment, a keepsake quilt from clothes allows you to wrap yourself in those memories. It becomes part of daily life.

In a world of next-day delivery and mass production, meaningful gifts are becoming rare. Anyone can click “add to basket. ”Not everyone can give something made stitch by stitch, piece by piece, with intention. That’s why bespoke patchwork makes the perfect meaningful gift and are becoming one of the most treasured bespoke gifts in the UK. And no, they’re not just for nanas.

This week, I did something radical. I Put the Fabric Down and Immediately Got Glue Everywhere Not forever. Don’t be dramatic. But long enough to fall headfirst into the world of card stock, which—fun fact—I did not realise had levels. Card is not just card. Card is a system. A hierarchy. A lifestyle.

Christmas is a time for joy, warmth, and creating lasting memories with loved ones. One charming way to add a sprinkle of magic to your holiday celebrations is by using Santa treat plates. These special plates are designed to hold festive goodies for Santa Claus, making the tradition of leaving out treats even more exciting for children and adults alike.

So… Is Handmade Worth It? If you want the cheapest option available, no, handmade custom designs that are More Shabby Than Chic are not for what you are looking for.