Sewing for Everybody

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Home
Appearances
Services
Instagram feed gallery
About me
Contact

Sewing for Everybody

Home
Appearances
Services
Instagram feed gallery
About me
Contact

Contact

Email: leila.k.consulting at gmail.com

Or direct message me on instagram @leila_sews

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leila_sews

Patternmaker. Fat sewer.
Half of @munaandbroad patterns
2022 @spoonflower ambassador
@parsonsschoolofdesign faculty

@blackwomenstitch and @leila_sews are sponsoring t

@blackwomenstitch and @leila_sews are sponsoring two tickets to @nycfrocktails for our fellow BIPOC sewists. We are dedicated to promoting more diversity in sewing spaces.

If you want to come to NYC Frocktails on Oct 1 and are Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour, please comment below. If you are selected you will receive one ticket to Frocktails. Names will be drawn Friday, sept 23 at 5pm EST so get on here if you’re in! Spread the word.

Image: NYC skyline with 10.01.22 NYC Frocktails superimposed.

#blackwomenstitch #munaandbroad #bipocsewcialists #asiansewists

When you’re fat, dressing for specific occasions

When you’re fat, dressing for specific occasions is really challenging and requires a lot of forward planning. Last Thursday, @bendrakbarry and I hosted a chat with @g_russo1 about his new book, The Power of Plus and what I was most worried about in advance was what I was going to wear to my first public event as a fashion prof.

Friends: I scoured the internet looking for things to buy and for inspiration since this really doesn’t fall into the “professional dressing” category and eventually decided, as usual, that I’d have to sew something to wear. I sewed up this @munaandbroad #HuonDress (which is my current fave design - this is number 3) in a black washed cotton. I accessorize it with this harness from @emma_alamo who kindly did a rush order for me so I’d have it in time (swipe for back view). Best ever boots are @traceyneuls (gifted). Overall, I’d call the outfit a great success and hits all my #SlowFashionWitch goals. What a relief but also, the process of choosing a dress was slightly enraging because I could find so many things I would have bought in straight sizes but none for my body.

Has this been your experience too? What event have you struggled to find an outfit for?

Image: a fat Asian woman is standing next to a pink couch. She’s wearing a black shirt sleeved dress with an oxblood leather chest harness and black boots. The second slide shows the crossover back straps of the harness and the last slide is a slightly closer view of the outfit.

#thepowerofplus #brooklynfat #munaandbroad #munaandbroadpatterns #emmaalamo #whatfatgirlsactuallywear #effyourbodystandards #fashionprofessor #fatsewingclub #fatsewing #plussizesewing #sewvisiblyfat #visiblyfat #visiblyplussize #traceyneuls #plussizeminimalist #slowfashionwitch

So satisfying. I love a concealed placket. Here ar

So satisfying. I love a concealed placket. Here are the steps I used to sew this one on the @munaandbroad #HuonDress I’m currently making (well one of them - I’m batch sewing two).

The buttonholes were already made (see yesterdays post) and then it’s attached to the front. The secret is in the patternmaking - there’s the slightest bit of the concealing part that is beyond the band so that it doesn’t accidentally peek out.

I inadvertently have the seam showing on the rouleau loop but by the time I noticed it was too late to fix so here we are. I also hand finished the collar so it’s super clean.

Image: first slide shows a finished band collar with gathered front and a concealed button placket. The subsequent slides show it stepped out

#munaandbroad #sewingtips #sewingtipsandtricks #sewingtechniques

I’m doing some batch sewing today and it’s fun

I’m doing some batch sewing today and it’s fun to see the details former-me decided to include. This is the concealed button placket for the #HuonDress and the cool part is that you do the buttonholes before it’s attached to the dress fronts, so if your machine eats your fabric or some other mishap, it’s no worries - you can just cut another.

If you’ve been here a while, you might remember I was looking for a new domestic for automatic buttonholes and decided on the @babylocksewing Brilliant (not sponsored!) after extensive research (I have a post on my deep dive). And I just sewed 24 buttonholes perfectly, with zero stress. Actually, “I sewed” is a reach because I literally pressed a button 24 times!

Anyway, I’ll be happily spending my long weekend doing some sewing - my favourite thing is to just sew sew sew (I hate cutting out!).

What are you sewing this weekend?

Image: two black strips of fabric on a grey ironing board cover with rows of perfect buttonholes

Well I still haven’t worked out where to take pi

Well I still haven’t worked out where to take pics in my Brooklyn place, so for now it’s here!

I’m settling in well but I’m feeling the effects of about 4 months in bed with my knee injury. A couple of NYC level activity days (lots of walking) has been a terrible shock to the system. My knee is actually totally fine but my feet are killing me. To the point where I have purchased and am currently using, a foot spa. I always thought these seemed like a weird and unnecessary gadget but now I get it. Today has been designated a “no walkies” day and I’m trying to keep my steps under 4000 today, which was my old maximum for recent times.

It’s very very hot and I went for breakfast with a friend. I chose this @munaandbroad Huon dress because it’s big and airy. You can’t see my Dulcie boxer briefs but they are also adding to my comfort. And I’m wearing this modern chatelaine from @bigsoeursupply which is a fabulous, practical city accessory and sunglasses from @opticianado

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a loose blue dress and sunglasses. She has a thin braided leather strap worn crossbody with keys and pouches hanging off it. In the background is a very very large green indoor tree

#huondress #iwearwhatisew #opticianado #fatfashion #dulcieboxerbriefs

I am so so thrilled to share that I am joining the

I am so so thrilled to share that I am joining the faculty at @ParsonsSchoolOfDesign as Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Social Justice.

It’s exciting at both a personal and I think a community level that the fashion industry is recognizing that size inclusivity needs to be formally addressed at the institutional level. The vision and leadership of @bendrakbarry at Parsons School of Fashion is key to this change and it’s amazing to be a tiny part of it.

As far as @munaandbroad goes, things will remain the same and we will continue to serve the fat and plus size making community. I am also excited to have a bit more scope in my day job to explore fat fashion pedagogy research and our identity as fat makers and how we interact with the clothing we make and wear.

Exciting times ahead and so much of this is thanks to you, our incredible community. Thank you 🖤

Image: A photo portrait of a fat Asian woman. She is looking at the camera and smiling. She has black hair and is wearing a block turtleneck

#munaandbroad #fatfashion #fashionpedagogy #fashionprofessor #parsonsproud #fatatfashionweek

This is the most recent addition to my flock of #M

This is the most recent addition to my flock of #MelbaDress but certainly not the last (after all I don’t have a black one!). Flounce of Melbas? I sewed this one up in @spoonflower cotton poplin in this big print by @peninamakesplaces

Tell me: what’s the best collective noun for a group of Melbas?

Image: a fat Asian standing in her living room. She’s wearing a simple v neck black dress with giant red spots.

@munaandbroad #munaandbroad #spoonflower #spoonflowerambassador #plussizesewing

When you feel like you’re living in a Japanese s

When you feel like you’re living in a Japanese sewing book! That’s how this version of the #MelbaDress makes me feel. I’ve worn it most days since I finished it.

I took some extra care to stripe match (check match?) and also to keep everything super on grain for the hems. I cut the sleeve bands on the bias, which seemed like a good idea but they are stretching out a bit so I maybe should have stabilized with some very light interfacing.

This dress is kind of a mashup of all our fave bits from our other patterns: cut and sleeves of the Torrens, high low mitred hem from the Waikerie dress. But with a new V neck twist. Maybe we are on a V neck bender now?

In case you were wondering (and I know you were!), the fabric is from @aandrfabrics and is very very lovely. It’s a pure linen and I want more and more and more!

Image: a fat Asian woman is posing side on to the camera. She’s wearing a blue checked dress. The other pics show the back and front views

#munaandbroad #plussizeminimalist #sewminimal #sewsimpleshapes #beginnersewing @munaandbroad

I shot this quick reel sewing @munaandbroad #Melba

I shot this quick reel sewing @munaandbroad #MelbaDress! This pattern is super beginner friendly but has some gorgeous finishes like the clean finished mitred hem (fully drafted so it’s easy!). I added a binding to the facing for extra luxury and I couldn’t resist filming some sewing because this @aandrfabrics linen just pops!

#munaandbroad #iwearwhatisew #isewmyownclothes #sewinclusive #asiansewists

This is the Melba Dress! Hot off the press (a sewi

This is the Melba Dress! Hot off the press (a sewing pun?). Its live at @munaandbroad.

This started its life as an extended Torrens Box but it has some more room through the hip, a V neck, and a high-low mitred hem. It also has inseam pockets that are sewn in a way that keeps them from flapping backwards. Since I made them, it’s all I’ve been wearing in this super hot weather.

The fabric is the beautiful mulberry linen (160gsm) from @aandrfabrics. It’s the most gorgeous colour and an extremely versatile weight. It’s also silky smooth to wear and sew.

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a vibrant magenta dress. It has a v neck and short sleeves. She’s looking to the side and there’s a large green plant frond

#MelbaDress #munaandbroad #plussizesewing #sewplussize #fatsew #sewvisiblyfat

Today I thought I’d share a fail with you. A cou

Today I thought I’d share a fail with you. A couple of weeks ago I went on a cutting and sewing frenzy. This began as a mashup of the #AtraxTop and #HexhamDress but on a whim, I decided to change the neckline. Freehand. I just grabbed a damn rotary cutter and went to town. And I pretty much hate the result. It also had repercussions on the shoulder extensions and they are floppy. I’m so annoyed with myself because I love this print (@ivieclothco on @spoonflower cotton spandex jersey).

Even so I’ve been wearing it around the place but it doesn’t make me feel good. I’m thinking of making it into something else- maybe a Tarlee or some undies.

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a bright blue watercolour print dress. The dress is flared and ends above the ankle. It has a high rounded neckline and is sleeveless.

#munaandbroad #spoonflower #spoonflowerambassador

As soon as I finished the #AtraxTop pattern I knew

As soon as I finished the #AtraxTop pattern I knew I wanted to mash it up with the #HexhamDress cocoon (but longer). You can’t really see it in this pic but I have a bulky knee brace that goes from my crotch to almost my ankle which is making pants wearing nigh impossible (I can technically put Glebes on but I’m worried that the stress will tear them). So I needed to make dresses that are comfy, practical, and that I enjoy wearing.

Everything about this pretty much embodies me and I love this oversized banksia print by @inkblockdesigns printed on cotton spandex jersey by @spoonflower. Honestly: I’m having SO much fun exploring prints in my wardrobe.

Image: a fat Asian woman is standing in her living room. She’s wearing a long cocoon dress with a funnel neck. It’s grey with large black banksia seed pods

@munaandbroad #munaandbroad #plussizesewing #iwearwhatisew #fatsewingclub #fatsewing #plussizesewing

Jess and I have been cosplaying each other recentl

Jess and I have been cosplaying each other recently. So here I am, cosplaying her cosplaying me! Seriously. I was so jealous of her stormy @munaandbroad #AtraxTop that I had to seek out a similar print.

I batch sewed a bunch of Atrax-ish garments and I am stoked with how fast they go together! Stay tuned for more

This fabric is the cotton/spandex jersey from @spoonflower in a print by @carolinadiazb and it was a perfect match. Sewed and pressed like a dream too. Is this the year I become a print fiend?

Image: a fat Asian woman is standing in her living room. She is wear a black and white tie dye funnel neck top and laughing

#munaandbroad #munaandbroadpatterns #spoonflower #spoonflowerambassador #sewingprints #slowfashionwitch #plussizeminimalist #fatvanitycheckpoint #sewvisiblyfat

You know when an idea rolls around your mind again

You know when an idea rolls around your mind again and again and it won’t leave you alone? A top that makes you feel pretty cool when you put it on?

Here’s the result and I hope you love it as much as I do! The #AtraxTop has dropped at @MunaAndBroad!

This top is so so fast to sew! It’s got a cute lil funnel neck and little shoulder extensions. Im really pleased with the fit at the armhole across the entire size range. It’s long enough to tuck but you can leave it untucked too.

I sewed this one up in merino jersey from @aandrfabrics and I have another cut out but in red! I think this is going to be a work uniform!

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a black sleeveless top with a funnel neck. She’s wearing glasses and smiling. The other slides show the side and back views.

#munaandbroad #sewplus #fatsewingclub #sewing #sewsewsew #bipocsewcialists #sewincolour #sewminimalclothing #minimalistsewing #sewingpattern #indiepatterns #indiepattern #indiepatterndesigner

I have wanted a ginormous market bag for a while – one that rivals the size of the blue Ikea ones but made from a sustainable material and also beautiful. I go to the farmers market weekly and often I’m buying light but bulky things (Sourdough! Swiss Chard!). It’s also going to be my go to beach bag!

My other parameters were – sturdy straps that wrapped all the way around, an outside pocket, no bottom seams to pop, and low hanging straps so I don’t have to take it off my shoulder to insert items. And here is the result and I am chuffed! The pattern is available exclusively to @munaandbroad patreons at the Maker and Insider levels.

I sewed it up in beautiful @spoonflower Dogwood Denim using a print by @pangniq. The denim is the absolute perfect weight for this project – very sturdy but no problem to sew many thicknesses (plus cotton webbing straps!) on a domestic machine. A quick reminder that you can get 20% off Spoonflower using the link in my bio and the code LEILA20

I’m wearing my well loved #waikeriedress in linen. Perfect market garb!

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a red dress and an enormous white tote bag with a black qayaq print. Other photos show her peering into its boundless depths

#Spoonflower #SpoonflowerAmbassador #munaandbroad #munaandbroadpatreon #patreonperks #sewsustainable #sewingbags #sewpractical

Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time in my

Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time in my underwear as I recover from my knee surgery. And (since I have nothing better to do), I’ve been pondering the differences between the different @munaandbroad undies and how they work on my body. For reference, I wear a size F or G in MB and I have a significant belly overhang, shelf butt, and muscular, fat thighs.

First up, we have the #WaratahUndies (left). These fit right in the crease of my B belly and are the closest to a bikini brief fit but with coverage. I like to tuck the leg openings up under my belly overhang. I find that high quality picot and very wide 1” fold over elastic are the best finish for me because they are very stretchy and have good recovery. This helps them do the work of cupping around my belly and prevents chafing and sweating when the side of my belly roll hits my upper thigh.

In the middle: the #KapundaUndies, shown here in the panel view (there’s also a non panel version). These don’t sit quite as high as in this mannequin because she doesn’t have a big belly! I find the kapunda v comfy too but I do find sometimes that I need to shimmy then on a bit because the waist opening is smaller and there’s only so much stretch in the elastic. The flat fold over eleastoc application does mean that the openings are extremely comfy though. I find that it doesn’t cup my belly as much as the waratah but I can manually tuck it a bit, especially on version I’ve made in bamboo/spandex since it has a lot of 4-way stretch.

Continued in comments

Although I’ve been physically out of action, thi

Although I’ve been physically out of action, things Al have been moving behind the scenes, most notably the Dulcie Boxer Briefs over at @munaandbroad! Jess and I designed these to be worn next to the body but they also perform the function of anti chafe shorts!

We went through many different iterations of concept before we came up with these comfy numbers. There’s no side seam which allows maximum stretch and no show through, and a U shaped gusset that eliminates the inseam by moving it to the front and back.

If you have eagle eyes, you might also spy an exciting notion used in this pair too. You can get our custom soft elastic exclusively at @nelliejoans who also has kits, or you can use any other soft boxer elastic!

Image: a person is wearing blue tight briefs that come most of the way down the thighs. They look very comfy

#dulcieboxerbriefs #munaandbroad #memademayfat #fatsewing #fatsew #plussizesewing #chubrubshorts #sewinglingerie #lingeriepatterns #sewingunderwear #curvysewing #curvysewingcollective #sewplussize #plussizesewingpattern #sewcurvy

My silk shirt is done! This is the @munaandbroad

My silk shirt is done!

This is the @munaandbroad #TarawiShirt with one of the patreon bonus collar patterns. I’m so pleased with how this turned out and it feels so good on my skin.

The fabric is a black silk faille. It is super opaque and and flowy. I used silk interfacing (not organza but that would be equivalent) and I tried to keep it as clean finished as possible with hand finished collar and hand self bound armhole seams. The sleeves and side seams are French seams and I finished the hem with some self silk bias.

Second slide shows the collar a bit more clearly. On the bottom I’m wearing #WillandraPants in tencel. It’s an almost impossibly slinky outfit!

Image: a fat Asian woman is standing next to a wall with some large green leaves visible. She’s wearing a black shirt and black pants. The second image is a second photo that is a bit lighter to show the details.

#munaandbroad #sewing #fatsewing #sewvisiblyfat #curvysewing #plussizesewing

EDIT: the fabric webinar date has been changed to

EDIT: the fabric webinar date has been changed to April 30 3-5pm EST (Toronto) time. All registrants have been contacted about this change with their options

I am so so SO excited to collaborate with @winnipegsews to present my Fabric Webinar and Sample Pack. I know this is an area that many folks struggle with and during the webinar I will teach you how to choose fabrics for your garment sewing projects, decipher fabric suggestions, and shop for unlabelled fabrics

Live Webinar: See above for change (Canada EST)
Preorder sample pack by March 1, 2022
Total cost $190 CAD ($100 sample pack, $90 webinar). The sample pack cost includes worldwide shipping

Register and preorder at www.winnipegsews.com/sample-pack

The Webinar is a deep dive into natural fibre garment sewing fabrics. It is suitable for all levels of sewists and will also add insight into fabrics for sustainable fashion enthusiasts. We will use interactive activities for categorizing, labelling, and critically analyzing the fibre, weave, and application of a wide variety of sustainable fabrics

The Sample Pack is 30 curated pieces of fabric - the key to our understanding natural fibres and learning to differentiate between fabrics. The sample pack includes 30 5”x5” samples of all different natural fibre fabrics. During the webinar you will apply the included stickers as you identify the fabrics and annotate printable fabric sample sheets

Image description in the comments

#sewingforeverybody #sewing #sewingtips #sewingtipsandtricks #sewingforbeginners #sewingworkshop #sewingtechniques #munaandbroad

I am thrilled to be a 2022 #SpoonflowerAmbassador!

I am thrilled to be a 2022 #SpoonflowerAmbassador! I can’t wait to dig me teeth (and sewing machine needles!) into some more prints!

Swipe to see the amazing company I am in!

I’m wearing the @munaandbroad #SpinifexPJs in fabric designed by @pangniq, printed by @spoonflower

Image: a fat Asian woman is sitting on a leather sofa wearing pyjamas printed with illustrations of Arctic char and geoducks. The second slide is a montage of the 2022 Spoonflower lineup!

#spoonflower

So, what does stripe friendly mean on this @munaan

So, what does stripe friendly mean on this @munaandbroad #HydeTShirt mean exactly? It means that the lower hems are straight so that stripes don’t look distorted or cut off! Oftentimes t shirts have a curve in the front, like on our #TarleeTShirt to account for the bust pulling the top up.

But I have a real soft spot for the playfulness of this hemline that speaks to the boxy heritage of the Hyde.

On a side note: I wonder who will be able to guess why it’s called the Hyde. And it’s not named after Hyde Park in Sydney!

Image: a fat Asian woman is standing at front side and back views in a long sleeved red and black striped t shirt.

#munaandbroad #sewistsofinstagram #plussizesewing #bipocsewcialists #asiansewists #asiansewistcollective #sewincolour #newpatternrelease

Introducing the #HydeTShirt over at @munaandbroad!

Introducing the #HydeTShirt over at @munaandbroad!

Jess wanted a boxy oversized tee and this is it! Like her, I’ve found it hard to resist wearing the ones I’ve made but I did manage to hold off to avoid staining!

There’s a long sleeve and this short sleeve version as well as a crossover back view (it doubles as an accessibility feature but I personally just like it for the way it looks - universal design!).

We specially made this shirt to be stripe friendly (straight hems) because isn’t a boxy t shirt just dying to be a stripey?

There is 15% off this pattern this week with no code needed!

Image: a fat Asian woman is wearing a burgundy shirt sleeve loose t shirt. Her hand is going into her pocket so fast that it’s blurred and she’s laughing

#munaandbroad #indiesewing #indiesewingpattern #fatsew #curvysewing #plussizesewing #sewplussize

A 60” tape measure isn’t very practical for ma

A 60” tape measure isn’t very practical for many folks but my 120” tape drags on the floor so I decided to customize my long tape so it’s better.

Lots of details on this shirt! The base is the @m

Lots of details on this shirt!

The base is the @munaandbroad #TarawiShirt with January’s MB patreon bonus.

If you swipe, you’ll see the details I added, like mitred corners and a cute peaked shaping at the top of the facing.

I left out the back pleat, but I kind of regret it. I also reshaped the hemline and lengthened the shirt, but at the last minute (after the shirt was fully assembled), I decided I wanted a longer back. So I unpicked the side seams and chopped off the lower back and added a longer panel so that it looked more intentional. After this was done, I flip flopped again and decided I wanted a side split so this necessitated some unpicking of serging. I them re-serged the lower part separately and created a hem facing for the split. Normally I would have preferred to plan this ahead and patternmake in a nicer finish above the split facing, but there we go.

The fabric is a washed cotton shirting that is very, very crisp. It’s crinkling in a way that is a bit deceiving for body shaping. Also, I didn’t toile this shirt even though I made a different neck size (this is the narrow neck) and this was a mistake. This would have avoided a lot of the back and forth I did with this make!

Overall though, I’m very pleased with how this turned out but I’ll have to wear it where there’s no eating or drinking involved because it’s just so white!

image: A Fat Asian woman is wearing a white shirt. In the first two sides you can see her torso and a deep side slit on the shirt. In the subsequent slides, details from the inside construction are shown.

#munaandbroad #plussizesewing #prettyguts #slowfashionwitch #slowfashion #imakewhatiwear #isewwhatiwear #iwearwhatisew #fatbabesinluxury #sewingdetails

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