Hello friends!
How are we half way through January already?!
The end of one year and the start of another is a busy but fun time. When it comes to work, I get a last burst of energy to squeeze as much as I can out of the last remaining weeks of the year. It’s also a time that quickly fills up with get togethers with friends, family and colleagues – lots of laughter, good food and wine.
I feel pulled to reflect on the year that has been and dream of what’s to come. Some of the highlights from 2019 are below. But first I want to share our news! 2020 is a year of change for us.
We will be moving our little family back to Australia to build a home there. After living in Tokyo for the last 4+ years it is SO sad to say farewell. We truly love it here, the people, the places, the food, the arts and so so much more.
But never fear, the good news is that Indy Bindy will continue with lots of exciting things planned for the next 12 months. So if you follow me on Instagram, my stories will change from snaps of Japanese coffee shops to Australian ones, from Tokyo backstreets to the Australian outdoors, Tokyo kids parks to house build updates, ramen shops to fresh produce markets. But what won’t change is the beautiful Japanese indie fabrics I will bring to you, the sewing inspiration and awesome new designers!
Just thinking about it has me excited and I hope you are too! If you have any questions or insights you’d like to share please send me a message or leave a comment below. I can’t wait to delve into the Australian sewing community more too.
As for the year that passed…
2019 was one that saw me consume A LOT of coffee, deepen friendships I will treasure for a lifetime, travel as a family, train under inspiring martial arts instructors, cherish plenty of sewing time and pour my heart into my business that feeds my soul!
One thing I wanted to conquer in 2019, was my fear of sewing pants and plackets.
And I fell in love with sewing pants through the Sew Fancy Pants Challenge. It is currently running again for 2020. So if you’re feeling intimidated by the prospect, check out hosts @katiekortmanart @nf_merrits @thelittlepomegranate @bradschultzdesign @sierraburrell for some inspiration.
Then the Morningside Dress and Shirt Pattern by French Navy was the pattern that meant I was no longer petrified of plackets!
The Morningside pattern and Megan Nielsen’s Flint Pants and Shorts were the subjects of my sew alongs last year. Launching #sewitwithindybindy was received with so much great feedback that I want to do it again this year.
Let me know if there is a garment or pattern you’d like to make with me as a virtual sewing buddy!
Another sewing goal was to hack some patterns. I made some small modifications on two versions of the beloved Ogden Cami by True Bias and also hacked the Parasol Trousers by Ensemble Patterns into the sailor pants of my dreams!
I was so excited with each of the release of new fabrics to my shop. Here is a small taste of some that joined the ranks this year!
I was also SO fortunate to collaborate with amazing pattern designers and sewists to share each other’s work and express our thanks to you through lots of fun giveaways too.
But I want to say it again -Thank you! Thank you for your constant support and inspiration. Without you this business would not be possible. It means the world to me and the designers that bring these fabrics to life.
Here are some of the collaborations from the year that was.
Emi from @justaddfabric used a Japanese sewing pattern to show off the New Home print by Mannine.
Rumana from @thelittlepomegranate used the Minamo Green fabric to make the Frill Hem top by Trend Patterns
Terra Pants by @Patternfantastique using a Mannine Dogulee print
Selkie Patterns London Skirt made by Emily of @selfassemblyrequired in Stone by Otsukiyumi
Meg from @megmadesewing made the ultimate Springtime Jessica Dress by Mimi G Style in the Rosemary and Lemon print by Nocogou.
In the Folds and Peppermint Magazine ruffle sleeve top (FREE pattern) by Sara from @thesaraproject in the Garden design by Kayo Aoyama.
French Navy Morningside dress and shirt in Makumo fabrics Botan Red and Natto Peacock.
Chalk and Notch Cascade Maxi by Jill from Knee Socks and Goldilocks.
Hey June Handmade Trevi Dress by Tessa from @sewspoke in Botanica Park Pink by Mannine.
Nicole from @nf_merritts Marilla Walker Isca Shirt in the Sakura Green and Sakura Owl prints.
Trend Schnitt Jupe skirt No9 and No34 Top with Spaghetti straps in tanpopo by Nocogou
Mac from @macsmakespace Minamo blue fabric by Otsukiyumi into a Zadie jumpsuit by paper theory.
For 2020
Personally I want to try my hand at making jeans, a coat and a blazer. I want to introduce new designers to you, blow your mind with stunning fabrics and help you find what you need to create and make your sewing dreams come true!
What about you? What are your plans for 2020 – sewing or otherwise!?
Let’s keep in touch, sign up below for the latest news and sewspiration:
Hello friends!
How are we half way through January already?!
The end of one year and the start of another always feels like busy but fun time for me. When it comes to work, I seem to get a last burst of energy to squeeze as much as I can out of the last remaining weeks of the year – trying to make it ‘count’ even more. And it’s also a time that quickly fills up with get togethers with friends, family and colleagues – lots of laughter, good food and wine.
On top of all this I feel pulled to reflect on the year that has been and dream of what’s to come. I’ll be sharing some of the highlights from 2019 below. But first I want to share our news, this year, there is one of change for us.
We will be moving our little family back to Australia to build a home there. After living in Tokyo for the last 4+ years it is so sad to say farewell. We truly love it here, the people, the places, the food, the arts and so so much more.
But never fear, the good news is that Indy Bindy will continue with lots of exciting things planned for the next 12 months. So if you follow me on Instagram, my stories will change from snaps of Japanese coffee shops to Australian ones, from Tokyo backstreets to the Australian outdoors, Tokyo kids parks to house build updates, ramen shops to fresh produce markets. But what won’t change is the beautiful Japanese indie fabrics I will bring to you, the sewing inspiration and awesome new designers!
Just thinking about it has me excited and I hope your are too! If you have any questions or insights you’d like to share please send me a message or leave a comment below. I can’t wait to delve into the Australian sewing community more too.
As for the year that passed…
2019 was one that saw me consume A LOT of coffee, deepen friendships I hope to treasure for a lifetime, travel and pull together even more as a family, savour the privilege of training under inspiring martial arts instructors, revel in cherished sewing time and pour my heart into my business that feeds my soul!
I wanted to hack some patterns. I made some small modifications on the beloved Ogden Cami and hacked the parasol Trousers by Ensemble Patterns into the sailor pants of my dreams!
I wanted to conquer my fear of sewing pants and plackets. I fell in love with sewing pants through the Sew fancy Pants Challenge that is currently on for 2020. So if you’re feeling intimidated by the prospect, check out hosts @katiekortman @nfmerrits @thelittlepomegranate @bradschultzdesign @sierraburrell for some inspiration. The Morningside Dress and Shirt Pattern by French Navy was the pattern that meant I was no longer petrified of plackets!
The Morningside and also Megan Nielsen’s Flint Pants and Shorts were the subjects of my sew alongs last year. Launching #sewitwithindybindy was received with so much great feedback that I want to do it again this year. Let me know if there is a garment or pattern you’d like to make with me as a virtual sewing buddy!
I was so excited with each of the releases of new fabrics to my shop. Here are a small selection:
- Robaudo and Robami by Mannine
- Asatsuyu in yellow and blue by Nocogou
- Sea Grass By Kayo Aoyama
- Eden BY Kayo Aoyama
- Triceratops x Nefertiti Yellow and White by Mannine
- New Wall green and purple by Mannine
- Suburban by Otsukiyumi in white, beige and blue
- Dog Lesson blue and mustard but Mannine (poly)
- Triceratops by Mannine
- Makumo Textiles 8 designs. 4
- Mochinoki in red and grey by Otsukiyumi
I was SO fortunate to collaborate with amazing pattern designers and sewists to share each other’s work and express our thanks to you through lots of fun giveaways too. But I want to say it again -Thank you! Thank you for your constant support and inspiration. Without you this business would not be possible. It means the world to me and the designers that bring these fabrics to life.
Collaborations:
- Emi from @justaddfabric used a Japanese Sewing Pattern in the New Home print by Mannine.
- Trend Patterns Frill Hem Top made by Rumania of @thelittlepomegranate in Minami green by Otsukiyumi
- Selkie Patterns London Skirt (and Dress) made by Emily of @selfassemblyrequired in Stone by Otsukiyumi
- Pattern Fantastique Terra Pants in stays fabric with some fun pockets in Mannine Dogulee Fabric.
- Peppermint Magazine and In the Folds peppermint ruffle sleeve top (FREE pattern) by Sara from @thesaraproject in Garden by Kayo Aoyama
- Meg from @megmadesewing made the ultimate Springtime Jessica Dress by Mimi G Style in Rosemary and Lemon print by Nocogou.
- (launched #sewitiwithindybindy) SEW ALONG Megan Nielsen Patterns MNFLint Pants and Shorts I used stash fabric and Mannine Paint print, Makumo Tsubaki.
- Nicole from @nf_merritts Marilla Walker Isca Shirt in the Sakura Green and Sakura Owl prints
- Hey June Handmade Trevi Dress by Tessa from @sewspoke in Botanica Park Pink by Mannine
- Chalk and Notch Cascade Maxi by Jill from Knee Socks and Goldilocks
- SEW ALONG French Navy Morningside dress and shirt in Nocogou fabrics Botan Red and Natto Peacock
- Mac from @macsmakespace Minami bluer fabric by Otsukiyumi into a Zadie jumpsuit by paper theory.
- Trend Schnitt Jupe skirt No9 and No34 Top with Spaghetti straps in tanpopo by Nocogou
For 2020, personally I want to try my hand at making jeans, a coat and a blazer. I want to introduce new designers to you, blow your mind with stunning fabrics and help you find what you need to create and make your sewing dreams come true!
What about you? What are your plans for 2020 – sewing or otherwise!?
Let’s keep in touch, sign up below for the latest news and sewspiration:
