Introducing: Megan Nielsen

Want to meet someone really inspiring? Someone who is building an exciting business, producing fashionable patterns that make you drool, and is taking the world by storm? Well, read on. Today's interview has me grinning from ear to ear.

May I introduce: Megan Nielsen!

Megan is one of my sewing heroes. She is a self-taught sewing designer and has single-handedly created a wonderful range of extremely stylish sewing patterns, designed with the sewer in mind. In her words: "we're changing the way people think about sewing, we believe sewing should be fun!"

I first came across Megan's patterns about a year ago, and they looked so polished and professional I didn't realise that Megan's business was still very young. After a period of selling collections of lovely clothing that she'd designed and sewn herself, Megan launched Megan Nielsen Patterns in November 2011 as something of an experiment. Her first patterns; four maternity and one from her clothing line, were such a success that within a year she had a collection of 10 patterns, bags, sewing kits and more. Plus, her patterns were selling all over the world. I found them in a very stylish fabric shop in London about six months after she launched and Megan was then based in the US!

Fast forward to May 2013 and Megan's business has gone from strength to strength. Her Blog is one of my favourite reads, full of helpful tutorials, style ideas and sewing tips. She has an incredible following, 15 patterns for sale and has just released a new collection of four patterns, her beautiful Breakwater Collection.

And, guess what? Megan is a mum to two lovely wee kids, and during this past year made the monumental international move from the US to her hometown in Perth, Australia. Whirlwind! And, she's friendly and still smiling.

But, I bet you're dying to hear from the lady herself. So, I've asked her a few questions and here's what she told me:

You recently moved from the US to Perth. It's so much hotter there - has your wardrobe totally changed? And, has it affected your designing?

My wardrobe really has changed – a lot!

One of the things I struggled with the most when I moved to the US was the fact that I didn’t own any warm clothing. Beyond jeans and a few sweaters. It took me quite a while to build up an appropriate arsenal of warm clothing, and learn to dress for my new climate. So now that I’ve moved back home, I have a rather insane collection of warm gear that I really can’t use again. It’s pretty funny actually! But since I grew up here I’ve adapted pretty quickly, and fallen back into my old rhythm.

To be honest, Perth has really amazing weather. The summers are ridiculously hot – but the winters are lovely and mild, much like the Autumns we had in Virginia, except it lasts 5 months. I find myself filling my wardrobe with more light layers, and I’m going through pairs and pairs of sandals.

And funnily enough, it really has affected my designing. I find most of my inspiration outdoors, and Perth has always been my greatest inspiration. When we lived far away I would get my doses of inspiration in short bursts when we came on holiday, but now I feel like I’m constantly surrounded by the things that inspire me – and it’s really helped me latch onto a fresh feeling, and hone my aesthetic. I suppose that makes sense though, since this is the place where I first discovered my love of designing, and found my look.

You've got some fantastic tutorials on your blog, especially about adapting your patterns. Do you design with adaptations in mind or do they come to you later?

I really really love variations. In my opinion, a pattern is a waste unless you can use it multiple times – which is why I’m so passionate about sharing lots of ideas with my customers for how they can get more value from their patterns.

But I don’t begin the design process that way. In fact, I don’t begin thinking about the final sewing pattern – I always begin with a focus on fashion. I design a collection as if it were a ready to wear collection. Then I begin working on the individual designs as patterns. As I’m working on them I start to weed out the designs that won’t making particularly good patterns, and I adapt and change designs keeping in mind what will work well as a sewing pattern, and what will result in more variations. Often my idea will change a lot through the process as I brainstorm and test more variations.

I like this method, because I think it maintains the heart and soul of my brand.

Sewing seems to be coming back into vogue. I bet that's pretty exciting for you! Do you have a particular pattern from your line that you'd recommend for a brand new sewer?

It’s REALLY exciting to me!

I adore sewing – since I was a child I’ve loved it – but at that time it certainly wasn’t cool. For many years I hid my sewing from friends, and my goal was to reach a level where no one could guess I had made my outfit. Isn’t that silly? As the years went on I matured and lost that shyness about my designs. But I have to say, I’m incredibly thrilled to see some momentum behind the hobby these days. It excites me more than I can say to see more people taking up the hobby I adore so much!

When it comes to recommending a pattern for beginners – honestly, I care a lot about beginners, and I’m very serious about making beginner patterns for real beginners. I think the Eucalypt or Cascade from my new collection are a wonderful starting point as they don’t require any difficult techniques like buttonholes or zippers – the Kelly is always a favourite, and was created with a simple shape specifically for beginners.

For those wanting to try knits, the Briar is also perfect – not only simple, but a really quick sew!

I recently read on your blog that you're learning to knit? Do you have anything on the needles right now?

Eeeeek yes!

I really want to get better at knitting. It’s a lovely relaxing hobby, and one I wished I’d learnt when my granny was still with us, and so very keen to teach me.

Right now I’m actually working on some washcloths. It sounds mundane, but for some reason I’ve developed a really serious obsession with knitted washcloths recently. I’m driving my family crazy!!! But they’re just so soft and unique… it’s a strange obsession I know!

(Don't worry Megan, we totally understand. Been there, done that ... and have the very useful washcloths to prove it.)

And finally, for me: I'm making your lovely Kelly Skirt with a million buttons down the front. Do you have any top tips for sewing buttonholes and buttons?

Oooo I love Kelly!

I definitely have some tips for sewing buttons etc!! Holly and I just did a post about how to sew buttons with your machine – and in a couple of weeks I'll show you my special trick for sewing button holes without a special function on your machine.

Thank you so much Megan! 

Inspired? Rushing to get out your sewing machine? I hope so! In fact, I'm hoping I've tempted some of you die hard knitters over to the sewing side. Go on, here are the perfect patterns to start with!

If you want to find out more about Megan and her lovely range of sewing patterns you can find her website here. Her blog is worth a read too - it is jam packed with great, useful stuff. And, you can find all of her patterns here.

See you soon - my skirt is underway ...

(All the photos are used with the permission of Megan.)

Modern Tank

I'm feeling a little giddy as I write this. I can't quite believe it, but my tank top is finished and I love it.

Of course, it's no sooner off the needles than I have a burning desire to start another and tweak it a bit to make it even better ... but I guess that's the thing with designing, it's an evolving process.

The neck band might be my favourite part. You'll find it no surprise to hear that it took me three goes to get it right. Three seems to be my number.

And, I love the integrated icord armhole edging. It took a bit of fiddling to figure out good, matching decreases. 

I would say I can't wait to wear it, but it's just so jolly cold outside I can't imagine how I'm going to be able to wear it and not freeze. Still, we've got a couple of weeks and a cardigan & skirt to go ... so things might change.

There are little signs that warmer weather is headed our way, so fIngers crossed I don't freeze.

My Ravelry project page is here.

Getting Underway

It feels a bit like May is disappearing on me. I was really looking forward to getting started with Outfit 5, but now I'm a bit nervous that this month will come and go without a finished outfit ...

Perhaps it's because I've been super ambitious. It was bound to happen, especially after the high of releasing my first proper pattern. I couldn't find just what I was after so I thought ... "I know, I'll make it up...". Designing something is all fine and good - but maybe not designing and making two things in a mere matter of weeks. Oh well, there's no backing out now!

You know I love a sort of "title" for my Outfits. So far, for this Outfit, I've been working with the loose title of "she's approachable, with a touch of the exotic. Cool and collected, with a bohemian twist ...".  Hey, it works in my head!

What am I making? It's lovely.

I found this beautiful silk Sari on Ebay a while ago and couldn't resist it. It's a wee bit fragile in places and looks like it's been mended a couple of times, but there are metres and metres of fabulous, useful silk in it. It is real silk, I've tested it. By tested, I mean, I've burnt a strip of it in my kitchen-come-science lab.

Unlike polyester, my slik sari smells a little like hair when it burns, burns to a powdery black ash and stops burning the second the flame is removed. Polyester smells like melting plastic, melts to a solid clump and continues to burn/melt even after the flame goes out.

And, with my beautiful, fine, drapey silk I am planning to make a flowing skirt. I'm basing it on Megan Neilsen's popular Kelly Skirt pattern but I'm making mine a bit longer and perhaps a wee bit fuller. It'll have to be lined too - and I'm intending to line it with itself; two layers of this beautiful silk. It might be a bit inclined to stick to itself, but I couldn't face the stiffer, less drapey linings in the shop. I want this outfit to be a bit groovy. The wooden buttons will run the length of my skirt.

My skirt is going to be topped with a modern twinset. I've started (for the third time) a tank top with tons of twisted rib detail and it's looking okay. I'm using a taupe coloured Rowan cotton/wool 4ply yarn which feels lovely, but is a bit of a killer on my right wrist. It might have something to do with the speed with which I'm trying to knit. I haven't suffered sore wrists before, so I hope this isn't a sign of things to come?!

My top is going to be (hopefully, if I can get this all done) teamed with a cute cardy. More twisted rib, raglan 3/4 length sleeves and stripes of the taupe and the pistachio yarn in the picture. I haven't actually started it yet ... at all. No calculations, nothing. I'll have to use my tank top as a swatch for my cardigan. You getting the picture? Time is TIGHT. It doesn't bear thinking about, so I'm trying not to.

And, finally - to add flavour, I'm planning to make some silver bangles to jingle up my arm. I've bought some silver D wire and some silver solder and am going to use my cook's blow torch for something other than crème brûlée. I really have no idea what I'm doing with the silver and the soldering, so if you do - please tell me everything you know!

So that's it. Outfit 5. All I can think is, it's the middle of May ... most of it's still in my head ... I must be crazy. Oh, and before you jump to any conclusions, I am no superwoman. My house is a shambles, Mr Myrtle is in charge of the laundry and our meals are dubious. Wish me luck!

Skeppe Hat - Pattern Available!

I'm excited (and a whole lot nervous!) to tell you that my first proper pattern has been professionally edited (thank you Ruth!),  tested by a bunch of lovely knitters (thank you everyone!) and is now available to purchase!

SKEPPE || BUY NOW

A cosy hat with a bit of slouch, Skeppe is the perfect hat for all the family, suitable for boys and girls, men and women. I love the tassles but you might choose to leave them off, or even pop a pom pom on the top instead!

Ideal for the adventurous beginner knitter, Skeppe is a quick, enjoyable knit. If you can knit and purl, you can master this hat!

The "tassel stitch" pattern is really effective, simple to master and fun to knit. I love the way the ribbing flows effortlessly into the tassel pattern, and the way the tassel pattern flows into the crown shaping at the top. 

The two hats in my pictures are knitted in beautiful 100% wool, worsted weight yarns by Quince and Co. but you could substitute another worsted weight yarn of your choice.

The pattern includes:

• clear and easy to understand instructions in both written and charted form;
• four sizes, from children to adults;
• notes on how to knit the "tassel stitch";
• clear colour photos;
• step by step instructions for the (optional) tassel and twisted cord.

If you want to read more about my design process, I've written about it here. You might also like to check out some of my test knitters' projects for some inspiration and yarn ideas. There are some lovely examples of Skeppe!

I'd like to thank you everyone who helped me get this pattern to publication. You've been fantastic :)

Skeppe is available to purchase on Ravelry. Just click on any of the photos above, or my fancy "buy now" button below. (You don't have to be a Ravelry member to buy patterns.) Happy knitting!

The Big Reveal - Outfit 4

I had planned to shoot the photos for Outfit 4 at the very lovely Italian deli down the road. But,  in the end, I never managed to pluck up the courage to ask them if I could take over their cafe in my pyjamas. Maybe another time ...

For now, you've got a very real location. Chez Myrtle.

Spring seems to have finally sprung and it's fantastic to be able to use our outside spaces again. The idea of spending over half the year eating inside doesn't feel quite right to my Kiwi self.  Plus, with four little kids around the table, it's not so crazy noisy eating outside ... On the other hand, it might be for our neighbours.

But, I digress ... Outfit 4 is finished!

My cardigan is soft, warm and I'm going to live in it. If you follow me on Twitter you may have heard about my panic finishing the sleeves. I wasn't sure that I'd have enough yarn and I didn't know whether to knit faster to see ... or put it down in fear. In the end I knitted like the wind ... and there was enough. Just. So, there are no pockets, but actually, I like its long clean line without pockets anyway. So I'm not too sad.

The collar is warm up around my neck and although the icord bind off up the front rolls inwards a bit, there's still lots of width in the front to keep me warm. Remember how I knit the sleeves from the top down? I didn't think to take into account that the pattern would have extra stitches added to the top of the body for seaming ... so my sleeves aren't as set in as they may have been. They're a slightly dropped sleeve instead. Lesson learnt :)

I also knit the icord bind off at the bottom of the sleeves with the needle I used for the arms. I didn't go down a needle size. Well, I did, but I thought it was a bit tight, so ripped back and did it again ... My Raverly project page is here.

Despite my disasters with twin needles, I think I'm getting better at stretch knit tops. I'm liking the higher neckline on this one and the narrow neck band. The curved bottom wasn't tricky either, I'm going to try that again.  I think you can almost see how soft the fabric for my top is. It's a pure cotton but it's quite silky and is going to be so comfy to sleep in. I'm just hoping that the colour lasts because I really like it just how it is.

My silky pj bottoms feel good too. They're roomy and long, but not so long that I trip over or stand on them. That's important. Store bought trousers are usually too long for me ... And, I just think they're so pretty. Super pretty.

Felted slippers are cool. If you haven't made these ones yet ... do! If you don't mind seaming, the pattern as written is a breeze. Converting them to an almost seamless pattern is fun if you fancy a bit of a challenge. I do think it's worth splodging the sock stop stuff on the bottom because it makes them feel a bit more substantial. 

Overall, they're warm and comfortable ... fingers crossed my toes don't go through the end too fast ... I want them to last. My Ravelry project page is here.

So there we are .. Ta da! Outfit 4. Phew. April was a busy month.

I'll be back to tell you all about my plans for May, soon.