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Emily Lightly

Slow fashion, sewing, & sustainability

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20 Free Sewing Patterns for Summer

Sewing

20 Free Sewing Patterns for Summer

In this article I’m sharing 20 sewing patterns that I think are perfect for summer. The best part is, they’re also completely free!

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Sewing

Ethel Pants by Style Arc – Sewing Pattern Review

In this post I’m sharing my review of the Ethel Pants sewing pattern from Style Arc, including adjustments I made to make the pattern perfect for me.

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spring capsule wardrobe

Slow Fashion

A Simple & Minimal Capsule Wardrobe for Spring

In this post I’m sharing a simple and minimal spring capsule wardrobe. It includes 29 me-made, secondhand, or sustainable pieces.

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Heroine Jeans

Sewing

Pattern Review: Heroine Jeans by Merchant & Mills

In this post and video I’m sharing my review of the Heroine Jeans pattern by Merchant & Mills.

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Wildwood Wrap Dress

Sewing

Pattern Review: Wildwood Wrap Dress by Sew House Seven

In this post I’m sharing a review of the Wildwood Wrap Dress pattern by Sew House Seven, as well as details on how I hacked it with long sleeves.

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minimalist winter wardrobe essentials

Slow Fashion

Minimalist Winter Wardrobe Essentials

These key pieces make up the basic foundation of my winter wardrobe and have really seen me through season after season.

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Slow Fashion

8 Sustainable Coats & Jackets for Fall/Winter 2021

The cooler weather is here, and it’s time to bundle up in these 8 sustainable coats and jackets for fall/winter.

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A Sustainable and Me-Made Fall Capsule Wardrobe

Slow Fashion

A Sustainable & Me-Made Fall Capsule Wardrobe

My capsule wardrobe for fall 2021 includes 34 pieces that are me-made, bought secondhand, or from sustainable brands.

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Power Of My People

Slow Fashion

How to Style a Classic Linen Shirt featuring POMP

In this article I’m sharing three outfits featuring the Friend Wayward Fit Tunic, a classic linen button-down shirt from Canadian slow fashion brand Power Of My People.

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Hi, I'm Emily! I'm passionate about sharing the benefits of living a simpler life. My motto is "Live with less and love life more." Here is where I write about slow fashion, sewing, capsule wardrobes, minimalism, clean beauty, and sustainability.
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Wardrobe Edits

spring capsule wardrobe

A Simple & Minimal Capsule Wardrobe for Spring

minimalist winter wardrobe essentials

Minimalist Winter Wardrobe Essentials

A Sustainable and Me-Made Fall Capsule Wardrobe

A Sustainable & Me-Made Fall Capsule Wardrobe

A Sustainable and Me-Made Summer Capsule Wardrobe

A Sustainable & Me-Made Summer Capsule Wardrobe

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It’s summer, it’s hot out, and I’m living in It’s summer, it’s hot out, and I’m living in linens. Here are some linen combos I’ve been loving recently! Which is your favourite?

1 - @tradlands cardigan, #agustinaboxytop, #pomonapants, @thelei.co slides
2 - #phoebetank, #magdapants, @beatricevalenzuela sandals
3 - #laraloungewearset tee, #magdapants, tote from my own pattern (included as a tutorial in my online sewing course!), birkenstocks
4 - #phoebetank, #pomonashorts, #sorrentobuckethat, birkenstocks
5 - @powerofmypeople shirt, #pomonapants, @treefairfax bag, @adhoc_penticton slides

#slowfashion #slowsimplestyle #sewing #sewcialist #sewcialists #memade #memadewardrobe #memadeeveryday #imademyclothes #ilovelinen #capsulewardrobe #flatlay #tradlandswornwell
As promised, here’s a closer look at my $4 thrif As promised, here’s a closer look at my $4 thrifted tablecloth set!

For the top I used the #phoebetank in my regular size (8/10) and cropped about 14cm off the length.

The skirt was self-drafted and I cut two rectangles that were about 114cm wide by 80cm long. I added a waistband casing on top of that so the total finished length is somewhere between 75-80cm. I also added inseam pockets. It’s a little more full than I would’ve liked so I definitely could have made the panels less wide, but lesson learned for next time!

#slowfashion #slowsimplestyle #sewing #upcycling #upcycled #upcycledsewing #upcycledstyle #memade #imademyclothes #sustainablestyle
It’s J’s turn in front of the photo wall today It’s J’s turn in front of the photo wall today 😂 For his birthday this year I made him clothes for the first time! To keep it a surprise I had to sneak into his closet a couple times and also made up a reason why I needed to take down all of his measurements, but I think I pulled it off in the end because he had no idea.

For all four tops I used the @helens__closet #jacksontee and #jacksonpullover. I did all of the seams with my serger and topstitched using the straight stretch stitch on my sewing machine. All the details on the sizes are below, for reference his measurements are chest 38” and waist 32”. All fabrics are from @blackbirdfabrics.

1-2. Tee view B size 10 in cotton modal jersey knit, slate blue & black
3. Tee view B size 10 in hemp & organic cotton jersey, navy
4-5. Pullover view C size 14 in bamboo & cotton stretch fleece and matching ribbing, heather charcoal
6. Added a little reminder for him with the cutest labels 🥰

I made the mistake of cutting one of the tees on the cross grain instead of the straight grain (oops) but it’s really hard to tell and hopefully it’ll keep its shape. Otherwise I think these turned out pretty good!

I also got fabric to make him some pants or shorts but left those out of the surprise so that I could fit them properly. I’m thinking of going for the Fremantle pants and/or Trigg shorts, but I’d love to hear any other suggestions in the comments!

#sewing #memade #sewcialists #sewcialist #menspatterns #unisexpatterns #memadewardrobe
Filing this under outfits to wear when I have noth Filing this under outfits to wear when I have nothing to wear. It’s simple, relaxed, and comfortable - and the best part is it’s all me-made! (Aside from the shoes).

Top is the Phoebe tank and bottoms are the Magda pants, both free patterns from @fabricsstorecom. The jacket in the last two photos is an Unfolding jacket.

Speaking of free patterns, I have a new video up with a roundup of 20 free sewing patterns for summer! Will link it in my stories if you’d like to watch 🎥

#slowfashion #slowsimplestyle #sewing #sewcialists #sewcialist #memade #memadeeveryday #memadewardrobe #imademyclothes #magdapants #phoebetank #freepatterns
My @emilygreeneknits #masonsweater is finally done My @emilygreeneknits #masonsweater is finally done, just in time for… summer? 😂 It’s okay because it’s been so gloomy here lately that I might just be able to sneak in a few wears of this before it gets too warm!

This project was definitely a labour of love. I cast it on in February and had to re-do the start probably about five times for various reasons. But I’m so happy with the result so in the end it was worth it!

I knit a size 4 and used @briggslittle heritage yarn in sheep’s grey. I made a few minor adjustments to the pattern, all of the details are on my Ravelry page which is linked in my bio!

#slowfashion #slowsimplestyle #knitting #knittersofinstagram #knittingproject #memade #imademyclothes #handknitsweater #memadeeveryday
Another day, another pair of #ethelpants 🙈 Thes Another day, another pair of #ethelpants 🙈 These ones are made in an organic cotton linen blend from @earthindigofabric. I’ve made a few alterations to the pattern and now I feel I’ve got them just right. Changes I made were to size down one size from 12 to 10, shift the pleats toward the hips by 1”, lengthen the leg by about 4cm, and straighten out the curve toward the bottom of the leg. I also added a drawstring to the waistband as per usual. I paired them here with a #laraloungewearset tee in linen with a self-drafted pocket and @thelei.co slides.

#memade #memademay #memademay2022 #slowsimplestyle #slowfashion #slowsewing #mademywardrobe #memadeeveryday #memadestyle #imademyclothes #sewing #sewcialist #sewcialists
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