Block It Like It's Hot: Colour Blocking for the Win If you’re looking to bring a little bold energy into your handmade wardrobe, colour blocking is the trend to try. Think big pops of contrast, geometric panels, and that satisfying moment when your fabrics clash just right. Tops, sweatshirts, even joggers or skirts — colour blocking is a super easy way to level up your makes without needing a brand new pattern. Especially when working with fleece and ribbing — hello cozy + cool! So What Is Colour Blocking, Anyway? Colour blocking is all about combining two (or more!) bold, contrasting colours in geometric shapes or panels. Think retro 90s windbreakers, modern art vibes, and totally intentional seams. When you pair fleece with juicy ribbing accents in a punchy palette? That’s sewing gold. How to Hack Your Own Colour Blocked Top  No need to buy a new pattern right away. Here’s a quick & dirty way to colour block your fave top or sweatshirt pattern: Pick your base pattern. Choose a simple silhouette — raglans and drop shoulders work great. Draw your lines. Use a ruler to draw horizontal or diagonal cutting lines where you want the blocks to be. Think yoke lines, sleeves, or even offset asymmetrical shapes. Add seam allowance! Don’t skip this — add 1/4"–3/8" seam allowance to each new piece. Mix your fleece colours. Go wild with combos — we love ochre + lilac, or moss green + cream. Sew it up, then rib it out. Finish your cuffs, waistband, and neckband in contrast ribbing for that pro finish. Bonus: Colour blocking is an excellent way to use up fleece scraps and make your project more sustainable. Patterns to Try (or Hack): If you want a head start, here are some patterns that are either already colour blocked or come with tutorials to get you going: Chalk & Notch Page Hoodie – A fan fave that already includes colour block options (and a fantastic sew-along). House of Hotard Juju Sweater – Panels make it easy to block at the sleeves or body. (photo above) Paradise Patterns Pine Sweatshirt – Classic sweatshirt with a comfortable, oversized fit Ellie & Mac Around the Block Hoodie – 3 diagonal panels across body and arms. Made for Mermaids Logan Hoodie – Has colour blocking panels already done for you - comes in Adult and kids. Petite Stichery has quite a few colour block options as well. Go Beyond Tops: Block Those Bottoms Don’t stop at your upper half — colour blocking works wonders on joggers, leggings, or even skirt panels! Add side panels in contrast fleece to joggers. Mix waistband and hem bands in poppy ribbing. Try a tiered skirt with each layer a different shade — yes please. Fabric Recommendations: Fleece + Ribbing Faves We’ve got the dream team for this trend: Cozy Cotton Fleece – Super soft, and heavier weight that's perfect for sweatshirts & joggers. Matching Ribbing – Ready to colour pop your cuffs and collars. We also have a great selection of Bamboo Jersey, Terry and Ribbing if you want something lighter weight. Not sure which colours to put together? Pinterest is packed with inspo to get your wheels turning. Get Inspired & Get Sewing!  Whether you’re colour blocking your first sweatshirt or diving into a full fleece set, this trend is comfy, creative, and totally addictive. Tag us @fabricandflow with your makes — we love seeing how you mix it up!  Want Help Choosing Fabrics? Message us or pop into the chat — we’re happy to help you build your own fleece + ribbing palette. 

Thinking About Sewing with Denim? Here's What You'll Need Whether you're diving into your first handmade pair of jeans, planning a structured denim jacket, or creating a classic denim skirt or overalls, one thing is clear: sewing with denim requires a few specialized tools and supplies. Denim behaves differently than lighter fabrics. It's thicker, more structured, and can be hard on machines and needles if you’re not prepared. But with the right supplies, it's absolutely manageable—and the results are worth it. Below, you’ll find a clear list of must-have tools (essentials you shouldn’t skip), plus nice-to-have items that can make your sewing experience smoother and your final project look more polished. Must-Have Supplies for Sewing with Denim These are the essentials you’ll want to gather before you start: 1. Denim Fabric Choose your denim weight based on the project: Lightweight (4–8 oz): Best for shirts, skirts, or lighter dresses. Midweight (8–11 oz): Great for jeans, jackets, and most patterns. Mid to heavy weight (11 oz +): Great for jeans, jackets, and workwear. 2. Denim Sewing Needles Use a denim or jeans needle (size 90/14 or 100/16). These are built to penetrate thick fabric layers without snapping. 3. Sturdy Thread Use polyester all-purpose thread for seams. Consider topstitching thread for decorative seams—usually in a contrasting color like gold or copper for a classic denim look. Tip: Use topstitching thread in the needle only, and regular thread in the bobbin for smoother stitching. 4. Fusible Interfacing Medium-weight interfacing is ideal for waistbands, collars, and pocket facings—anywhere you want to add structure or stability. 5. Denim Hardware (Buttons, Rivets, Zippers) Jeans buttons: Typically no-sew and secured with a hammer or hand press. Rivets: Used at stress points like pockets for reinforcement and a professional finish. Metal zippers: For pants or jacket closures. Nice-to-Have (But Helpful) Tools These aren’t essential, but they’ll improve your results and make the process easier—especially for more advanced or repeat projects. 1. Walking Foot Feeds thick, layered fabric evenly under your machine. Great for bulky seams and keeping things aligned. 2. Edge Stitch or Topstitch Foot Makes neat, even topstitching much easier—especially useful on jackets and jeans. 3. Clapper A wooden pressing tool that helps flatten thick seams after pressing, giving you a crisp, professional finish. 4. Hand Press or Rivet Setter If you’re adding a lot of hardware, this tool makes setting jeans buttons and rivets faster and more accurate than a hammer. 5. Seam Finishing Tools Denim bias tape or twill tape: For clean seam finishes without bulk. Serger (optional): Helps finish raw edges neatly and securely, especially if you're not binding seams. Quick Project Tips by Garment Type Jackets: Use mid-to-heavyweight denim. Topstitch for structure and style. Press all seams well (a clapper helps here). Jeans: Focus on durable seams (use flat-felled or mock-felled seams), reinforce stress points, and consider a jeans pattern with good instructions. Skirts: Lighter or midweight denim is easier to handle and creates a cleaner drape. Overalls: Heavier denim adds structure, but make sure your machine can handle it. Reinforce straps and stress points. Where to Buy Denim Sewing Supplies Item Canada USA Thread, Interfacing Fabric + Flow Fabric + Flow or Wawak Hardware & Tools Etsy or Cleaners Supply Stylemaker or Wawak Final Thoughts Sewing with denim is a satisfying, long-lasting way to expand your handmade wardrobe. It’s a bit more technical than working with lightweight cottons, but once you’ve got the right tools and a bit of patience, you'll be amazed at what you can create. Start with the basics, add tools as you go, and you’ll be sewing jeans, jackets, skirts—and everything in between—with confidence.

Community Spotlight - Morgan. There’s something incredibly special about getting to know the makers behind the stitches — the people turning fabric into art, and sewing into self-expression. In this edition of our Community Spotlight, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Morgan, also known as @sewn.from.the.heart on Instagram. "I started sewing at the beginning of 2020. My husband bought me a sewing machine to make masks (for COVID), and I thought, why not try to make clothing too? The first thing I made was a cute t-shirt for my son, and I was hooked on garment making ever since. Making my own clothes helps me fuel my creative self, and it’s shown me that I don’t have to change my body to fit my clothes — my clothes change to fit me. It’s really hard to pick just one favourite garment, but one I really love was my Victoria Frocktails dress. It was a satin high-neck dress with an open back. I made two rows of bead strings along the back that made the dress extra special." "I’ve always been hesitant to sew a garment with silk — it’s such a pricey fabric, which makes it very intimidating. This year, I would love to tackle a double-faced coat. There’s a lot of hand sewing involved, which I have come to love this past year." Pattern Suggestions: When we asked Morgan to share her go-to denim sewing patterns, she didn’t hold back—and we’re so glad she didn’t. Her list includes a mix of classic jeans, creative twists, and versatile silhouettes. Here are her top picks: Worship Jeans by Daughter JudyMorgan’s #1 favourite - A classic five pocket rigid jean designed to hug your curves, with clean lines, balanced proportions, and straight or flare leg options. These would look great in our Cloud White Denim with Gold topstitching. #1135 Dress by Grasser PatternsThis one is a great option if you’re looking to explore denim beyond the basics. Make it in all one colour like Deep Jade or take advantage of those panels and block it with shades of Recycled Denim. Farra Pant by Lore Piar A comfy-meets-cool option for stretch denim like Black Night. And just look at that back yoke detail! Dart Side Jeans by House of Izzie This pattern isn’t released until early October, but it’s already on our radar. Morgan made hers in our Recycled Denim (We'll update the post with a link once it drops!) Morgan’s top denim sewing tips: Invest in good topstitching thread.“Good quality topstitching thread makes all the difference. My go-tos are Gütermann Mara 70 and Mettler Cordonnet.” Use a clear foot with a built-in hump jumper.“It helps you see your seams better AND makes it over bulky areas with ease.” Tame bulky seams with a hammer.“When seams are extra bulky, hammering them down first really helps.” Hand baste when it counts.“Hand basting zippers and waistbands saves you time and seam ripping (which may still happen anyway).” You can follow Morgan on Instagram for more sewing inspiration, pattern reviews, and plenty of helpful tips—especially if denim is on your sewing table. Her passion for making clothes that truly fit her life and body is something so many of us can relate to. At the heart of it all, Morgan reminds us what makes sewing so powerful: the ability to express creativity, build confidence, and create clothing that fits you—not the other way around.