Stash Chats – Episode 3: Jess from So What If I Sew

I had a lovely long chat with Jess on this week’s Stash Chat. Jess is a YouTube sewing vlogger and content creator over at So What If I Sew. Of course, we couldn’t go without mentioning the incredible #SewYellowForEndo challenge Jess hosts every March to raise money and awareness for endometriosis. Excitingly, the challenge was featured in the latest issue of Simply Sewing Magazine! I’m so excited to hear that Jess is planning an in-person event for Sew Yellow For Endo next year!

Jess’ other exciting news is that she’s just started her PhD! As a result, a lot is changing, and her sewing will need to reflect that. Jess sews her own wardrobe, so she’s planning to sew comfortable and smart garments. We spoke about the psychological impact of getting dressed, and how it can help you get into a productive headspace when working from home. Jess asked the live audience if they had any pattern suggestions for comfy work trousers – the Chandler Trousers was a favourite in the chat. The current project on Jess’ cutting table is a Chanel inspired mini skirt suit using some gorgeous monochrome checked wool. Can’t wait to see it!

Since the PhD lifestyle also comes with financial changes, Jess has taken the time to catalogue her fabric stash using Stash Hub. She’s a big fan of the Web Version. Now she knows what’s in her stash, the plan is not to buy any more fabric until the new year! Check out her YouTube video to see the process (and peek at all her fabric!). I asked Jess about her favourite fabric – she said she loves satin and getting dressed up for Black Tie events.

Jess aspires to sew a timeless wardrobe. We both agreed that the resurgence of early ’00s fashion is not ideal. Let’s leave the low rise jeans and skirts over trousers in the past where they belong! We had fun embarking on other tangents, including a hot debate about the merits of Crocs among our live audience!

If you missed our previous two episodes with Sandeep and Zoe, you can watch on our YouTube channel. The next installment of Stash Chats is on Monday 2nd October. I’ll be chatting with Emma of Studio 7t7, who designs bag patterns. I’m so interested to hear how a making making sewing stash looks different to a dressmaking collection.

Follow us on Instagram for info about future episode of Stash Chats and ask our guests questions. Episodes are streamed live on YouTube every Wednesday at 8pm UK time. Each week, I will be chatting to a different member of the sewing community and getting the inside scoop on their personal sewing stash and fabric buying habits. The aim is to open up conversations about our sewing collections in a judgemement-free space. We want to help everyone fall back in love with their stashes.