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Instagram @thelittlepomegranate

Can you see me? Do you really see me?

If I’m honest, I’ve had a few things weighing on my mind for the past few months. News headlines that have really brought me down. I’ve wanted to talk about them but then stopped because I know people aren’t ready to have these conversations. So I took a step back and I realised how tired I was. Tired of explaining myself, explaining my being to others. Tired of trying to convince people of my worth, my rights to be respected, my rights to have basic human rights and freedoms.

But then I saw a post from @everydayracism_ about exhaustion being used as a tool of oppression and it made me reflect.

If you missed it (how could you have missed it?) France has been slowly stepping up its aggression against Muslim Women and recently has made moves to pass laws which ban young women from wearing it and for hijab wearing mother’s from going on school trips. I’m not going into the details of this because it’s been done.

“But you’re not French? Why do you care?” Because we know that Islamophobia has past the “dining table” test in this country and beyond. And it is so ingrained that people don’t even realise they contribute to it. And we also know that this is deeply tangled in racism as well.

The problem is that people have their own prejudices about Muslims and I am just *over* trying to get people to see me as a human being. Like I have to “normalise” myself for people to care about my safety and rights? Make my faith smaller and more palatable for others, be a “moderate” Muslim. And quite frankly, that’s not on. My faith makes me who I am. Everything good, is from my faith.

I already know that by the fact you pressed that “follow” button on my page you already have your heart and minds open, but I’m really asking you to educate yourself and be proactive about calling out anti-Muslim sentiment. Would you be uncomfortable with me going on a school trip with your kids? Or playing on the beach with my family? No? So why are we letting it slide when others treat us like this? Don’t let your feminism be an empty gesture.

In solidarity with my sisters across the world. ❤️

#TheLittlePomegranate #HandsOffHerHijab #HandsOffMyHijab

Ad| Spoonflower Ambassador🩲 Can you believe it’s been nearly 2 years since I made the switch to reusable period products? I actually had to double check because I honestly couldn’t believe it. It has been one of the best changes I’ve made, from an environmental perspective and from a physical perspective. I was so excited that so many of you were interested in my blog post on using the cup. And one of the questions I get a lot is “which product should I use?” Soo Ive finally posted part two of my reusable period products review! You can find it on my blog now.

But that’s not just it... seeing as you’re all a bunch of super smart sewers, @spoonflower also asked me to write them on a blog post on how to adjust any pants/knicker patterns to create your very own pair of period pants. Honestly, once I get my overlocker sorted I’m gonna be batch sewing a whole load more of these. I’ve used the *free* pattern from the superb @paper_theory 🙌🏾

So go on, have I convinced you to ditch the Always/Tampax yet?? Or maybe even sew some up for the younger ones in your life? Can you imagine getting a pair of period pants this pretty as a teenager? Definitely beats the 5cm thick nappy-style pads they stocked in the school nurses room 😂

#TheLittlePomegranate #Spoonflower #SpoonflowerAmbassador #SpoonflowerSewing #Stevieknickers #DIYPeriodwear #PfaffingAround

Fabric gifted as part of Ambassador programme- click the link in my bio for the prints I’ve used!

🌸 Have you got sunshine where you are? I never really thought the weather/winter effected my mood. Yeah winter is wet and dark and it’s a bit miserable but you just get on with it right? But this year, I’ve really noticed how much of a difference the weather has made to my mood. Since the sun has started shining, and the days have got a bit longer I’ve felt this weight lift.

Maybe it’s the fact that I’m outdoors more often now? And lockdown easing has meant that I look forward to walks with friends. But wow, give me all that sunshine and vitamin D!

It’s also made me so much more grateful for having an outdoor space in our garden. Something I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted again. I know this year has bought so much heartache, but let me know what one thing your grateful for? Happy Easter to those celebrating!

#TheLittlePomegranate
Peony from last year when I accidentally broke it off my mums plant!

It’s that time of the year again! 2 weeks to go and I can’t believe how quickly Ramadan has come around (I mean it also moves a few weeks earlier every year, but I’m still surprised every time!) I’m really conscious of trying to give our home a festive “feel” for R, especially since it’s our second one in a global pandemic. She still remembers “Ramadan party” from last year 🥰

And this year I’ve had the chance to work with others to bring you some Ramadan crafting goodness, and I’m so excited- check my stories and blog for more details!

If you celebrate Ramadan, have you started preparations yet? If you don’t, how far in advance do you start preparing for your special days/festivals? I hear some people prepare for Christmas all year long?!

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Head over to @officialcricut_uk for more details on how to make the Ramadan Countdown Calendar 🕌, or head to my blog. It’s a free SVG/cut file to download and create. The rest of the items in this photo will be coming soon too! [The blog content was a sponsored project but for their own channels/not being asked to share here-just sharing because I love it!]

#TheLittlePomegranate #TheLittlePomegranateRamadan #CricutRamadan #CricutMade @officialcricut_uk @officialcricut

Ad|📍The next post in my sewing essentials kit is also the first of a really exciting partnership with @prym.consumer ! I mean- as a crafter does it get bigger than Prym?😍 I am so excited to be working with them over the next few months and will be showing you a range items- some from my very own trusty stash of Prym products and some new-to-me items too!

But let's start with this little guy! My magnetic pin dish. I'll be honest, this is one of those items I really dragged my feet about. "Why did I need a magnetic dish for my pins? I'll just use the little plastic box my glass headed pins came in?" But I'm here to tell you- it's worth it. It is just so much more convenient to be able to keep your pins in one place and I've had mine for years now.

What is it? A pin dish with a magnet built in.

Cost: around £6

Why I love it:

🧲 The magnet means you don't have to worry about daintily placing your pin in a box as you sew. Instead the nifty magnet pings them safely onto the dish itself ...and keeps them there 🙌🏾

🧲 It's definitely reduced the number of times I've had to be on my hands and knees picking up dropped pins (if you know, you know). And if I do drop my pin dish (we all know it still happens) it's not that disastrous moment of panic/ shouting a dramatic "NOBODY MOVE" because they don't scatter everywhere...and if they do I can always use the magnetic to 'hoover' them up 😉

Cons: I'm scraping the barrel here but the only word of warning is to keep it away from anything else metal. You might find your scissors get a bit magnetic too 😂

How do you store your pins while you're sewing? And if you dare to share- where's the oddest/worst place you've found a stray pin? Brace yourself... I found one inside my slipper. Don't ask how I found it... 😳 (Ouch)

#TheLittlePomegranate #SewingEssentials #Prym #prymspiration

Finally got around to photographing my ZW gathered dress by Birgitta Helmersson.

It’s funny, because I have worn this non stop, and when I was making it I knew I would wear it non-stop but it wasn’t my favourite make. There’s a few things that I would definitely change if I was going to make it again.

It’s a very different pattern, in the sense of it’s less of a traditional pattern with pieces and diagrams, and more of a set of instructions. As you might if caught on my stories, I had to make a few changes to make it more my style(made mine much narrower than the pattern called for and also added waist ties.) Its also made me reflect on “zero waste” patterns and what “waste” means (short version, I’m not sure this style is pattern works for me!) There’s still more I would change which I’ve written down for my blog post (feel free to give me a kick if that doesn’t materialise in the next month or so)...

Despite the things I would do differently, I still love this version. The pockets, fabric and colour 😍 it’s gonna be a Spring/Summer favourite that’s for sure!

Do you have a make that you didn’t love the construction/pattern for but love the end product?

Fabric is from @rainbowfabrickilburn
#TheLittlePomegranate #ZWGatheredDress #SewShownSeated #SewInColour

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Recent Posts

Reusable Period Products (Part 2: Reusable pads and period underwear)
Ramadan Countdown Calendar
Spoonflower Fabric Picks

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