You know what it’s like when you’ve got a favourite garment? The fit’s just right, the colours go with everything, and the fabric has that lovely worn-in softness that only comes with years of love. Well, this shirt is just so for me. I’ve worn it year in, year out in summer and in winter. I made this shirt years ago and in the 4 times I’ve moved house since, thought I’d lost the pattern. But in a recent sort out of the stuff under the cutting table it turned up, Yay! So I recently made another… And since I was on a roll, another. In Christmas fabric! Since I’m in a shirt making frenzy at the moment, what with making them for Christmas gifts too, I thought I’d share with you a couple of methods of getting a sharp corner on a collar. These are the two ways I use frequently to get... read more
I found this jumper in a charity shop a few weeks ago, and was instantly attracted to the gorgeous wintry colours and that it is pure wool. With a few holes near the hem and a slightly felted texture it felt snuggly and warm but had obviously seen better days, but for the grand price of £2.99 I gave it a new home. On a rainy afternoon in December I turned it into this….. And these….. And this…. Not bad for just £2.99, a bit of Pom Pom trim and some beads! I realise that wearing them all together makes me look at best like an unfortunate from a 1980’s Clothkits catalogue, and at worst like one of those crazy women who dresses from head to toe in one colour and carries a small dog around in a matching handbag, but for the purpose of the photograph, here I am in... read more
Every year I try to organise a trip out to an exhibition or show which has a relevance to dressmaking. In the past we’ve visited the V&A to see The couture exhibition, and then Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950. We’re also not shy of shopping and have enjoyed outings to The Stitch and Knit Show at Alexandra Palace, and earlier this year The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace. Well, last week we had our ‘Educational’ trip to London and went to see the Wedding Dress exhibition at the V&A Museum. It’s always inspiring to see beautiful couture dresses from fashion designers such as Charles Frederick Worth, Norman Hartnell, Charles James, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang. As I studied historical fashion at university the antique dresses has particular appeal for me, with their tiny waists and exquisite hand-worked detail. But it’s really exciting to see such famous and... read more
