African fabrics are something I had never considered working with until recently. I’ve always felt a little uncomfortable appropriating elements of another culture just for aesthetic purposes. But then I spotted a fabric that screamed my name, so I did a bit of research into the history of what is often referred to as ‘Ankara’ fabric so that I felt I understood a bit about its history, and to ease my discomfort in using it as a fashion fabric. For those of you who’re interested there is much more to be read on these sites: vlisco , museorigins.net Since that first piece of cloth caught my eye I’ve grown quite a stash of African Wax Print cottons (and a couple of polyester impostors that might be lucky if they get made into garden cushions).But this got me thinking, and I put together a list of patterns that would work well with Ankara, without going... read more
Pattern Review – Vogue 8577 To be honest, I’m not sure where this pattern came from, I found it in my stash, complete with sticky tape holding the pattern extension pieces together. I must have lent the pattern to a student, or made it up for a client? I’m not normally drawn to full-skirted dresses for myself, but the oversized pockets really grabbed me, so it quickly jumped to the top of my must-make pile (I’m terribly fickle, I know). One of the beauties of making your own clothes is that over time you get to know what shapes suit you, and also how to alter a pattern to flatter your body’s little quirks. For example, I know that I don’t suit a bodice that comes to the edge of my shoulders (Quarterback alert!) unless they extend into a cap sleeve, or drape beyond my shoulders. I also wanted to... read more
Having really enjoyed the discipline of machine patch working I wanted to be able to do more, so I bought an acre of cutting mat and a rotary cutter. Whoops! Since our indulgent weekend of sewing I have started another quilt top using the same Mandy Shaw pattern, it is almost ready to be backed and quilted. This one is destined to join the tapestry cushions and joyous colours on my sofa. In the mean time I have also adapted the pattern and made a baby quilt for a wedding gift for friends who are expecting their first baby in February. Rather than cutting the blocks in a crazy paving style I adopted a simple geometric design… And chose the softest shades of stone, duck egg and cream with just a tiny ‘pop’ of red in the chicken fabric and to use in the skinny border and bindings. I’m rather pleased with my... read more
One of my favourite parts of any commission is the shopping part, (I secretly fancy that I could have made a career as a professional shopper) and so a trip to London is never much of a hardship. Soho is my first port of call. Although there are loads of great fabric shops all over London, and indeed the country, you can’t beat the variety and choice that Berwick street has to offer. It must be mentioned that although the choice is great the prices are very ‘London’ if you catch my drift? You will not be getting the absolute best value for money but I defy anyone to shop here and not come away buzzing with ideas. There are certainly cheaper places to shop, but it takes a bit more effort as they tend to be scattered about. This is my run down of the best of Berwick Street… Cloth House –... read more
It’s happened to all of us I’m sure, you’re happily working on a new project, and it’s not even finished when disaster strikes, and you discover greasy marks on the fabric! This is what happened to me recently whilst working on a commission. I’d been under stitching the armholes of a dress and when I removed the dress from the machine there were ugly great big splurges of grease all over the lining. I’d forgotten that the machines had been serviced just the week before and there was excess oil on the needle shaft. In the past when this kind of thing has happened I’ve spun into a blind panic, trying to think of anyone within the vicinity of my studio who might have some talcum powder. That’s an interesting conversation to have with your neighbours, I can assure you. But then I remembered my Mum having this magic spray that... read more
I’ve never been one to make New Years resolutions but there is certainly something about this year that gets us all revved up with good intentions and plans for the year ahead. I’ve really enjoyed reading blogs with everyone’s plans and projects for 2015, many honourable intentions and ideas. Before I could make my to do list for the coming months I needed to Look back on the past twelve. It’s taken me the last couple of weeks to really reflect on the past year. 2014 was an emotionally strenuous year for me and passed in a bit of a blur. Illness and eventually the passing away of elderly relatives made the first few months a very sad and distracting time, both Rowan and I losing grandparents within a couple of weeks. Spring arrived and brought new hope, with a mortgage offer (which we never thought we’d get) Rowan and... read more
Firstly, may I wish you all a belated (but none-the-less heartfelt) Happy new Year! The studio was a busy place to be in the run up to Christmas with everyone (including myself) hurrying to finish projects before the Christmas holidays began. I’ve been meaning to share these pictures of student work for weeks now, but as time wore on I realised quite how many were destined to become gifts, and i couldn’t spoil the surprise so I’ve waited until even the last presents have been exchanged before sharing these pics with you. As well as all these gorgeous gifts we’ve been busy making a few goodies for ourselves too… After a sluggish start to 2015, the studio is back in full swing, classes all started up this week and many new projects have been gracing the cutting table, but you’ll just have to wait and see… See you next week!... read more
Well, it’s getting close to that time of year again. Christmas is already in full swing in the supermarkets and department stores and although I won’t allow myself to be sucked into the hype this early in the year, it doesn’t hurt to be a little prepared when it comes to gifts especially if you are planning to give handmade presents. With so much disposable tat in the shops it’s lovely to slow down and make something personal and thoughtful for our loved ones. There is a bit of a theme emerging in the studio this season with students choosing to make vintage style aprons as gifts for friends and family. You could come and make your own vintage style pinny at a weekend course, suitable for everyone from the complete beginner. Or why not treat someone to a course as a gift? I got so carried away with this vintage apron idea that I made... read more
What a fabulous event! As you walk through the gates you are greeted with a fine and varied array of gorgeous food outlets. Quirky little vans and trailers selling everything from fresh spicy Pakora, to herbal teas, gluten free goodies and my personal favourite, a mobile Prosecco van. And I must say this is the most appealing dashboard I’ve ever seen… Despite the overcast weather what struck me was how colourful the whole event was. Everywhere you looked there were glorious colours and ladies nose down in a craft project. Here is Stuart from The Great British Sewing Bee giving a demonstration on making a corsage… Giant knitting… Needle felted animals… Hand painted flowers for cake decorating… As you might expect, men were somewhat in the minority but we found this chap selling the most beautiful hand forged scissors… I was particularly impressed by the nifty buttonhole scissors and purchased... read more
What a glorious day at Goodwood revival on Sunday! Me and my man dressed up in our vintage garb (I decided against the dress from last week’s post, It was too darn hot!), and strolled out for a day of motor racing and merriment at Goodwood’s famous race track in West Sussex. We all dressed up for the occasion, some more reluctantly than others. Champagne picnic for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do. We wandered past shoe-shiners… We visited the beach… and met a fortune teller… Then took a donkey ride…. And saw photo opportunities too good to miss… Which would you have been, a mod… or a rocker? An opportunity to top-up the lippy. We stumbled across this corner of Americana with a converted Airstream trailer with a Rock and Roll band that you just couldn’t stand still to. I’d loved to have joined in with the dancing but theses... read more
