This week’s task, in the Wardrobe Architect Series, was to identify my colour story and organise my palette. Oh boy, did I find this tricky! My problem is, I love all the colours. There is no colour I wouldn’t consider wearing. There are combinations of colours I don’t particularly want to wear, but there is no single… Continue reading Wardrobe Architect: My Palette
I finally made this double layer Washi Dress! You can see my first one, and the full bust and neckline adjustments that I made, here. For this version, I used two beautiful grey and indigo fabrics from Fabworks. The check is a light, crisp, pure linen (sold out now but this and this look wonderful). The fabric underneath is a… Continue reading Double Layer Washi Dress
I love Esme Young! She is my new style icon! When I are they going to give us the “What Esme Wore” segment of the Great British Sewing Bee? I need at least 5 minutes, of each episode, to include a detailed look at what she is wearing, her accessories and details. I love her… Continue reading Bits and Bobbins: Esme Young Delight
I’m finding the Wardrobe Architect series really useful. Having found my core style, I am now exploring my key silhouettes. I worry that it seems self-indulgent to show you all my key silhouettes, but I have enjoyed looking at other peoples, so I’m sharing mine here. Five Key Silhouettes I kind of knew my shapes, but… Continue reading Wardrobe Architect: My Key Silhouettes
After the fun of Me Made May, I have been thinking about the clothes I wear, what’s missing from my wardrobe and what needs to be weeded out. I have begun following the Wardrobe Architect series to define my personal style and become more focused in my sewing habits. Sarai Mitnick says With all the overwhelming choice… Continue reading Wardrobe Architect: Core Style
I visited Rye and Dungeness this week and finally got to see Derek Jarman’s house and garden. I was on a photoshoot, where we were trying to avoid the impending storm. It was great for lighting but hard for model’s hairstyles. We also popped into Merchant & Mills in Rye. I know their goods from the internet… Continue reading Bits and Bobbins: Merchant & Mills cottons
In my last post I showed you my drunk dress; made while enjoying too much Brandy, because of not enjoying a toothache. This is an easy modification to make to any jersey dress pattern. I think it would look nice with solids or with a print jersey and a solid woven. The stretch fabric needs to… Continue reading Drunken Dressmaking Part II: How to Make a Pattern for A Contrast Hem Panel
I’ve had a toothache all week, which has led me to drink a little more brandy than I might usually. One night, I decided I needed to make a version of the dress from Cos, with the contrast hem panel that I discovered while playing Dressmaking Detective. This was an impulsive, drunken sew session. I had… Continue reading Drunk Dressmaking Part I: Sewing a Jersey Dress with a Woven Panel Hem
I’ve been playing with different patten drafting ideas for short kimonos and looking for kimono inspiration. It’s been a while since I posted one of my inspiration pin boards from Polyvore. I make them but I’m not part of the community over there. I love the idea of a structured kimono like the denim one from Jigsaw, above.… Continue reading Bits and Bobbins: Kimono Inspiration
Let’s talk about sewing websites. I’ve been a member of Ravelry since Beta. I think we can all agree, they do an outstanding job of facilitating a knitting (and crochet community). Kudos Ravelry. Sewers are frustrated that the same service doesn’t exist for us. The most obvious contender is Pattern Review. It’s been around longer than… Continue reading Sewing Websites
Lots of women have trouble finding a pair of jeans with a good fit, for all kinds of reasons. I think my problem is very common; in order to get jeans to fit in the butt and thighs, I often swim in fabric around the waist. I have gotten better at buying jeans that fit… Continue reading Altered Jeans: Adding 3 Darts to the back Waist
Dressmaking Detective Do you play dressmaking detective by going “shopping” on the high street and taking spy photos? I have been loathe to. One of the beauties of sewing is not having to go shopping. But it can save a ton of time and disappointment if you try on different styles and fits before sewing.… Continue reading Bits and Bobbins: Dressmaking Detective
