Cotswolds for William Morris - a weekend in high Summer
A friend and I visited Kelmscott Manor in The Cotswolds. Where else we stayed and ate.
Zoya green polish, Cece
Colour scrutiny of Zoya’s Cece green polish, with a prominent shimmer foil finish.
Pembrokeshire in Winter with mountain biking and boutique hotel
Itinerary journal of my winter break in Pembrokeshire. Biking, boutique hotel and Michelin food.
A tent dress in Liberty crepe-de-chine from Very Easy Vogue 8593
Reflections on the first time working with silk. Main lesson: crepe-de-chine is difficult to cut out…
Norfolk - Summer riding
Itinerary for a short weekend cycling break near the North Norfolk Coast.
Summer walking on the Suffolk Coast
My itinerary journal for a short weekend walking break on the Suffolk Coast, to catchup with a dear friend.
A scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s Butterick 7012 pattern
Going off-piste, using quilting cotton for a simple summer tiered dress with topstitching.
Guernsey in Spring - walking on a tiny island
My planned itinerary for spending 4 springtime days in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Days spent walking and picnicking, nights spent in a treehouse hotel.
Princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves from 1980’s Style 4603 pattern
First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric.
A floral needlecord dress from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions.
Donostia–San Sebastián - a Spring itinerary for fashion and food
Balenciaga, pintxos and bar crawls. My itinerary journal for a long rainy weekend spent in San Sebastian, Basque Country, with a friend.
Cotton lawn dress from Givenchy 1970’s Vogue Paris Original 1950 pattern
Shortening a 1970’s Givenchy pattern I have worked with before, turning midi into mini, my journal on making this dress in Pima cotton lawn in a busy print.
The hardest thing to declutter - the scruff stuff…
I am totally onboard with the Marie Kondo method - but there are some things necessary in a useful wardrobe that neither spark joy nor get used all that frequently: the clothes you keep for scruffy jobs
Krakow - learning Polish in Winter
My itinerary journal for 9 frigid nights spent in Krakow learning Polish, in January. Heavy snow and hard pronunciation…..also excellent pierogi and a delightful surrealist art find.
A spring coat in moss green cotton-linen twill from 1960’s Simplicity 5984 pattern
There’s an absense of outerwear for spring that actually offers warmth but isn’t made from wool. My journal on making my first fully lined spring coat, with cotton flannel interlining for warmth.
North Carolina - mountain biking, NFL and city break in Autumn
Travelling in early autumn, my itinerary for 10-14 nights in North Carolina. Biking, ball, art trails and barbecue…..all in the one place.