A Journal
A personal journal that invites readers to design their own journeys through the world - with travel, dress and taste.
My work is shaped by seasonal rhythms, cultural, sensory and historical awareness, and expressions of independence. Language is my first love.
Workings of a Garment: a 1950’s rose-print cotton gown
Study and analysis of how this summer gown was constructed.
Rhubarb & Rose Compôte
Recipe for a fragrant rhubarb and rosewater compote. An utterly delightful flavour combo and a taste of The British Isles.
Quimper - an off-season active itinerary for Spring
A 7-night springtime itinerary with medieval Quimper as the base. Cider, cycling, springtime walks, crepes and art.
Workings of a Garment: a Y2K Acne oversized long-line shirt
Learnings and inspiration for improving my dressmaking up to designer ready-to-wear standards.
Pleated blouse in wool flannel from 1970’s Gunne Sax pattern
After some significant design amendments, made a cropped blouse in micro-houndstooth wool flannel. Lessons learnt.
A-line skirt in bright red serge wool twill
Using a 1990’s pattern, details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Swedish Semlor buns
Recipe for Lenten-Easter treat, Swedish Semlor buns. Adapted from a recipe by Estonian patisserie owner, Angeelika Kang.
Man’s shirt in grey wool flannel from Simplicity 8753
Fine wool flannel, from a modern Simplicity pattern. Beautiful shirting fabric, even though few use it this way.
Button-up box-pleat skirt from McCalls 7906
Lessons learnt from making a box-pleated midi skirt, in a midweight twill, using a Y2K pattern.
A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill from Vogue 7210
Midi skirt with contour waistband, using a Y2K Style pattern. Experimenting with a robust and stiff fabric for this design.
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.
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.
An A-line skirt in Designer’s Guild cotton duck
Experimenting with Designer’s Guild upholstery fabric………..I asked myself: ”how well can cotton duck be applied to dressmaking?”……..what I learnt
High-waisted trousers in sage green twill from a 1970’s Vogue 1275 pattern
Journal of my total make time, lessons learnt and pattern adjustments.
Bergen - an active itinerary for Spring
My imagined travel itinerary for 4-5 days in Bergen and the surrounding fjords. Biking, hiking and nordic dining
A cropped jacket in cotton twill from 1980’s New Look 6007 pattern
Using a 1980’s cropped suit jacket pattern as the starting point. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Central Cornwall - an active mid-week stay in Spring
Itinerary journal of my springtime holiday in Cornwall. Where we ate, what we saw and how we enjoyed biking around the countryside.