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.

Frances Lawrence 17/11/2024 Frances Lawrence 17/11/2024

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.

Frances Lawrence 17/01/2024 Frances Lawrence 17/01/2024

Journal of making a dress with boat-neck, shaped underbust seam and large tie bow at the back.

Frances Lawrence 03/12/2023 Frances Lawrence 03/12/2023

Lessons learnt from making a box-pleated midi skirt, in a midweight twill, using a Y2K pattern.

Frances Lawrence 22/11/2023 Frances Lawrence 22/11/2023

Midi skirt with contour waistband, using a Y2K Style pattern. Experimenting with a robust and stiff fabric for this design.

Frances Lawrence 06/09/2022 Frances Lawrence 06/09/2022

Reflections on the first time working with silk. Main lesson: crepe-de-chine is difficult to cut out…

Frances Lawrence 25/05/2022 Frances Lawrence 25/05/2022

First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric.

Frances Lawrence 21/04/2022 Frances Lawrence 21/04/2022

Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions.

Frances Lawrence 31/08/2021 Frances Lawrence 31/08/2021

Made as a gift. Details on total make time, adjustments and lessons learnt.

Frances Lawrence 07/07/2021 Frances Lawrence 07/07/2021

Working from a 1970’s Style pattern, turning craft cotton to the job of dressmaking - here’s how I got on. Main lesson: oversized is still a fit….

Frances Lawrence 17/03/2021 Frances Lawrence 17/03/2021

Making a drop-waist skirt for a petite frame with high waist-to-hip ratio. Lessons learnt.