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 10/05/2025 Frances Lawrence 10/05/2025

Workings of a Garment: a 1950’s rose-print cotton gown

Study and analysis of how this summer gown was constructed.

Frances Lawrence 23/01/2025 Frances Lawrence 23/01/2025

Perfected the fit, and finally making with an expensive fabric, Liberty’s cotton poplin. Detailed dressmaking closeups.

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

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

Frances Lawrence 09/11/2021 Frances Lawrence 09/11/2021

Experimenting with Designer’s Guild upholstery fabric………..I asked myself: ”how well can cotton duck be applied to dressmaking?”……..what I learnt