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

Square neck tiered midi dress in Liberty Heidi cotton poplin

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

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

Going off-piste, using quilting cotton for a simple summer tiered dress with topstitching.

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

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

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….