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.
Sewing an A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill from Vogue 7210
Sewing a midi skirt with contour waistband, in electric blue cotton twill, using a Y2K Style pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Sewing ultra wide leg flat-front trousers in black single wool crepe from Burda 6966
The simplicity, elegance and sophistication of sewing ultra-wide leg flat-front trousers in single wool crepe. Lessons learnt and pattern additions.
Zoya green polish, Cece
Colour scrutiny of Zoya’s Cece green polish, with a prominent shimmer foil finish.
Sewing a tent dress with dagger collar in Liberty crepe-de-chine from Very Easy Vogue 8593
Working from a 1970’s Style pattern, my reflections on making a very loose fitting maxi dress in Liberty crepe-de-chine; the first time working with silk but the second time with this pattern. Main lesson: crepe-de-chine is difficult to cut out…
Sewing 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.
Sewing a princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves and collar from 1980’s Style 4603 pattern
First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric. Starting from a 1980’s Style pattern, how long I took, adjustments made and lessons learnt from my sky blue button-up midi dress with contrasting white collar and pearl buttons.
Sewing a floral needlecord dress from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes for square neck, puff sleeve, tiered maxi dress in a delicate blue rose needlecord.
Sewing a 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. Details on total make time, pattern adjustments and lessons learnt.
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
Sewing 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, working from a 1960’s Simplicity pattern, complete with back vent and gorgeous topstitching throughout, made up in moss green and blush pink twill, cotton flannel interlining for warmth, and rayon-acetete lining.
Leighton Denny pink nude polish, 3 Times A Lady
Colour scrutiny of Leighton Denny’s Three Times a Lady sheer pink polish
Sewing a square neck pinafore dress in grey wool from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Journal on making a midi dress with a ruffle tier, suitable for an autumn pinafore. Made in light grey wool from a 1970’s pattern. Details on total make time, pattern adjustments and lessons learnt.
Sewing an A-line skirt in Designer’s Guild cotton duck from 1990’s Vogue 7018 pattern
Experimenting with Designer’s Guild upholstery fabric………..I asked myself: ”how well can cotton duck be applied to dressmaking?”……..what I learnt
Sewing a high-waisted trousers in sage green twill from a 1970’s Vogue 1275 pattern
A high-waist wide-leg trouser made from sage green cotton twill from a 1970’s pattern. Journal of my total make time, lessons learnt and pattern adjustments.
Sewing a square neck pinafore dress in navy blue needlecord from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Making a square-neck, tiered midi dress in navy blue corduroy from a 1970’s Style pattern. Fully lined in rayon acetate and made as a gift. Details on total make time, adjustments and lessons learnt.
Maybe I’ve been doing it wrong all these years
Do I really need to keep changing my wardrobe every 6 months?
Sewing a loose-fitting tent dress with dagger collar from 1970’s Very Easy Vogue 8593 pattern
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….
Sewing a cropped jacket in cotton twill from 1980’s New Look 6007 pattern
Sewing a cropped jacket in sage green cotton twill, using a 1980’s cropped suit jacket pattern as the starting point. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Sewing high-waisted trousers in linen-rayon blend from 1970’s Vogue 1275 pattern
Working with a 1970’s Vogue Basic Design pattern, sewing a pair of single pleated trousers in rayon. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.