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.
Leeds to Swedish West Coast: an independent travel itinerary for leisure cycling and hiking
Travelling in early summer, a twin-centre itinerary for 12 nights on the West Coast of Sweden. Hiking, biking and outdoor dining all feature.
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?
Leeds to Bergen: an active city break itinerary for Spring
My imagined travel itinerary for 4-5 days in Bergen and the surrounding fjords. Ideas for biking, hiking and nordic dining
Leeds to Rye, East Sussex - 4 nights in Summer
Travelling in summer, itinerary journal of our stay in Rye, East Sussex, on the south coast of England.
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….
Manchester to Southern Germany - 12 nights in Summer
Itinerary journal of my jam-packed summer touring holiday in Germany. Castles, cakes, pretzels, bikes, hikes and beer all make an appearance
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.
Leeds to Central-Eastern Cornwall - 4 nights in Spring
Itinerary journal of my springtime holiday in Cornwall. Where we ate, what we saw and how we enjoyed biking around the countryside
Leeds to New Mexico: an Autumn itinerary for Santa Fe, atomic bomb history, mountain biking and art
Travelling to Santa Fe, New Mexico, from Leeds, for mountain biking, atomic bomb historical sites, art and hiking
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.
Sewing a drop-waist skirt from 1990’s Style 4987 pattern
Working with a 1990’s Style pattern, my journal on making a drop-waist skirt for a petite frame with high waist-to-hip ratio. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Leeds to Warsaw: an off-season, independent city break itinerary for Winter
Travelling in winter, my imagined itinerary for 3 nights in Warsaw. Eating modern Polish baked goods, visiting the Royal Garden of Light and a city tour in a Communist-era Fiat126p.
Refining what I want from travel accommodation
Thoughts and reflections on how I analyse and select from accommodation options for independent travel itineraries
Leeds to Hanover & The Harz Mountains: a Spring travel itinerary with mountain biking & city break
Travelling in spring, departing from Leeds, my imagined itinerary for 7 nights in Hanover and the Harz Mountains. Ideas for an active city break and leisurely exploring in Lower Saxony…
Maggie Anne yellow polish, Jessy
Colour scrutiny of bright yellow polish, Jessy, by Maggie Anne
Manchester to Turin and Monferrato, Piedmont: a city and road-biking travel itinerary for early Autumn
Travelling in autumn, my imagined itinerary for 10 nights in Turin and Piedmont. Ideas for a tour of the Abarth Factory, a cocktail experience at the home of Martini, day bike tours around the rolling green hills of the Monferrato, and exciting gourmet experiences.
Sewing a herringbone wool dress from Givenchy 1970’s Vogue Paris Original 1950 pattern
Working with a 1970’s Givenchy Vogue Paris Original pattern, sewing a dress in herringbone wool. Main lesson: get more knowledgeable about fabric weights and gsm…..it not enough to know the fibre…