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 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.
Donostia–San Sebastián - a Spring itinerary for fashion and food
Balenciaga, pintxos and bar crawls. My itinerary journal for a long rainy weekend spent in San Sebastian, Basque Country, with a friend.
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
Krakow - learning Polish in Winter
My itinerary journal for 9 frigid nights spent in Krakow learning Polish, in January. Heavy snow and hard pronunciation…..also excellent pierogi and a delightful surrealist art find.
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.
North Carolina - mountain biking, NFL and city break in Autumn
Travelling in early autumn, my imagined itinerary for 10-14 nights in North Carolina - Charlotte, Asheville & The Blue Smoky Mountains. Biking, ball, art trails and barbecue…..all in the one place.
Turin - a winter weekend
How we spent a long winter weekend in Turin, Northern Italy. Cold blue skies, motoring history and a truffley food tour in a city ringed by snow-capped mountains.
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
Småland, Sweden: a leisure cycling travel itinerary
Travelling in summer, my imagined itinerary for 7 nights in Smaland, Sweden. Cycling amid lakes, islands, country lanes, and deep forests.
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.
The Swedish West Coast - a twin-centre itinerary with biking, hiking, sculpture and excellent baking
Travelling in early summer, how we enjoyed 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?
Bergen - an active itinerary for Spring
My imagined travel itinerary for 4-5 days in Bergen and the surrounding fjords. Biking, hiking and nordic dining
Rye, East Sussex - biking, castles and wine in high Summer
From Leeds to Rye, East Sussex, on the south coast of England, my itinerary journal of our summer staycation.