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…
Leeds to Norfolk - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend cycling break near the North Norfolk Coast.
Leeds to Suffolk - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend break with a friend on the Suffolk Coast.
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.
Leeds to Guernsey: a 4-night travel itinerary for Spring
My travel itinerary for 4 days in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Ideas for hiking, history and dining.
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 learn 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.
Manchester to Donostia–San Sebastián - 4 nights in Spring
My itinerary journal for a long weekend spent in San Sebastian, Basque Country, with a friend. Balenciaga, pintxos and bar crawls.
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.
Mavala purple polish, Black Cherry
Colour scrutiny of Mavala’s Black Cherry nail polish
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
Leeds to Krakow - 9 nights in Winter
Travelling in winter, my itinerary for 9 nights in Krakow learning Polish.
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.
Manchester to North Carolina: an independent travel itinerary with mountain biking and city break
Travelling in early autumn, my imagined itinerary for 10-14 nights in North Carolina - Charlotte, Asheville & The Blue Smoky Mountains. Ideas for biking, art trails and barbecue…..
Leeds to Turin - 4 nights in Winter
Travelling in winter, itinerary journal of our stay in Turin, Northern Italy
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 and sleeves, suitable for autumn. Made in light grey wool from a 1970’s pattern. Details on total make time, pattern adjustments and lessons learnt.
Stopover in Denver: a plan for 24 hours
My itinerary for a 24 hour stop in Denver.
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
Leeds to Småland, Sweden: a leisure cycling and off-road biking travel itinerary
Travelling in summer, my itinerary for 7 nights in Smaland, Sweden, cycling amid lakes, islands, country lanes, and deep forests.