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.
A Summer drive-and-ride through Belgium & Northern France
Itinerary journal of my jam-packed summer touring holiday through the Belgian Ardennes and Northern France, starting with a ferry from Hull into Rotterdam.
Leeds to Cotswolds for William Morris - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend break near Kelmscott Manor in The Cotswolds.
Zoya green polish, Cece
Colour scrutiny of Zoya’s Cece green polish, with a prominent shimmer foil finish.
Leeds to Pembrokeshire: 4 nights in Winter with mountain biking and boutique hotel
Itinerary journal of my winter break in Pembrokeshire. Where we ate, what we saw and how we enjoyed biking around the countryside
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 - Summer riding
Itinerary for a short weekend cycling break near the North Norfolk Coast.
Leeds to Suffolk Coast - 2 night Summer catch-up with a friend
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 - a Spring itinerary for fashion and food
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 for language learning
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: mountain biking 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. Ideas for biking, art trails and barbecue…..
Leeds to Turin - 4 night city break in Winter
Travelling in winter, itinerary journal of our stay in Turin, Northern Italy