Refining.
Noticing nuance and details improves my making and my choosing. Connecting who I am with what I make, where I do and what I do enriches my memory, my connection, my story, creating an ocean of detail.
Making clothes, travel itineraries and food.
Here, I write about that.
Men’s shirt in grey wool flannel
Journal post of my sewing a men’s shirt, in wool flannel, using a modern Simplicity pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Button-up box-pleat skirt in electric blue cotton twill
Sewing a box-pleated midi skirt, in electric blue cotton twill, using a Y2K McCall’s pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill
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.
Tent dress with dagger collar in Liberty crepe-de-chine
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…
Scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s pattern
Going off-piste, using quilting cotton for a simple summer tiered dress with topstitching.
Princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves and collar
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.
Floral needlecord dress from 1970’s pattern
Third make with this pattern, following several refinements on fit and pattern instructions. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finished for my square nec, puff sleeve, tiered maxi dress in a delicate blue rose needlecord.
Cotton lawn dress from Givenchy 1970’s pattern
Adjusting a Givenchy pattern I have worked with before, turning a midi into a 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.
Spring coat in moss Green cotton linen twill from 1960’s pattern
Inspired by the 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.
Square neck pinafore dress in grey wool
A-line skirt in Designer’s Guild cotton duck
Experimenting with Designer’s Guild upholstery fabric………..I asked myself: ”how well can cotton duck be applied to dressmaking?”……..what I learnt
High-waisted trousers in sage green twill from a 1970’s pattern
Journal of my total make time, lessons learnt and pattern adjustments on a high-waist wide-leg trouser made from sage green cotton twill.
Square neck pinafore dress in navy needlecord from 1970’s pattern
Journal post on 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.
Oversized tent dress with dagger collar from 1970’s pattern
Working from a 1970’s Style pattern, my reflections on making a very loose fitting maxi dress complete with dagger collar and original 1970’s contrast orange buttons. Main lesson: oversized is still a fit.
Cropped jacket in cotton twill from 1980’s pattern
My journal post of my 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 and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
High-waisted trousers in linen-rayon blend from 1970’s pattern
Working with a 1970’s Vogue Basic Design pattern, my journal post of my sewing a pair of single pleated trousers in rayon. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Drop-waist skirt from 1990’s pattern
Working with a 1980’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.
Herringbone wool dress from 1970’s Givenchy pattern
Working with a 1970’s Givenchy Vogue Paris Original pattern, my journal post of my sewing a dress in herringbone wool. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.