Rhubarb & Rose Compôte
Recipe for a fragrant rhubarb and rosewater compote, to keep in the fridge for livening up smoothies, pancakes or plain cakes. An utterly delightful flavour combo and a taste of The British Isles.
Leeds to Quimper, Brittany: an active itinerary for Spring
Itinerary for a springtime 7-night holiday in Brittany, with medieval Quimper as the base. Cider, cycling, springtime walks, crepes and art.
Workings of a Garment: a Y2K Acne oversized long-line shirt, designer ready-to-wear
Study and analysis of how this Y2K oversized Acne blouse was constructed. Learnings and inspiration for improving my dressmaking up to designer ready-to-wear standards.
Sewing a pleated blouse in wool flannel from 1970’s Gunne Sax Simplicity 8907 pattern
Starting with a Gunne Sax pattern from the 1970’s, after some significant design amendments, made a cropped blouse in micro-houndstooth wool flannel. Lessons learnt.
Sewing a puff-sleeve midi dress in khaki green linen-cotton twill from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Fourth 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 robust khaki green twill
Sewing an A-line skirt in bright red serge wool twill from 1990’s Style 2571 pattern
Sewing a midi skirt with waistband, in bright red serge wool twill, using a 1990’s Style pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments and seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Swedish Semlor buns
Recipe for Lenten-Easter treat, Swedish Semlor buns. Adapted from a recipe by patisserie-owner, Angeelika Kang.
Sewing a man’s shirt in grey wool flannel from Simplicity 8753
Sewing a man’s shirt, in wool flannel, using a modern Simplicity pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Sewing a button-up box-pleat skirt in electric blue cotton twill from McCalls 7906
Sewing a box-pleated midi skirt, in electric blue cotton twill, using a Y2K McCall’s pattern. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Sewing an A-line skirt in electric blue cotton twill from Vogue 7210
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.