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.
Leeds to Jersey: a 3-night travel itinerary for Spring
My travel itinerary for 3 days in Jersey, Channel Islands. Ideas for walking, history and dining.
Leeds to Penzance - 5 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a mid-week summertime break in Penzance.
Apricot jam
Recipe for homemade apricot jam, more apricot than sugar.
Leeds to Alnmouth, Northumberland Coast - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend break in Alnmouth.
Leeds to Belgian Ardennes and France - 14 nights in Summer
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.
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…
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.
Scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s 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.
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.
Stopover in Denver: a plan for 24 hours
My itinerary for a 24 hour stop in Denver.
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.
Leeds to Swedish West Coast: an independent travel itinerary for leisure cycling and hiking
Travelling in early summer, a twin-centre itinerary for 12 nights on the West Coast of Sweden. Hiking, biking and outdoor dining all feature.
Leeds to Rye, East Sussex - 4 nights in Summer
Travelling in summer, itinerary journal of our stay in Rye, East Sussex, on the south coast of England.
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.
Manchester to Southern Germany - 12 nights in Summer
Itinerary journal of my jam-packed summer touring holiday in Germany. Castles, cakes, pretzels, bikes, hikes and beer all make an appearance
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.
Leeds to Morbihan, Brittany: an independent travel itinerary with road biking and city break
Travelling in early summer, my imagined itinerary for 10-11 nights in Nantes and the Gulf of Morbihan. Ideas for biking, art trails, a bit of Jules Verne, eating crepes, visiting medieval towns and castles, and admiring the sunset in pretty port towns