The Six Napoleon dress is finished

This project was set as a challenge by Marianna, as she was selecting a wedding dress design for herself (after 25 years together!), and challenge it was. Certainly for me. But the thing about doing something challenging is that you … Continued

Six Napoleon dress – making up the dress

This Six Napoleon dress was supposed to be completed and photographed yesterday. But it wasn’t. I am only a few hours away from finishing so I will give you an update on my progress. Pattern This was a difficult pattern … Continued

Six Napoleon dress – painting the fabric

The original inspiration for this dress is black, and grey, and somewhat grungy. It is dark and dramatic. I wanted mine to be a summer dress, not evening wear. I decided to make it white rather than black, but realised … Continued

Six Napoleon dress – preparing the skirt

With a growing group of international pattern drafters and dress makers, orchestrated by Sew2Pro,  I have been trying to recreate a complicated asymmetric dress.  Known as Six Napoleon, it is designed by Japanese-Austrailian designer Dogstar. I made a reasonable fist of … Continued

From cling film to pattern: making a bodice block directly from the body

Following our recent adventures with plastic food wrap I wanted to test the outcome. My fitting buddy Pia suggested I draw round the pattern, including the darts, and then make a fabric toile. She also advised a CF zip so … Continued

Casual wardrobe planning No 1 #The pants

Introduction Recently I wrote about putting together and making a casual wardrobe. I decided to take up Joyce’s exciting challenge of creating a capsule collection that would be inspired by, and suit, my “Lakeside Lifestyle”. I was very interested in, and … Continued