Making Life more Beautiful
I am about to move on to this 1966 Pierre Cardin pattern, but having laid out the purple boucle wool that you can see on the right, I am having second thoughts. Here are my concerns The skirt and jacket … Continued
I have two habits. First I invariably start a project with fabric, rather than a pattern. Second, I buy fabric in shops, markets and warehouses (rather than on the internet). These habits are because I am rather particular about fabric especially … Continued
I wanted a nice fitted blouse for my SWAP to coordinate with my 1960s outfits. While the predominant silhouette of the 1960s is slightly boxy and shift-like I prefer a more fitted top. So shaped 1950s blouse is nice way … Continued
What is your project planning like? I am afraid most of my methods are rather rudimentary. I once attended a Microsoft Project Project Management course where the first exercise (to lull us in with a false sense of simplicity) was … Continued
Who was Biki anyway? Actually Elvira Leonardi Bouyeure was a grand-daughter of Puccini. Fancy that! She was born in 1906 and died aged 92 in 1999. She was famous for designing for Maria Callas and apparently numbered the items so … Continued
I have a few vintage Vogue patterns – from the Vogue Couturier series and Vogue Paris Originals. Making up these patterns is a nice way to access really great dress, costume and coat designs from some of the most famous … Continued
I have a big confession to make. I won the SWAP contest in 2014 and 2015. I haven’t told many people, but of course the world of sewing is quite small and many of you found out. But that is … Continued
Have you got special plans for New Year’ Eve? Are you one of the lucky people invited to a black tie “do” where you have the chance to dress “to the nines”? If you are wearing a full length ball … Continued
Finally (and it has been a long time coming) I have my plan. Eventually I got out all my fabrics, measured them up (I usually buy remnants or no more than 2m if it is cut from the bolt. I … Continued
I am making up a YSL Vogue Pattern Originals dress as my first SWAP garment. I do enjoy using these old patterns, especially the “designer” versions. I like to think about Yves St Laurent himself drawing the lines that got … Continued