Ditto Fabrics of Brighton – shop review
Brighton is a sea side City, around an hour from London. It is the sort of place you go for a day trip. Although there is a beach there is no sand and while Brighton can be fun it is … Continued
Sewing with a Plan 2016 0.5 – the Sweet Pea collection
I just knew it! It is very, very hard in November – when the trees turn yellow and brown, and the nights are drawing in, when it is dark and cold in London (and snowing in Lancashire) – to turn … Continued
Developing the bustle skirt Part 1
First version – brown Victoriana My first attempt with a draped skirt, with all the interest at the “bustle” area (or butt as Mrs Mole would say – do your brides blush?), was executed with brown corduroy. Or “corde du … Continued
A guide to shopping in London
We often have visitors from abroad, and as we live near Oxford Street they often ask for advice on where to shop. I will not cover fabric shops in this post. This is about ladieswear. Maps from Time Out, which … Continued
Draping on the stand 0.12 – Understructures – inspiration
I am slightly behind in that I have not completed the asymmetric wrap round skirt with flounce. Because the term is coming to a close I have moved on to the final project – the under-structured skirt. I very often find … Continued
Inspiration – how do you come up with your ideas?
Years ago I signed up for a two year part time fashion course. Early on, one of the tutors – Mrs Tregelles – set us a task. “Design a T shirt” in 30 minutes. We were given a piece of paper … Continued
Sewing with a Plan 2016 0.4 “Inspired by Viv”
This marvellous 1993 Mario Testino photograph of Christy Turlington, dressed head to toe in Vivienne Westwood, is so evocative, beautiful and brilliant. The stripey feather in the soft, shapely cap; the stick she holds at another angle; the mad jazz … Continued
Draping versus Flat pattern cutting – where do you stand?
There are basically two different approaches to making patterns for clothes – flat pattern cutting and draping. When I recently posted some pictures of skirt-spiration, Jay mentioned that she thought some of the designs lent themselves to draping and some to … Continued
Shift dress with a side fold
Last week I posted my draping on the stand progress. I mentioned that rather than a skirt I wanted to make a shift dress. Here is the inspiration picture again (isn’t it lovely?) I used a simple, yoked shift dress, … Continued
The Indian Flag flies proudly in London this week!
Mr Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India has recently been in London, where he addressed both Houses of Parliament. I am glad we were able to put on a good show with the flags which I saw last Friday, a … Continued
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