Making a skirt for Esme
My daughter has asked for me to make her a skirt. The photograph she has supplied, by way of inspiration, is this. It’s said to be Neoprene, it is a full circle skirt with an invisible zip and it appears … Continued
Planning the fabric for a new silk dress
I mentioned I was thinking of making a silk maxi dress, with hand painted fabric. I am thinking of a full length, drapey dress that feel pretty and cool for summer evenings and to take on holiday (we are going to Egypt … Continued
Silk Dress pattern proposals
I asked for suggestions for a diaphanous silk dress. Internet friends supplied some ideas. Demented Fairy writes: V1244 or V1301 [both Koos van den Akker] scream for diaphanous prints. As long as the silk is ultra fine, they would be lovely. … Continued
The Frustration of Experimentation
I’m a little bit fed up today. My first dripping damask experiments had gone so well – it literally took me about 90 minutes from conception to satisfaction. I had the idea, I decided on a technique, I gave it … Continued
Sewing with a Plan 2015 0.22 – painting on silk
This week I have been experimenting with making the fabric for my silk dress. I have two ideas going on at present, and I am not sure which one I want to use for the SWAP – the light, colourful … Continued
Making aprons for all ages
I am not proud of the aprons I ran up last weekend. The patterns were drafted with just a few guessed measurements. The idea was just to produce a surface on which I could help Ted to print his own … Continued
Dripping Damask experiment
Yesterday I explained that I would like to replicate an effect from an Alexander McQueen dress. This features a traditional positive-negative damask design which then drips down the dress as it disintegrates. Lyn suggested using a batik effect, and this … Continued
Alexander McQueen fabrics at Savage Beauty
I have already written a review of the Alexander McQueen exhibition. It’s stunning. As ever, when you see a body of work, however it is displayed and arranged, you cannot help but be in awe of the productivity of an … Continued
Sewing with a Plan 2015 0.22
My green camisole dress is finished. It epitomises spring – especially when worn with a large bunch of daffodils. And a pineapple! I wore this dress for my birthday, with a piece of yellow vintage silk velvet ribbon around my … Continued
Nina Ricci Camisole skirt version two
I mentioned that I wanted to do another version of this dress. And, having experimented with the discharge paste I couldn’t wait for the weekend! This time I have decided to make the skirt with green wool, and to use … Continued