Under the sea party
Today my first grandchild, Theodore (Ted) is four. I was with my daughter as he was born, so I feel a very special bond. I have seen him most days of his life and I love him very much. At … Continued
Goldfish outfit for a baby
I mentioned that, in preparing for the Under the Sea birthday party my daughter Esme intended to dress her baby, Kit, as a goldfish. He’s only one, still in nappies, and pretty intolerant of dressing up. At his own Mexican-themed … Continued
How to sew chiffon (based on my experience)
In order to improve my sewing techniques I decided to make a silk chiffon blouse with lace inserts, using a 1959 Vogue blouse pattern. Before I started I researched the theory. Finally I have finished, and worn, the blouse. In case … Continued
Trying a 1940s blouse in jersey
I mentioned that I was interested in constructing a Vogue 1940s blouse in a knit. I found this a fascinating project and one I want to develop further. Pattern The pattern is, to recap, meant to be made in a … Continued
Lining the Burda collarless coat
The Zara coat we copied is not fully lined. It has Hong Kong (bound) seam edges, and lining across the front. The Burda pattern we used has interfacing and lining. I looked around for some inexpensive yellow silk. “Yellow. Silk!!?” (“Brown lace“??) You … Continued
Tamotsu Skirt (Vogue 2034)
Previously I have written about “Wardrobe” patterns and “Vogue Career” wear. The idea hasn’t entirely gone away, and there are contemporary wardrobe patterns available, but the decade of the Career Wardrobe was undoubtedly the 1980s. The decade of the Power Suit … Continued
My Made Up Challenge
My pledge was to make a yellow coat for Esme, or a circular skirt from Neoprene. Embarrassingly I posted both these proto-projects on the blog; then procrastinated. When nothing much happens I find there is usually an underlying emotional conflict. … Continued
A skirt to match the halter neck
I made a nice halter neck top, using an old 1992 magazine pattern. I thought it was a really fun look and enjoyed wearing it to the Globe, open air theatre. I had around 65cms left and wondered if I … Continued
Better luck with another Lace Skirt
My first lace skirt came to a very sorry end. I caught the skirt on a drawer handle. The Dinosaurs are extinct. However I got the lace bug and decided to have another go. Pattern The previous copy of a RTW … Continued
Let’s have another look at that halter neck
I associate halter necks with Princess Diana, who looked amazing in them. They can minimise large squarish shoulders. My shoulders are squarish but not so large. I don’t mind showing my back – it somehow seems less indecent than cleavage … Continued