Making Life more Beautiful
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
Have you ever tried to buy a buckle? Despite the explosion of interest in dressmaking this is a product that is not easily available today. I tried a few haberdashery shops and market stalls, and came away disappointed. If you … Continued
I already introduced my Sewing with a Plan outfit which is an embellished evening pant suit, inspired by Irene Galitzine (below left). Irene Galitzine explained how she got started as a designer. “I was one of Emilio Pucci’s best customers, … 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 been so remiss. I went to this exhibition ages ago at the Bermondsey Fashion and Textile Museum. When Sew2Pro suggested we might take Sewniptuck to see it I had said it was an expensive museum with shows of variable … Continued
I have been thinking for ages about creating an 1960s evening pant suit. Ever since I saw the Italian Fashion exhibition at the V&A last summer. I want to look like Irene Galitzline. Who wouldn’t? I think this would be … 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 saw this pattern – a Vogue Paris Original by Yves St Laurent, in my size, on eBay, and bought it (for £15). In all its glory – a full length evening dress, in white and silver heavy silk damask, … Continued
Part 1, on sixties style, elicited some brilliant reminiscences in the comments section. Not all my readers are old enough to have memories of the era, but they may have views about the style. In 1966 Britain still seemed on … Continued
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