More free vintage hat patterns

While my dressmaking languishes at the moment I have getting familiar with the equally interesting and challenging worlds of knitting and millinery. However my first hat making class of the term was cancelled, boo hoo. In the meantime I have … Continued

Six Napoleon dress – making up the dress

This Six Napoleon dress was supposed to be completed and photographed yesterday. But it wasn’t. I am only a few hours away from finishing so I will give you an update on my progress. Pattern This was a difficult pattern … Continued

Six Napoleon dress – preparing the skirt

With a growing group of international pattern drafters and dress makers, orchestrated by Sew2Pro,  I have been trying to recreate a complicated asymmetric dress.  Known as Six Napoleon, it is designed by Japanese-Austrailian designer Dogstar. I made a reasonable fist of … Continued

From cling film to pattern: making a bodice block directly from the body

Following our recent adventures with plastic food wrap I wanted to test the outcome. My fitting buddy Pia suggested I draw round the pattern, including the darts, and then make a fabric toile. She also advised a CF zip so … Continued