Making Life more Beautiful
As you may remember I am making a linen jacket, based on this wonderful 1937 Chanel jacket, modeled here by Coco herself. I am using a 1990s Vogue pattern by Ungaro – Vogue 1977 – which is not a perfect … Continued
When I decided to make a version of a 1937 Chanel jacket I covet, I chose a “modern” (1997) pattern as my starting point. The best thing would have been to draft a pattern from scratch, using my personal blocks … Continued
I have been waiting, with a huge sense of excitement, to reveal the results of the knitalong. First let’s start with Sue Stoney. Sue is a master knitter, and highly productive across a range of craft interests. I love her … Continued
I am looking for a medium weight pure linen, in pink that is both very light in shade, and cool (blue undertones). For a summer jacket. I have found lots of nice smokey pinks, shell pinks and bright pinks. And … Continued
It’s nice to be sewing again. I enjoy the whole process – the planning, the selection of materials, altering patterns, getting a good fit, and the sewing process, although my construction skills are a bit mediocre I must admit. But … Continued
I wear cardigans. Or “cardis” as we say in Lancashire. In fact the cardi is essentially a bit of a sad item. Workwear of black trousers, a teal T shirt and a black cardi with plastic gold buttons. A white … Continued
One of the books I recently read was Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’urbervilles. In the book there are many descriptions of the clothes worn by farm workers in the 1880s. I was taken with the description of young women … Continued
Let me recommend the Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A. It continues until 18 February 2018 and costs £12 unless you are a member. Or a friend of a member. Cristóbal Balenciaga – Spain’s greatest designer and the Master of couture – … Continued
This post is dedicated to my friend Lois who says “My knitting skills are limited to plain and pearl, learnt as a very young child.” And to Felicia who hates the way that many jerseys have tight ribbing at the … Continued
Still considering my own New Look of pared down androgyny, I took a look at fashion history. When I did my City Guilds training in fashion in the 1980s, our History of Fashion module finished in the 1970s, although our tutor … Continued
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