A little bit of hand painted fabric
I tried to buy 2m of white habotai from Simply Fabrics for £5 a metre. But they only had a little bit left – just over 1m. So I took it – it was very cheap. Last night I decided … Continued
Guest blog: Rachel Hearn’s new colour palette, and working wardrobe
In July I went shopping with Rachel in Hackney. As you can see she was wearing a black and white ensemble. She is an architect, so something graphic is de rigeur. But while shopping I observed that she might suit … Continued
The darned Dino lace skirt is finished (but..)
Well that was a bit of a challenge! I can’t say I have ever made a lace skirt before, but (now I know what I know) I will definitely try again. This one is not very well made. It is … Continued
A sheer blouse (Vogue 9783)
I mentioned that I don’t have much experience with sheer fabrics so before I start designing something clever I plan to grips with the techniques. I really appreciate the feedback I have in the way of designing – how to … Continued
How to choose a maxi dress
It’s still summer and the maxi dress is a great choice for summer parties, relaxed afternoons and festivals. The maxi dress is a floor length dress suitable for day times and outdoor events, and generally associated with the carefree, hippyish … Continued
Lace skirt (adapting from RTW)
I like lace, but I don’t have much experience with it. The only lace item I have ever made was in about 1984 when i attended a dressmaking class in Moss Side Manchester. I think I used a Vogue pattern … Continued
Draping on the Stand 0.6 – The halter neck dress
Halter necked dresses, blouses and swimwear are such summertime staples, so I draped one, avoiding a side seam. I created the bodice from just two pieces relying on a princess seam line across the bust point. The two pieces of … Continued
Romanian shepherd style
I have often thought that being stylish is not a matter of following what the magazines tell us, but something more instinctive. Ruth of Core Couture has been writing, interesting about this. I wrote about being cool on another occasion … Continued
Hackney fabric shopping with Rachel
Remember Rachel? She designed my Fabrickated logo. She is such a talented young woman who excels at making things. Last time I met her she was in a lovely linen blouse. She had bought the fabric from a warehouse near … Continued
What to wear to work when it is baking hot
One of my popular posts was how to look elegant in bad weather, as it addressed how to dress in London most of the time. Conversely this post is only relevant in the UK for ten days a year. Or so … Continued