Sewing with a Plan 2016 10 – Announcing my Plan
Finally (and it has been a long time coming) I have my plan. Eventually I got out all my fabrics, measured them up (I usually buy remnants or no more than 2m if it is cut from the bolt. I … Continued
Developing the draped bustle skirt Part 2
I explained in Part 1 how I started to develop a bustle back skirt using some green lining fabric. This was an interesting experiment, but I wanted to make the prototype in fabric and wear it. I am still having … Continued
Shift dress with a side fold
Last week I posted my draping on the stand progress. I mentioned that rather than a skirt I wanted to make a shift dress. Here is the inspiration picture again (isn’t it lovely?) I used a simple, yoked shift dress, … Continued
Sewing with a Plan 2016 0.3 – A neutrals collection?
Although I have a reputation for being a little bit radical with my colour and clothing choices I do love neutrals and wear them frequently. They are easy to wear for work, go with everything and can be a good … Continued
Draping on the stand 0.11 – Folded on the cross skirt
(Sorry if you are confused by my posting this morning. I am sleep-deprived after a long night of babysitting. The children were very good and slept until 4am. The problem was my daughter’s hyperactive, nocturnal cat. It cried all night … Continued
The Fabric of India at the Victoria and Albert Museum
If you like fabric – woven, embroidered, block printed, dyed; silk, cotton, wool; ancient, Victorian or modern; made into clothes, shawls, wall hangings, carpets or tents; if you love colour and India – this is a marvellous exhibition which I … Continued
Making up the draped skirt (flat pattern version)
Yesterday I explained how I made a pattern for a skirt with a side pleat. This pattern will work best with a plaid or tartan with medium body. I used some medium, stable, 100% woolen curtaining fabric (seconds) that I … Continued
How to make a Westwood style skirt pattern from a skirt block
When I was draping the skirt with the side pleat I thought about doing the same pattern but using the flat pattern cutting method. It was an interesting experiment. This is a draped pencil skirt, cut on the (non-true) bias, … Continued
Time for a bit of remodelling?
I can’t say I am a great fan of remodelling existing outfits. I had a go last year as part of the SWAP contest, and was pretty underwhelmed with it. It took forever to reclaim the fabric and then I didn’t … Continued
Fine Fabrics, Oakmount Mill Shop, Burnley – shop review
When visiting my Mother we often go out on a Saturday afternoon for what we, in Lancashire, call “a run”. This is not a run in the normal use of the word. It actually means “a run in the car”. … Continued