2015

I don’t look too happy do I? I spent today making this plaid circle skirt to distract myself from the thought of a dentist appointment at the end of the day, and because yesterday I saw a deeply unflattering photo of myself, so the need for something pretty to cheer me up was very needed. A simple mid length circle skirt with large patch pockets, high waistband and belt loops. Fabric from Abakhan, thanks to my lovely friend Mary who keeps an eye out for fabric she knows I’ll love. I already have a dress in this same fabric, in the yellow colourway, and I love that! ...

It seems a few of my friends are turning 40 this year, and of course any excuse for a new dress. I’m still refining this self drafted princess seamed bodice, and am now I think finally happy with it. The fabric I’ve used for this dress was bought in three small remnants from a local soft furnishing fabric shop for 50p!! I do love the challenge of making a whole dress out of a few pieces of fabric. These pieces were fun to work with because the right and wrong sides of the fabrics are equally beautiful. Not being able to decide which sides I liked best combined with such small pieces to work with meant that I used all sides in a kind of (hopefully) successful way! ...

I sew a lot, a heck of a lot and for lots of reasons; I love clothes, I don’t often like clothes available on the high street and if I do I can’t afford them or they don’t fit. I have a compulsion to create and make, sewing is my preferred method. Sewing eases my heart and my soul. I can’t explain it, but something about the process brings peace. It’s my job! I love designing patterns, and I love teaching at Ministry of Craft or one to one classes in my home. Although I sew lots, not everything works out. I rarely am 100% satisfied with anything I make, I am always striving for a better finish, but sometimes things just really don’t work, like this skirt. The beautiful fabric was picked for me by my fabric dealer friend, Mary. She knows my taste so well and often picks things she knows I’ll love. ...

There is an acre of woodland in Wigan that is dedicated to our youngest daughter Florence, we always take a walk there on her birthday, and as often as we can throughout the year. While we were there yesterday India took some photos of me in my latest creation, another self drafted summer dress. The weather was showery, though not cold. India and I found a lovely clearing in the wood to take photos, tiptoeing carefully in peep toe sandals ( I wore wellies for the rest of our walk! ) through the long wet grass I spotted the cutest little field mouse! He was just there at my feet, we both looked at each other with mild surprise, I said “Hello little mouse”, and he scurried away before I could take a photo. He really was the sweetest little creature, and it made my day to have seen him. ...

I rarely, well actually never do custom orders, I just don’t have the time , but knowing how much some people want to own a Weekend Doris Dress or Sweater I have decided to release a limited number of custom slots in my Etsy Store . There are five choices of stretch fabrics available including vintage fabrics like this one: You will receive a dress or sweater made to your own measurements, and you can choose the length of the sleeve, to have pockets or not, decorative exposed zip etc. Shipping in the UK as usual is free. Plus if you use code Birthday6 you get £2.50 off your complete order. ...

When I was first contacted by Funkifabrics to see if I’d like to have a play with some of their fabrics I was overwhelmed by the massive choice on offer, Eden however was not. She knew exactly what she wanted and what she wanted me to make…Gym Shorts! This girl is constantly in gym gear, and gym shorts are her favourite attire, when at gymnastics and at home. ...

It was two summers ago that I moved into my little sewing shed at the bottom of the garden. I love my space, it’s changed a little from that first summer, it’s much more cluttered now, although everything has a home. I now have a hotch potch of tables running around the edge with enough space for my overlocker, sewing machine and all my other bits and pieces. ...

Summer hols are here, and Florence’s birthday approaches. It is hard some days to imagine an almost 6 year old little girl getting excited for her birthday, maybe by now she’d have a gappy grin. I don’t know. To celebrate my youngest daughter’s all too brief life, I’m offering a fixed discount on any order in the Etsy store of £2.50, just use code Birthday6 and the discount will be applied at the checkout. That means instant digital downloads work out at only £5…..top tip, if you want more than one buy seperately to get the full £2.50 off each pattern. ...

I have a few friends who are turning 40 this year, last Saturday I was invited to celebrate with my friend and fellow La Leche League colleague, Fiona, so of course I needed a new frock! This is self drafted, and using some gorgeous cotton from The Textile Centre on Ebay.Of course wearing this can’t feel anything but super summery. Don’t forget you can start some summer stitching at a discount price if you use code Birthday6 in my Etsy store.

A few weeks ago I had an email inviting me to take part in a craft competition run by Hilary’s Blinds. I was given a choice of four of the fab prints they have in their very extensive range, and I chose Rayna Apple. I was sent one square metre of fabric very promptly and began planning. (And double checking that I could use a co ordinating fabric alongside the Rayna Apple.) So, with an idea of what I wanted to do I started work drafting a pattern. Initially I wanted to make a dress, using my co ordinating fabric as the bodice. So using my personal bodice block I drafted a scoop slightly gathered neck bodice with button front fastening…I was clearly feeling brave because button fronts on my boobs rarely works well! ...