Falling in love with cotton silk Aran
Vogue 1435, Is This The Perfect Dress Suit?
THE PATTERN I made this suit using Vogue 1435 for a friend’s wedding, as the English weather is often so unreliable. However, the day turned out to be too hot, and so I never actually wore it! Even so, this is a timeless outfit and the dress can be worn at any time of day …
Where And How To Buy The Best Fabrics in Marrakech.
For those of you who do not know, I run a traditional guest house in Marrakech (called Riad Assakina), where I have lived for the past 15 years. I am often asked by my guests about buying fabrics in the souks – sometimes for furnishing but more often for fashion purposes – and I am always …
My Headband Inspired By Debbie Bliss, With Free Knitting Pattern!
MY HEADBAND INSPIRED BY DEBBIE BLISS I have never knitted small projects, always preferring the bigger, more satisfying stuff, like sweaters and cardigans. However, after sewing so much recently, I was inclined to indulge in some small and fast projects, for some instant gratification. Upon completing my Debbie Bliss Taking A Break sweater (see previous knitting …
My Return To Knitting, Inspired By The Taking A Break Sweater By Debbie Bliss
Why am I posting about knitting an Aran sweater in July, you may ask? Has she gone mad?! The answer, of course, is that knitting can take a long time (especially with a complicated pattern), so it’s always best to start early. If you don’t do that, then you run the risk of the season being over before …
How I Made My Wedding Stole, Vogue 7161 ( View A)
These days, I am not so fond of my upper arms and so decided to add a stole to accessorise my wedding dress. Please see my previous blog Sewing My Own Wedding dress. Here is how I made my own wedding stole. Thankfully I already had Vogue 7161 in my pattern stash. I was intending …
Sewing My Own Wedding Dress, Was It A Good Idea?
My inspiration to return to sewing a hand-made wardrobe. Are you considering making a wedding dress for yourself, a daughter or friend? Here is my story and experience of sewing my own wedding dress. Becoming a first-time bride at the age of 58 was rather daunting, to say the least! After being with my partner …
Celebrating Turning 60, By Sewing A Vintage Dress
Making my 60th Birthday Dress Using Butterick B6318 PATTERN REVIEW & SEWING TIPS FOR BUTTERICK 6318 Crossing over into a new decade is always a milestone, and turning 60 was the most challenging of all! Not because it seemed that it was a grand old age to reach, but because I would be alone in lockdown. …