Wow, this weekend was a busy one! Saturday I was teaching the new "Clone Your Closet" class at Ministry of Craft ,
A busy fun day was had by all, and everyone went home with a clone of one special garment, we had trousers, dresses, vintage coats..



Cloning a much loved item in your wardrobe is so satisfying. The lovely lady in the photos above copied beautifully a fit and flare dress...and btw how fabulous is her Weekend Doris dress?

Not content with one busy weekend class on Sunday I taught another, this time Bodice fitting. I think everyone attending learned something new about fitting, whether it was as simple as shortening or lengthening the bodice or a full bust or small bust adjustment.


Fancy a go at either of these classes or any of the other classes available at Ministry of Craft, then click here . There are classes running all year round suitable for every level and to suit your personal crafty tastes.
I'll certainly look forward to seeing you there.

My recent trip to Anglesey meant a trip of course to Abakhan in Mostyn, North Wales, much to my children's dismay...although Eden likes to shop with me and the others can be placated with treats from the cafe.
I bought a few lovely pieces there including this chocolate brown linen blend, which I knew had to be a Nell dress.
I'm still slowly working on the grading and sampling of all the sizes of my Nora, Nell and Nancy designs. I wish I were quicker, but I do all of my drafting and grading by hand with pencil, ruler, tape and scissors. Technical I am not, although one of these days I'm going to invest in a course to teach me how to draft and grade on the computer.

This linen Nell went together very nicely, and although style wise it's a bit of a departure for me, I love how comfy and easy to wear it is. I'm on the lookout for a long line cardy to layer over it in the winter, and it looks fabulous with my new vegan Doctor Martens, as well as with my usual flat geek shoes.

















The only flash of colour I couldn't resist adding is a piece of ornate ribbon at the back neck.

Starting this post with a silly but happy photo of me. After my last post full of doom and gloom I decided this place needs a bit of silliness and some smiles. Summer is tough around here, and it's hard not to let that affect everything. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments and messages of support after my last post, I appreciate every one, you are all wonderful!
This photo was taken last week in my mother in law's garden in Anglesey North Wales. We stayed there for five days, and it really was a lovely break from routine. Eden and I had a lot of fun taking photos in the garden of one of my new designs.
Yes, despite my low mood I've still been working over the summer, planning classes (see my learn to sew page for more details on those.) and designing three new dresses.
Nora, Nell and Nancy are not only the names of two of my friend's children that I have always loved, but the names of the three new dress patterns I plan to launch this month.....yeah I know I should probably keep quiet for now, have a big launch when they are ready, but come on, you should know me well enough by now to realise that's not really my style.

Let me introduce you;

Nora is an easy fitting tunic style dress with tucks at the centre front neckline , cap sleeves and optional in seam pockets.



Nell has a shaped front yoke with tucks at the side waist, long sleeves with tuck details at the cuff and shoulder, plus the option of inseam or patch pockets.




Nancy is gathered at the front neck, with short slightly gathered sleeves, and she makes either a great little blouse or easy to wear dress with the addition of waist ties.




All three designs work best with light to medium weight fabrics, for these samples I've used linen, viscose and a very washed and super soft cotton curtain. ( Nell )
I'll be working on grading these pattetns over the next couple of weeks, and all being well they will be ready by the end of the month...the children go back to school tomorrow.....