A pair of bathing beauties

A pair of bathing beauties

My children have started swimming lessons again, in an indoor heated pool.  After their lesson they get in the car with their towels, then shower and change at home. I had in mind to make them some sort of toweling dressing gown to wear after their swim.  The sewing brief: long, robe-like, hooded, long sleeves,…

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5 Favourite sewing tips from The Dressmaker’s Companion

5 Favourite sewing tips from The Dresssmaker's Companion

The Dressmaker’s Companion is a book absolutely loaded with sewing tips, and these are five of my favourites.  These are five tips that have made a BIG difference to the way I sew; maybe you already do them or maybe you’ll find them useful too. 1. Sew an ease stitch around the sleeve head It…

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Show and Sew

Show and Sew

I know you’ll agree with me that when one visits a country (or city) show, a long look at the handicrafts section is always important.  Preferably an unhurried look with a friend who sews. Our country show is a one-day event, which we went to yesterday.  I had vowed to enter an exhibit this year…

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A skirt that goes with everything

A skirt that goes with everything front pockets

A Skirt That Goes With Everything -well, that was the dream.  Time will reveal the reality! I’ve been turning this idea over in my head for a while now, examining capsule wardrobes in Pinterest, considering the perfect fabric, reading blog posts on colour analysis in one’s wardrobe, etc etc. I’m aware of the problems of…

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THAT blue dress: Vogue 2787

THAT blue dress Vogue 2787 pattern envelope

Regular readers of this blog may remember the blue dress, Vogue 2787, I started making as a possible “author talk outfit”.  Read about when I started it here. The fabric was 50 year old cotton and came from a collection given to me.     I did finish the dress but I never wore it…

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