How to identify the fibre content of your fabric My favourite thing about running Olive Road is meeting customers and sourcing vintage fabrics. I travel around the UK rummaging in antique centres, vintage fairs and charity shops on the look out for vibrant unique prints and quality textiles. Sourcing fabrics second-hand has it’s downsides. I…
Cotton is the second most abundantly grown natural fibre in the world. Non-organic cotton is a very thirsty crop and sadly uses a vast number of pesticides that seep into the environment at risk to the agriculture workers and those who live close to the fields. This week is Fashion Revolution Week. The seventh year…
Fashion Revolution Week 2020 Today is the start of Fashion Revolution Week. The seventh year in which the charity ask us to challenge our favourite fashion brands with the question #whomademyclothes? Fashion Revolution was established in 2013 a year after the Rana Plaza disaster that killed 1138 garment workers in Bangladesh. Since then charity have been…
Top tips for zero waste sewing “Waste in fashion can be redesigned and minimised. It can be a massive problem or could be an untapped never-ending resource”Loved Clothes Last: Fashion Revolution Issue #2 If you have found my website it is likely that you already make and alter your own clothes rather than buying fast…
Fabric Scrap Busting A super quick project to create colour for your home. I often find swatches of vintage fabric that I love but are too small to do anything with. Such as this vintage Liberty silk paisley swatch. Gifted to me from Simply Vintage at The Stitch Festival, I couldn’t resist all those bright…
An Easy Fabric Scrap Busting Project Bunting is a fun way to use up odds and ends of vintage fabric and dressmaking offcuts. A great project for beginner sewers. Materials Apx half metre of fabric, or use up fabric scraps to make bunting in various sizes, shapes, prints and colours3m (9ft) of bias binding, 2.5cm…
A huge thank you for visiting me at The Stitch Festival in London last week. Olive Road London is an online store and there really is no better way to meet customers. I genuinely mean it when I say I have the best customers in the world. Here are my highlights from the show. (Thanks…
Whilst everyone was busy making tote bags from vintage fabric at my last beginners sewing workshop, we chatted about what to make at the next workshop. Dresses were a popular choice, particular with an A-line skirt. I’ve been wearing this style since the 1990’s but the origins of this silhouette come from the 1960’s. I…
A super versatile bag to use for tech equipment, laundry, shoes and of course a face mask. If you picked up a free copy of my Fabric Scrap Busting booklet, scroll down for a how to video. If you discovered this free pattern by chance, please click here to sign up for my newsletter and…
