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…
The Fifties in Five Separates Notes from a lecture by social historian and tour guide Rachel Kolsky: 50’s Fashion, Glamour to Gamine, Chanel to Capri Pants Before we dive into a decade of full skirts, bright prints, oppulence and fun fashion it is important to remember what happened in the decade preceding the 1950’s. World…
Today is the start of Fashion Revolution Week. The eighth 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 campaigning globally against the…
Hear the word Chintz and an array of rich floral designs of the 1980’s comes to mind. Fabric turned into soft furnishings adorned with frills and flounces. I didn’t know the term was originally used to describe textile designs created hundreds of years ago by talented craftsmen who were able to dye cotton using complex chemical…
Let’s head back to the 1980’s for our summer makes this year – the power dressing decade wasn’t all shoulder pads and nipped in waists. Many styles incorporated easy to wear (and make!) kimono style cap sleeves, loose drawstring trousers, jumpsuits and boxy one piece dresses. I’m on a one woman mission to bring back…
Can you believe The Stitch Festival in Islington was a whole year ago! I was having a lovely time dressing my stall, chatting to customers and other stall holders. I even booked my stall for this year. I was completely oblivious to the fact that less than a month later we would be spending a…
My favourite part of running a vintage fabric shop is meeting customers. It isn’t so easy for an online shop but I get to meet people at the fabric shows. Even during lockdown it has been great connecting with customers on social media and via email. Mera came along to the Stich Festival last February…
Thanks to Hochanda for inviting me along yesterday. This is my third time on the craft channel and I always have a great day. Everyone there is so friendly and put me at ease. I forget that I’m sewing on live TV. Thanks to presenter Fiona Egan for doing a great job describing my products.…
I’m super excited to contribute to The Pattern Pages (out on Monday 2nd Jan). Get this great magazine to read my top tips on how to work with narrow vintage fabrics. The whole issue is vintage style themed including vintage style patterns. Buy the issue as a one off or subscribe for the year for…
My top tips for zero waste sewing No matter how ingenious I am with my pattern lays, I always end up with weird shaped pieces of fabric left over. As I cut, sew and trim I throw my fabric scraps into various boxes One box for larger pieces that can be used to make small…
I’m feeling smug as I’ve finished my Christmas shopping this year. Our inboxes are full of Black Friday deals but as a considered consumer I have to ask myself are they worth it? Are the cheap prices persuading me to buy something I don’t need? Can I buy the same item second hand? I do…
