Wow! Hi there! It's been a while, is there anyone out there still reading? Don't you hate the culture of "busy"? I know I do, but you know what, I have been really flipping busy! I started a new job last April as a Textile Technician at my local sixth form college. Only two days a week, but add that to my work at Ministry of Craft and for Sew Now magazine, plus the volunteer work I do for LLLGB and my WI sewing group......hmmm you get the picture?   I am determined to manage my time better this year, and set realistic goals.I'm keeping a bullet journal ( not a pretty one, or I'd spe ..read more

It is at this time of year, when I can fling open the doors to my shed that I probably love it most. In the winter I love it because it is cosy, but the summer gives it a whole different feeling. I think it's about 3 years now since I took over the garden shed and made it mine. I'm so very glad I did too. Our house has 7 people in it and the shed is my quiet little sanctuary. Sadly though, I am outgrowing it. I have a studio space in a nearby mill which I am very lucky to share, but more and more I am hankering after a larger space in the garden. I've been looking online and making plans ..read more

                                 So here we are again, another May of Me Mades's. Head on over to Zoe's blog to find out more. Honestly this year I've started out without a pledge or plan, just chucking on my me mades as usual, but today I think I have decided on my focus for this #mmmay17 Yes that is a giant pile of clean laundry on my sofa! #mmm17  day 3 and I have been feeling guilty for not giving myself an actual challenge thi ..read more

I have been casually searching since sometime last year for the perfect pair of dungarees and the perfect pinafore. The dungarees are for another day, this week I have been concentrating on Pinafores! I was planning to draft my own pinafore, something vaguely 70's inspired and fitted at the waist, since that might suit my rather ample curves. Then I spotted the Freya dress pattern that came free with a copy of Simply Sewing, and it seemed to fit the brief well, yay! No need to draft my own pattern! I firstly made it up in some faux suede. I made the largest size, but sadly was a bit snug, th ..read more

I've been a little bit (unintentionally) quite on here recently. I do hate when blog posts start with an apology, but I'm going to apologise anyway, to myself if no one else! Life around here has been very busy with work, so I can't complain about that, at least I love my work! I have still managed to fit in a few sewing projects for myself though, and if you follow me on Instagram you will have seen those, already. There have been a couple of circle skirts : A fit and flare dress : Hmmmm, wasn't really feeling it today, but finished this dress anyway. I want/need a dress for say ..read more

I have a slight obsession with underpinnings! Just take a look at my lingerie board on Pinterest! As a dressmaker, I know only too well that no matter how beautifully I sew a garment, if I wear it over unsupportive, unflattering, poorly fitting underwear it's just not going to show that garment off at it's best. Vintage or reproduction vintage garments especially need appropriate underpinnings! This is something I never tire of reminding my clients when I am teaching. I teach a bodice fitting class at Ministry of Craft and I always stress there, the importance of a well fitting bra, and ho ..read more

Yeah, I know it's already 12th January! My children didn't finish school and college until 23rd December, which means they only went back to school and college on Monday...is it really only four days ago? Why am I so tired? Poor Eden had to go back to college on her birthday! She was less than impressed to say the least. I now have two adult children, since Eden turned 18 on Monday! It's a strange feeling. Christmas was quiet (well as quiet as it gets around here!), and I did a lot of cosying up on the sofa, a bit of crocheting, but not a lot of anything else, which felt good. In fact so go ..read more

Two years ago I signed up to do a City and Guilds Level 3 in Fashion at a local sixth form college. I already had an A level in Needlework and Dress from my school days, and of course many years experience, but I had only ever taught myself pattern cutting, (thank you Winifred Aldrich!) and wanted to expand my knowledge in that area. So, every Wednesday night for two years I pootled off to college, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved having that time to do something 'just because'. I met some fabulous people, not least my lovely tutor Heather Lightfoot. The course included modules on ..read more

This time of year calls for cosy , and cosy for me is anything that feels like pyjamas, but looks enough like clothes to wear during the day! This dress is soooo comfy, it really feels like a nightdress, can be layered with various jumpers and cardigans, worn over jeans or leggings, or tights. I used my Nell pattern again, but probably could've gone down a size, it is a little big. Probably not the most flattering dress, but certainly the most cosy, and there are definately days when cosy wins over flattery ..read more

One day last week I decided I hated most of my clothes. I was sick of trying to fit my ever expanding waistline (sad face) into dresses and skirts that refused to co operate. So over half of my wardrobe went in a charity collection bag...well, more than one actually! I have only kept clothes that I really love, and my new sewing resolution is to sew things I really want to wear, and to satisfy my urge to sew random clothes I will sew with someone in mind and spread the joy. With that in mind, I cut out this dress last week, using my Nora, Nell and Nancy designs, this is Nell...although I so ..read more