Blog & features

Jewellery creations

24 October 2010

I have got a bit carried away with my latest pass-time! I’ve invested in lots more materials and made a number of new creations. Lots of people have asked me if I’m taking commissions – hell yes!… Read more

My new necklace

29 September 2010

After just a couple of evenings I have a new necklace! Yes, it’s over the top, but exactly what I had in mind. I love it. Read more

Added bling

27 September 2010

I was lucky enough to get a surprise thank-you cheque for making the wedding dress. Rather than put it towards a new sewing machine (as I think was intended) I decided to treat myself and… Read more

Zoe's wedding dress: Materials and construction

14 September 2010

This is what went into the dress: Main fabric 3.5 m of heavy silk crepe in ‘natural’ It’s fair to say that I had probably chosen the main fabric in my head as soon as… Read more

Zoe's wedding dress: From start to finish

13 September 2010

14 April I’m half way through the Custom Pattern Cutting course at LCF, Zoe asks me if I’d make her dress, I say of course yes. 11 May – 14 May Zoe has tried on… Read more

Zoe's wedding dress: The inspiration

11 September 2010

By the time you read this Zoe will have walked down the isle, so it’s safe to reveal our design ideas. Zoe tried on a few dresses, she really liked vintage style lace and found… Read more

Bye bye, dress

8 September 2010

Last night Zoe drove down for the final fitting and to take the wedding dress away, ready for the big day on Saturday. I finally got the dress into a wearable state on Monday evening… Read more

Sewing with lace

7 September 2010

Seaming lace is just one of the new techniques I’ve had to pick up for Zoe’s wedding dress. The effect of the all-over lace is stunning, but sewing it is not high on my list… Read more

Choosing bridal lace

6 September 2010

Lace is a key aspect of the wedding dress I am making for my friend Zoe as it covers the entire dress, sewn into the bodice but hanging as a separate layer for the full length skirt.… Read more

Pattern Cutting: Tools of the trade

24 August 2010

There were a lot of things I’d always wondered about the practical task of pattern cutting: How do you draw a smooth armhole curve? How do you make a straight hem? How do you add… Read more

Fitting a toile

4 August 2010

The next phase of Zoe’s wedding dress was to take the and trace it as pattern pieces, add seam allowance, cut it in calico and sew it into a toile. Calico is used because of… Read more