Christmas nail art

Gold and metallic navy blue using file paper reinforcement stickers.


Gold and red with holly and gold/ glitter dots.


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Detachable collars

I'm making a range of detachable collars in hold, patterned fabrics. This one is made from chambray and South African shwe shwe- a printed cotton.




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New range of pouches

I've been working on a range of pouches- coin, iPhone, pencil cases- to sell at a Christmas craft fair in a few weeks time. This one is a quilted iPhone case in an African Dutch wax fabric.






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Trip to the V&A

I took a group of sixth form students to London this week to see the Hollywood costume and the British ball gowns exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert museum. It was amazing! Had such a wonderful day. Unfortunately, we couldn't take photos, but we all did lots of sketching.

Erdem ball gown


Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz


Harrods lit up for Christmas!



Toilet tiles at the V&A



Vivienne Westwood men's suit- love the draped waistcoat.



Jane Austen stylee!



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Indian sari dress

First outing to a friend's wedding.


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First upholstery attempt

Started off with a basic ikea sofa, donated by my friend, and used a Laura Ashley gingham I got half price in the sale.


Pinning fabric on and cutting to shape.


Covered seat and back.


Covered arm.


Completed sofa!


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More spotty nail art

Spotty nail art

Orange spots on royal blue, made with the end of a kirby grip/ bobby pin.


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2nd nail art attempt

I used two coats of a gold polish, then applied tape to the ends and coated with a coral colour and top coat.


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Nail art

I've recently discovered nail art can be quite stylish- I used to think of trashy two inch nails with revolting designs when I heard 'nail art'. But I've been investigating on pinterest and found some very cool ideas. I had a go at marbling this morning. Some have worked better than others, but for a first attempt it's not bad.



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Bags for the girls

Bag making workshop with the girls at Sinethemba.


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Sinethemba Patchwork Quilt

Work in progress with the kids at the youth centre in Knysna, South Africa.



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Travel update

Having a blast in South Africa, working with street kids teaching them how to sew. Bought some fabric and dye to show them tie-dye this week. Also purchased some traditional shwe shwe fabric in gorgeous prints.









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Jubilee weekend

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How to make a pencil case

Start with a back and front, a back and front lining and a zip. I added a layer of batting to the outside fabric and quilted it in straight lines.


Sandwich one side of the zip between the front fabric and the front lining fabric as below:


Zip sandwiched in-between. Stitch and repeat with the back pieces.


Top stitch as below to enable the fabric to sit flat against the zip.


Zip inserted and top stitched. You will need to move the zip up and down the teeth as you sew to get close enough to the zip.


Put right sides of the outside fabric and right sides of the lining together. Pin and stitch, leaving a 10cm gap in the lining to turn through. Trim all corners.


Turn inside out and stitch the bottom of the lining closed, by hand or machine.


Voila! Finished pencil case!


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Second set of fairy wings

Second set made for my fairy friend!


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Finished placket with buttons

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Great colour tutorial

My mum found this tutorial, which explains colour theory in photographs. It's great for all forms of art and design, but especially helpful for putting together quilting fabrics for projects and even fashion design.




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Oil Cloth Box Bag Tutorial

I have recently discovered the wonders of oil cloth, so did a search for tutorials, as I struggled to prevent the stuff sticking to the presser foot of my machine. I used tissue paper in the end, but a teflon foot would probably work better. One Shabby Chick uses a walking foot, but suggests using painter's tape (masking tape?) to prevent sticking. I love her tutorial for this box bag and will be having a go at one! Find it here.

Two new tops

The sun is out and I've been using up my stash of fabric to make two new tops. I bought a remnant of gorgeous echino fabric and made that into an asymmetric tank and a cap sleeve design out of blue and white seersucker. The latter isn't quite finished as I need to add 3 buttons to the placket. I drafted these and made them in a couple of days- so nice to have some free time to fully focus on making things!!



Two new tops!


Design idea and pattern adaptation sketch for the cap sleeve top


Design idea and pattern adaptation sketch for the tank


Cap sleeve pattern


Tank pattern


Placket detail


Bias binding detail

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Grainline Bias-Binding Tutorial

This is a great bias-binding tutorial for necklines and armholes from Grainline. Exactly how I sew binding on and the best method.

Excellent hand-rolled hem video

I found this via Frabjous Couture's blog. It shows the making of a hand-rolled hem on an Hermes Scarf.

Flying geese progress

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