Friday 18 March 2016

Fabrication exclusive

Throughout the last year I have continued to stock a range of capes, wraps and accessories for sale in Fabrication in The Light, Leeds. I'm proud to be part of this wonderful shop, and have added a product to my range that is exclusive to them!

Made from the same 100% recycled wool that the Fab Blankets in the shop are made from, and featuring beautiful wooden buttons, these ponchos are not just lovely and warm but super stylish too.


Priced at just £30, the only place you can buy them is in the shop itself. The only problem with that is that there's so many beautiful things in there it's hard to come out with just one item!

Tuesday 15 March 2016

New classes this year

I know I've been quiet for a little while but I'm slowly building back up in anticipation of Little Man starting nursery and having a couple of regular work days a week again. I've also re-started teaching classes at the lovely Me & Mrs Fisher on Lord Mayor's Walk. The aim if to have monthly classes, and there are some new additions as well as old favourites on offer:


19th March 1.30 - 4 p.m. ~  Beyond the Basics - sewing techniques for improvers
 
Want to fine-tune your sewing skills? This workshop will cover a variety of seam techniques, top-stitching, how to create smooth shaping darts and how to make your own continuous bias strip and piping.

Price: £30       Level: Improver (need ability to use machine & sew basic stitches but not much more) 

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), notebook and pen/pencil, dressmakers pins and scissors.


16th April 1.30 - 4 p.m.  ~  Basic Cushions
 
Learnt to use your machine but want to learn more skills? In this session you’ll learn zip insertion, buttonholes, applique and how to make a cushion.

Price: £30      Level: Beginner/Improver (need ability to use machine & sew basic stitch but not much more)

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), notebook and pen/pencil, 1/2 metre of medium weight cotton, matching zip (46cm or longer) or button, matching thread, dressmaking pins and scissors


21st May 1.30 -  4.30 p.m.  ~  Perfect Pencil Skirt
 
Learn to make a knee-length pencil skirt that fits you perfectly. This is a class for those who can sew but want to learn to follow a pattern, insert a zip, hem and finish a garment.

Price: £40      Level:  Improver

N.B. you need to provide me with your measurements at least a week before class so that I can bring the right size pattern with me!

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), notebook and pen/pencil, 1 metre of 150cm wide fabric (suggested fabric: light/med weight cotton, 150cm wide), matching thread and 7” or 8” zip.
N.B. fabrics with a pattern that has a 'right way up' or narrower fabrics than 150cm wide will require more material!


18th June  ~  Save the date if you want to learn to sew cute clothes for your kids, exact garment and price still tbc. If you're interested please let us know and we can let you know once it's finalised.


  16th July 1.30 - 4 p.m.  ~  Get to know your sewing machine

A class for absolute beginners, where you can learn to set-up and use your machine. You’ll learn some basic sewing skills and end up with a tote bag to take home and show off!

Price: £30       Level: Absolute beginner 

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), 1/2 metre or 2 matching fat quarts of cotton print, notebook and pen/pencil, dressmakers pins and scissors.

Thursday 26 March 2015

A special custom-made coat

Quite a picture heavy blog post today to showcase a coat that I recently finished. This coat was a special commission from a good friend who is also a loyal customer (and has been from the start). We had a vision of how it wanted to look, and finding the perfect fabric and buttons was as much of a challenge as getting the coat right!

In the end we decided on a black poly-blend Melton fabric for the outer layer, and a beautiful blue-black jacquard weave lining fabric with a rose motif on it. Buttons were sourced from Duttons after an extensive look round everywhere.
The coat design itself is fairly simple: full-length with a fitted waist and additional flare at the back to create dramatic movement when she's walking. And, as is only appropriate, a voluminous hood.