A lovely fabric choice on the part of a customer.

Just a quick post this week to show you a customer's lovely fabric choice. Upon hearing that I was off on maternity leave in the not too distant future one of my regulars went on a little shopping spree at one of the local fabric shops and brought me material to make her a number of dresses to tide her over until I return to work. The dresses themselves are all variations on a style I've made for her before, which we know suits her and she feels good in, but normally she chooses a plain fabric. Not this time though! She fell in love with this fabulous Rose & Hubble stamp print cotton, so I was set the challenge of turning it in to a dress.

I have to admit that lining up the pattern repeat of the stamps so that there was no visible break at the waist was a little bit of a challenge, but what a result...

 

One last class

Due to popular demand we've decided to offer one last "Get to know your sewing machine class before I go on maternity leave. It's already got a few of people booked on to it but here are the details if you'd like to nab one of the two remaining places:

Get to know your sewing machine – Make a Tote Bag! 
Saturday 4th April 10.30am – 1pm

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

Class length: 2 & 1/2 hours
Price: £30

NB: Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), ½ metre medium weight cotton fabric, notebook and pen/pencil.

Optional extra: Basic Sewers Kit to be collected from tutor on the day, price £8. A kit containing the basic ‘extra’ tools that come in handy when you’re sewing, please contact me in advance if you would like to order one.

To book a place just call in to the cafe (maybe leave time to try the cake while you're there?) or telephone them on 01904 656566 

Winter product highlight: capes

This week's product highlight is capes. There is no big story behind the beginning of these, just that my love of them and my love of wearing them has driven me development of my original pattern. Subsequent alterations / options have evolved from a combination of ideas from my head and requests from customers.

The 'true' original design is the fleece outer, polyester lining and rounded hood:

After this design was tried and tested fully I added in the option to have a pointed hood instead:

Next step - other materials! I wanted to offer a wool version but didn't want the colours to be limited to just a few shades. Fortunately I found a supplier that can offer a wide range, and what a range that is:

And most recently? Capes with armholes part way across the front. In either hood design and any fabric, the overall shape of the cape remains the same.

So where will I go next with them? I seem to be always looking at waterproof pvc options and I'm working on my pattern and design for that but this year's personal events may delay release a little bit. I'm always happy to custom make though, and have a variety of one-offs in a few designs and fabrics (including some velvets and lace) for sale either on my website or in Fabrication in Leeds.

Winter product highlight: fleece wraps

In this week's product highlight I'm going to take a look at my fleece wraps. The design for these came about because although I love wearing a pashmina as an extra layer it is sometimes frustrating that they don't stay further down your back when you have them wrapped round your shoulders, and sometimes they're just not warm enough. So the design for the wrap was born - long enough that it covers most of your back, wide enough that you can wrap it elegantly round your shoulders, and made from a soft, warm but practical fabric.

I have to admit that while I love them myself they have surprised me with their popularity, selling well both at fairs and in Fabrication and online - I've sent several to the US already this year!

I try to keep Fabrication stocked with a rotating range of colours, but I'm always happy to take orders for custom colours if you can't find what you'd like. The same applies to orders from my online shop.