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.

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.

Winter product highlight: cloaks

Following on from capes a couple of weeks ago it's time for my last product highlight: cloaks!

Full-length cloaks were the first item that I started to offer on a made to order basis, and they've remained a steady favourite ever since. Most popular are my fleece cloaks with a polyester lining, as they are lovely and warm plus showerproof and can be easily machine washed when needed.

(I also offer an unlined version, but most people seem to like the opportunity to have a flash of contrasting colour from the lining as they walk)

In the last year or so I've seen an increase in demand for semi-circular cloaks, which customers generally prefer to have made up in a wool-blend Melton or pure boiled wool. These are truly spectacular garments, quite heavy but super warm due to the amount of fabric you have draped around you.

I haven't listed the semi-circular cloaks in my online shop yet as price varies quite a bit depending on the length you require, but it is on the list of "things I really need to do". In the meantime I'm happy to do you a quote if you let me know what you're after!

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...

 

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.

Workshop info

We've all done it - welcomed in the New Year and made plans that this will be the year we learn new skills. Luckily for you, I am running some workshops at the lovely Me & Mrs Fisher in York that give you the chance to do just that. We've only scheduled up to the end of March at the moment, but I will be doing more from September onwards and am open to requests and suggestions of things you would like to see covered.

Here are some details of what's available so far... 

Get to know your sewing machine – Make a Tote Bag! [Edit: this class is now full! There will be another one in the autumn or I can do private tuition before then]
Saturday 17th January 10.30am – 1pm

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 length of bunting to take home and show off!

Class length: 2 & 1/2 hours
Price: £30
Student level: Absolute beginner

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 the tutor in advance if you would like to order one.

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), 2 or 3 fat quarts of cotton print, notebook and pen/pencil.

   

Basic Cushions
Saturday 7th February 10.30am – 1pm

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.

Class length: 2 & 1/2 hours
Price: £30
Student level: Beginner (need ability to set-up machine and sew a straight(ish) line)

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 or button, matching thread.

  

Make an A-line skirt
Saturday 7th March 10.00am – 1.30pm

Learn to make a knee-length A-line 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.

Class length: 3.5 hours
Price: £40
Student level: Improver (basic ability to sew, at least having done our “Get to know your machine” class)

N.B. Student needs to provide tutor with their waist and hip measurements at least a week before class to ensure the correct size pattern is available. If you are struggling to measure yourself please contact the tutor for assistance.

Student needs to bring: functioning machine (incl instruction manual and power cord), notebook and pen/pencil, 1 metre of fabric (suggested fabric: light/med weight cotton), matching thread and 7” or 8” zip.


All classes should be booked directly with Me & Mrs Fisher, either by telephoning 01904 656566 or calling in in person. And if you've never been in to the cafe then you really should, it's a lovely little place and the food is great!

Catching up after Christmas...

Blimey December was a busy month! I barely had time to catch my breath between sewing sessions to get all the orders done and keep my area in Fabrication in Leeds fully stocked. Rather than bore you with a post per cape/cloak, here's a round up of some of the beautiful custom pieces which left my workroom in December...

Black crushed velvet cape with a pointed hood:

Semi-circular boiled wool cloak a red lining, with 3 frog-clasps as closure:

Semi-circular pure wool cloak with a midnight blue satin lining and a beautiful celtic clasp - a surprise Christmas present for a very lucky lady!! The hood on this one is detachable, revealing a mandarin collar underneath:

Full-length boiled wool cloak with a jacquard weave lining. This was designed to go over a silk-velvet wedding dress in the same colour as the lining, which I also made but don't have any decent photographs of:

Child's red melton cloak with a white fur trim, after the cloak worn by the main character in the Goth Girl books. Also a Christmas present! 

This month already has a couple of cloaks and a wedding dress lined up, so I'm sure I'll be doing another round-up at some point!

The great reveal - beaded lace wedding dress!

I know I've been quiet for a little bit, but I've been squirreled away in my workroom completing this dress, and then I took a well deserved week's holiday! I'm back going full-steam ahead on various other projects now, but not before I share a few pictures of the finished dress with you (it's ok, the wedding was on Saturday, I'm not spoiling any surprises!)

This was a full-length wedding dress custom designed and made for this bride. Fully structured, it's made from a satin underlay covered with beautiful beaded lace. All the lace edging and the button detailing was applied by hand.

From the front...

 

 The back...

And close ups of some of the edging / the train...

The bride was delighted with it (phew!) and I have to agree, it's a lovely dress and the style she chose suited her to a T!

An update on my Fabrication stock

An update on my stock in Fabrication for you today, as I made a few changes when I was in store last week in preparation for the upcoming cooler weather.

Firstly, I've added a selection basket (literally) of my ever popular wristwarmers. I've tried to put in a range of colours and will keep it topped up with as much variety as I can but if you can't find the colour you're looking for you can place an order for a custom pair and I'll drop them in store for you next time I'm over (which is usually once a fortnight)

Priced at £9 a pair these wristwarmers are perfect for keeping your arms warm under a cardigan in a chilly office, under a coat on a day when you don't want to wear gloves, when doing the gardening... the list could go on. 

Secondly, in order to clear some space for some of my winter stock I've reduced the price on the last few of these vest tops, from £25 down to £15 - an absolute bargain for something handmade in limited numbers!

Once these are gone I won't be making any more until next summer, so grab one while you can! 

[Fabrication is situated in The Light, Leeds, and is open 7 days a week]

A trio of capes

A trio of capes to show you now, all made for a returning customer.

First up, charcoal fleece with a red/black jacquard weave lining:

Second, a lightweight linen/cotton blend cape for summer wear (they were dispatched to her in time for her holiday so she could take it with her!) with a pretty button closure:

Third, a cape made in the colours of her rugby team (Northampton Saints, in case you're wondering). I think this is a great idea, if I followed a team myself I'd definitely have one in their colours for me!

Bodycon dress

From loose and floaty to skin-tight now, with pictures of a custom made bodycon dress that I finished last week for a customer. Made from a lovely thick weight light charcoal jersey, this really a dress which hugs every curve and shows off the figure inside!

(you can see where my mannequin's 'hips' finish by when the ruching on the seam starts - if I'd time I'd have worked out something to add more structure to the lower half to show of the curves better, but c'est la vie, you'll just have to imagine it not doing that on the real person!)

The neckline is finished with a gathered flower made from the same material, with a few discreet black beads in the centre.

 

Custom made summer blouse

This blouse was part of a two garment commission but unfortunately I don't have good enough photos of the other item (a sequin catsuit) to share so you'll have to make do with just this one!

This was a drop-shoulder blouse with gathered sleeves and slight bust gathering, made from a cotton cheesecloth-esque material that the customer brought to me.

And finished with cute heart and flower shell buttons that the customer chose after a trip to Duttons!