Autumn/Winter Fabrics

Just some quick pictures of recent purchases! Have been fabric shopping to Goldhawk Road and John Lewis:

From left to right: navy polka dot fabric for a dress, red for a pinafore or an A-line skirt, gorgeous wool green and navy tartan for a straight skirt, and some amazing fake cheetah fur for the collar of a jacket or cape!

Also bought myself a new vintage handbag from ebay:

Mint Green Dress

Apologies for no posts this month, I've had an unbelievably busy August! Have been working lots, spent the last two weeks in the south of France, and am moving this week! I've done a mountain of sewing too, most of it for my holiday, and will make up my absence by posting lots of outfit photos in the next few weeks. This dress is my favourite of the things I've sewn. Although I bought this fabric a while ago, I've been saving it for a really good project because I love it so much! It's mint green with a tiny white polka dot. I was inspired by sundresses like the ones in this post, and cut the pattern myself (first major pattern cutting project!) and am really pleased with how it turned out. It fits almost perfectly and I'm pleased with the details I added: the white straps with buttons, pockets, and especially the belt.


Shoes: Schuh / Earrings: Topshop / Chiffon headscarf: made by me
Check out my holiday tan! Also bought these espadrille wedges for my holiday, they have a big wedge and I love the rope instead of ribbon! Was inspired by these pictures:

(click for sources & to enlarge)

Shoe and Fabric Shopping

Sorry for the lack of blog posts this week, I've spent the last 5 days staying in Canterbury with my cousin. Had a lovely time and enjoyed the weather, though it being so hot made me rush out to buy new shoes as I didn't have anything summery enough with me! I'd had my eyes on these sandals from Office for a while, so bought them and wore them non-stop.


We also went to Whitstable for the day which is a lovely seaside town. I love all the little shops on the high street, and found myself buying quite a bit of fabric from the fabric shop there:

I'll make myself an A-line skirt with the white linen mix fabric, and a summer dress with the mint green polka dot – I am loving mint green at the moment! I got the polka dot in eggshell blue too, which I'll make into the blouse from this pinafore pattern. I was inspired to get the green after buying this pattern, I am dying to make the dress!

Fantail Skirt

I've used an old pencil skirt pattern that has been altered so much and so many times it doesn't resemble the original! I added the fantail to the pattern myself. I bought the black cotton twill from Maculloch and Wallis – it has a bit of stretch in it so it's perfect for a tight-fitting skirt. I have already worn this skirt a few times and it's really comfortable and becoming a wardrobe staple. Here's the outfit I wore it with to a party yesterday and a detail of the fantail at the back:

Top: Topshop / Shoes: Topshop on eBay
Apologies for the blurry quality of the photos, it was evening so it's down to bad lighting! I will try and get another picture of the top (which I am loving) soon.

Spring Fabrics

Bought these fabrics in John Lewis yesterday:



This floral print is a lightweight cotton, only £5 a metre! Got myself some pink ric rac to match and love the yellow of these buttons I had lying around so will try and get some more. I will use this pattern, I love the asymmetrical buttons and pleats. I was going through my mum's collection of buttons, she has so many! These were my favourites I was considering for the floral fabric.


The spot design is from the Antique Treasures range of fabrics which are very vintage, I will have to get some more! I want to make a blouse with this, but haven't found a pattern yet.


The blue is for a gathered skirt I'll make for my sister, with gold nautical-themed buttons down the front.

I'm currently working on a straight fantail skirt, will get some pictures when it's done!

Blue Striped Dress

I made this dress from the Vogue V8184 pattern, firstly in the pencil skirt version, but then decided to change the skirt to an A-line pattern I cut myself, which I think works well in this striped fabric! You can also just see the wedges I decided to buy from Topshop (I was surprised that I made another good purchase from there!).

It was also my birthday on Friday and had a family party today with these great cupcakes my sister made: