Diary of a Chain Stitcher

Is it just me or has October felt like a reaaallllly long month?! It must be the increasingly shorter, gloomier days but some of the first bits of news I was typing up I felt sure must have been from months ago. The good news is that this extra length seems to have been reflected in the number of new releases and amount of indie news that I have to share with you this month! The change of seasons has given us an shedload of new patterns to be tempted by. New Pattern Companies! Jenny from Cashmerette released her very first pattern; the Appleton Dress . Her patterns will be specifically drafted for plus size women and the size range covers size 12-28 and cups C-H. This particular design is a wrap dress and every version I've seen so far looks gorgeous! As well as paper and PDF versions there are kits including fabric available. Another new company on the block is In The Folds who launched with the Rushcutter Dress . It's an oversized knee length dress with interest...

So this fabric is AWESOME. It was definitely the piece I was most excited about packing in my suitcase as I left the US last month. It's a Rag & Bone embroidered raw silk and is one of the most unusual yardages I have ever laid my hands on despite being only $18 a yard. It's a kind of home dec weight but so tactile because of it's uneven slub and dense embroidery. The white stitching against the vivid indigo blue is beautiful and I think it's the contrast between the uniformity of the embroidered design against the raw, natural feel of the base fabric that drew me to it. Unfortunately it's not/no longer available online but I often find myself drawn to the Rag & Bone yardages so make sure to check them out here . When I spotted this one on the shelves in Mood Fabrics LA I had one of those 'I have no idea what to do with you but I simply must have you' moments. I knew I needed to make something with clean simple lines to showcase the beautiful emb...

I actually made these two tops months ago but other projects always seemed to get in the way of getting them photographed and blogged! I don't know why because they've been in regular rotation in my wardrobe being super easy to dress up or down. I purchased the True Bias Sutton Blouse pattern almost as soon as it was released. I own quite a few ready to wear tops like this, they're so easy to grab in the morning and feel comfortable in all day because of the loose yet flattering fit. I'm also a big fan of a v-neckline and easy kimono sleeves. Shortly after buying the pattern I ventured along to the Biddle Sawyer Silks factory sale at their Berwick Street shop (which has since sadly closed). Their silk is top quality and I came away with two pieces which both turned into Suttons; a lightweight maroon hammered silk satin and an amazing black silk morocain. I had a feeling these would both be tops I'd want to wear a lot so would want to be able to throw in the wa...

I believe it to be a fairly well known fact amongst home sewers that pressing is one of the most important steps in garment construction. Well pressed seams and features can take a garment from looking homemade to indistinguishable from professional. Steam is probably the most important aspect for this process; it can shape and mould your fabric and also give life to older garments which won't stand for or would be tricky to press. Working in theatre I've long appreciated the value of a good steam. All wardrobe departments will house a big stand steamer for sprucing up costumes which won't stand for pressing and to prolong life between trips to the dry cleaner. Steam can give skirts bounce, give shape to a suit sleeve head and perk up bows. I've actually borrowed a little hand held steamer from work before when I wanted to wear a particular rtw dress to a friend's wedding but it was looking rather crumpled and sorry for itself! The fabric would have stood up ...