Claire used the Maker’s Atelier The Blazer pattern for this perfect pink jacket in clover pink stonewash linen. Such a lovely colour on her and exquisitely made ❤️
Clover Pink Stonewash Linen Blazer
Category: Catwalk
Yellow Cotton Dobby Sundress
How glorious is this yellow dobby cotton voile sundress? As the fabric on it’s own was a little too see-through Angela lined it with cotton muslin. The pattern is based on McCall’s 7407, Angela says she’s going to make a tie belt to wear with it sometimes but thinks it will be very good loose in the hot weather! (definitely!)
Ultramarine Blue Heavy Washed Linen Lander Pants
Claire made these lovely linen trousers using the ultramarine blue Damiel heavy washed linen and True Bias Lander pants pattern. Sooo so good!
Viscose Twill Squiggle Print Shirtdress
This is Claire’s favourite dress – made using a great quality abstract squiggle print viscose twill, the pattern is Named Clothing Reeta shirtdress, beautifully finished with matching buttons and pink twill tape on the inside for the waist casing (which she left up to us to pick for her and was super pleased).
Cobalt Blue Floral Jacquard Knit Agnes Top
Andrea made this superb Agnes top (by Tilly and the Buttons) using a medium weight jacquard knit – just look at that lovely binding! The jersey is super soft and Andrea said it was lovely to work with (so much so she’d like a dress in it too).
Blush Pink Cotton Knit Jacket
Annie made this lovely knitted jacket using blush pink cotton mix jumper knit, the pattern was See and Sew B6120 (out of print) – due to the nature of the knit she left the darts out (unnecessary), used snap fasteners and added a collar (perfect 👌).
Aubergine Boiled Wool Girl’s Coat
Jane made this super child’s coat using aubergine boiled wool and heavy needlecord for the collar (so there’s no complaints of itchy!). The pattern is Vogue V9043. The coat is lined with viscose twill coat lining and finished with shank buttons.
Glow in the Dark Fire Breathing Dragons
George (aptly named) made these fire breathing dragon print cotton jersey PJ’s for her littlest Godson, so much fun to be had with the glow in the dark flames 😊. All sewn on an ancient Singer 338 which all goes to prove those of us with fancy overlockers and coverstitch machines need to raise our game somewhat 🙄.
Check out that TOP STITCHING!
Beautiful.
Fun.
This is what sewing is all about.
nani IRO Print Linen Sleeveless Shirt
All the love going out to this Katherine Tilton for Butterick (b5891) sleeveless shirt made out of nani IRO for Kokka Japanese printed linen by the fabulous Lesley (@mawlesley on instagram)
She left the choosing of buttons to us which is a nerve-wracking experience for us but you can always return buttons if they are not right. Buttons are such a personal thing. We went with the nautilus shell buttons which are an artwork all to themselves.
Olive Linen Stripe Trousers and Top
Paula is such a regular with us we know her telephone number and address off by heart but it took a Pandemic to eventually get a photo of her! This photo was taken on the week she should have been in Milan then Lake Como, and here is one of the planned outfits for shopping in Milan, guess it will have to wait until next year now 😞
The fabric is an olive green wide chalk stripe linen and viscose mix, it’s a light to medium weight linen with reasonable drape whilst remaining stable enough for those stripes to stay straight.
Stripey Lark Tee and Stretch Crosscut Cord Jeans
This is Sally with her Jeans and a T-Shirt classic and all round perfect combo using cheerful rainbow stripe cotton and elastane jersey (using the Grainline Studio Lark Tee pattern) and an unusual and super long lasting blue crosscut stretch corduroy. The cords are half copied / half self drafted to get the perfect fit – we are not going to deny it’s a palaver top get jeans to fit but oh so worth the effort.
Black Modal and Elastane French Terry T-Shirt
This is the fabulous Sally showing off her classic black T-Shirt using the Grainline Studio Lark Tee pattern and supersoft modal and elastane french terry jersey – it’s a medium weight jersey with a lot of drape and 4-way stretch.
Scribble Print Cotton Voile Sundress
This is Catharine (a longstanding Cloth Club Member) who sent us these photos of her “Signature Dress” in cotton voile which, obviously, we love. She said, “Couldn’t help but call this my signature dress! Pattern is vogue 9100 and only change was that I fully lined it (not just bodice) with the riviera cotton lawn as the voile needs something underneath.
Blue Cotton Romper Suit and Floral Dress
Sue used mid weight cotton twill for this fabulous romper suit with contrast accents in a fun sausage dog print cotton lawn. The dress is using the twill for the accents and a geo floral cotton poplin for the main. Such fun, and such a fabulous thing to be able to do for your grandchildren 😊
The pattern is Burda 9712 (there’s also a little jacket, a sun hat and trousers)
Fine Stripe Navy Linen Zadie Jumpsuit
Julie looking fantastic in this superfine stripe navy lightweight linen Zadie Jumpsuit. Such a great pattern that works on so many figures – Julie has made adjustments to allow for her hourglass shape (FBA, for example) and says she will do further tweaks next time (we can’t see anything that needs changing but we are our own worst critics)
Squiggle Print Viscose Matcha Blouse
Caroline made this shirt out of the Dashwood studio printed viscose which has a heavenly drape and handle. The pattern is the Matcha top by Sew Liberated. We Love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Pink Skirt with Decorative Orange Zip
Jessie continuing her obsession with orange and pink by this skirt in Pink Panther cotton canvas and contrast orange lacey tape zip. Made by Jane using the ancient and much missed Burda Start A-Line skirt pattern (Burda 3198)
Socially Distant Cropped Linen Trousers
Lock down sewing with a topical message “if you can read this you are too close!” hand embroidered down the leg in glow in the dark thread. The Linen is our perennially popular washed Damiel linen which has a heavy but drapey handle and works brilliantly for this style trouser. The pattern is self drafted from a basic straight leg long trouser pattern – Bess added fabric to the side seams and then darted the legs in at the bottom and on the knee. They are super comfy to wear and work on both hot and cold days (ie any British Summer day).
Self Drafted Printed Linen Tunic
No Pattern? No Problem! Lesley self drafted her tunic and it fits beautifully! Made with a lightweight floppy floral printed linen, the neckline and arms are bound with bias binding
Printed Linen Dress and Coat
Kathryn wowed us with this super self drafted coat and dress combo made from lightweight Italian Linen. Soooo brilliant. We love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Inky Spot Print 1949 Vintage Pattern Shirt
Angela made this fabulous shirt using a tried and tested (understatement of the week) vintage pattern from 1949 – it is Butterick 6020. Such simple and clean lines work so well with these modern Japanese prints. The fabric is Kokka linen and viscose mix – it’s a medium weight fabric with a fair bit of drape.
Short Sleeve Chambray Cotton Denim Shirt
Melanie sent us her me-made chambray denim shirt made in the softest washed cotton for this fabulous short sleeve shirt. It’s an instant favourite.
Pink Wool Crepe Dress with Sleeves
Julie needed a ‘posh frock’ for a winter wedding and wool crepe fitted the bill nicely. Wool crepe will tailor so beautifully and is a joy to work with. It is warm in the cold and cool in the heat so a perfect choice for those occasions when you are half outside in the freezing cold and then indoors with the fires blazing.
The dress is lined in Venezia lining – a breathable anti-static lining that is soft and drapey like the crepe
Grey Wool and Silk Blend Vintage Dress
Joy made this amazing vintage cut dress using a lovely designer wool and silk worsted that is a dream to work with. Soft and fluid but with stability for all those tricky seams. This is perfection.
Tartan Weave Worsted Wool Trousers
Super duper tartan trousers made by Elaine in fantastic designer worsted wool with a tartan weave. Just the job, or as we say here in Devon, proper job!
Red Viscose Printed Ogden Cami
Bess loves how the Ogden Cami (by True Bias) doesn’t slip off her shoulders like most camisoles do – that’s some clever drafting. As a c-cup she just about gets away without doing a dart in it so long as the fabric is super light and drapey (like this viscose lawn is). It is also great how you can make a useful versatile top out of a tiny bit of fabric!
Whilst you should always wash fabric on the lowest temperature possible to preserve the life of it Bess pre-washes her viscose on 40˚C to get rid of any shrinking (something viscose is very good at doing!)
Wool Crepe Asymmetric Flared Dress
Marion looking superb in this dress made for her by Dawn of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead). The abstract stripey print on this fine wool crepe is perfect for the asymmetric lines of this dress. (Pattern developed by Hardy and Hooper). The dress is lined in Venezia (as all lovely dresses should be)
Red Jersey Flared Dress
A red dress to cheer up any day, Jacoba used mid weight 4-way stretch Cotton Jersey to make this fabulous McCall’s M7538 jersey dress, the seaming is genius and it has a heavenly drape.
A Cat on the Catwalk!
Teddy the chocolate Burmese cat here modelling his super burnt orange viscose jersey elasticated collar. Made by Jessie in a jiffy with the tiniest of scrap. Teddy thinks he looks fantastic (he’s right)
Cartoon Print A-Line Skirt
Who doesn’t get cheered up looking at this brilliant cartoon print? Rachel is not one to shy away from colour and looks ace in this perfectly fitting cotton canvas A-Line skirt. It is lined in Venezia to keep it looking perfect all day long.
Lightweight Linen Soft Linen Shirt
Pamela made up this lightweight linen with the silhouette bird print into this fabulous shirt with the lightest of interfacing in the collar and button band
Linen Mix Classic T-Shirt
Julie is on a quest for the perfect T-Shirt which she has trouble with due to boobage. Having to do an FBA to every pattern you get is a pain but the reason why we sew for ourselves is to get the fit right, right? If you ever need to do an FBA Julie is the girl to talk to!
This jersey is a linen mix knit which has resulted in a lovely fit. She thinks there is still work to do but we love it.
Turquoise Fit and Flare Floral Dress
Jane (who used to come to classes back when we did classes) made this fab fit and flare floral print dress for a family wedding. The fabric is somewhat stretchy which made aspects of this dress tricky but with patience and perseverance she got there (we are always available for advice when needed). It is lined in Venezia which helped a lot in making the dress behave itself. Venezia is so soft and breathable it is perfect for lining summery dresses that would otherwise lose their shape. Even the pale colours are perfectly opaque.
Bamboo Cloqué Jacket
Irene sent us this pic of her fabulous bamboo mix cloqué jacket. This fabric is super stretchy so to construct this jacket shows off Irene’s superb sewing skills. It’s brilliant.
Bell Sleeve Black Linen Tunic
This is the @theassemblylineshop #talpuffshirt using a buttery soft black lightweight black linen. It so soft it almost feels like very fine wool. Susie is really pleased with it. The Assembly Line are so clever with their classic and slightly unusual designs. Susie is not one to usually see herself in a puff sleeve blouse but it’s not too puffy and loves the hidden cuff idea, and the envelope neck reminds her of all the easy to put on baby clothes her five children wore.
Peacock Print Viscose Lawn Dress
Peacocks have inspired print designers for centuries and here we have yet another rendition made up beautifully by Sarah into this fabulous and easy to wear gathered floaty viscose dress. Finished with superfine bias binding and narrow velvet ribbon.
Leopard Tufted Wool Mix Jacket
The very lovely and clever Daphne made this super jacket out of designer leopard tufted wool mix – this is a pretty heavy coating weight so there are skillz here to manipulate and tailor it into this jacket. Fabtastic
Supersoft Lightweight Linen Peasant Shirt with Contrast Stitching
We love this fabulous peasant shirt made by Alexa using a supersoft washed lightweight white linen and embroidered with navy contrast zigzag stitching. It is the #roscoeblouseanddress pattern by @truebias . As well as the stitching being aesthetically pleasing it helps to keep this very lightweight woven fabric stabilised without using facings (like a heavy duty stay-stitch). Beautiful.
Linen Mix Micro Stripe Shirt
Hannah was quite rightly super pleased with how this #lieslandco shirt turned out in this beautiful light weight fine strip linen/cotton shirting. The attention to detail is fabulous.
Pale Blue Babycord Shirt
My husband Denis in his ‘stone fabrics’ shirt. As mentioned on the phone, spot the deliberate mistake, cuff and placket the wrong way round, must do better next time.
The fabric is pale blue babycord that we sourced from a well known British designer . The pattern is Burda 7045, the collar from view A and used a darker blue trim for the inside of the sleeve placket edge and the collar.
We didn’t spot the deliberate mistake – 10/10 Janet!
Bee Print Cotton T-Shirts
Michelle liked the kids bee print T-Shirts she made so much she made another for herself. You can’t beat a good bee print 😍
Ponte di Roma Abstract Print Dress
Lovely Ros wearing her tiger and abstract print ponte jersey dress. She said it made up really well (as we can see) and it is super comfortable and easy to wear. Simplicity at its finest.
Cotton Scrubs
Who new at the beginning of 2020 we would madly be making scrubs? We have a lot of customers who had to very quickly put their dressmaking skills to something a little more utilitarian. This is the super dapper Mark, the husband of Cloth Club member Lynn who made him these cotton drill scrubs (pattern taken from For The Love of Scrubs facebook group) to wear at the doctor’s surgery when it was deemed necessary for all the medical staff to wear PPE.
Floral Pleated Satin Skirt
Linda completed this beautiful printed satin skirt just in time for #virtualfrocktails with @sew_scottish. The skirt is the @mccallpatterncompany v8222 and has been work in progress for 2 years! It’s taken so long as she never really had an occasion or time to finish it. The Coronavirus lockdown has allowed her to complete it. (there’s a little bit of good in everything)
Bubble Texture Cloqué T-Shirt
Julie is on her endeavours to find the perfect T-Shirt- this time re-drafting it with a slight cowl neck (she was hoping for more drape but this is lovely). The fabric is a fab bubble texture mid-weight jersey with moderate 2-way stretch.
DIY Face Mask
Face masks are a contentious subject but we are at the stage where desperation and doing *something* is hopefully better than nothing. Bess trialed a variety of patterns and found this mask by @trend_patterns to be the favourite. she had planned on the pleated style (simpler) and they work brilliantly in non woven filtering fabric but we currently don’t have access to that. When you make them up in cotton they can be a little heavy, cumbersome, and don’t fit terribly well (not on our testers, anyway)
If there is one thing we can’t abide at Stone Fabrics it’s a bad fit!
So this ‘tailored fit’ mask from trend patterns is the chosen one. We adjusted the lining pieces to simplify it (you need an opening for a filter, we don’t think you need two openings), and have gone with ties rather than elastic as it is more comfortable and more durable on a hot wash. Otherwise, this pattern was more or less as it should be. Stone Fabrics recommend it.
For the tester masks we used quilting / poplin weight cottons, for the lining a lightweight but dense pure cotton jersey, there’s a small bit of bakers wire in the nose (overlocked in when sewing the seam) and a scrap of bias at the chin. Until we can find some melt blown non-woven filtering fabric (like they use in an N95 mask) or even hepa filters I am using kitchen towel as the disposable filters. Again, hopefully it is better than nothing.
Once we were happy with the construction we made a batch for the local care home (they were desperate).
Covid-19 is a new virus and so testing and research in these early days are seriously insubstantial. We do not know how long it lasts on surfaces, or if it can survive extremes of temperatures. There is research changing the rules all the time, a good place to start is here: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/diy-homemade-mask-protect-virus-coronavirus/?rel=1
What little advice we have found that seems to be sensible:
This is not a surgical mask but there is some evidence that it can help. It is more important to wash your hands, Only go out when you absolutely have to and if you do go out practise social distancing whilst wearing your mask.
You need to take care when removing the mask so as not to touch or shake it, remove and dispose of the filter safely, and put it in the wash immediately.
Silver Grey Hampton Jean Jacket
Tina (Sewimpatient) made this brilliant @alinadesignco Hampton jean jacket using silver grey stretch denim and we LOVE it so much. Tina has a brilliant eye for detail and her makes are so well executed. Fabulousness.
She says: I managed to get my Hampton Jean Jacket sewn up and just wanted to say thanks so much for the fabric recommendation as it turned out to be the perfect choice. It’s super soft and the fact that it has some stretch didn’t cause any problems. If you need a jean jacket it’s a great pattern to have.
Proofed Linen Kelly Anorak
This is Christine here wearing the brilliant Kelly Anorak by Closet Case Patterns made using proofed limestone Linen that will repel the rain in a moderate shower and breathe nicely when it doesn’t rain. Perfect.
Red Silk and Acetate Crepe Satin Dress
The lovely thing about crepe backed satin is you get two fabrics in one – a matt side and a shiny side – both are the ‘right’ side so you can combine the two to great effect. It matches! The crepe satin used in this dress is a heavy satin and acetate blend that has a fabulous weight and drape. Perfect for a posh frock.
Flower Power Retro Print French Terry Tunic
Julie usually makes beach bags to sell (they are exceptional), but she had a lot of fun making this up in floral print cotton and poly mix french terry jersey. There is no elastane so the stretchiness is fairly minimal. Julie sewed it all on her trusty sewing machine.
Unlined Yellow Linen Jacket with Bound Seams
Linda made this fab unlined linen jacket with bound seams so beautifully you could wear it inside out. We love ❤️
Linda says: I have been amusing myself in my ‘social distancing’ by teaching myself Hong-Kong binding. The jacket is made from some gold linen I bought from you last year. The pattern is Harriet by Style Arc.
Lobster Embroidered Cotton Denim Chambray Shirt
lobster embroidered denim chambray shirt made by Bess with the matching plain chambray on the sleeve and front plackets (10649), and a scrap of tiger print poplin lining the collar and cuffs. The pattern is adjusted from @burda_style magazine 07/2019 men’s shirt no 128. His nieces call him Lobster Pinchy so now he has a shirt to match his name 😂
Ultrasuede Fringed Jacket
Paula has been such a long-standing loyal customer we can recite her telephone number backwards and yet this is the first image she has sent us (She’s shy!). Well it’s never too late to send us photos for the catwalk – no one can say we lack patience! Here we have a super soft oyster beige ultrasuede made into a long jacket – which in true dressmaker fashion she decided it was a bit boring so added fringing ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Ponte di Roma Dress with Long Sleeves
Karen here with her brilliant subtle tile print Ponte di Roma dress with long sleeves (and a sneak peek into her sewing room!), such a useful, versatile, brilliant, classic dress for any occasion. It’s fab. We love it. The Pattern is the Sew Over It Zoe Dress
Embroidered Tulle Posh Frock
Karen made this fabulous embroidered tulle with 3-D flowers into a posh frock to die for. The pattern is Simplicity 1606 made for a strictly come dancing ball.
She says: Thank you for the great fabric Turquoise crepe worked well as a base for the tule. Used the scalloped edge around neck, sleeve and hem
It’s Fabulous Karen!
Black and White Check Pinafore Dress
Clair in Sunny Spain with her black and white pinafore dress. The pattern is self drafted, the fabric is washable stretch suiting, it is lined in Venezia dress lining
Snow Leopard Faux Fur Jacket
Jane made this super luxurious snow leopard faux fur jacket for Bess with fabulous copper ball buttons and lined in red stripe coat lining. The faux fur is very stable so no need for interfacing (and extra bulk), we do recommend using a face mask when cutting out though!
Cats Print Wrap Jersey Top
Rachel (who is most definitely a dog person) wearing this fabulous cat print cotton & elastane french terry jersey mock wrap top. The pattern is Burda 6848 and is a tried and very much tested pattern.
Psychedelic Print Polyester Crepe Dress
The fabulous and lovely Ros here wearing a super psychedelic print poly crepe (unlined) dress using Burda pattern 6363 – it was lengthened at the waist by 2” and she says it is the comfiest loveliest thing to wear 😍😍😍
Waffle Textured Navy Wool Coat
Sally here wearing the navy textured wool coat she had made up for her by Wendy – a local dressmaker -we know it’s cheating but Wendy is excellent and Sally has no patience for sewing! It is lined in a lovely silk pique (sorry- no pic) and trimmed with matt navy suit buttons and cotton grosgrain ribbon.
The pattern was alterecd from an old Vogue blazer pattern – stolen nfrom Bess https://www.stonefabrics.co.uk/catwalk/green-linen-coat-with-grosgrain-trim/
