Sue looking STUNNING in Greece getting married, wearing the dress she made using fabulous embroidered silk organza. Sue slightly amended the Vogue Original pattern so she could make best use of the scalloped edge, removing part of the lining to allow for 180” of skirt material being gathered into 27” (few sleepless nights there) but all in all, it was the best possible fabric choice she could have made.
Rudi is a Siamese boy who has a healthy obsession with tulle and netting. He says he wants to be a ballet dancer when he grows up (except he’s so heavy he can’t jump). Here he is hanging out with the Action Man fairy and not looking remotely suspicious.
Jane made this sequinned tulle dress for her grandchildren Kitcat and Miaow (they share). The armholes are bound in lightweight satin bias binding, the hem is taken up with turquoise lycra binding and the neck has a plain mandarin collar made from cotton jersey so the scratchy sequin factor is minimised. This dress makes all the grown-ups exclaim “I WANT ONE!”.
Viccy sent us this photo of her stunning digital floral print viscose jersey dress made with black contrast bindings and waist.
Anna from Munich (brightening up a dull day in Totnes) wearing this fabulous maxi dress. It was made up in digitally printed viscose lawn and velvet for the bodice, the pattern was taken from a dress bought in the market.
Jacoba triumphant in her Chado Ralph Rucci dress made up in red scuba jersey, she said it’s been great to do some sewing again. The (minor) changes made to the pattern were raising the front slit by 2 inches, omitting the front panel pockets (didn’t want the extra bulk), and also slightly changing the curve on the shoulders. She said the jersey was remarkably good fabric to work with. Huzzah for that top-stitiching!
Bess was looking at this purple piqué for well over a year before she decided she was able to wear purple, and is rather loving the extra colour in her wardrobe. The pattern is a long tried and tested pattern she took from a Jaeger dress (seen here in many guises). This time it is unlined and piped in green satin around the neck and has green bias binding inside the hem (just in case anyone should look inside.
Despite the close fit no zip is necessary – she just wiggles in.
Clair made this cream daisy lace maternity dress with pink linen viscose yoke for Rosie for a Scottish high summer (ha ha) wedding… on the morning of the party! The toile had been sorted out previously (see pic below in embroidered linen and viscose). The pattern is a 80’s /90’s vintage McCall’s pattern found on Ebay.
Shirley made this fabulous 3d printed stretch cotton sateen up into a shift dress, it is lined in Venezia lining and the neck and armholes are piped very thinly in black.
Marion wearing her fabulous orange and blue floral print stretch cotton sateen v-neck back dress. Designed and made for her by the genius Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Marion wearing this superb mock wrap lilac and ochre print stretch cotton sateen dress. Designed and made for her by the genius Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Marion wearing her jade and coral floral print stretch cotton sateen dress with v-neck and peplum detail. Designed and made for her by the genius Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Marion wearing this superb floral and animal print stretchy cotton drill dress designed and made for her by the genius Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Marion sporting her coral and blue stretch cotton sateen dress, designed and made for her by the genius Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Kerry wearing her green lace print silk crepe de chine princess line dress using Simplicity 2247, which she said she would not make again in such a delicate fabric but we think it looks fabulous. Hems were hand rolled.
Celia looking stunning in her rose print stretch cotton sateen dress made using Burda pattern 6920 (slightly lengthened). The dress is unlined as the fabric is already quite structured. Celia loves these stretchy cotton prints, as they are so easy to make up and fit beautifully.
Celia showing off her floral print linen and cotton flared dress made using New Look pattern 6390 (lengthened a bit). It is fully lined in cotton lawn and has an invisible zip in the back.
Tracey in French France wearing her fabulous 3D floral printed Stretch Cotton Sateen pleated skirt using McCall’s 6706, there is cotton lawn lining (pink, of course) and pink and black tulle underskirt.
Daiga wearing her beautifully fitted short sleeved denim blue wool silk and linen mix shift dress with lovely seam detailing and hem flounce. She made it using Burda 6640 and lined it in Venezia.
Rowena being a very glam Mother of the Groom in her black and magenta abstract print silk satin flared dress and matching dupion silk fitted jacket. She was a busy bee as she also made her hat and bag plus grooms men’s cravats and hankies. Also her daughter in law’s lace gown (which she beaded!) her veil and headdress.
Blimey! Now she is off to do some gardening.
Bess enjoying a glass of bubbly wearing her black guipure lace dress which was lined in cream silk rep suiting. The pattern is her very basic dress block that only has bust darts and a centre back seam for shape. It’s tricky to tell in this photo but the lining is 3″ shorter leaving the scalloped edge unlined. Also unseen is the perfectly matched centre back seam (You’ll have to trust me on this one).
The lining and the lace are made up separately and joined at the neck with a vibrant turquoise satin bias binding. There’s no zip- it just chucks over the head.
Kitcat singing us all Christmas carols in her sequinned dress made by Jane. It is lined in heavy tricot and the armholes and neck are bound with jersey binding.
You get fabulous movement with this sequinned fabric as each sequin is black on one side and silver on the other, so every move is exaggerated with the movement of the sequin. They are surprisingly easy to sew -just snip them out of the seam allowance so you don’t need to sew through them.
You can find various sequinned fabrics HERE
Sarah looking pleased as punch in her poly chiffon circular skirt dress made exquisitely by Joan, her Grandma. The pattern is Vogue 9141.
We’re a bit speechless with how well this dress is made, Joan must have the patience of a saint, chiffon is not easy!
Clair made this sooo sweeeet baby satin dress and tutu using viscose satin coat lining (much too good to hide inside a coat) and light pink tulle tutu.
Bess in her not-very-over-the-top coat at all made using red guipure lace and 6″ feather trim.
The coat was prepared ever so slowly making sure the spots matched and everything would line up properly and then it was izzywhizzied together on the overlocker in about 3 minutes.
Then the feather trim was hand sewn on (Bess’s fingers are still calloused from the needle – that trim has got sticky stuff inside the satin binding (that stop the feathers falling out), it’s not nice to sew!
Then the feather trim was un-picked and sewn on all over again not so tight in an effort to make it hang straight in the middle. It’s almost there, Bess weighed up further hand sewing and the possibility of losing her fingers with her OCD of straight edges and the fingers won.
Then the front edge and neck were bound in fold-over petersham binding which magically saved the jacket from being a bit ‘crafty’ (in the derogatory way) and Bess wore it to her baby step-sister’s wedding.
Also seen: bag made from offcuts of leather and a London bus e-plate. As you do.
Debbie modelling her shrug made using navy corded lace with scalloped edges. She was very pleased with it as it really updated a dress she had had for a long time. She drafted the pattern using a short sleeved shrug she already had as a pattern. Debbie had to do a bit of juggling with the scallops and hand stitching so that they would go around the curves but was glad with the finished effect. It turned out a little tight across the back and around the armholes but wasn’t a problem when it was worn for a posh event as was still able to dance in it!
Nicola wearing her fabulously fitted pink cardigan jacket type tweed dress. It is interlined in silk organza and lined in Venezia lining so is lovely to wear, and despite being sleeveless is lovely and warm.
Suzanne from Cyprus celebrating her son’s wedding (he’s the one holding the flowers) wearing Silk Damask made up in a v-neck flared dress by Ralph Rucci for Vogue (V1381). This pattern is not simple – there are quilted yokes and bands, an attached belt with some tricky rouleau to tie it together —all in a fabric that doesn’t easily yield. It took her a while but it was very much worth it.
We love this photo. Such fun.
Jane at the Royal Academy Summer exhibition flaunting her floral stretch cotton sateen dress. The pattern comes from her block -which if you look at flat on the table looks absolutely barmy but fits her fabulously so don’t argue- Symmetrical, she is not!
The dress is lined in Venezia and there is a concealed zip up the back.
Matching shoes: model’s own.
Helen made this fabulous pleated dress for an afternoon tea get-together in London. She’d had a bit of a slump before this with a couple of disastrous projects and this put a proper smile back on her face (yay!). She used sea green stretch cotton pique with daisy trim decorating the hem. The pattern is McCall’s 6953 which we’ve seen made up in a variety of fabrics and on a variety of body shapes and always looks good. The Bodice is lined in Venezia lining.
Lulu wearing her Tom and Linda Platt (Vogue 1348) yellow and turquoise poly/lurex brocade dress, made by Jane. The pattern has box pleats with bizarre instructions (Jane followed them once then did the rest her way). It has a concealed zip, silk underlining and velvet ready made piping around the armholes and neck. There is a petticoat in turquoise cotton poplin which is trimmed in lace. There are a million pieces to this pattern and so whilst it was not particularly difficult make (especially when ignoring the box pleat construction) it took a long time to cut out all the pieces.
This dress needs a fabric with a certain amount of bounce to it and this brocade worked a treat. The petticoat has ruffles and lace trim galore but the skirt hoops out all by itself.
Judy from the Cloth Club wearing her lovely wool challis dress made for a family wedding. She used a Simplicity Lisette pattern and said the fabric sewed up like a dream!
Elwen in her peacock leaf design cotton mix lace shift dress with lime green Venezia lining.
Using Burda pattern 8213, she lengthened it a bit (Elwen says it’s quite short but it’s more that she’s quite tall). The lace is overlocked (by Bess because Elwen was being a proper wuss), the lining was cut 2 sizes bigger to accommodate the stretch of the lace, but it was a bit too big so 1 size would have been sufficient. Made on the 30th for New Years’ Eve so no time for alterations!
Jane made this silver grey Silk Moroccain crepe cowl neck wedding dress for her eldest daughter, Jessie. It is beaded with thousands of moonstone chips (Jane has the patience of a saint).
To ensure the fabric had enough strength the silk was blocked onto Venezia lining (those chips are very heavy). All in all the dress took about 3 months; a lot of evenings and weekends, and never more than a few hours on the trot due to a broken elbow- and concern for her own sanity. Jessie helped with the beading and Bess was responsible for constructing the tail (Jessie insisted on a tail, Jane was appalled at the idea but the Bride gets what the Bride wants).
Silk Moroccain is a double crepe that drapes well and has a subtle lustre to it. We try, but don’t always have it in stock, but can order it (next day delivery) in around 40 colours.
The tail hooks on to the back with corset hooks and was stuffed with Polyfil.
Well you wouldn’t have a normal dress for getting married in Vegas by Johnny Cash, would you?
Lynne made this fabulous grey marl bamboo jersey mixed with an aqua and grey stripe viscose jersey dress using Vogue 8975
You can find more drapey lightweight jerseys like this HERE
She loves it so much she made another.
Kitcat and Miaow wearing their white cotton dobby flower girl dresses. (They were so excited about being flower girls I thought they might pop).
The necks were too wide (the joy of making clothes for girls who live 200 miles away) so Jane made little tucks sewn down with french knots (so not a mistake, a happy accident!), she also used the same french knots to hold up the hems.
Pattern: Simplicity 5226 (but without the buttons down the front)
Cotton dobby lawn, like these HERE
They were lined in Riviera cotton lawn
Bernie from our Cloth Club wearing palest pink Solstiss lace bolero and linen dress at her Goddaughter’s wedding.
The Bolero is lined on the body but not the sleeves using silk and cotton voile and the linen dress is lined in Venezia.
Amazing Liberty blossom printed Tana Lawn cotton dress made using the Vintage Vogue Pattern V2960 (the dress has been altered from the pattern), made by Jane for Lulu.
If you can’t face the fiddle of making the belt yourself (we couldn’t) send the fabric off to Harlequin—they will do it for you along with covering buttons and various other fiddly jobs. It’s worth it as it looks so professional.
The dress petticoat is made up in a plain cotton lawn which has been bound with the Liberty lawn using a 19mm Bias Maker.
Kitcat and Miaow at Chatsworth house wearing their matching red velour and pink spotty soft net dresses, with yeti fur waistcoats. Made by Jane.
Fabrics and Notions:
Dresses:
Red stretch velour.
Pink and Orange spotty print soft dress net.
Pink, orange and red dress net.
Cotton voile (lining).
Spotty Bias Binding.
Red Satin Ribbon (Sash).
Waistcoats:
Off-white Yeti fur
Cream brushed cotton (lining)
Pompoms made with wool.
Waistcoats made due to a nostalgic memory of Bess wearing hers as a little girl (also made by Jane)
Photo: MLPHOTOS @ www.mlphotos.co.uk
Anthea looking beautiful wearing the ivory Guipure lace dress that unbuttons to become a short dress for the evening. Backed in cream stretch cotton sateen to warm up the colour and give it a bit of structure, and lined in cream Venezia lining. Made by Bess
Once the sun went down Anthea took off the lower skirt. Nice shoes!
Turquoise satin bias binding was used to pipe the neckline to add just a touch of colour
The skirt and the lower skirt were embroidered with a red heart so as to match up when putting together (there are seventeen buttons holding it together – you really don’t want to button them on cocky!
Bess embroidered a label with the date of the wedding plus a few spare buttons, and sewed it on only three sides so as to double as an emergency (inside) pocket
Fabrics and Notions:
Ivory Guipure Lace
Cream Stretch Cotton Sateen
Cream Venezia Lining
Fine piping cord
Turquoise satin bias binding
Invisible zip
Shell Buttons
Embroidery thread
Remnant of shot turquoise Linen
Pattern: Bess’s Own
Kitcat and Miaow wearing their coordinating princess dresses made using viscose satin coat lining and nylon shot organza.
Fabrics and Notions
Pink viscose satin coat lining
Shot pink and orange nylon organza
Orange silk dupion
Pink silk dupion
Remnant of Sari
Flower buds
Satin bias binding
Concealed zips.
Yellow and multi printed viscose shift dress made by Angie (fabric given to her for her birthday), and black silk dupion bolero with frill made by Angie for Francesca.
Fabrics and Notions:
Dress:
Multi printed yellow and multi viscose.
Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Piping
Pattern: Burda 8133
Bolero:
Black silk dupion
Black Venezia lining
Pattern: Butterick 3345
Pink silk dupion pleated dress made by Angie for Abi
Fabrics and Notions:
Pink silk dupion
Orange Venezia lining
Medium weight knitted interfacing
Invisible zip
Pattern: Simplicity 1873
Silk dupion is a great fabric for party dresses, and these pleats work well as it accentuates the shot (two colour) weave.
Abi wearing her fitted bodice with gathered skirt dress made in white silk and sheer black spotty tulle, made by Angie.
Fabrics and Notions:
White silk habotai
Black spotty nylon tulle
Invisible zip
Lightweight knitted interfacing
Pattern Vogue V8443 (bodice) and V2962 (skirt).
It can be a bit of a fiddle, but amalgamating two patterns into one can solve the problem of never finding exactly what you are after. It’s a good idea to make a toile first to check there are no nasty surprises (you should ALWAYS do this, but it is especially important when you are tinkering).
Tulles and nets do not fray or unravel so you can leave the hem with the cut edge, so cut it straight! Alternatively, especially if you would like to add volume to the skirt, you can bind the hem with bias binding (this is often seen on the yards and yards of underskirts that go under meringue wedding dresses)
Malin modelling her amazing white cotton cloqué brocade dress.
Fabrics and Notions:
White cloqué brocade
White Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Pattern: Butterick retro 6582
Lulu wearing Italian Designer knit dress, and Miaow wearing her heirloom embroidered linen dress.
Fabrics and Notions:
Lulu:
Italian Designer knit cotton and mixed fibres
Stay tape
Bias binding
Miaow:
Off-white linen
Riviera cotton lawn
Zip
Button
Lace inserts
Ribbons
Stephanie wearing her posh frock for playing the harp in, using embroidered taffeta.
Fabrics and Notions:
Embroidered polyester and polyamide taffeta
Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Medium weight knitted iron-on interfacing
Stay tape
Malin wearing her blue Thai silk dress with sash that ties in a bow at the back.
Fabrics and Notions:
Blue Thai silk
Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Pattern: McCall’s M6115
Bess wearing her posh white grosgrain and sequinned zippy dress, with red cotton sateen inserts.
Bess has a bit of an obsession with zips
Fabrics and Notions:
White cotton and acetate grosgrain
Black sequinned jersey
Red cotton and poly stretch sateen
Red continuous zipping
Red piping
Red bias binding (cut from sateen)
Iron-on reinforced stabilising tape
Iron on stabilising tape
Black fold-over grosgrain binding (hem)
Malin looking fabulous in red velvet.
Fabrics and Notions:
Red cotton velvet
Invisible zip
Venezia lining
Piping
Silk organza (interlining)
Pattern: Vogue 8555
Sarah wearing her pink backless dress made for a Drama awards ceremony and embellished with beaded trim
Fabrics and Notions:
Pink wool double jersey
Beaded trim
Bias binding
Bess wearing her sequinned tulle and organic cotton jersey dress (made in one hour!)
Fabrics and Notions
Silver/Black penny sequinned tulle #1926
Black organic cotton jersey #2916
Stay tape
Bess made sleeves and lined her sequin dress in cotton jersey because she is fairly intolerant when it comes to suffering for fashion (and sequins are hot and scratchy).
This dress would have taken much less than an hour had she not taken the time to cut away the sequins along the seams (which makes sewing easier, reduces the risk of a sequin jabbing her in the thigh, and the seams lie nice and flat. It was unnecessary to sew any back on.
Due to the tulle backing the sequins are sewn on to no hemming was required (result!).
Jacoba wearing her posh shot silk dupion dress.
Fabrics and Notions:
Silk dupion
Silk organza (interlining)
Fluffy iron-on interlining (bodice)
Boning
Venezia lining
Pattern: Bellville Sassoon for Vogue, 2481
Sue with her daughter in her shot red silk dupion posh frock (made in classes).
Fabrics and Notions:
Red shot silk dupion
Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Lightweight iron-on interfacing
Piping
Dee wears this elegant purple embroidered linen mix shift dress
Fabrics and Notions:
String embroidered linen mix
Purple Venezia lining
Medium weight knitted iron-on interfacing
Invisible zip
It is a good idea to make a toile (a roughly made up dress in inexpensive fabric) when making a shift dress with this flattering wide neck style so that it doesn’t gape. A toile is ALWAYS a good idea when making up a pattern you haven’t tried before, but it is especially important for this neckline which has a tendency to gape. Dee made this up beautifully.
Clair wearing her silk and linen scoop neck shift with rose chiffon trim.
Fabrics and Notions:
Purple silk and linen
Purple Venezia lining
Purple rose poly chiffon trim
Invisible zip
Pattern: Burda 3477
Alice’s jersey and sequinned mini dress made for her degree collection.
Fabrics and Notions:
Viscose elastane single jersey
Ombre printed sequinned tulle
Stretch Iron-on Interfacing
