The lovely Anne made up our teal stretch babycord as a panelled A-line skirt and the bug print cotton poplin as a fun blouse. The sewing is impeccable (of course!) -beautifully turned collar, perfectly straight waistband… she’s a great sewer who kept herself busy during lockdown making a fabulous new wardrobe.
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)
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.
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)
Lizzy made up this fabulous wool puzzle check tweed as a circular skirt added to cotton ribbing for the waistband and finished with a bone black and white button and rick rack braid. No pattern – just popped together and hey presto! We have a skirt! Clever girl.
This fishtail skirt made by Celia is Burda 6834 made up in a fabulous wool and mohair worsted suiting. It is lined in cotton lawn and finished with an invisible zip. What a beautiful, original and fabulous quality skirt.
Celia made this beautifully tailored wool tartan pencil skirt using Burda 6370. It has pockets! Worsted wool is such a fabulous fabric to work in. This skirt will have a long life and will go with everything.
Pat made this beautiful Assembly Line Three Pleat Skirt using a wool rich washable lightweight tweed and lined in a lovely marled pink Venezia lining. She has done a fabulous lovely job here, and is rightly super pleased with it. 😊 😊 😊
Bess made this red selvedge denim mini skirt to replace the one she had lived in since 2008. Someone had the audacity to suggest Bess shouldn’t wear mini skirts after 40 at which point she scoffed.
It is a near miracle that the skirt was ever completed due to Bess trying out a new pattern that did not remotely fit (why oh why do we not make a toile first?), and red selvedge denim, as glorious as it is, is not the round peg to force into a square hole.
Anyway, several bodges later the skirt was born. The treated to an abundance of purchased embroidery patches and some hand embroidered lettering.
Ta daaaaa!
She then attacked the denim with several sheets of sandpaper to prematurely age it in a bid to make it like her old one. Not very eco but the pain of breaking in raw denim was too much. It truly is fab denim that wears beautifully (naturally and with sandpaper!)
Daiga wearing her super useful off-white stretch suiting a-line skirt which she says it’s very comfortable to wear and barely creases (yayyy!). The pattern came from Burda magazine (June 2013), it is lined in Venezia lining.
This is the very talented Asaka who made up this beautiful cream wool coating and contrast wool tweed into an a-line skirt, the pattern is from www.couleure.jp and we have booked Asaka to help us translate those mind bending but cleverly cut Japanese patterns!
Kitcat (age 11) made this viscose jersey skirt more or less all by herself. We would say she is clever but don’t want to be accused of favouritism 😉.
No pattern used, just a circle and a straight elasticated waistband 😊
This is Joy who came by the shop wearing this fabulous outfit of chartreuse geometric print viscose lawn blouse (New Look K6471) with a turquoise coloured denim skirt (the Arielle by Tilly and the Buttons). ❤️❤️❤️
Daiga full of the joys of summer in this wonderful floral print spotty jacquard pleated skirt using a knipmode pattern. 😍😍😍
This is the first time Daiga has made a pleated skirt and drew it first on her MyBodyModel, which is frankly a stroke of GENIUS 😊
Lynn here with her lovely chartreuse green Shetland style tweed skirt made up using Simplicity 1560 and lined in Venezia lining
Jacoba did an excellent job of making up this big digital tulip print polyester twill fabric into a simple A-line skirt. Lots of people are scared of big prints but when used carefully they are stunning.
Back when The Great British Sewing Bee were after applicants for the next show (before they went and upset the BBC) Pauline was rather hoping to get on it, and being the kind of person who will happily sew brown tweed and bunny print cotton most of the time she thought she better widen her horizons in case they made her do something evil.
I think it is safe to say this is about as far out of Pauline’s comfort zone as we are going to get but she did an exceptional job. PVC is not easy to sew as it often sticks to the machine and doesn’t feed properly, various things can help like sewing with layers of tissue, using a walking foot or teflon foot, or sprinkling with talcum powder. It is a good idea to lengthen the stitch too.
Sue had never sewn jersey before so approached this project with a little trepidation, a few days later she was showing off her skills with both the white wrap top made in cotton and elastane jersey and the maxi skirt made in multicolour digital print lightweight viscose and elastane jersey. I think it is fair to say Sue is approaching jersey with a little less trepidation now 😉
Ann came in smiling wearing this skirt that gets her stopped in the street to ask her where it’s from 🙂
Made from meadow print slightly brushed cotton canvas with just a centre back seam, elasticated waist and a ruffle hem. It only took an afternoon which is fairly impressive, until you see every single seam is sewn beautifully BY HAND (at which point the staff at Stone Fabrics jaws drop). Ann argues it’s quicker than getting the machine out. 😮
Aiste had a moderate case of P.S.F. (phobia of stretchy fabrics) which we said was irrational and she should get over it. So she did.
This is her first attempt at sewing jersey – possibly not the easiest of choices but The Girl Did Good, the stitching is beautiful and we think this might be the start of something brilliant. Well done Aiste!
The jersey is a polyester and lycra (fine, slinky and super stretchy) which was possibly not what we recommend to beat P.S.F but the important thing is it is a fabric you really want to sew. The waist is elasticated. Nice and simple.
From the South of France we have the wonderfully gifted teacher, Brigitte, in her new skirt made out of pink and grey check wool tweed and Chantal in her black and white spotty heavy cotton and acrylic knit top. Bernie (not pictured) lets them look at her Cloth Club fabrics and they all add their orders to hers.
Bess made this skirt on a bit of a whim – the wool challis had been in her stash for some time (if you have ever worn wool challis you will understand why she stashes it). The petals mysteriously turned up in her handbag the morning after a somewhat riotous wedding and have been hoarded ever since. And so the skirt was born, with no idea if A) the wool was washable and B) the petals would leak colour if it was washed.
The skirt was made in an evening, the a-line pattern is an ancient Burda start pattern (3198) that has long since discontinued although Burda 8237 is pretty similar (if you get rid of the waistband), or if you lengthen 6682 (both super easy alterations). The skirt is lined in Venezia and lightweight knit interfacing was used on the facing. Bess did the thing she always tells her customers not to do- she cut the lining the same size as the skirt and it ended up pulling and being too small. The wool challis has quite a lot of give in it, the lining doesn’t so you should always cut the lining a fraction bigger to allow for the ease, so the lining had to be chopped out and raised to allow the room. It’s a little short but if she doesn’t tell anyone they will never know 😉
Finally she attached the petals by first arranging them by eye with pins and then sewing a single line of stitching down the middle of each petal.
Aiste wearing her Black Watch tartan check panelled peplum pencil skirt she designed at college. The skirt has a central panel that can be unzipped and swapped for contrasting panels and the peplum is removable. The skirt was designed to a brief for sustainability allowing the wearer complete freedom to change colours and silhouette using minimal materials.
It is lined in Red Venezia which is visible from the front as the hem scoops down at the back.
She makes them to order so please contact us if you’d like one.
Bess made this pink tutu for her niece Amélie (who is 16 months) for Christmas, numerous layers of tulle were gathered and pleated (there is a few layers of cream underneath), and then fitted to a silk dupion waistband and drawn in with elastic. Then, Christmas being Christmas and the bling level needing to be raised Bess added beads and sequins to the waist.
Bess used the formula of gathering the tulle to 7″ bigger than waist measurement which worked okay but for a skirt this small 5″ is probably enough.
Jacoba matching her kitchen fabulously in her red silk tweed skirt that was interlined to save getting a ‘bum’, and lined. Fabric stashed from years ago which just goes to reiterate our mantra -buy fabric when you see it – it won’t go off in the cupboard 😉
Rachel channeling her inner Bette Lynch in this leopard print scuba jersey wrap skirt. The pattern is Simplicity 1322, large lacquered coconut buttons were added for fun and modesty -the skirt makes her feel quite saucy with the open wrap front (which is a good thing). The skirt is lined in Red Venezia.
Rachel wearing her Tula Pink for Free Spirit woodland animals print cotton skirt using Vogue 8588 pattern, the hem is bound in satin bias binding. She was worried she was going to feel like mutton dressed as lamb (as if), but actually feels fabulous wearing it. There were debates about adding lace to the hem to extend it (there is no more of the fabric) but we think she’s right to have left it be.
Jane made this Denim jacket and matching skirt with stretch pink denim for Kitcat. It is trimmed in black lace (because Kitcat is 9 going on 19). The skirt is a great little pattern from Burda (9480) – the back was made slightly wider so elastic could be put in. The Jacket was an utter nightmare – BEWARE OF INDIE PATTERNS DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET! She eventually got there though! And Kitcat is very pleased.
Topstitched with two poly sew all threads run through the same eye of the needle (a trick that is far easier and reliable than using topstitching thread, we have found). The coloured jeans buttons are riveted in.
The belt was made by Harlequin (you send them the fabric and hey presto!)
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.
Rudi the Siamese kitten getting in on the picture with Kitcat’s school skirt (he is so vain). Green cotton gingham with elasticated waist and slant pockets.
School shirt made for Kitcat (by Jane) with white cotton seersucker using Burda 9744 pattern. Green gingham cotton skater skirt using MCall’s 6918.
School shirt made for Miaow (by Jane) with white cotton seersucker using Burda 9744 pattern. Green gingham cotton skorts (The shorts bit underneath is green cotton and elastane jersey) using MCall’s 6918.
Rachel surrounded by toiles and all things dressmaking at the sewing retreat weekend in Bromsgrove, wearing her bird digital print stretch cotton drill skirt and purple fleece with roll neck.
Jane came to the shop wearing her fabulous Wool tartan ruched skirt. It is lined in cotton and has a pair of box pleats front and back. It has a really good Swish!
Carolyn sent us this picture of the skirt she made from the lovely wool tweed fabric she bought from us. The full cost including thread, zip, lining and material came to under £35. Difficult to beat that on quality and price from any department store! Next project is in the planning stage… Another trip to Totnes shortly.
Christina showing off her navy and lilac silk dupion flared skirt made for Burn’s night. Silk dupion is a very papery fabric which holds it’s shape well for skirts like this. Kudos for matching those checks!
Lizzy with her boiled wool circular skirt. Lizzy has a paper pattern phobia and so usually just wings it. Luckily circular skirts are easier to wing than patterns so here we have a completed project and a proud owner 🙂
The boiled wool is quite stretchy so the waist came out bigger than anticipated. She has used cotton rib jersey as a yoke and then tied it in with plaited velvet ribbons to make a tail.
She then embroidered beads onto the ‘Lion’*… as you do.
*Lizzy is completely convinced there is a lion hiding in the print (hence why she beaded him). Lizzy swears she has never taken drugs.
Rachel with her kitsch cats print cotton and elastane jersey mock wrap t-shirt made using Burda 6848 pattern (with minor alterations to enable a good fit) and black leather look ponte jersey skirt.
Kitcat wearing her black jersey skirt and cropped T-shirt which she made HERSELF. Jane helped (with hyper alertness) as Kitcat was burning along at break-neck speed with the overlocker.
There is probably a really important life-lesson learned here but we are not quite sure which it is, or for whom.
Meanwhile, Kitcat has a fabulous outfit to pretend she is 18 in, and Granny still has all her fingers.
The fabrics are both viscose jersey, one heavier and slightly textured for the skirt and a lightweight polkadot print for the top.
Kitcat and Miaow visiting Granny (Jane) at the shop wearing their matching Liberty tana lawn Alice in Wonderland print dress and shirt. The pattern is Burda 9417 (as seen already for school shirts), they tie in at the back. Jane didn’t use any interfacing for the collars, the sleeves puff with elastic in the hem. They both have mismatched coloured buttons.
Miaow (age 5) is wearing a bee print cotton skirt trimmed with rick-rack and gathered onto yellow elastic which SHE MADE HERSELF! We helped a bit, she drove the sewing machine and overlocker with the pedals up on shoe boxes so she could reach. She sat on our lap and helped guide the fabric and shouted STOP! when she was going to drive off the edge. It’s probably the most fun you can have with a child without custard pies.
Didn’t she do well?!
Daiga wearing her lovely navy stretch needlecord skirt made from the 9/2013 Burda Magazine model 103. She said it was both lovely to work with and wear!
Pauline made up this fab retro print cotton corduroy into a simple a-line skirt. Invisible zip insertion and lined in Venezia lining.
Marlene visiting the shop in her fabulous light weight wool mix boiled wool skirt. She used her standard a-line skirt pattern but had to take it in a bit due to the stretch in the fabric. Then she finished the hem with bias binding after trying (and failing) to hand stitch the hem. It’s unlined and is a superb, versatile and easy skirt.
Bess used her 5 and 8 year old niece’s fabulous drawings as inspiration for the embellishment on this wool tweed A-Line skirt. First she used white fabric paint and then embroidered using a heavy thread and added beads and sequins. It was all done by hand as the tweed is quite a loose weave and she was concerned machine embroidery would make it too stiff (certainly the kind of embroidery Bess has the patience for!).
It is lined in Venezia lining – turned on the lining with no waistband and bound with an ottoman (heavy) bias binding. Strips of Iron on interfacing tape were used to reinforce the back of the areas where the belt loops go. The concealed zip was moved from the back seam to the side so the back could be cut on the fold also. You rarely get any shaping on the back seam so if you have enough fabric to do this (it invariably takes extra on an a-line skirt) you can without brainache.
Bess is very fickle but this is her absolute favourite skirt at the moment.
Holly made this tangerine orange cotton wool and viscose mix bouclé heavy knit from LG as part of a Plymouth College of Art Fashion project to make a ‘skirt’ and cape as part of her university project. The not so practical skirt has large pockets – the entire front and back panels, braces to hold it up and metal boning through the top to hold the shape! It was inspired by Cornish China Clay and they held a fashion show at the eden project to help raise money for the people and gardens charity.
It’s nuts. I want one.
Clair in Sunny Cadiz (okay, not sunny right now but it usually is!) wearing turquoise blue linen wrap skirt. The brown legs help. Fabulous.
Chandra wearing her beautifully made reversible cotton skirt using a Liberty archive printed lawn on one side and plain blue linen on the other. The pattern is by Sew me Something and is called “Viola”.
Ruscha sporting her hand sewn silk chiffon shirt, which we at the Stone Fabrics headquarters are in awe of. She insists that it didn’t take that long to make and is a more enjoyable way to sew (she can sit in the garden and tinker away without noise). However it was made it is amazing. We love the mix of the two colour ways.
Also seen: linen and lycra stripey jersey skirt
Jane’s daughter Jessie wearing her LG polka dot printed cotton short sleeve shirt and her Rococo printed stretch indigo denim skirt. Jane wasn’t sure her 40+ year old daughter would want daisy buttons but she did. The skirt had to be taken in a bit because that denim is quite stretchy.
The pattern for the shirt is taken from an old M&S shirt and the skirt pattern is a long discontinued Burda pattern (3198), the closest available now is McCall’s 3341.
Elwen wearing her lion print cotton jersey T-Shirt using the Burda 6820 pattern. I’m pretty certain this print is more effective at cheering oneself up than any prescribed drugs, she was definitely very pleased with herself the day she came into work wearing that.
Worn with a panelled mini skirt made using remnants of cotton needlecord. The pattern is Burda 6928 and is a great user upper of remnants!
Rachel wearing her blue digital print skirt with a fluted lowered hem at the back, this skirt works in both soft drapey fabrics as well as this stiffer cotton drill. The pattern is a Bellville Sassoon for Vogue, now discontinued but you might find it on the world wide interweb, V1296.
Use the heavy cotton or stretch cotton tag to find more fabrics like this
Elwen wearing her jumbo cord mini skirt using Burda pattern 8237. Elwen has the sewing bug quite seriously at the moment, to the point where she was binding her seams on Christmas Day. That’s dedication!
She lined the skirt in a peacock Venezia lining and asked us politely to not look at the invisible zip (it’s really not that bad).
You can find lots of cords HERE
Mia-moo wearing the giraffe printed circular skirt using #5102 -a quilting weight cotton– made by Jane (making the pattern AND making it took less than an hour). She has a frou frou net skirt to go under here when she’s feeling more frou-frou.
You need to remember your school geometry lessons to make a circular skirt without a pattern. It’s that moment you realise your grotty teenage self was wrong when they said they’d never need to know this pi-R-squared rubbish.
Car print raglan sleeve T-shirt made by Bess for Lulu.
Fabric: 4983 Cotton jersey with 8% Elastane
Adjusted from Burda pattern 6990
Because the fabric is soooooo wide Bess managed to not only get this top but also a knee length a-line skirt for Lulu, and a little tiny skirt for her daughter, Mia-moo, all out of 1.4mts.
Altogether now, Awwwwwwwwwww!
Green pussycat printed poplin weight cotton A-line skirt with neon rickrack and double elasticated belt. Made by Bess. Find more printed poplin cottons here
Black and white stretch cotton sateen floral printed skirt made by Pamela.
Blue cotton drill mini skirt with scalloped front opening made by Lucinda for her Mum.
Typewriter print quilting cotton A-line skirt with neon rickrack and elasticated double belt, made by Bess who has a fondness for neon rickrack.
Quilting cotton isn’t always the best choice for dressmaking, but A-line skirts work well (and the prints are cool)
Bess doing I-don’t-know-quite-what wearing her Amy Butler Chinese lantern skirt (as seen on the Great British Sewing Bee), or onion skirt as her husband calls it. The pattern is a Donna Karan for Vogue but has been (infuriatingly) discontinued. It’s great; the side seams are twisted so at the hips the back wraps around to the front and at the hem the front wraps around the back. The yoke is cut in one piece which made fitting a bit of a nightmare (no side seams to take in), but for a pattern like this you get a great effect on the back where the grain is taken off to near bias. Bess piped the side seams to make them a feature and gave the skirt an extra-deep hem so the skirt had a bit of weight to it; you should be careful what you make out of these ‘quilting cottons’ as they don’t drape terribly well, but they are an excellent choice for garments such as this.
