It’s January sale time! One of our most popular digital designs, the Beth dress pattern, is currently half price. As you can see from the wonderful dresses here, this sewing pattern offers endless styling possibilities.
Part of our Contemporary Classics Collection, Beth’s flattering silhouette features a relaxed and stylish empire line fit with a back closure. Following our illustrated instructions, seamstresses of all abilities will be able to construct this perfect dress.
Dragging yourself back into the work wardrobe can feel like having to leave your individuality at the door. Alessandro Dell’Acqua is settling in at Rochas and produced a striking yet wearable collection that would have me positively skipping to work.Why not cut through the post-Christmas blues by vamping up your wardrobe? Forget trawling through the sales and looking like everyone else; create your own take on style classics. You can’t go wrong with our Carla skirt pattern made up in a bold fabric. You could shorten the hem and go for opaque tights or lengthen and create a strong column of colour. Make this season your season.
Oh dear, it’s Autumn again. At any other time of the year black = stylish. Yes, I know it can look dire, on goths for instance but on me it always looks uber-fabulous. Besides, everything looks awful on goths; isn’t the point of wearing makeup to make you look better? Get it right goths: black is meant to be stylish not spooky. Simply put, hallowe’en ruins black for everyone. Probably even goths as for one night of the year half the population under the age of 10 look as odd as they do; rendering them, no longer weird and different thus defeating their motivation altogether.
Roll on Novemeber and lots of layering.
Fashion, the ultimate antidote to life. Obviously, the runway is never going to be the answer to world peace but everyday irritations can be eased by a wonderful wardrobe. Retail therapy is not the same as fashion therapy: retail therapy is an expensive short-term fix whilst fashion therapy is an ongoing, not necessarily costly, creative outlet. What’s bugging you this week? Is the tonic lurking in your wardrobe, makeup bag or accessories collection? For me foot wear is often a quick fix.
Heels or flats? This is sometimes the most important decision of my day. Really? Two reasons: the wrong choice can ruin my day; this decision impacts the rest of my wardrobe choices for the day. Flats = shorter skirts and no shoulder pads. Heels = longer skirts and shoulder pads. Obviously not absolutes, but for me, heels and short, tight skirts are too much totty for daylight hours. Flats = quirky; heels = sassy. If I could not feel my feet, it’d be heels 24/7 but all too often the decision comes down to agony Vs apathy.
Recently, I’ve tried a different approach to flats. Previously, my flats sat apologetically at the bottom of my outfit. Instead of a pair of nondescript pumps, I’ve reworked my flats from unnoticeable to quirky style details. How? Colour and/or texture? Clearly, this only works if your flats contrast the clothing. Oddly, it turns out bold footwear accentuates your face. How? Well, most urban dwellers have a default gaze which hovers below eye level. Naturally, as your distinctive flats hit their gaze they glance up to see who’s wearing such unique shoes. I’m not a behavioural scientist but perhaps that’s why our parents stressed the importance of smart footwear in making a first impression.
Heels are still my absolute favourite because of the way they make me feel when I’m elevated from my usual 5 4”; everything just seems better, apart from my feet of course!
If you’re looking for the perfect dress to team up with some flats, our new pattern, Beth, might be just what you’re after.
Sew Spring 2016 runway looks. This week, Paule Ka’s show was so fresh, so fun and so wearable. The collection featured beautiful dresses in quirky fabrics. If you’d like recreate this look at home our Beth dress pattern would be the perfect choice.
Cloning the looks of others takes the creativity out of our style identity but fashion icons can inspire our sewing. Carine Roitfeld’s urbane style was the inspiration behind some of the key pieces in our Contemporary Classics Collection.
Carine’s casual, sleek silhouette is timeless and effortlessly elegant. We wanted the Carla skirt to reflect Carine’s clean lines but also have a fit and form that would make it practical for women’s busy lives. The inclusion of a back vent enabled the design to keep her fitted look whilst ensuring ease of movement.
Likewise, our Lauren shirt is all about strong femininity. It’s a masculine wardrobe staple with a feminine fit. If you want a super hot look opt for linen or sheers rather than cottons.
Whilst fashion icons often have extreme styles, they are a wonderful source of initial inspiration. Magpieing and mixing design details is a great way to approach your own styling.
Sew your way straight into spring runway style. Stella Jean’s spectacular, spring 2016 runway looks were all about mixing super straight skirts with bold fabrics and flamboyant tops. Her collection was a wonderful mix of wearable separates and statement pieces. 
A Monday morning fashion fix takes the edge off the back to work blues. Whilst I’m enjoying the weekend, I tend to be a style sloth so I rather relish donning something more appealing for the return to work.
Our Contemporary Classics Collection of sewing patterns are perfect for creating in-work style. A smart shirt, sleek skirt and you’re back in business.
Color blocking is a striking way to wear A line skirts. The clear A line form means it can be worn in bold color or as a simple compliment to a striking top. Blocks of color can be worked to create figure flattering combinations, drawing the eye to your favourite features. Alternatively, blocking can result in a new twist on sleek sixties’ chic.Why not rework that forgotten A line skirt in your wardrobe or create your very own with our classic Sophie design?
Spring 2016 runway collections have featured suave and simple separates. If, like me, you’re a devotee of J.JS Lee you can recreate her understated elegance at home. Our Carla and Lucy patterns complement one another and resonate with the Spring 2016 look.
Muse 