well-suited blog - fashion design, illustration, pattern making.

First Sample - The Dolman Coat

Monday, September 28, 2015

This is where it all started: The Dolman Coat. Inspired by a Yamamoto garment: the pattern making instructions were developed for a loose fit kimono block. For this sample I have used a polar fleece and for winter that makes it seriously snuggles. ;) Keep Reading...

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Pattern Puzzle - Gather Shirt

Monday, April 20, 2015

Once again I am attracted to the loose-fit silhouette that is such a staple in most fashion ranges at the moment. And somehow I think it may also indicate a desire to bring my own wardrobe up-to-date. This cocoon shaped, gathered drape shirt would behave at its best if you were to cut it in a light, drapey woven such as silk satin or a crepe de chine. The gathered drape flows out of the neckline, over the shoulders into a slightly restricted armhole. This is the one feature of the design that will most likely require tweaking in the first toile. The shirt design also features a Hi-Lo hemline and a concealed button front with two-piece shirt collar. This design can be made as either a tunic length or dress length according to personal taste.

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Pattern Puzzle - Cowl Tee

Monday, April 06, 2015

It never ceases to amaze me how often I am drawn to this particular style of cowl drape. You will find many examples in the #PatternPuzzles that have been presented here over the past few years. This puzzle starts with the simplest of shapes and becomes an elegant tunic top.

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Pattern Puzzle - Transparent Bomber Jacket

Monday, March 02, 2015

Inspired by a delicate sketch in my visual diary from many years ago, the Transparent Bomber jacket is a summer season take on a recent winter trend for classic bomber jackets. This design will rely on a lightweight transparent fabric that will gather well with the elastic bands and still hold a soft, full shape. Keep Reading...

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Pattern Puzzle - Handkerchief Fold Dress

Monday, February 02, 2015

At last the detail for the Saturday #PatternPuzzle is here! My apologies for the delay to our usual posting but I had a little trouble with my graphics. It was a wonderful round of creative answers and clever solutions that finally solved this puzzle. Our Handkerchief Fold Dress is so named because it struck me that the construction of this dress is much like a handkerchief with the corners folded into the centre.

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Pattern Puzzle - Tucked Drape Tops

Monday, January 26, 2015

A huge thanks to all the fans that turned up on Saturday to play and watch the #PatternPuzzle. This weeks puzzle was less complex than most but a favourite for the wardrobe. Our post this week has two versions of the Tucked Drape Top, the first with two large tucks facing each other on the front neckline and the second with one large tuck only in the front neckline.

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Pattern Puzzle - Cowl Back Tee

Monday, December 15, 2014

We have had a good run lately with Cowl Drape styles and this week is no exception with the Cowl Back Tee. Last week was the Vivienne Drape Dress featuring a Cowl Drape on the neckline and in the skirt. And Two weeks ago a reworking of The Drape Shift in a woven fabric for The Drape Shift - Woven. You might say we are coming at the #CowlDrape thing from all directions.

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Pattern Puzzle - The Kimono Wrap Dress

Monday, October 13, 2014

We had a fantastic time on Saturday with the #PatternPuzzle. Jump over to FB and check out the most amazing contributions made by our fans, with drawings no less. :) This kimono styled dress was quite a challenge in the pattern making department. Firstly you have to decide if the wrap over is an authentic two-layer wrap or if you are going to seam the pieces together. I've gone for the two layer option and included a zip in the CB seam as the only place where the two bodice layers join.

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Pattern Puzzle - The Erté Jacket

Monday, October 06, 2014

My first introduction to Erté was the year after leaving fashion college when my Dad gave me a copy of this book for christmas. Such a pattern making novice at the time, I had no idea how I would ever achieve such challenging designs.

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Pattern Puzzle - The Dolman Coat

Monday, September 15, 2014

So many fans dropped by on Saturday to work on our #PatternPuzzle, the conversation went on for most of the day. And it seems it is the anonymous pattern shapes that cause the greatest dilemma. After all they could be almost anything.