Sunday Times Style Mag

Fresh back from the Hebrides and what do I see? Sunday Times Style Mag - featuring - me?! Chic on a Shoestring - out on May 26th. Bienvenue!

Shoestring holidays

I'll not be posting for a while as I'm going beyond the reach of technology to run a post-office/coffee shop on the Island of Tanera off the West Coast of Scotland. My holiday cottage is offered in exchange for mornings making tea and cakes and selling stamps. Really hoping it's fun and relaxing. I'm thinking of it as a bit of a sewing retreat. I've got my trusty Brother packed in the boot, as well as enough fabric for two dresses - one of them a vintage '50s pattern. I'm slightly concerned I'll run out of thread and be unable to finish them as there's hardly likely to be a haberdasher on the island! Also packed are my wellies, lots of food, (no shop on the island either) a large box of wine, a new cookery book called The Skinny French Kitchen - which looks fantastic and is bursting with some great ideas (as well as envy-inducing pics of Paris) -  and some La Duree macaroons for friends who are also on the island after doing a foraging course. Well - come on - if you've been eating foraged greens for the weekend - you are in DESPERATE need of a little luxury! I hope these delicate treats haven't melted during the 12 hour drive!  I'll tell you all about my adventures on my return. Be good! xx

First book signing

I did my first book signing in Stroud at the weekend for Chic on a Shoestring. It's not actually launched till May 26th - so this was a preview. Had lots of fun chatting to everyone passing by the Stroud Bookshop where I was poised with my pen at a little table.  The signing was taking place as part of the Stroud Textile Festival which attracts some 15,000 people to the town every year. Great atmosphere. Note to self: must invest in something other than an old biro!

Amelie style tips

It's not often I blog about other peoples' blogs - but this really caught my eye. It's all about how to create your own Amelie style in clothes and interiors. I found it really inspiring, and it reminded me just how much I love the film.  Just click here to find out more about the style ideas and the blog. I'd love to know what films have inspired your style!

Five Live Fascinator

Here's the fascinator I made for Shelagh Fogarty - sadly it was her last show for Five Live Breakfast. She'll wear the fascinator at the Royal Wedding - and hopefully turn a few heads! To see more then please click here.

How Katy did!

Baby Dotty in her Dad's shirt!

A couple of weeks ago I told you about the book I'd found in a Nottingham second-hand shop which showed you how to make new clothes out of old. I challenged my Sister-in-law Katy to take on one of the projects from the book and make my little niece the "tiny tot's play dress" out of "father's old shirt". Well she did it that same week and I'm sure you'll agree that baby Dotty looks really sweet and tres chic too in her Dad's chemise!

Firstly Katy traced the pattern from the book and upsized the pattern-pieces - always a bit of a faff unfortunately - but hey, no pain no gain. She then cut out the pieces and realised she needed a lining, so used an old pillowcase to make that. She also used the button band from the original shirt on the back of the dress so she didn't have to make new buttonholes. This saved a lot of time and effort and worked really well. Katy abandoned the idea of making sleeves (which took up a surprising amount of fabric) and instead made the little dress sleeveless so it could be used as a sundress or pinafore (well, it IS summer after all!).

Katy in action!

Katy sewed the various parts together on her faithful old machine and then turned up the hem. As the fabric's been washed many times before, the dress is lovely and soft. I owe Katy a bottle of champagne for completing her challenge! Well done Katy. What next?