My first attempt at dressmaking!…

July 4, 2013February 16, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago I attended a dressmaking workshop at the lovely guthrie & ghani in Moseley, Birmingham. I had booked it as a spur-of-the-moment ‘thing’ when I was inspired by the amazing people on the Great British Sewing Bee programme. I really didn’t think about the (nearly) 2 hour journey to get there on a Saturday morning; I just knew I had to have a go and I really wanted to visit Lauren’s haberdashery shop too.

Well, I wasn’t disappointed by the shop that’s for sure. I only wish I had had more time to browse before the workshop started upstairs. So many gorgeous fabrics, trims, patterns, not to mention the stunning decor of the building (love the pink woodwork!) I really do wish we had a guthrie & ghani near me!

So, my workshop was taught by the lovely Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons. You can see some more photos from the workshop on her website (and a few shots of me looking very studious!) It was a great introduction to dressmaking, with lots of tips on things from cutting out the pattern pieces (I didn’t realise it would take sooooo long!!) to lining up the pieces against the selvage, to symbols on patterns and lots more. We had 6.5 hours to make the miette skirt designed by Tilly (a skirt for beginners with no zips or buttons).

It was a bit of a rush to the finish but lots of fun (we did have a break for a cuppa, biscuits and a very yummy lunch though, sewing is very thirsty work you know!) I only wish I had had more time to socialise as I was desperate to finish with Tilly’s expertise there, rather than finishing off on my own at home. Luckily though, I only had to finish the ties and hem so it wasn’t too bad, my studious-ness paid off!

Whizzy pink zig-zag top-stitching on the pockets

I was thoroughly exhausted after my drive home but really felt I had achieved something. So here it is – I’m not sure about the fabric I chose but I didn’t want to have to match patterns so it was okay for a beginner I think… and I’m not sure about the fit on me but then I’m ultra-fussy with clothes, I really am. I already have a Collette pattern for a shift dress to make next, I just need to find the right fabric, a bit more colour and pattern this time I think.

It definitely made a nice change from making lampshades, thank you guthrie & ghani and Tilly for a brilliant workshop, I loved it!

Something new…

April 17, 2013April 14, 2025 Julie Gardner

Okay, last night, unlike most nights when I go to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, I really struggled to switch off. My head was buzzing. Firstly, because I just watched the brilliant Great British Sewing Bee – and then promptly booked myself on a course led by Tilly Walnes from tilly and the buttons (who was on the show). It’s in June and is being held at Lauren Ghani’s new shop in Birmingham – guthrie and ghani, which opens on Saturday 27th April. Usually I have to think about these things for a bit but I decided to give it a go; I need a new challenge and making my own clothes will definitely be that!

Secondly, I took a look at guthrie and ghani’s fabrics (dangerous!) and decided to order some Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy fabric. Not for dressmaking, but for some big lampshades (what else?!)

And thirdly, after my attempt to get back into drawing yesterday, I had a very strong urge to draw flowers today and was dying to get on with it. Not any old flowers either, foxgloves, don’t ask me why, I think I like the shape of them. It’s a shame there aren’t any around right now, so I had to go by photos on the web but it was fun to draw something that isn’t in my kitchen for once.

So a day for being bold today, and going for it, learning something new, not bad eh?!

Inspiration

Anyone 4 tea?…

November 23, 2012February 16, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Birthdays come and go but I wanted this year’s to be special and it really was, not because we did anything flash, more because we kept it simple and everything fell into place. (Plus it was a ‘significant birthday’ but we won’t say any more about that, the clues in the heading…)

We decided to catch the train into town for a spot of shopping. I have to say, it was a very successful trip for the following reasons:

I bought a new outfit to wear when we go out to dinner with friends on Saturday within the first half an hour! I was very happy
Followed by a quick browse round Liberty to look at their lovely wares, always puts a smile on my face
Then, after wandering around lots of amazing (and one slightly dodgy!) side streets, a scrumptious lunch at a veggie cafe in Soho called Beetroot – even if you’re not veggie you should give it a go, very yummy food and lots of it!
Next I realised (doh!) we were on Berwick Street – lots of incredible fabric shops, so of course I had to have a look in those too. I just had a search for some information on them and came across a lovely blog called Tilly and the Buttons – makes me want to make my own clothes, I definitely need a morning to read this more over a cuppa and take the plunge!

That was all in the space of a few hours – pretty impressive eh?! I love it when a day turns out that way, especially if its a special occasion too!

All of the above was during school hours (including the train journey to London and back!) and of course was followed by yummy home-made birthday cake at home with the boys and several visits from lovely friends, what a day… and more surprises to come on Friday and the weekend, am a tad excited…

Anyway, here is a collage of just a few of the best bits from my day and things that caught my eye along the way. Thank you to everyone who made it special in every way! (Do I sound like a cheesy birthday card?!)

1. Miho’s quirky and decorative range of wall-mounted deer heads and bird houses in Liberty

2. Felicity Hall contemporary needlepoint kit to make a clutch bag (in Liberty) – never seen these before and I don’t think I have the patience but they’re rather nice

3. Kate Spade New York coasters – how cute

4. My birthday cake – lovingly made by James and the boys – didn’t last long!

5. Absolutely beautiful Danish cross-stitch picture made by Auntie (!) Tina – really chuffed to get a hand-made present

6. Lisa Stickley make-up bag from James – love the pattern and the colours too