David seriously rocking this brilliant Chinese dragons and houses print linen and cotton mix shirt. It’s a self drafted pattern (by his lovely lady Alison). We ❤❤❤!
Chinese Dragons and Houses Print Linen Mix Shirt
Category: Catwalk
nani IRO Printed Linen Shift Dress
Jane wearing her superb self drafted shift dress made up in Japanese nani IRO printed linen. Lined in Venezia and piped with fine satin (self made) piping.
Isn’t it fabulous? And we ❤Â the shoes too!
Pleated Brocade Spotty Floral Print Skirt
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 😊
Purple Suede Jacket
We don’t often have hides of suede or leather but occasionally we get a job lot from a designer and on this occasion Jane thought it her civic duty to make Lulu a jacket out of it. There was a certain amount of swearing going on – Suede does not like to be pinned or tacked or have any of the preparation treatments that Jane would do to normal fabric, and when it came to sewing her machine said no thanks with the fancy needles and she ended up sewing it with regular needles (go figure). Of course she didn’t make life easy for herself by choosing such a complicated pattern (Vogue tres difficile!) . But we got there in the end! Thankfully Lulu loves it and wears it whenever possible else she would be disowned as a daughter right now. It is lined in Venezia (which is a dream to sew!)
Mustard and Silver nani IRO Printed Linen Sleeveless Shirt
It certainly helps to be small when sewing with designer fabrics – this is the beautiful Nicola who squeezed this linen shirt out of less than a metre of cult poplularity Japanese nani IRO printed linen -good going when it’s so narrow and has a border to fathom placement. Nicola credits rookie luck but we think she has the eye for detail that makes for a superbly skilled dressmaker.
Pink and Plum Dogtooth Jacquard Jersey Dress
Julie made up this super jacquard jersey into a three quarter sleeve dress and is really pleased with it (as are we!). The pattern is self drafted and works brilliantly with this stable jersey that behaves much like a ponte roma jersey does (although this is a lighter/looser weave).
Bluebell Velour Dress
Blue Sundowner Print Viscose Crepe Jersey Knip Mode Dress
Daiga sent us this the details of the Knip Mode dress she was planning to make enquiring if the blue crepe viscose jersey she liked was suitable. I think the answer is a resounding YES, definitely!
Ivory Vera Wang Wedding Dress
Prue made this amazing Vera Wang wedding dress in silk brocade. The pattern is discontinued #2118 but sometimes you can find them on Etsy and such like. There are 32 tiny little fiddly buttons down the back which for that alone Prue should get a medal, but how stunning is this dress? (the answer is VERY).
She also made the little bridesmaids dresses out of the same silk. Altogether now, Awwwwwwww!
GORGEOUS.
Black Wool Pleated Pinafore Dress
Clair teaching in Sunny Spain wearing this beautiful Black British pure worsted wool pinafore dress, the pattern is self-drafted and the pleats were a dream to press. She says it’s too good for work but she’s always worn lovely clothes to work (she used to work for us and we can verify she always wore lovely clothes then).
Acid Yellow and Hot Pink Rose Print Shift Dress
Moira sent us this pic of her wearing this amazing hot pink and acid yellow rose print stretch cotton sateen shift dress made from the Wendy Ward’s “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking” Book. Isn’t it fabulous?
Blossom Print Japanese Cotton Françoise Shift Dress
Karen came to the shop wearing this brilliant blossom print Japanese cotton shift dress, she made it using the Tilly and the Buttons Françoise pattern, it has been lengthened and a with bit of tweaking to the french darts (hardly visible in this fabric) this has become a firm favourite in Karen’s wardrobe. This cotton has a great weight to it that barely creases, doesn’t shrink (and so pre-washing shouldn’t be necessary) and is loose enough weave to remain cool and breezy.
Worsted Wool Trench Coat
Lis made this amazing trench coat using worsted wool suiting. She lined it with floral print cotton lawn wine red lining fabric for the sleeves to make to easy to slip on and off. It sewed up beautifully and Lis loves wearing it. 😊Â
The pattern is Jack from Ready to Sew
you can find Lis on Instagram as @threadstaylors
Multicolour Parrot Print Canvas Dress
The wonderful Julie cheering up a decidedly grey day with this amazing parrot print heavy cotton canvas made up into the Kwik Sew K4097 dress.
We love it. We love it!
Navy Blue Needlecord Shirtwaister
The lovely Sandra here modelling her navy blue needlecord/babycord cotton shirtwaister with matching classic marble effect buttons. The pattern is McCall’s 4769. She is really please (as she should be) and has had a lot of wear out of it 😊).
Red and Cream Spotty Silk Twill Shift Dress
Petra sent us this pic of her dress made up using spotty silk twill from LG. You will notice the spots are arranged inline rather than offset which makes them a super finnickity to match but she did it really well.
She said: A week ago I googled dress fabric shops in the uk and came across an article in The Guardian titled 10 best fabric shops in the uk[]. I looked at your website and found exactly the fabric I wanted. It came on the Monday and now I have a dress to wear for a wedding! Thank you for you friendly and professional service. I will definitely look at your shop for other fabric. Â
Royal Blue Wool Crepe Shift Dress
I know we always say this but is there anything out there better and more versatile than a wool crepe? Here we have Bernie (from French France) at her son’s wedding (in the UK) wearing this lovely shift dress expertly fitted by Bernie’s teacher Brigitte. The pattern was out of the Burda magazine (and they clearly remembered to add seam allowances 😂)
Navy Linen and Sorona Mix Kalle Shirt
Sue (from French France) made this fabulous linen and Sorona mix shirt using the Closet Case Patterns ‘Kalle Shirt’, Sorona is a new fibre made from corn starch that we hope will take off because added to linen it adds a fabulous softness and suppleness (less creases! Yayy!!). Sue used a bias maker to make the spotty inside collar.
Linen Jersey Cardigan with sequin Trim and Iron-On Patch
Bess made this fab linen jersey cardigan using her tried-and-tested t-shirt pattern that has been cut up the front. The trim is a sequinned rick rack. It is possible Bess’s life is complete now there is sequinned rickrack in the world. Continue reading Linen Jersey Cardigan with sequin Trim and Iron-On Patch
Purple Felted Wool Child’s Coat
Catharine made this delightful coat for her daughter, she said she doesn’t normally send in photos but has had so many compliments about this coat she decided she really ought to share.
The fabric is a lovely foxglove felted wool from LG. Lined with her favourite Frozen fabric (not from us) and sleeves lined with venezia. The pattern is burda 9501.
Awwwwww! 😍
Chartreuse Green Tweed Panelled Skirt
Lynn here with her lovely chartreuse green Shetland style tweed skirt made up using Simplicity 1560 and lined in Venezia lining
Stripe Tweed from LG Wrap Coat
Sarah out on the river with her amazing technicolour stripe tweed coat. Belted, and lined in vivid turquoise lining (you will just have to take our word for it there). 😍
PussyCat and Floral digital print T-Shirt
Bess made up this T-Shirt for Lulu (her sister – not the mannequin) , the pattern is Vogue elements 9926 size small with xs sleeve, zigzag hems and a self bound neck. It took 1 hour (most of which was looking for scissors)
Feather Print T-Shirt
Bess made up this feather print T-Shirt for her little sister using lovely stable Cotton and Elastane Jersey with lots of stretch that makes the binding on the neck a cinch. Plus there is the added bonus that as the fabric is so wide and Lulu is such a squinge Bess can make up the entire thing out of 80cm. Bonus!
The hems are done with a simple zigzag because Bess hates the coverstitch machine.
Child’s Cotton Dress and Matching Hat
This is Christine’s Granddaughter Georgia, who was nearly 5. She’d just been to stay, and as soon as her parents had dropped her off she wanted to ‘do sewing – a hat and a dress!’
They found a lovely free bucket hat pattern online – from Oliver + s – a PDF, a first for Christine but very easy, and sewed up nicely. Then they found a New Look G205 pattern for the dress.
Everything made up really nicely in the seaweed print cotton. Christine was thinking of ric-rac, but as soon as Georgia saw the daisy trim she fell in love with it. As you can see, she loves her dress, and thinks it’s very good for twirling in! The hems are sewn with a daisy stitch to match the trim.
Dusky Purple Wool Melton Coat with Psychedelic Lining
Here we have Melody with her dusky purple coat made up beautifully and lined in psychedelic digital print poly satin. The pattern is the Clare Coat from Closet Case patterns. Melody said the printed pattern is not the best but their site has a brilliant tutorial for making it. It comes as a zipped version and a version with large press studs but she changed it to have self cover ones done with the lining.
Check the lining! Continue reading Dusky Purple Wool Melton Coat with Psychedelic Lining
Blue and White Paisley Print Slubby Cotton Tunic
Sheryl made this lovely tunic up in heavy slubby cotton with a blue paisley overprint. The pattern comes from the book The Tunic Bible. Continue reading Blue and White Paisley Print Slubby Cotton Tunic
Seagull Print Cotton and Elastane Jersey T-Shirt
Lynn has been making clothes for herself, friends and family for years. She works mostly in soft furnishings and upholstery now so making clothes is a real treat, and what a treat this t-shirt is? Made from 95% Cotton 5% Elastane lightweight jersey with a fun seagull print (seagulls are not best friends in Devon but they are tolerated on a t-shirt)
Taupe Geometric Print Polyester Satin Vest Top
Trish came to the shop wearing her fabulous taupe geometric print polyester satin vest top, she self drafted the pattern (clever old sticks our customers are).
This top is as versatile as a top can be – perfect for a trip to the shops but equally at home dressed up with some snazzy trousers for a wedding. Pattern heaven!
Embroidered Denim Cleo Dress
Heather in the sunshine wearing her lovely embroidered denim Cleo dress by Tilly and the Buttons. Sooooo Good!
Geo Print Cotton Needlecord Dress
Marion wearing her mauve and blue geometric print cotton needlecord shift dress with short sleeves and princess seams. made and designed by Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead)
Multicolour Stripe Stretch Cotton Dress
We have been looking at this stretch cotton sateen multicolour stripe for a while thinking “something FANTASTIC could be made out of this”, and here we have the proof. Marion, with her dress made and designed by the clever stick Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead). We love the chevron detailing on the back, and the perfectly matched seams. This kind of attention to detail really pays off. 👍
Animal Print Stretch Cotton Sateen Asymmetric Dress
Marion wearing this great animal print stretch cotton sateen dress with asymmetric zip detailing and shawl collar. Made and designed by Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead).
Colour Block Shift Dress
Pamela sent us this photo after a season of wearing this self proclaimed favourite dress made up from her stash of heavy linen. Aside from the generally pleasing aesthetics of a colour block dress you get to do some quality stash busting. Win/Win! For the best results use like fabrics (weight/drape) and make sure they are colour fast for the cleaning. It’s a good idea to use those colour catcher sheets you put in the machine as a precaution.
She made it up again in Green (which we love) but the yellow remains the favourite.
Spotty Green Ponte Jersey Dress
Patricia working in the shop wearing her fabulous cut and super comfy long sleeve ponte roma dress. (Pattern cut herself)
Tulip Print Shift Dress with Wool Crepe Bolero Jacket
The lovely Anne here in full glory doing the Mother of the Bride thing wearing this statement tulip print poly twill taffeta dress and classic wool crepe bolero jacket.
Anne had help matching the tulips at a sewing class in Bath (the pattern is Vogue 8997). The wool crepe in the bright pink for the jacket was lovely to work with and drapes well (the pattern is Burda 8997).
Silver Satin Prom Dress with Guipure Lace
Penney made up this dress for her daughter Rosie using silver satin and overlaid on the bodice with silver guipure lace, originally the plan was to have the lace all over but they opted (quite rightly, we think) to stick to just the bodice, even though Penney had already matched up all the pieces (doh!). The pattern is made up from two other patterns – Vogue 2913 (one of Penneys from the eighties) and Vogue 8076. She used used a full toile to fit it and amend. Rosie was very specific about what she wanted as teenagers do best!
Wool Check Tweedy Flannel Jacket and Worsted Trousers
Emma sent us this pic of her brilliant jacket and trousers combo using an ex designer tweedy wool flannel check for the jacket with leather accents, and worsted wool for the trousers. She cuts the patterns herself (our customers are clever aren’t they?)
Green Linen Jersey Cardigan with Sequin Trim
Bess made this green linen jersey cardigan purely because she needed an excuse to use the fantastic scroll sequin trim. This trim is not confined to cardigans, and whilst it may look like it is a pig to attach it really wasn’t (Bess sewed it by hand). The pattern is a basic t-shirt pattern with bust darts that Bess cut open with a V at the neck.
White Broderie Anglaise Shift Dress
White Broderie Anglaise embroidered cotton dress made by Jane for Lulu using Vogue pattern 1942 (discontinued). IT is trimmed with turquoise blue satin bias, soft cotton bias and piping around the neck, and lined in cotton voile.
Peacock Print off the Shoulder Dress
Aiste made this most fabulous green peacock print cotton and elastane jersey made up with black ribbing on the neck and cuffs (cut on the fly – as is Aiste’s speciality)
Lobster Print Cotton Voile Man’s Shirt
Jane this lobster print cotton voile shirt for Scotty. Cut extra roomy as the fabric is super fine, and french seams all round. The pattern is Burda 3800
Turquoise Blue and Multicolour Geo Floral Print Cotton Needlecord Dress
Marion in this super fresh blue and multicolour print cotton needlecord short sleeve dress made and designed by Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead)
Brown Geo Floral Babycord Shift Dress with Sleeves
Marion wearing her super dress made with brown and yellow geometric floral print cotton babycord, there are clever princess seams that are piped and curve out to the side seams below the waist, which is a very flattering design feature. Made and designed by Dawn Hooper of Hardy and Hooper (Maidenhead)
Navy and White Polka Dot Print Viscose Shirtwaister
Sandra visiting the shop on a super sunny day wearing her light and breezy navy polka dot viscose shirtwaister dress.
The pattern is McCall’s 6891 and has various length and sleeve options. Â I suspect every girl needs one of these dresses, right?
Butterfly Print Viscose ‘learn to sew’ Halterneck Girl’s Dress
Madeleine overjoyed with her butterfly print viscose halterneck dress made by Granny, Alisa. The Pattern is ‘learn to sew’ McCall’s 7589 as Alisa has had time out from sewing and needed to ease herself in gently, she was back for more fabric the following week so I think it worked!
Floral Stretch Cotton Sateen Wide Leg Trousers
Aiste is showing off her fabulous wide leg trousers made up in floral print stretch cotton sateen using Burda vintage (re-published) pattern #6966, she used the narrower of the two options.
The fit of these trousers is fantastic -partly due to the elastane content of the fabric but also because, for some reason, Burda trouser patterns are cut better than others (in our humble opinion).
Big Digital Tulip Print Poly Twill A-line Skirt
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.
Rose Print on Black and White Spotty Stretch Cotton Sateen dress
Jacoba in red roses on black and white polka dot print stretch cotton sateen dress. We’ve said this before and we shall say it again, Stretch Cotton Sateen is a girl’s best friend when it comes to shift dresses. You can look smart AND be comfortable! 👍Â 😀
Pink Floral and Spotty Cotton Brocade Dress
This is Sophie who has a degree in Costume Design and keeps turning up at the shop with friends and family working out what she will make next. She is quite an inspiration.
The pattern was drafted herself and is using a cotton brocade which is heavy enough to hold shape but drapey enough to swing and not stick out.
Purple Faux Fur Short Jacket
This luxurious Purple faux fur jacket was made by Pauline using Butterick 6328 pattern, which is illustrated here as overshirts but as you can see works very well in faux fur.
The pattern is unlined but Pauline wanted lovely yellow satin inside so she drafted a lining pattern by the following method.
The neatest and best way to make a lining pattern from an unlined pattern with a facing is to do the following:
Illustration: Piece A = front facing. Piece B = front
First: Trace piece B and cut out.
1. Lay facing (A) over your traced piece (B) matching centre front and shoulder points (red dots). Mark your cutting line onto piece B that will be 2 x seam allowances inside the facing piece (red dotted line), this is usually 3cm (2 x 1.5cm). A tracing wheel or measurement gauge is useful for this job but a simple ruler will work.
2. Cut off the top of piece B beyond the dotted line. This is your new lining piece.
3 Stitch lining B to facing A using the same seam allowance as you used for the alteration.
The same principle goes for whichever piece you want to make a lining for -you need to lay the facing piece on and take off that piece less 2 x seam allowances. Itâs a good idea to add a pleat of extra fabric (about 3â) to the back of a coat or jacket, and all linings should be cut fractionally bigger than the outer fabric to add ease.
Bright Green Laminated PVC Peplum Skirt
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.
Watermelon Print Cotton A-Line Dress
Pauline made this delicious summery watermelon print cotton up into this great a-line dress from McCall’s (M2401). The cotton is pretty lightweight (somewhere between a lawn and a poplin) and could have got away with no lining but Pauline went for the smarter option and lined it in cotton voile.
Jersey Mock Wrap Top and Maxi Skirt
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 đ
Spring Green Cotton Jersey with Inset Lace T-Shirt
Jane B made this fresh and lovely spring green cotton jersey top with lace inset on the shoulder.
She used Butterick 6418 view D – made longer – but bound the neckline as it would not have worked simply turning a hem over. Very pleased with it! 👏
Waterfall Hem Tunic in Magazine Print and Stripes Viscose Jersey
Wendy visited the shop all the way from Welsh Wales to check us out ‘in the flesh’ (we don’t think she was disappointed). We couldn’t resist getting a photo as she was wearing this fab tunic Katherine Tilton for Vogue patterns. We love the combination of the two prints which just look spectacular together. Thumbs up Wendy! 👍
Silver Stretch Brocade Fitted Shift Dress
Frances made up this fabulous silver grey stretch brocade shift dress for her sister who was needing an outfit for her son’s wedding â she didnât want anyone else to turn up wearing the same dress! She knew what she wanted and was delighted with the result (Obv!)
The pattern was copied from a dress that was bought a long time ago and made a few minor changes to the shape at the back, a toile was fitted first.
It is lined in Venezia but there is no interfacing as the fabric was weighty enough to hold its shape. as a bonus she says it was really easy to cut and sew.
Well, Frances, we think you made an exceptional Mother of the Bride Outfit for your sister right there! Well Done! 👏
Pink Spotty Kid’s Raincoat
Anna from I â¤ď¸Â Sewing made this funky little fully lined spotty raincoat from laminated cotton and finished it off with snap fasteners
Meadow Digital Print Cotton Canvas Ruffle Skirt
Ann came in smiling wearing this skirt that gets her stopped in the street to ask her where it’s from đ
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. 😮
Floral Print Wide Leg Trousers
Here we have Lyn who only nipped in to replace some fabric that was spoiled by a bad iron but was collared for a photo on the way wearing her Simplicity floral print polyester crepe trousers that look both smart AND comfy.
