Did you know our Henry is penguin mad? No? Well, he is really is! So when I saw the penguin family on Basic Grey’s booth at Quilt Market I couldn’t buy a pattern quickly enough. I wanted a very simple, vintage look for my penguin- sorry! Henry’s penguin- so I dyed some wool blanket and […]

These are an absolute delight to use. They were a lot of money but weren’t expensive (if you see what I mean). They are solid and smooth and built to last and can be repaired and sharpened forever and ever. I intend to buy myself a whole set. I bought them from the great grandson […]

Saturday night found me covered in sawdust trying to make a tailors ham and a sleeve roll following the instructions in my Merchant and Mills book. I’m not sure I’ve ever used them before but apparently they will improve my pressing and thereby my dressmaking enormously. I have high hopes of this being true. I’d […]

Months and months ago I was asked if I’d like to design a sewing project for the Laura Ashley blog. So without hesitation I said ‘yes please’ and here it is! I chose to work with the lovely Bloomsbury fabrics they’ve recently re-launched (this one and this one which are currently half price) and whilst […]

I’m just back from a lovely (and snowy) weekend teaching at Hope and Elvis. Louise has a wonderful collection of vintage fabric which she generously lets everyone use. I spend quite a bit of my time there rummaging through her scrap baskets, pulling out my favourites and making little piles of textile treasures. Anyway, some […]

I’m repeating myself here, but do so knowing it will make quite a few people happy! So, here you are: a little PDF for you, just in time for Easter. Pattern – Rabbit Softie.

My little business has had a bit of a growth spurt recently. So to celebrate I’ve treated myself to an ipad mini. And let me tell you, it’s a thing of beauty. I’m hoping it will make travelling, working and generally being away from home easier and more pleasant, and I can Instagram at last […]

I’ve admired her work for so long and now I’m the very proud owner of a little piece. I mean, look at him! How could I resist such a character? Visit Mandy’s Etsy shop and treat yourself to a real bargain. Now, I’m saving for one of these stools.

Recently, a lady on one of my workshops cut herself quite badly leaving me to find the venue’s first aid kit (which I did and all was well) but… I realised that having my own first aid kit would be far more comforting. So, here it is. And I never want to use it.

                    invisible mending seemed unattainable so I went with very visible mending. In vintage wool no less.