A new pattern company, The Pattern Preacher, got in touch with me on Instagram and kindly offered me one of their patterns. They didn’t specify what they wanted in return so although the pattern was ‘gifted’ in Instagram terms, in this blog post I am expressing my own views (and I’m not going to say everything was wonderful because it was gifted!) about the Sienna palazzo trousers.
Author: Alice in the Polka Dot Palace
Haute stuff: The white shirt edit
You can’t deny the power of a good white shirt. They’re easily boxed into being ‘crisp’ and ‘smart’, but the possibilities are literally endless, just have a scroll on any good retailer’s website and you’re swamped with inspiration. Although I’m generally drawn to a bold print (I have been known to wear 6 at a time, but who’s counting?), the lure of the white shirt has got me. Here I’ve put together a few inspiration images from some luxury brands and paired them with patterns so you can hack your own! Allwhite, enough faffing (and enough puns), let’s get down to it…
This preppy shirt from Red Valentino is so gorgeous and I love it! One of my most-made shirt patterns, the Juliette from I Am Patterns, would be perfect to recreate this. I’d curve the collar and add a ruffle, plus little ruffles to the sleeves and add a zip at the back instead of buttons – or just keep the buttons as it’s those front details that are so beautiful! All that’s then needed is a straight necktie which you could then wear with other shirts, too.
Lockdown wardrobe: because comfort doesn’t have to mean tracksuits
The lockdown has allowed many to indulge in the guilty pleasures that come with the ‘invisibility’ of working from home; not needing to wash your hair, not having to get dressed, not feeling any need to wear makeup. For the last couple of years my sister has exercised the mantra “no shower, no makeup, no bra” for her wfh Fridays. (Sorry, Els, your secret’s out.)
However, I just don’t fit into this camp. When working from home (and on my days off) I still like to put on ‘proper’ clothes and do my makeup. It makes me feel good about myself, ready for the day, and more proactive. Comfort is still key, though, and I’ve realised over the past few weeks that I keep going for similar styles. Clothes that are comfortable but still look a bit polished are my go-to, so here are some pattern suggestions to strike the balance between being comfy, but still a little bit fancy…
The pattern that sparked this thinking is the Safiya from Tilly Walnes’ book Make It Simple:
It’s so comfortable, versatile, a little bit quirky, and it looks really nice. This pattern is brilliant. Continue reading “Lockdown wardrobe: because comfort doesn’t have to mean tracksuits”
Make it slightly less simple: Tilly’s Safiya dungarees
Tilly Walnes’ third book ‘Make It Simple’ has been, unsurprisingly, a huge success. The premise of the book is to make sewing less complicated with its six ‘easy, speedy sewing projects to stitch up in an afternoon.’
I love a good bargain, and this book is a brilliant investment. For £25 you get the six patterns mentioned, but each one has a number of variations included on the pattern sheets, and there are more suggestions for you to create yourself too. The designs are really varied including pyjamas, day dresses and a more tailored pinafore dress, but here I’m going to talk about a pattern I’ve fallen hard for: the Safiya.
Continue reading “Make it slightly less simple: Tilly’s Safiya dungarees”
Ogden cami: how to make your own button-up version!
You may not have heard of this rarely seen top…it’s called the Ogden cami from True Bias. Yes. That one that every single person who sews has sewn. It’s just so good.
For very good reason, the Ogden hangs inside the wardrobe of every seamstress, and I thought I’d share a simple little hack to make your own button-up version.
Continue reading “Ogden cami: how to make your own button-up version!”
