A new grey plaid check picnic dress made with a full circle skirt and ribbon detailing at the hem. As we worked on this dress the skirt reminded me of the skirts we used to wear in ballet for character dances with swirling ribbons at the hem.
Nets give support to the full circle and a velvet bow finished the dress at the empire line.

I've been busy working on stripe designs from vintage fabrics I've collected together. 1950s sun dresses and 1940s deco chevrons have been springing to mind. Plus an order of fashion books (Vera Wang, Prada, OrlaKeily Pattern and some great technical skills books) have arrived for me to study away over the evenings. 
Anna has been creating some stunning full length bridesmaids dresses that look fit for Grecian goddesses. Watching her work in the studio is fascinating with her attention to detail and precision and fine craftsmanship. I always learn something new!

Julie & Julia motivational movie

OK, I know this is very obvious, watch Julie and Julia and you'll want to write a blog about doing something everyday. 

Instead of eating like a maniac, I do need to make more dresses and become a lot more focused.www.makemeadress.com

The solution will be to commit publicly to making a dress every day, a whole finished dress. I'm not allowed to include Anna's dresses as she has put the hard work into making them but I can diversify into a bag or two when I'm a little more stretched and I may also include dresses that have taken weeks, as they are special orders.

I will also tell you all about them and hopefully improve my writing skills!

Here is the first one for Monday, it is also a cheat to get me going as Anna made it last week. Sorry this is terrible! 

I can't quite remember where this incredible fabric came from but it is wonderful and  had been hoarded for a while. The cotton is vintage printed by Warner's and named 'Staffordshire Figures' by Jill Owen. 

It's super kitsch and applies itself perfectly to a 50's style design with a full gathered skirt and sweeping neckline. I imagined summer picnics with ladies singing, maybe Hayley Mills in a Disney song! 

Have listed it in our etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/46577477/the-printed-picnic-dress-ooak