THE DRAPERY BLOG

Spanish pattern designer Pauline Alice has recently released several new patterns, and this one, the Diago Top , caught our eye for summer. It's a very simple dolman-sleeved top with a slight high-low hem and stitched down facings. Our new linens came along, and some hot weather, and the deal was sealed. The Diago (available only as downloadable PDF from her website) is designed with beginner sewists in mind. The instructions are not quite as hand-holdy as they could be for absolute beginners but that shouldn't put anyone off, either. This is a lovely pattern with a forgiving fit, nice finishing like the faced hem, and thorough steps like French seams, clipping and understitching. Can anyone tell I was fighting off a cold and had an afternoon nap in this outfit? Sometimes you have to go with messy reality or things will never be blogged. And for a not completely crumpled version, here's Fiona! Fabric hungry? The pattern, in my size (44), calls for 2.1m of 1...

The adorable Ninot jacket pattern by Pauline Alice has been calling my name for a while. When this 100% wool in 'Garnet' arrived in the shop, I'd found the perfect match.  (Long project = long blog post so grab a cup of tea!) Making a jacket can be quite a process, and I wanted to 'skill up' and take my time with this, learning some things along the way. Welt pockets and bound buttonholes were a first for me. The instructions for these were quite good, although I could have used a few more diagrams. I took my time and used a lot of hand-basting to hold things in place. The buttons, by the way, are gorgeous vintage ones from Our Beautiful Pieces on Unley Road. Quite a dangerous place to visit for the vintage button lover! The jacket has a lovely swingy back pleat. There's an optional back button tab across the pleat, which I made. To be honest I ran out of buttons so didn't attach it! I'm still toying with the idea of removing the sle...

Here's a great little wardrobe basic that we highly recommend: the Rosari Skirt by Spanish designer Pauline Alice.   As described on the pattern envelope: "Classic and inspired by the 70s, the Rosari skirt will be your best friend all year round. Mini or midi length, it is so versatile and goes with everything. With 4 pocket options: A - rounded with coin pocket, B - patch pocket, C - inverted pleat patch pocket with flap, D - zipped pocket." The myriad of pocket options was one of the things that really drew us to this pattern. I'd like to try them all!   This time I opted for the mini length with zip pockets at the front and patch pockets at the back, made up in sturdy 10oz traditional dark denim .  Let me tell you the insertion of those zip pockets was one of those incredibly satisfying sewing moments. You know, when you think 'yes, I really made that!' It's not too tricky, the instructions guide you through it very well, and the res...